The board received more than 20 applications for the position left vacant by Imelda Dulcich’s resignation, board President Sara Biancofiori said.

Ohlendorf, a longtime Newcastle resident, is an experienced business developer and consultant in healthcare, human capital and employee benefits.

“I’m ecstatic,” Ohlendorf said about his new appointment. “It’s a little overwhelming at the moment, but I look forward to working closely with the chamber board and the business community to move the ball forward.”

Ohlendorf and his wife Marilee moved to the area 25 years ago, settling down in the first house built in the China Creek neighborhood.

“This area opened our eyes to a completely new and different place to live — we loved it,” he said. “We raised our kids here, participated in community projects for the schools, and actively coached girls sports for over a decade.”

In his role as a benefits broker, and later as a human consultant, Ohlendorf’s work mostly consisted of attracting, developing and retaining employees, he said. That work, in a lot of ways, is not unlike the role of a business chamber, he added.

“I’m really excited to take on the challenges associated with operating a valued community resource,” he said. “Newcastle is a vibrant and growing business community, with so many wonderful people providing best-of-class services. I see my job as helping our businesses grow and prosper, while finding new and exciting ways to better serve our residents and visitors.”

The executive director position, established in 2012, serves in a part-time consultant role as the chief administrator and executive officer of the chamber. The director implements the policies of the board of directors, administers the approved budget and acts as the chamber spokesman.

Learn more about the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce at www.newcastle-chamber.org.

O say, can you sing “The Star-Spangled Banner?”

If so, the Newcastle Library wants to test your patriotic pipes at its July 12 singing competition.

“The Voice of the Newcastle Library” contest will crown a local crooner, who will then get the honor of singing the national anthem at the library’s first naturalization ceremony July 23.

“It’s a fun way to showcase the singing talent in our community, draw community members together and find a special singer for our naturalization ceremony,” librarian Vicki Heck said.

The competition is open to anyone 13 and older. Contestants don’t have to be Newcastle residents to participate; just drop by the Newcastle Library to register. Space is limited, but the library will accept drop-ins the day of the event, if room is available, Heck said.

During the contest, singers must belt the first verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner” before a panel of Newcastle-centric judges, including Imelda Dulcich, the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s executive director, and Wendy Kirchner, the city’s community activities liaison.

The winner will receive a red, white and blue sash and a gift basket from the Friends of the Newcastle Library, in addition to the July 23 singing gig.

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services will administer the oath ceremony for new citizens. The department recently started offering the ceremonies at smaller community venues, such as libraries.

It’s a huge honor for the Newcastle Library, Heck said, to host the ceremony, and she hopes the live singer, rather than just a recording of the national anthem, makes it all the more memorable for attendees.

“Our USCIS contact let us know that it’s extra special to have a live singer during that section, so our teen librarian Donna Day and I started brainstorming how to suss out the singing talent we are confident exists within our community,” she said.

A lineup of local elected officials will attend the oath ceremony, Heck said, including Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri and state Reps. Judy Clibborn and Tana Senn. Newcastle City Council members Rich Crispo, Lisa Jensen and Carol Simpson will also be there.

“We encourage the singers in our community to come out, have some fun and show us your stuff,” Heck said of the July 12 contest. “Help us show our newest United States citizens that Newcastle’s got talent.”

“We’re rolling out the red carpet again for the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s Diamond Awards, which will be held on Thursday, Nov. 20, 2014, at The Golf Club at Newcastle,” Imelda Dulcich, Newcastle Chamber of Commerce executive director, said in a statement.

This will be the second year the Diamond Awards takes place in the evening at The Golf Club at Newcastle. Based on last year’s successful event, the chamber board determined that it would continue with the evening time frame and format in 2014.

The Newcastle Diamond Awards is an annual ceremony that recognizes community members who do good things in the greater Newcastle area. The recipient of a Diamond Award is chosen based on his or her contribution to the community.

The chamber is already collecting nominations for its 2014 Diamond Awards. Do you know someone in the Newcastle community who makes a difference? Nominate him or her for an award at www.newcastle-chamber.org.

By Christina Corrales-Toy
The 2012 Diamond Award recipients pose with their new hardware at The Golf Club at Newcastle Nov. 14.

The date is set for the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s 2013 Diamond Awards, and attendees can expect to see a few differences at this year’s annual celebration.

This year’s ceremony will take place Nov. 13 at The Golf Club at Newcastle, though it will likely be an evening affair, Executive Director Imelda Dulcich announced at the June chamber luncheon.

Similar to previous years, there are six Diamond Awards recognizing outstanding community members, but there are a few significant changes to the 2013 categories.

The youth award returns in 2013, after it was replaced with the employee award in 2012.

The most recognizable change, however, is the name of the award that is given to an individual who inspires and motivates others in the community. That award will now be known as the Dennis Yarnell/Inspiration Award, according to a release.

Yarnell, the popular owner of the Newcastle Shell station, died Feb. 2. He began working at the station in 2000 and purchased it from its previous owner in March 2007.

The first award will be presented to Yarnell’s wife, Elizabeth J. Widseth and his son Trevor H. Yarnell.

“Dennis was the kind of guy who didn’t sit around and talk about doing things – he just went out and did them,” Widseth said in a statement. “This award is such an incredible honor and tribute to Dennis’ life.”

Yarnell, 33, was a chamber member, and a beloved part of the community.

“The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce is delighted to honor Dennis for his caring, commitment, and demonstrated service to the Newcastle community,” said Christina Mason, the Diamond Awards chairwoman. “Dennis inspired each of us to go out of our way to serve our neighbors as if they were family.”

The chamber is already collecting 2013 Diamond Award nominations. A recipient of an award is chosen based on his or her contribution to the community.

The six award categories include inspiration, business, community leadership, customer service, education and youth.

• A business award winner is an owner or manager of a Newcastle business who donates time, energy or resources for community causes.
• A Dennis Yarnell/Inspiration winner is an individual whose commitment and contribution to the community inspires and motivates others in the greater Newcastle area.
• A community leadership award winner is an individual who demonstrates uncommon initiative and caring, setting an example in the community.
• A customer service award winner is an individual, organization or public employee that demonstrates an uncommon commitment and enthusiasm that enriches the community.
• An education winner is an individual whose personal interest affects education and development of greater Newcastle area students.
• A youth award winner is a greater Newcastle area youth who demonstrates exceptional service and dedication to the community.

Nominate those in the community who make a difference by going to the chamber website at www.newcastle-chamber.org/newcastle-chamber-of-commerce-diamond-awards/.

Nomination forms can also be picked up and dropped off at Newcastle City Hall, Valley Medical Center or HomeStreet Bank.

The Greater Newcastle Chamber of Commerce announced that it has hired Imelda Dulcich as its new part-time executive director, in a statement released today.

The executive director is responsible for implementing the policies of the chamber’s board of directors and administering the approved budget.

Dulcich is also expected to provide more opportunities for Newcastle businesses to market their companies with the addition of a blog to the existing website and a greater presence on the chamber’s social media platforms.

The new executive director will effectively become the face and spokeswoman of the chamber, said Peter Zevenbergen, president of the chamber, in the statement.

“Imelda Dulcich’s background in public relations, social media and networking made her the best candidate for the job,” Zevenbergen said.

Dulcich is a Newcastle resident and the owner of Imelda Dulcich PR and Social Media, LLC.

The hire is a result of the chamber’s effort to increase its presence in the Newcastle business community.

A 2011 survey put out by the chamber asked its members whether it would like to see more networking events, and if so, would they be willing to pay higher dues to foot the bill.

“We got an overwhelming response saying that they wanted more opportunities,” said Angela Wingate, the chamber’s former president, in November

The executive director will allow the chamber to enhance its member services and provide more networking opportunities, Wingate added.

While the executive director will help the chamber provide more services, the cost of the improvement will be seen in an increase in membership dues.

The chamber has adopted a tiered membership system. For example, small businesses will be asked to pay $185 a year. It’s a steep jump from the 2012 price of $50 a year, but Wingate said she hopes the increased networking opportunities will more than make up for the cost.

Learn more about the changes to the Greater Newcastle Chamber of Commerce and what that means for membership dues at www.newcastlecc.com.