NEWS RELEASE
Sept. 20, 2012

Mike Flynn to receive association's
“Washingtonian of the Year” award
Lt. Governor Owen to preside at ceremony, which also will honor Norma Gallegos for her community service in Wenatchee

RENTON – Mike Flynn, retired longtime publisher of the Puget Sound Business Journal, and Norma Gallegos, an ardent volunteer in Wenatchee who supports many community causes, will be honored at the Association of Washington General’s 2012 Washingtonian of the Year event Oct. 6 at Seahawks Headquarters here.

The reception will start at 5 p.m. at the Seahawks Headquarters/Virginia Mason Athletic Center (VMAC). Along with featuring the Washingtonian of the Year and highlights of AWG projects, the event will include tours of the VMAC, Blue Thunder Drum Line, Sea Gals, refreshments and a barbecue.  Lt. Governor Brad Owen will serve as master of ceremonies during the program portion of the event.

The Washingtonian of the Year Award is bestowed annually to persons who have demonstrated leadership, selflessness, generosity and compassion in their service to others. Flynn will receive the AWG’s Washingtonian of the Year award, while Gallegos will receive its first Community Service Award.

Since retiring after 24 years at the helm of the Puget Sound Business Journal in 2006, Flynn has continued to be involved in a host of business and community endeavors with non-profit and business-oriented groups. Gallegos has spent the past 20 years in the Wenatchee Valley on volunteer activities, and is credited with helping nearly 1,000 people become naturalized citizens of the U.S., as well as helping area families who do not have full use of the English language get through times of crisis. 

The Association of Washington Generals (AWG) is a state-chartered service organization that recognizes outstanding contributions of individuals in the state of Washington. Established 40 years ago, the AWG is affiliated by statute with the Office of Lt. Governor. In addition to serving as the event’s emcee, Lt. Governor Owen will formally present the Washingtonian of the Year Award Flynn and the Community Service Award to Gallegos.

“It is my honor and pleasure to help the Association of Washington Generals recognize citizens of our state who have dedicated their lives to excellence and service beyond self,” said Lt. Gov. Owen. “This ceremony is a small way we can express our gratitude to these extraordinary individuals.”

“We are also grateful to the Seahawks organization for all of their help and support in putting on this annual event,” added AWG Commanding General Ralph Ibarra.

The organization honored retired Seahawks fullback Mack Strong and his wife, Zoë Higheagle-Strong in 2011. Past recipients have included such civic luminaries as Luis Fernando Esteban, the Honorary Consul of Spain for Washington; Bill and Melinda Gates, Paul Allen, Priscilla Bullitt Collins, Don James and many others.

The public is invited to attend the event. (Registration is limited to 120 and there is a fee). More information is on the Association of Washington Generals web site at http://www.wagenerals.org/, or by sending an email to info@wagenerals.org                                       

Media Inquiries:
Brian Dirks, communications director, Office of Lt. Governor
(360) 786-7707

Ralph Ibarra, Commanding General, Association of Washington Generals, 253.653.4645

Mike Flynn – 2012 AWG Washingtonian of the Year Award

Flynn retired in April of 2006 after 24 years at the helm of the Business Journal and moved to what he refers to as his “entrepreneurial encore” of consulting, counseling and advising businesses, business people and business organizations. A commitment to community and non‐profit causes has been a key part of Flynn’s involvements.

He served on the board of the Association of Washington Business for 15 years, on the boards of both the Seattle and Bellevue Chambers of commerce, the Columbia Tower Club, the Northwest Entrepreneur Network and the YMCA. He is past chair of the Downtown Seattle Association and Junior Achievement (JA), and is currently on the boards of JA the Washington News Council, and the Washington State University College of Business National Advisory Board.

His awards include twice being named the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Media Advocate of the Year; receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from Gov. Christine Gregoire in 2006 for service to economic development in Washington State; receiving the McNaughton Award from JA in 2006 (presented each year to the local business leader who best exemplifies the qualities of service to business and the community demonstrated by

the late Stanley O. McNaughton); selection as one of the 2006 Champions of Catholic Education honored at theSeattle Archdiocese’s annual Fulcrum Foundation banquet; and being selected six times for an Eagle Award from American City Business Journals for guiding one of the company’s most successful newspapers.

Norma Gallegos – 2012 AWG Annual Community Service Award

Norma Gallegos has been serving the residents of the Wenatchee Valley for over 20 years in a multitude of ways. She has helped nearly one‐thousand persons become naturalized U.S Citizens, and Ms. Gallegos regularly supports families in crisis that do not have full use of the English language. Her commitment to serving multicultural people of diverse backgrounds is expressed in her involvement with community‐based organizations that includes the YMCA North Central Washington, Holden Village, Diversity Council of Wenatchee, Wenatchee Police Advisory Council, Wenatchee Downtown Rotary, and the Seattle Children’s Alliance. Norma is the recipientof numerous accolades that include “Community Hero” -Apple Valley Chapter American Red Cross, “Community Partner Award” - Wenatchee School District, “Voices of Children Award” - Children's Alliance Seattle, “Heart and Spirit Award” - Chelan Douglas Child Services, and the Governor's Appreciation Award Certificate - State of Washington.