Chamber’s big awards to Workmans, Deeter, The Goose | News

Longtime Oro Valley Chamber supporters Bob and Cathy Workman, connector Renee Deeter, and The Golden Goose Thrift Shop earned high recognition at the Chamber’s 2024 Annual Meeting and Awards Breakfast on Aug. 13.

The Workmans were named Lifetime Members of the Chamber. Deeter, a Cabi fashion consultant and leader of the Chamber’s Ambassadors, was named Outstanding Community Leader. The Goose received the Chamber’s Legacy Award for its $20 million in charitable support over more than two decades.

Other Chamber award recipients were Stacks Book Club, outstanding small business; Interfaith Community Services, outstanding nonprofit; Oro Valley Hospital, outstanding large business; and OOROO Auto, outstanding midsize business.

Workmans with the OV Chamber since its birth 

“I’m a little bit speechless, and people who know me know that’s very rare,” Cathy Workman told the crowd near 400 at El Conquistador Tucson, A Hilton Resort. “It’s an unexpected surprise to me, and I’m very, very appreciative.”

Cathy was the Chamber’s first employee more than 30 years ago, working from a remodeled closet in the former Rural/Metro Fire Station on Magee Road west of Oracle Road. She chaired the Chamber board in 2014-15, and was instrumental in the creation of the Chamber Foundation.

Workman Insurance and Investments was one of the Chamber’s first members in 1992. Bob Workman is as the recognized founder and longtime emcee for Oro Valley State of the Town, the Chamber’s premier event.

“I appreciate all the thoughtfulness that went into this award,” Bob said.

Lifetime membership means the Workmans can attend all Chamber events free of charge, and always have a courtesy Chamber membership, president/CEO Kristen Sharp said. 

Deeter says leader must ‘bring things together’ 

Renee Deeter was chosen outstanding community leader, with Fernanda Almeida of Contact One Answering Services and Margie Adler of the town of Oro Valley the other finalists.

“I am just tickled pink to even be nominated with all these other fantastic ladies,” said Deeter. “I’ve gotten in trouble my entire life for being bossy and for being outspoken, so this is definitely a step up. Thank you for that.”

A nominator said Deeter “leverages her business to inspire confidence in the women of Oro Valley.” And she puts people together.

Deeter gets “a real high from connecting people. … When a connection really works,” and two introduced people “make it happen, it’s the biggest dopamine rush, so it’s totally selfish. I imagine that bungee jumping is probably the same thing, but this is a lot safer. My words of wisdom to you are more connecting, less bungee jumping.”

The Goose’s ‘GM extraordinaire’ credits fleet of volunteers 

The Golden Goose was one of three finalists for the Legacy Award, along with the Golder Ranch Fire District and Bob Workman.

“This is such a meaningful award for all of us at The Goose,” said general manager Stephanie Urdiales. “We dedicate this to those 400-plus volunteers who have really created the magic that is the Goose all these years. It’s amazing what people can do when they come together with a common goal to help others. I’m so proud.” 

Stacks owners ‘really excited for what’s to come’ in year 2 

Stacks Book Club, just completing its first year in business, was selected with Acacia IT and Nautical Bowls as finalists in the small business category.

“Thank you to the Chamber for all of the amazing support” it has given Stacks in its first year, said Crispin Jeffrey-Franco, who owns and operates the business with wife Lizzie. “Thanks to the community for embracing us so deeply and wholly.”

The couple is “really excited for what’s to come” at Stacks, he said. “Our door is always open. We’re always open to collaboration.”

For OOROO, OV will always be headquarters 

OOROO Auto emerged among midsize business finalists Senior Home Care of Tucson and SpaWell.

“Excuse my breathlessness,” said OOROO chief of staff Lindsey Wiederstein as she took the stage. “I’m a nervous public speaker, and I’m six months pregnant.”

OOROO, now celebrating 10 years in business, has expanded beyond Oro Valley to Tucson and now Phoenix.

“We love being a part of Oro Valley,” Wiederstein said. “We will always consider this our headquarters and home base.”

Wiederstein announced OOROO has just earned a place on the Inc., Magazine 5000 list of “fastest-growing companies in America.”

ICS served more than 60,000 people last year 

Interfaith Community Services was tapped as the outstanding nonprofit, joined as a finalist by Bayada Home Health Care and Startup Tucson.

“I’m out of breath just because I’m out of shape,” ICS CEO Tom McKinney said after he climbed the stairs. “All the nonprofits are outstanding, and serve the community in partnership” with one another.

ICS helped more than 60,000 people last year. It distributed $2.38 million in financial assistance, and 2.3 million pounds of food.

McKinney credited the more than 700 volunteers at ICS who directly serve the community. He intends to share the award with them. 

Hospital leader: ‘Let’s keep moving forward, together’ 

Oro Valley Hospital was selected among outstanding large business finalists KE&G Construction and Hughes Federal Credit Union.

“I give my deepest thanks to our exceptional staff,” said Cody Barnhart, chief administrative officer at Oro Valley Hospital. The award is “not only a testament to the hard-working people” at the hospital, but is “reflective of the unwavering support and trust of our community.”

“We are proud to be part of such a supportive and engaged community,” Barnhart said. “Let’s keep moving forward together.”