Wood, Nuttall win Collins honor

FORT COLLINS — Northern Colorado Business Report publisher Jeff Nuttal and former co-publisher Chris Wood on Thursday night received the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce’s most prestigious honor, the annual Collins Award.

The two founders of the Business Report were recognized for their 12-year history of leadership and service. They join some of the most prominent members of the Fort Collins community, including past honorees Larry Kendall, founder and former chairman of The Group Inc. Real Estate; former Colorado State University football coach Sonny Lubick, and Everitt Cos. founder Bob Everitt.

“We’re very honored to have received the Collins award,” Wood said. “We’ve worked a long time, and are very fortunate to have a staff that works so hard to produce the newspaper and all the other publications we have. This award is especially humbling when you look at past recipients and some of the things they have accomplished.”

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Wood last week stepped into a new post as publisher of the Boulder County Business Report following the sale of that newspaper and a majority share of the Northern Colorado Business Report to Cincinnati-based Brown Publishing Co. Nuttall remains as NCBR publisher.

Gov. Bill Ritter, in a fast-paced, 10-minute address to the 535 people who attended the chamber event at the Hilton Fort Collins, touted the strengths of the Northern Colorado economy, pointing out that the development of a renewable energy sector positioned the region “as a true leader in the development of a new energy economy.” He made particular mention of Vestas Wind Systems in Windsor and AVA Solar Inc. of Fort Collins as important newcomers to the renewable energy economy.

Other honorees at the 103rd annual dinner included Donna Chappel, of the accounting firm Chapel & Collins LLC, who was named Volunteer of the Year.

The chamber’s Environmental Business Award, honoring both member and non-member businesses, went to Drahota Construction, BHA Design Inc. and Land Images, in the categories of large member business, small member business and non-member business, respectively. They were recognized for making environmental strides in their daily operations, recognizing the value of using environmental products to enhance their corporate bottom-line and playing active roles in the local and global community.

Sharie Grant of OfficeScapes, the 2007 chamber chairwoman, was acknowledged for her service to the Chamber Board of Directors. In addition, recognition was given to outgoing board members Rulon Stacey, president and CEO of Poudre Valley Health System; Steve Stiesmeyer, site general manager at Hewlett-Packard Co.; Cody Fullmer, president of Bank of Colorado; Ralph Waldo, a partner-broker in The Group Inc. Real Estate; and Jim Clark, executive director of the Fort Collins Convention and Visitors Bureau.