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Lausmann named `first citizen' Chamber gives Boise Cascade its community spirit award for reopening By DAVID PRESZLER A Rogue Valley institution paid homage to Medford's longest-serving mayor Tuesday night. The Chamber of Medford/Jackson County named former Mayor Jerry Lausmann its "first citizen" during its annual awards banquet at Rogue Valley Country Club. Lausmann spent a dozen years as Medford's mayor, ending last December. He was persuaded to run for the post in 1986 by a group of Medford businessmen who felt the city didn't listen to their concerns and was honored for his support of the business community and the community as a whole. He is also president of KOGAP, a former sawmill company that has diversified into land development. The award was presented by Jon Jalali, Medford's former city finance director. Jalali praised Lausmann's widespread community involvement and described him a "strong man" full of compassion. The chamber also honored Boise Cascade and a group of public officials that worked to convince the timber company to rebuild its Medford mill that was destroyed by fire last year. The chamber presented its inaugural "community spirit award" to Boise Cascade and honored Boise regional manager Dick Rudisile, Jackson County Commissioner Sue Kupillas, Medford City Councilman Bill Moore, Medford city manager Michael Dyal, Southern Oregon Regional Development Inc. executive director Gordon Safley, Bruce Laird of the Oregon Economic Development Department, Chamber executive director Bill Haas and Curt Johnson, the chamber's outgoing president. The new award honors efforts by both private business and local government in establishing or retaining employment in the Rogue Valley and supporting business development. "The project depicts the absolute best in local, state and county government working with the private sector to facilitate and complete a project that had a less than 50 percent chance of succeeding," said longtime area businessman Skip Patterson in presenting the award Tuesday night. "This award is for those people who chose not to give, not to let one of its best corporate citizens leave." The chamber also gave growth awards to small, medium and large companies. The award for companies with 25 employees or less went to Keypoint Services International, a satellite communications firm that has grown from nine employees in 1992 to 25 now and saw its revenues jump 108 percent last year. The award for companies with 25-100 employees went to Jackson County Title, a 114-year-old title insurance firm that has grown to 73 employees and saw its gross revenues increase 43 percent last year. The award for companies with more than 100 employees went to LTM Inc., the valley's largest contracting and building materials company. LTM has grown to 180 employees and its gross revenues grew 29 percent last year. The chamber's retailer of the year award went to Mahar Homes. Its new member of the year award went to Shawn Pittsley of Preferred Insurance. Member of the year honors were shared by consultant Mark McQueen and Dave Pritchett of Coldwell Bank Pro -- West Real Estate. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA