Superintendent Keith Lewis is Chamber’s Citizen of the Year

Only days after separating from the Douglas County School District, former Superintendent Keith Lewis received two standing ovations after he was named the Bill Henderson Citizen of the Year by the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce.

“It has obviously been a very difficult past year, but I’ve never felt more love and more supported by a community,” Lewis said in accepting the award after receiving a standing ovation.

Lewis called the longtime Carson Valley Inn marketing director a father figure to himself and others in the county.

“Truly the best part of this award is that Bill’s name is on it,” Lewis said. “As a brand new coach, I wanted to start a tournament, the Carson Valley Classic and I went to Bill, and he knew everything to do. He was just a father figure to so many of us.”

Lewis credited his family and staff for their support.

“I’m very proud of the career I’ve had, but I could not have done anything I’ve done without an amazing staff, friends that have supported me along the way and certainly also the community. That’s the thing we learned as a family is how much we love this community, because we’ve have always felt loved and supported.”

During a video presentation as part of the ceremony at the Carson Valley Inn, former administrator Rommy Cronin pointed out that Lewis became superintendent in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

“He took the role of superintendent in probably one of the most stressful and impactful time in public education,” she said. “It was his leadership that allowed us to keep schools open when we were one of the only district that were able to do that. He learned everything he could about the virus and how it spreads and how in a school setting we could do everything we could to mitigate that spread, prevent children from acquiring it and continue to be educated.”

Wife Nicole said that she wasn’t sure about Lewis when she first met him.

“I thought I was too cool to date a PE teacher,” she said. “Keith is the hardest worker I know, and the most amazing father. He’s always up for an adventure.”

Lewis’ sons were in attendance along with several members of his extended family.

The Community Recognition Awards date back in some form to at least the 1970s. 

Lewis was not the only superintendent honored at Saturday’s gala.

MCA Mechanical Superintendent Brian Brady was named Employee of the Year. With a quarter-century in the HVAC industry, Brady’s daily management allows the owners to focus on the business, according to the presentation.

Cynthia Ferris Bennett’s Sierra Chef was named Business of the Year by the chamber.

One of her latest projects, “Market in Markleeville” is an arts and crafts market in downtown Markleeville.

Sierra Chef conducts catering across the region and was scheduled to cater a 90-minute cultural corridor listening session hosted at the Nevada State Museum on Tuesday.

Since it was established, The Northern Nevada Giving Tree has donated $165,000 to Carson Valley nonprofits over the past six years.

Founded by Gardnerville Realtor Ginger Easley and friend Toni Van Winkle, the group raises money among its membership and donates it every quarter.

The 2023 Volunteer of the Year was awarded to Shele Pandl, who has been involved with many Valley causes, including Austin’s House, the Boys & Girls Club, FISH, CASA and the Family Support Council.

One of the oldest local organizations in Carson Valley, Minden Fortnightly was named Service Club of the Year.

Founded in 1910, the club which meets every two weeks in the CVIC Hall started out with 20 members and has grown to 35, nearly two thirds of whom were in attendance on Saturday.