A Tigard resident who can’t seem to get enough opportunities to volunteer for worthy causes, and a unique fitness facility that focuses on personal training and a holistic approach to health have been named this year’s Tigard’s First Citizen and the Tigard Chamber Business of the Year, respectively.
During the Friday, May 10, Tigard Chamber of Commerce’s 50th Annual Shining Stars Community Awards presentation held at the Embassy Suites Washington Square, Karen Emerson received the 2024 Tigard First Citizen, with Lisa Rhoades and Jordon Hice’s Fit Alliance winning the Tigard Chamber Business of the Year award.
Emerson was recognized as a person who “excels in any area of unpaid endeavor of education, social services, youth work, and community improvement of public services,” according to the chamber’s requirements to receive the award.
“Karen Emerson has dedicated countless hours to serving the Tigard community, spanning various organizations and initiatives, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to its betterment,” according to a chamber statement.
Over the years, Emerson has been involved with Mary Woodward Elementary School’s Parent-Staff Organization, serving at times as president and helping out with art literacy as a classroom volunteer at that school. She later served as president of the Charles F. Fowler Middle School’s Parent-Staff Organization as well. At the school, she headed up several auctions and helped raise funds for school programs and led the initiative for replacing playground equipment at the school.
Other activities have included serving as co-chair of Art in the Burbs, a local event that promotes local artists and cultural enrichment.
In addition, she was a founding committee member of Family Promise of Tualatin Valley, the largest provider of services for homeless families in Washington County.
Actively involved in Tigard United Methodist Church, she also led fundraising efforts for Bethlehem House of Bread, which is located at the church and serves as a food pantry, community center and support system for those going through challenging times.
Emerson said she was “stunned” to get a call from Chamber Director Megan De Salvo, saying she had received the award.
“The past award recipients are a remarkable list of people who have had a large impact on the Tigard community, and to be added to that list is a huge honor,” she said. “Receiving this award also gave me the opportunity to share my gratitude to my family for supporting my volunteer and engagement choices and their impacts on our family.”
Meanwhile, Fit Alliance, a one-of-a-kind fitness boutique with a focus on personal training, was honored as the Tigard Chamber Business of the Year by meeting criteria including being “active, involved, interested, and enthusiastic about continuing to make Tigard a destination of choice for local businesses.”
Chamber officials lauded the business for having a unique fitness philosophy that emphasizes longevity and community.
“Their low-impact workouts energize, not drain, fostering motivation and consistency. With personalized training plans and nutritional guidance, they empower individuals to establish lasting health habits,” chamber officials said of the award. “They specialize in helping those aged 40 and above regain optimal physical condition while minimizing injury risk.”
“It was an unexpected surprise...” Rhoades and Hice wrote about the accolade. “We were doing a 5-year ribbon cutting with the Tigard Chamber and they presented it to us at that time. Receiving the award is a testament to the dedication of our team and the vibrancy of our community.”
Other Shining Stars winners include:
K. Ray Ellison, 2024 Tigard Chamber Ambassador of the Year. Ellison works with Melaleuca, the largest health and wellness online shopping club in North America.Ron Royse and John Chamberlain, recipients of the 2024 Tigard “From the Heart” Award. Both were selected for volunteering in the community. The award specifically calls out their outstanding work as “hosts, master of ceremonies and firework launchers for the past 36 years at the Tigard Old-Fashioned 4th of July held annually at Tigard High School and Cook Park.”Raquel Muller, 2024 Tigard Chamber Volunteer of the Year. Muller is a financial educator and coach with WealthWave. She has chaired the chamber’s diversity, equity and inclusion committee over the past year.Maddie Bauer, 2024 Tigard Chamber Young Professional of the Year. Bauer is the community engagement coordinator for the Tigard Police Department.Ephram Woolsey, 2024 Tigard Shining Stars Youth Volunteer of the Year. He is co-president of STUDD (Stop Tigard Underaged Drinking and Drugs).
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