Kathryn Brown, center, accepts the 2024 Woman of the Year Award on Jan. 31, 2025, at the 68th First Citizens Banquet and Business Excellence Awards at the Pendleton Convention Center.

PENDLETON — The Pendleton community honored its finest Jan. 31 at the 68th First Citizens Banquet and Business Excellence Awards in the Pendleton Convention Center.

The Pendleton Chamber of Commerce gave the local award ceremony a “Fire and Ice” theme, two opposing forces that, when brought together, create balance and harmony.

Heading the list of honorees were 2024 Woman of the Year Kathryn Brown and 2024 Man of the Year Phil Garton.

Brown’s selection was a recognition of nearly two decades of volunteer service and leadership. According to a press release from the chamber announcing the awards, her leadership, generosity and vision have inspired countless individuals, making Pendleton a stronger and more vibrant place.

Whether advocating for the arts, revitalizing public spaces or championing local causes, her service is undeniable, making her a truly deserving recipient of the 2024 Woman of the Year Award, the press release said.

“ It was a huge surprise to me and also just a really wonderful honor,” Brown said. “I’m just very grateful to all the people who nominated me and wrote letters of support. I know there are a lot of people involved in the effort and I think it’s really just a wonderful honor.”

Among her many contributions, Brown led the creation of the Pendleton Children’s Center to address the city’s child care crisis. In 2023, she advocated for a $5.5 million funding initiative for the center, and in 2024, she secured a $1.5 million federal grant to expand its services.

Brown chairs the Pendleton Parks and Recreation Commission, which has led efforts to improve public spaces, including the redevelopment of Til Taylor Park.

She sits on several regional and statewide boards, including the Tamástslikt Cultural Institute board, helping to preserve tribal history and cultural education, and on the Oregon Community Foundation’s Eastern Oregon Leadership Council, helping to guide philanthropic efforts that support local communities.

Her leadership also extends to environmental conservation as the organizer of the Stewards of the Umatilla River Environment’s annual river cleanup. She mobilizes volunteers to clean up and protect the Umatilla River and its surroundings.

“ In my now 18 years in Pendleton I have really seen a lot of change, both negative and positive,” Brown said. “And I’m just really trying to focus on making positive change and just helping this town thrive.”

As a vice president of the former EO Media Group, which had been part of her family for four generations, Brown helped preserve local news coverage of regional events that affected Northeastern Oregon.

She continued this work until the company was sold in late 2024.

As a recipient of the Woman of the Year Award, Brown continues a family legacy. She follows in the footsteps of her grandmother Amy Bedford, the 1962 Woman of the Year, and her great-uncle J.W. Forrester, the 1956 Man of the Year.

The final award announced during the ceremony was Garton’s selection as 2024 Man of the Year.

According to the chamber’s press release, from his early years in Pendleton to his service in the U.S. Navy, Garton’s journey has been marked by leadership, hard work and a deep love for his hometown, and his determination and unwavering dedication played a key role in shaping the community.

“ I kind of have been out of the public scene for a lot of years,” Garton said. “I guess I never thought they would recognize some of the things that I did and some of the people around me did, but it’s really rewarding to get it.”

Garton helped transform the Pendleton Underground Tours, a nonprofit founded in 1989 by a group of locals who were eager to show off their town’s Old West history. He organized work parties and rallied volunteers to help make the underground a thriving historical attraction.

Garton helped establish the New Optimist Club, now known as the Pendleton City Club, and co-founded the Pendleton Youth Football Program. He also served nine years as chairman of the Homestead Youth Lodge.

Through decades of service, Garton demonstrated an unwavering belief in Pendleton’s potential as a vibrant tourism destination. His efforts helped revitalize key community projects and preserve the town’s history for future generations, according to the chamber’s press release.

“ There’s a lot more that I would like to see Pendleton do,” Garton said. “I don’t know if I’m young enough to get any of it done anymore, but I just so much hate to see Pendleton shrivel up. I love this community. It has so much potential, and we have the people and the talent in the community and the bones in the community to make it happen.”

The other honoreesPendleton Catering Co. won the Business of the Year Award.

Travis Cortez from Trendsitions Inc. won the Boss of the Year Award.

Jeff Hamilton with the city of Pendleton won the Employee of the Year Award.

Sylvia Clawson won the Volunteer of the Year Award.