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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend September 10, 2005 First Citizen Award presented to Lithia Motors chief executive By GREG STILES Mail Tribune Sid DeBoer, the leader of one of Southern Oregon’s best-known companies, received the First Citizen Award from the Chamber of Medford/Jackson County Thursday night. The 62-year-old chairman and chief executive officer of Lithia Motors was introduced by Patsy Smullin of California Oregon Broadcasting and Lithia President and Chief Operations Officer Dick Heimann at Rogue Valley Country Club. Smullin said DeBoer is a person of tremendous integrity who has made a significant contribution to the development of Jackson County. "Sid’s passion for the good of the community lands him in memberships and organizations throughout our valley," Smullin said. "His willingness to extend his fortune toward others in need is a wonderful example for all of us." DeBoer serves as a board member for the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Medford Rogue Rotary Foundation, Oregon Community Foundation, Southern Oregon University Foundation and Jackson County Juvenile Detention. Advertisement Chamber chief executive Brad Hicks describes DeBoer as a humble leader, who happens to run a company with nearly $3 billion in sales. "As far as I’m concerned Sid is very much a servant leader," Hicks said. "For me personally, there is no more important or impactful leadership than that. He’s the type of person who wouldn’t ask you to do something he wouldn’t do himself." Hicks said DeBoer’s care for the community is reflected in how he gets behind local projects. "It’s not just through his own personality, but the time and resources of his company, family and employees. People in his sphere of influence make a difference in the community every day. Someone has to be able to give those people the opportunity to do that and he does." Advertising agency executive Bill Maentz said DeBoer has aided the local economy through Lithia Motors’ growth. "They could easily be spreading all that success over all the areas they are in," Maentz said. "Lithia donates something to the communities it’s in for every car sold. But Southern Oregon is way spoiled in that regard." Among the other awards distributed Thursday were: Gold River Distributing Co., named Outstanding Corporate Citizen among for-profit companies. Southern Oregon Goodwill Industries, Outstanding Corporate Citizen among non profits. Maentz Agency, recognized for its growth among small companies (those with fewer than 50 employees). Sabroso Co., honored for growth among medium-sized companies (those with 51-150 employees). PremierWest Bank, noted for growth among large companies (those with more than 150 employees). Grange Co-op, Retailer of the Year. Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport, Spirit of Enterprise. John Watt of John Watt & Associates, Member of the Year. Chela Sanchez of New York Life, New Member of the Year. North Medford High School senior Charlie Bufalino, recipient, Future First Citizen Scholarship. Reach reporter Greg Stiles at 776-4463 or e-mail First Citizen Award presented to Lithia Motors chief executive ">[email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s