The Churchill Entrepreneurial Development Association presented its 2021 Award Ceremony last week. Individuals who work tirelessly to better our community were presented awards to recognize their efforts and service. The awards were created originally for the 2014 Awards Dinner by the CEDA staff at the time, in hopes of memorializing several community pioneers for their service to the community.
The Merton Domonoske Award presented to Frank Woodliff III
When the Merton Domonoske Award for a lifetime of service came into existence, Paula Domonoske graciously allowed us to name this award after her husband Mert, who served our community for many, many years. Mert Domonoske loved his community and served as a councilman and mayor. Past recipients of this award have served our community in a civic capacity, elected, or employed.
It would be difficult to imagine a Fallon without Woodliff. For decades, Woodliff’s eye to improve our community has become a hallmark. Among the architect’s accomplishments have been the design for the William N. Pennington Life Center, the city of Fallon’s 9/11 memorial located the courtyard behind City Hall, the former Lahontan Valley News building on North Maine Street and his contributions during the Mayor’s NV 150 Commission, which was part of the state’s sesquicentennial celebrations in 2014.
That prompted Woodliff to say, “In today’s fast-paced world, it is easy to forget how our ancestors lived and how our lives have changed. Understanding how things have changed in the last 150 years provides knowledge, incentive and excitement for what may be ahead.”
The Virgil Getto Award presented to Ernie Schank
Because of community leaders such as Virgil Getto and other like-minded individuals in Churchill County, this area’s great agricultural industry has contributed immensely to the local economy, second only to Naval Air Station Fallon.
The Virgil Getto Award is for dedication to promoting the agriculture industry.
Schank served as president of the board of directors for the Truckee-Carson Irrigation District for more than two decades. Born in Fallon, Ernie calls himself “a Churchill County farmer” but he has also served as a leader in organizations fighting for water rights on the local and federal stage.
Schank has become an expert in water issues over the years, beginning when he ran for the TCID board as a 28-year-old and stayed for four years. He ran again for the board in 1998 and was tagged as the new president.
Schank, who is married to Carmen and has four children, is the son of the late Cyril Schank, who served on the county commission.
The Carl Dodge Award presented to Western States Hemp
Nevada State Senator Carl Dodge of Churchill County was a man with great vision for this community that was reflected in his service at both local and state levels, extending far beyond title alone. The award named after the late senator is for believing big and taking great risks to improve, family, industry, and community.
The business CEDA honored has been dedicated to providing the opportunity for people of all ages to learn about agriculture in the community.
Adrienne Snow and Joe Frey began growing and cultivating hemp as a result of two federal farm bills addressing the crop, opening the doors for hemp growers. Western States Hemp Co. was founded after the 2014 Farm Bill.
Snow and Frey planned their venture in 2016. A 2018 farm bill made hemp a legal commodity at the federal level. Western States Hemp makes different derivatives such as a herbal tea blend and flour, which in turn, leads to the creation of more products. She said they also have equine and chicken supplements.
The Newell Mills Award presented to New Millennium Building Solutions
Newell Mills was an innovator in the Dairy Industry his entire life, assuring Churchill County’s place on the map. This award recognizes innovation in an industry that improves economic viability for the entire community.
This year CEDA recognizes the innovations nurtured by New Millennium Building Solutions. New Millennium makes steel girders and joists that are used to support large buildings. The company takes pride in ensuring the best possible customer experience and project outcomes for its clients by providing superior products that are optimized for their specific application.
New Millennium’s Fallon manufacturing facility is currently one of the single largest primary employers in Churchill County and has expanded its operations to 24-hours a day. Taking care of their employees is a number one priority.
The Stuart Richardson Award presented to Carol Lloyd
Stuart Richardson has quietly and consistently gone about the community doing good for decades. He supports (and always wins) every local raffle and silent auction of every community organization we have. He has created, run, and funded organizations to save the water resources of the Lahontan Valley, been a driving force behind saving the Fallon Theatre, and has loyally supported the growth and development of The Fallon Post since its inception.
Since becoming the Churchill County librarian, Carol Lloyd’s vision has been directed toward the future. Her passion for the library is contagious. In 2015, the community saw a new library repurposed to meet the 21st century. Former Mayor and Councilman Bob Erickson said the library is a core part of Fallon’s downtown.
Before the pandemic, more than 400 people visited the library each day. When access to the building was restricted, Lloyd and her staff became innovative. The library was by appointment only, and staff would deliver books to its customers. With the library returning to regular hours, she is still ensuring the community’s needs are met with downloadable eBooks, eAudios and streaming video and numerous databases on a wide variety of subjects.
The Shirley Walker Award presented to Gary Imelli
This year we honor an individual whose contributions measure up to those given by Shirley Walker in her time of service to this community and will guarantee its vitality for years to come. The Shirley Walker award is given to those who emulate her ability for beautifully building civility, culture, and collaboration in the community.
Gary Imelli, the recipient of this year’s award, has been an active board member of the Fallon Youth Club since its inception. Earlier this year Imelli and FYC Director Shannon Goodrick showed off their new $5.3 million facility. The retired Churchill County School District educator said the new building is appealing to their mission of working with Churchill County’s children. Imelli was raised in Fallon and has spent 36 years of service to Churchill County School District, as a principal and assistant superintendent. He has been a volunteer in many organizations and boards in the community including his church, CASA, Parks and Recreation, Churchill Community Hospital Inc. Board of Trustees, and many more. He also served as a Nevada Army National Guardsman with the Military Police Company in Fallon.
L to R: Sara Beebe, director of operations for CEDA presenting the certificate for Frank Woodliff III; CEDA board member Summer Stephens with the certificate for Ernie Schank; Churchill County Librarian Carol Lloyd; Guy Gibson, New Millennium Building Solutions; Adrienne Snow, Western Hemp; and Gary Imelli, Fallon Youth Club. Woodliff and Schank were unable to attend.
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