Press Room
Octorber 20, 2011
SWAN Announces 2011 Business and Professional Woman of the Year
Valerie Stafford
Director of Communication & Development at United General Hospital
Val was recognized for rising above adversity to provide numerous valuable contributions to the people and communities of Skagit County.
September 12, 2011
SWAN Announces Finalists for 2011 Business and Professional Woman of the Year
The five finalists for the Skagit Women’s Alliance and Network annual award were recently chosen from a field of businesswomen nominated by the community at large. The recipient of the annual award will be named during the 27th annual award banquet on October 20.
The SWAN board of directors each year selects five women as finalists for the prestigious Business and Professional Woman of the Year from a pool of women who are nominated by people at large in our Skagit County community. The award is designated to laud a woman’s career accomplishments and community contributions. Organizers hope it will also inspire young professionals along the way.
The year’s finalists are Julie Blazek, a partner in HKP Architects; Gail Bruce, Director of Counseling at Skagit Valley College; Peggy Flynn, Pflynn & Associates Consulting; Rebecca Spurling, Environmental Superintendent Tesoro Refinery; and Valerie Stafford, Communications Director United General Hospital.
The five women representing various business and community interests throughout Skagit County were chosen from a large group of well qualified women, according to SWAN Board President, Barbara Atterberry. There were 22 nominations received this year, but a nomination alone won’t promote a woman into the finalist group. Nominees must submit a detailed application which the SWAN Board carefully reviews by specific criteria.
Five independent judges will be selected from the greater Skagit County community to review the finalist’s applications. A traditional judging social will be hosted by Max Dales on September 22. The SWAN finalists will be interviewed individually by the judging panel and the award recipient will be selected that night. The recipient’s name will be held in secrecy until the announcement at the awards banquet on October 20, 2011. The banquet will be held at the Skagit Resort and Casino in Bow and will be open to the public. Ticket sales will be announced soon.