GSBA honors local humanitarians and business leaders; Gov. Gregoire to give key note.

Tickets are still available for the 31st GSBA Business and Humanitarian Awards banquet happening this Thursday, February 16, 2012 at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront. Local business and community leaders will be honored and the Woman of the Hour, Governor Christine Gregoire will give the keynote speech. Here’s the superbly written press release:

SEATTLE – February 15 – What makes a leader “StandOUT?” Each year, the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Business and Humanitarian Awards honor outstanding Seattle area businesses and individual leaders, celebrating business performance and contributions to the community. The Business and Humanitarian Awards Dinner takes place Thursday, February 16 from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. at the Seattle Marriott Waterfront.

“The business and community leaders being recognized are role models who StandOUT in their professions,” says Louise Chernin, GSBA’s President and CEO. “Each person being honored understands that their success is as an opportunity for them to invest their time and resources to give back to their community. These are visionary leaders with great integrity and an unwavering commitment to equality.”

Washington Governor Chris Gregoire will deliver the evening’s Keynote Address.

“This is an evening to honor those who StandOUT for their commitment to equality,” Chernin adds. “It is both fitting and an honor for the Keynote Presenter at the this year’s Awards Dinner to be Governor Christine Gregoire.” Chernin notes that Governor Gregoire has courageously taken a stand to actively work to achieve marriage equality in Washington state. “She is an example of an elected official who understands that to truly represent all the citizens of Washington, she must act on those beliefs and promote equality for all.”

The award recipients are:

New Business of the Year
Pie (Jessamy Whitsitt and Renée Steen)

Business Leader of the Year
Stephen Sprenger (H&R Block)

Business of the Year
Cupcake Royale (Jody Hall)

Corporate Citizen of the Year
John Payes (Microsoft)

Nonprofit of the Year
Hearing, Speech & Deafness Center (Susie Burdick)

Community Leader of the Year
Heather Carter (Youth Suicide & Prevention Program)

Special Recognition — Voice for Social Justice
Dennis Coleman (Seattle Men’s Chorus/Seattle Women’s Chorus)

Special Recognition — Voice for Social Justice
Heather Purser (Suquamish Tribe)

President’s Award
George Pieper (OutSmart Office Solutions)

The event is emceed by Gary Tucker from the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Tickets: VIP table of 10: $2,000; Leadership table of 10: $1,400; Individual registration: $140 for GSBA members, $160 for non-members. Visit www.thegsba.org or call 206.363.9188 for more information.