Tigard Chamber Names 2011 Shining Stars Tigard’s First Citizen

The Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) is pleased to announce that Ralph Hughes, Owner, Financial WealthCare has been selected as Tigard’s First Citizen.  This award is given to an individual who has made in-depth, long-term volunteer contributions to the Tigard community over the years. The winner is active, involved, interested, and enthusiastic about making Tigard a nice place to live and work. This individual excels in any area of unpaid endeavor of education, social services, youth work, and community improvement of public services. This award is given in the spirit of all volunteers who remain unknown. Ralph joins the ranks of those previously honored in continually striving to improve the Tigard Area. Ralph Hughes exemplifies these characteristics by his active involvement in the Tigard Community. Over the last decade, Ralph has been actively involved in multiple facets of our community ranging from business activities, community development, safety, and transportation.  He has been actively involved with the Tigard Chamber, Tigard CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), the Tigard City Center Advisory Committee (CCAC), the Tigard Transportation Task Force and the Washington County Chambers of Commerce Partnership. A Tigard Chamber member since 2004, Ralph served as Board President from 2006 to 2007, and is now serving a second time on the chamber’s Government & Public Policy (GAPP) subcommittee, a team focused on business advocacy with local and state government.  An avid proponent of the chamber, Ralph believes all businesses can benefit from chamber membership and encourages members to support each other in multiple ways. Ralph has been a member of Tigard CERT since 2004, volunteering countless hours in this role maintaining readiness through continual training.  He is currently the volunteer Commander.  Ralph recently requested a public service announcement be sent to chamber and community members on emergency preparedness in the wake of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Active within the city as well, Ralph currently serves as a Commissioner on the CCAC, a position he has held since 2007.  The CCAC’s purpose is to make recommendations to City Council on Urban Renewal policy, budget, and implementation to improve Tigard’s Downtown area.  In addition, Ralph was previously a member of the Tigard Transportation Task Force in 2006 – 2007.  He recently joined the Façade Improvement Program Joint Committee which oversees grants for Downtown Tigard businesses storefront facelifts. Ralph’s other interests include hiking, mountain climbing, fundraising for the American Lung Association of Oregon, boating and attending his daughter’s Tigard Little League games.  Ralph and his wife Paula, who celebrate their 34th wedding anniversary April 23rd, have a 27 year old son and an 11 year old daughter. Please join us in congratulating Ralph Hughes on this well deserved award.  The Tigard’s First Citizen award will be formally presented at the 2011 Shining Stars Community Awards Banquet sponsored by Platinum Title Sponsor West Coast Bank and held on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 from 6-9 p.m. at Embassy Suites – Washington Square, event location host. For further details about Shining Stars, please contact the Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce at 503-639-1656 or at info@tigardchamber.org Tigard Area Chamber of Commerce (TACC) The TACC, established in 1955, is a forward thinking membership organization which provides opportunities for consistent and sustainable long-term business growth!  The TACC is creating a strong, interconnected business community where strength through collaboration and power through partnerships makes Business Soar. We do this by building a strong local economy, providing business networking, being involved in our community and representing the interests of business with government. About Financial WealthCare Financial WealthCare is an investment, tax planning and insurance business.  Ralph has been registered since 1993.  His company tag line is “Prepare Financially for Life’s What Ifs®”.  For contact information, go to www.lifeswhatifs.com. City of Tigard Volunteer opportunities Volunteers continue to work throughout the year since opportunities are always available.   http://www.tigard-or.gov/city_hall/boards_committees/default.asp Tigard CERT The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Program educates people about disaster preparedness for hazards that may impact their area and trains them in basic disaster response skills, such as fire suppression, light search and rescue, team organization, and disaster medical operations. Using the training learned in the classroom and during exercises, CERT members can assist others in their neighborhood or workplace following an event when professional first responders are not immediately available to help. CERT members also are encouraged to support emergency response agencies by taking a more active role in emergency preparedness projects in their community.  For the next class schedule and readiness information: www.tigardcert.org The American Lung Association (ALA) The ALA has been fighting lung disease since 1904 through education, community service, advocacy and research.  Lung disease, including asthma, emphysema and lung cancer, is the third leading cause of death in America. Over the last decade, the death rate from lung disease has been growing faster than the death rate from almost any other killer.  We are working to help those who suffer from lung disease today, and to stop the spread of lung disease tomorrow.  To succeed, the ALA needs your support. By donating this month to Reach the Summit you will join the fight against the lung disease epidemic.  Please visit: http://action.lungusa.org/goto/ralphghughes