TULALIP — The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce presented its fourth annual Business and Community Leadership Awards for 2011 at the Tulalip Resort Casino on June 24, to celebrate the accomplishments of local companies and individuals who have been judged to epitomize the spirit of leadership, excellent business practices and community involvement.

Tim King was named “Volunteer of the Year” for his contributions to the Chamber and the Marysville and Tulalip communities.

King has served as a volunteer for the Chamber and its Regional Visitor Information Center since 2003. A charter member of the Mountain View Presbyterian Church, he’s also served as vice president of the Chamber and as a volunteer firefighter for the Getchell Fire Department, the latter from 1960-1989. He and his wife Jeannine each donate more than 70 hours a month to helping the Washington State Parks program.

“I want to thank my wife for putting up with my volunteer time,” Tim King laughed. “She believes in what I do.”

John Soriano was named “Elected Official of the Year” for his commitment to the Chamber, its businesses and the local community, as well as for improving the business climate and encouraging economic development.

Soriano’s first election to the Marysville City Council in 1999 made him the first Asian-American to serve on the Council. He was re-elected in 2003 and 2007, running unopposed both times, giving him a three-term run that makes him the longest continuously-serving member on the Council. He’s chosen not to run for re-election at the end of his current term in order to spend more time with his family, but he remains committed to the Marysville community.

“This helps me believe that perhaps the things we do as elected officials can benefit the business community,” Soriano said. “It’s good for elected officials to learn more about our businesses, which the Chamber has allowed me to do.”

Lorraine and Ken Anderson were named “Business Leaders of the Year” for demonstrating leadership on local business and community issues.

The Andersons are co-owners of G.A. Maxwell’s Restaurant, for which they purchased property in 1978, back when Marysville had a population of only 5,000. Construction on what’s now G.A. Maxwell’s began in 1987 and was completed in 1989. In the 22 years since, the Andersons have employed more than 10,000 people. They’ve also helped fund uniform purchases for local cheerleaders, little league teams and bowling leagues, in addition to donating to local churches’ soup kitchens.

“We appreciate what you’ve done for us,” said Lorraine Anderson, who accepted the award on behalf of herself and Ken.

Marysville Floral was named “Business of the Year” for its customer and community services, as well as its corporate citizenship, business growth and innovative techniques.

Current co-owners Janna Mitchell and Nicole Walker started out as part-time delivery drivers for Linda Hartley, who founded Marysville Floral in 1978 and has since passed on. Mitchell and Walker purchased Marysville Floral from Hartley in 2001. Chamber Board Chair John Bell read testimonials from customers who praised Marysville Floral’s reliability, creativity, low prices and ability to undertake large jobs on short notice.

“We’ve been following in Linda’s footsteps,” Mitchell said. “She laid a solid foundation, and we’ve continued her traditions.”

Janet Duffy received this year’s Millikan-Howard Chairman’s Award, named after two former Chamber Board Chairs who have since passed on, but to whose leadership Bell attributed many of the Chamber’s future successes.

Duffy has lived and worked in Snohomish County since 1976, has been licensed in real estate since 1979 and opened Windermere Real Estate in 2008. She joined the Chamber Board in 1993 before becoming its Chair-Elect in 2000 and its Chair in 2001. Bell credited Duffy with overseeing much of the revitalization of Marysville’s downtown, as well as the location of the Chamber’s Visitor Information Center.

“My business partners are like family,” Duffy said. “It feels weird standing up here without Caldie,” she added, referring to Chamber President and CEO Caldie Rogers, who was unable to attend.