Laughlin, NV – With less than two weeks remaining, the countdown has begun until the lights will dim in the beautiful Pavilion Ballroom at the Tropicana Express Resort and Casino as the 2011 Community Achievement Awards event gets under way. Sponsored by the Laughlin and Bullhead Area Chambers of Commerce and Mutual of Omaha Bank, this year’s event will mark the 14th anniversary of the regions only premier black-tie affair of its kind.

The judging committee has spent countless hours sorting through hundreds of nomination forms covering thirteen categories and then narrowing it all down to their picks for the finalists and top achievers. It’s not just a check-off list. Upon receiving their 3-inch binder full of nomination forms and questionnaires, the homework assignment begins for the judges who study the nominees, make their notes and then participate in a series of closed door meetings to sort out their choices.

Then its interview time spread over the course of two days filled with questions and responses from the finalists that will determine the top achievers in the 13 categories. Some judges would even say ‘it’s a life changing experience.’ Pastor Doug Westly of Living Water Christian Church explained, “This exercise returned me back to the original vision I had when I came to this area.” Others also expressed their amazement over the number of silent hero’s in our local communities that go about making a difference in the lives of so many families and individuals in the Colorado River Region and only seek the gratitude found in giving their time, energy and money to help others.

An equal number of judges are selected by each Chamber of Commerce and this year, the elite group includes:

Debbie Marcusson

Debbie Marcusson is an Extension Educator for the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension located in Laughlin, Nevada.  Debbie received her Master’s of Education, Curriculum and Development degree from University of Phoenix and Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education from California State University, Los Angeles. She has been a resident of the tri-state area for 12 years working in the fields of juvenile justice, public education and social service.

Rosemary Munger

Rosemary Munger, a graduate of the University of Houston and Saint Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, moved to Laughlin in 2007. Prior to her move, she practiced real estate litigation, family law and probate law for almost twenty years. She was an Adjunct Professor in Research and Writing at St. Mary’s Law School and served on the State Bar Real Estate Forms Committee and was President of the Family Law Section for the San Antonio Bar Association, as well as serving on numerous other local and State Bar committees. Rosemary obtained a Nevada teacher certificate in Mathematics and taught Algebra for the Clark County School District for three years.  In 2011, Rosemary was appointed to the Laughlin Town Advisory Board for a two-year term.

Doug Westly

Doug Westly is Pastor of Living Water Christian Church in Laughlin Nevada.  His church meets at the Spirit Mountain Activity Center on Sunday Evenings and at the Laughlin Library on Wednesday evenings. He is a “working pastor” in that he also has a secular job. Doug is the IT Technician for TV2, and also works for other businesses and individuals when they have computer and web site needs. Doug came from Huntington Beach, California and located here in 2003 to do missionary/church work.  He has actually been acquainted with the area since 1967 when his grandparents purchased two lots and a trailer in Bullhead City

Laura Grasse

Originally from New York, Laura moved to the Phoenix area in 1984 and later to Bullhead City where she began her career in banking 17 years ago. She was a commercial loan officer at Laughlin National Bank /1st National Bank of Nevada for 10 years and in 2009 moved her banking skills to the Ramar/Hwy 95 branch of Chase Bank where she serves as a Business Banker. Laura is Past-President of the Bullhead City Rotary Club, has served on the Board of Directors of the Mohave Valley Contractors Association and participates as a volunteer Ambassador for the Bullhead Area Chamber of Commerce.

Brian Mirchoff

Originally from Hacienda Heights, California, Brian and his parents spent many years traveling to the Bullhead City area enjoying weekends on the Colorado River. During that time, he found sports to be his favorite passion and specialized in soccer. He was scouted for the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles out of Mt. San Antonio Community College as a Goalkeeper. Working his way through High School and College, he landed at Vons Markets and then into food manufacturing as an Inventory Control Manager. Revisiting his passion for sports, Brian turned to physical fitness as a career after losing almost 100 lbs and for the next ten years managed 24-hour fitness clubs before making his move to Bullhead City. Now, Mad Dog Fitness and the fitness needs of the tri-state areas residents are what he enjoys most.

Kelly Burgess

Kelly Burgess arrived in Bullhead City with his family in 1979 when his father founded Superior Tire Corporation.  Kelly graduated from Mohave High School in 1986 and a year later married his high school sweetheart and today they have four children. He and his wife attended Brigham Young University where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and soon after, returned to Bullhead City and joined the family business. Kelly is actively involved in his church where he currently works with the young men ages 14-15.  He is also involved in scouting, he himself having earned the Eagle Scout level.  Kelly is a member of the Rotary Club of Bullhead City, served on the board of directors of the Bullhead Regional Economic Development Authority and coaches youth soccer in Bullhead City. He is Referee Administrator for the American Youth Soccer Organization and is the head coach of the Mohave High School Girls Soccer Team.

Lisa Maas

Lisa is a true native of Bullhead City, calling the tri-state area her home for 33 years. Her family came to the area in the early 50′s to drive cattle through town and her grandparents loved the area so much, they simply never left. Lisa is a member of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Laughlin and serves as Laughlin Key Club Advisor for Laughlin High School. She is the recipient of many awards through Kiwanis but is known best for organizing the first bone marrow drive for the tri-state area in 2009 and has since continued the drive annually with the help of her Kiwanis Club and Key Club students. She also participates as an Ambassador for the Bullhead Area Chamber and is a member of the Colorado River Women’s Council. Lisa is the Administrative Assistant at Maas Construction Company in Mohave Valley.

Tony Inglese

Tony Inglese and wife Donna were visitors to the Colorado River Valley for over 15 years prior to making Laughlin their home in 2009. Tony is a Financial Advisor and has been helping business owners and individuals set and achieve their financial goals since 1992. Before entering the Financial Service Industry, Tony owned a construction business in Southern California. Tony has been an active Rotarian since 1998 and has spent several years working with various chambers of commerce; between various organizations Tony is proud to have been part of their community improvements. His personal philosophy involves a healthy balance between family, community service and his profession.

Lin Clark

Lin grew up on a farm just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with a very large family base.  To say she is a diehard Steeler Fan would be an understatement. Lin and her husband, Bruce have owned and operated tv2KLBC which is a community based television station providing local news, weather, sports and more for the last 22 years. What people don’t know about Lin is the dedication she has to the Laughlin community. In 2003, she spearheaded business leaders wanting to do something for the people who lived in Laughlin – an event full of fun and excitement for families.  This is the eighth year of the “Laughlin Town Fest,” and Lin continues to plan and organize the carnival and parade making Town Fest possible. Lin works throughout each year on numerous community-based projects to help families and individuals with hardships and to improve the quality of life along the Colorado River. This past year, Lin was selected as the CAA Citizen of the Year and serves as Chairwoman of the CAA Judging Committee.

The 2011 Community Achievement Awards event is scheduled for Saturday, June 11, 2011 in the beautiful Pavilion Ballroom at the Tropicana Express Resort and Casino. Tickets are $75 per person and may be purchased at either the Laughlin Chamber, 1585 S. Casino Drive, or the Bullhead Area Chamber, 1251 Highway 95. For more information, please contact either office by calling (928) 754-4121 or (702) 298-2214.