Eagle Chamber's 2023 Member Awards Celebration - An Evening of Elegance

An Evening of Elegance

Eagle Chamber 2023 Awards Celebration guests stepped in from the cold to a warm and cozy Yeti's Grind in historic downtown Eagle for an evening of celebration and recognition of Eagle Chamber's 2023 Member of the Year, Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year and Ambassador of the Year. The outstanding individuals and organizations who have made a significant impact in our community were honored amongst their friends and colleagues during this evening of elegance, inspiration, and joy of acknowledging excellence. Tasteful appetizers and desserts provided by Little Bird Creative Community were savored by all. Bubbly beverages and snazzy live tunes echoed in the back round by local favorite musicians Alan Echtler and Ray Merry.    

The Winners

Member of the Year

Rhonda Tatham of First Bank

Anyone who knows Rhonda Tatham are familiar with her gentle spirit. Open and accepting, Rhonda is a generous, thoughtful person. When you first meet Rhonda, even within just the first few minutes, you realize through her authenticity that you've made a friend for life. Rhonda's character qualities carry over as a Treasury Management Specialist for First Bank. Rhonda packages First Bank products for businesses. This can include HR products, credit card processing, checking and savings accounts and more. Rhonda's willingness and ability to get to know you and your business gives her the capability to make the right recommendations tailored towards your specific business needs. Rhonda makes time in her busy schedule to serve her community in many ways, including with the Gypsum Fire Department Auxiliary, for several years.  As an Eagle Chamber Ambassador for the past two years, Rhonda is always the person our team of Ambassadors can count on. She has a sense of loyalty and takes ownership of her many contributions to the Chamber. Rhonda responded to her receiving of this award: "Thank you so much for the Member of the Year award. It is my pleasure to support and give back to the community. I look forward to continuing the work the Chamber provides to the businesses of Eagle." -Rhonda Tatham

Business of the Year

On-Site Veterinary

Most everyone with pets understands what all the buzz is about when it comes to a boost in local, reliable pet care. The On-Site Veterinary team has proven over and over again that your pet's health is their top priority. A graduate of Atlantic Veterinary College in 2010 with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, the owner of On-Site Veterinary, Dr. Susan O'Brien, is a 2006 graduate of Sweet Briar College in Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology. A long list of Dr. O'Brien's studies, internships and credentials continued from there, when she finally made Colorado her home, in 2011. As busy as her practice is, Dr. O'Brien has made time to serve our local communities even beyond pet care. On the Board of Directors for the Gypsum Chamber of Commerce since 2019, Dr. O'Brien has held the Presidential position of the Gypsum Chamber since 2022. Dr. O'Brien's dedicated team provides a low stress environment for both their clients and their pets. 

In acceptance of On-Site Veterinary's award, owner Dr. Susan O'Brien responds: 
"We are honored to receive the prestigious award of Business of the Year and count ourselves as fortunate to be recognized for our veterinary service. The Eagle Chamber of Commerce has been an integral part of our success since our inception thanks to their community outreach and support."

Non-Profit of the Year

Habitat Restore Vail Valley

A steadfast builder of affordable homes since 1995, Habitat for Humanity Vail Valley made the aspirational goal to double their impact by building 46 homeownership opportunities from 2022 to 2024. Habitat homeowners volunteer 250 sweat equity hours to help build their homes and the homes of their friends. They purchase their homes paying no more than 30% of their income towards housing. Habitat's 16-home 3rd Street modular project in Eagle is a collaboration between Eagle County Government, Town of Eagle, State of Colorado DOLA and Eagle County School District (ECSD), that donated the property. 75% of the residents are ECSD employees. Habitat Restore Vail Valley is a key funding source for Habitat Vail Valley's building efforts. Since opening in 2005, the Restore has kept 5,452 tons of usable materials out of the landfill. The 1.3 million dollars in net proceeds funds building affordable homes. The Eagle Chamber recognizes Habitat Vail Valley and Restore provides a path for a better life through safe and affordable homes, and contributing to solutions for the greatest challenge facing our community - affordable housing. 
In acceptance of Habitat Restore Vail Valley's award, Restore Manager responds: 
"We are so excited to be Eagle Chamber's Non-Profit of the Year! We love that the community values what we do - and more importantly, that so many in our community shop and donate a the Habitat Restore so we can build more homes in Eagle County. Thanks to the Eagle Chamber for being a tremendous resource for homeowners, business owners and locals!"

Ambassador of the Year

Sandy LaBaugh of US Bank

For the past two years, Sandy LaBaugh has been an Eagle Chamber Ambassador, representing US Bank. Sandy came to the Ambassador team with a great knowledge of US Bank products and how they can serve local businesses. For those of you that know Sandy, you know the dynamic individual she is. Sandy is always ahead of the game with regards to strategic planning. She has many resources she seems to just be able to pull out just at the right moment. But Sandy carries a quality that all of us appreciated most, and that is her sense of fun and adventure. Sandy is always up to having a good time, whether it is for her love of skiing, mountain biking, hiking, camping or even just enjoying a craft beer. Sandy's dedication to her passion of serving the community stood out during Eagle Chamber's Biztoberfest 2023. In charge of transporting food from Village Bagel, 25 miles away from the event that started at 5 pm, a fire emergency off the highway ensued with devastating consequences that debilitated traffic. Unlike a lot of locals, Sandy jumped right out into the severely congested traffic situation, was able to obtain the food and persisted through hours of traffic to make it to the hungry crowd at Biztoberfest. If there was ever an explicit circumstance to cancel at the last minute, this was it. Instead of canceling, Sandy persevered, keeping her commitment to the Chamber and the community to deliver this food to Biztoberfest, apparently at no cost. On top of this, Sandy set up the food and began serving a long line of guests immediately upon arrival and continued non-stop, without a break. Despite the local emergency, Biztoberfest ended up being a joyous experience for all and we recognize Sandy's perseverance in serving the community to the greatest extent. 

In keeping with Sandy's persona, she's not able to accept this award on the evening of this event because as it turns out she is on a 6-month sailing trip to the Caribbean. "Sandy, we're toasting to you this evening!", exclaimed the Director of the Chamber. Upon Sandy's return, her response to this award designation will be shared.


Portofino Jewelry drew the winning raffle ticket and won a 2024 Eagle Chamber Essential Business Membership, courtesy of Eagle Chamber Board Member and Screaming Eagle Scholarship Committee Chair, Jessie Steinmetz of Edward Jones! 

Attendees elevated their style on this special evening and notable moments were captured by Eagle Chamber Member Michael Rawlings Photography, who offered courtesy photography for everyone!  

The Eagle Chamber would like to offer special thanks to Jessie Steinmetz of Edward Jones, Little Bird Creative Community, Yeti's Grind, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Colorado Properties and Rick Beveridge Real Estate for their Sponsorship of this event! The event would have not been possible without the direct support from these Chamber Members. Additional thanks to Eagle Chamber Ambassadors Josie Haxton of Portofino Jewelry, Emma Mitchell of Rosa Joy Co. and Jackie VanEyll of the Town of Eagle and to MND America for donating the award-winner's photo backdrop!