Movers of Mountains Gala
Movers of Mountains Gala
The fourth Annual Mover of Mountains Gala is coming up quickly! Please mark your calendar for Friday, May 15, 2026!
This is an evening of fun and festivities for the entire community! We begin at 5:30 with cocktails, appetizers, and bidding on silent auction items. We continue with a plated sit-down dinner and the presentation of awards and scholarships. We conclude with a live band and dancing into the night! This is an event not to be missed!
We are proud to again be awarding BACC Post High School Scholarships. Due to the success of our event last year, TEN $3000 scholarships will be awarded. Scholarship eligibility must meet one of the four following criteria:
- Beaverton School District graduate
- Beaverton resident
- Dependent of a current BACC member
- An employee of a current BACC member
that has graduated from high school or obtained their GED in 2024, 2025, or 2026. The scholarship may be used for any post-high-school education.
Applications are evaluated by our scholarship committee, and all evaluations are completely blind. Applicants are identified only by a number.
To date $36,000 of scholarships have been awarded!
Vote today and join us on May 15, 2026, at the Mover of Mountains Gala. The winners will be announced in an "Academy Award-style" ceremony!! This is the Beaverton event of the year!!
Beaverton's Living Legend 2026
Purpose: In a world where greatness is measured by both deeds and character, we honor an individual whose life is an extraordinary tapestry of service and leadership.
Jean Edwards truly embodies the definition of a Living Legend, having touched countless lives through her work as an educator, advocate, and founder. Inspired by her studies in Special Education and Rehabilitation Counseling at the University of Oregon and the philosophy of “normalization” at Columbia University, Jean dedicated her life to creating inclusive opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities. In 1972, she founded the Edwards Center with just six participants—an initiative that has since grown into a thriving organization supporting individuals in living, working, and engaging fully in their communities.
As a Professor Emerita at Portland State University, Jean spent more than 30 years shaping future leaders in the field, and her more than 25 publications reflect her deep expertise and passion. Her impact has been recognized through numerous honors, including the Burlington Northern Award and the Sylvia Mann Capper Award.
Today, Jean continues to lead by example as board president of the Edwards Center, dedicating over 150 hours each month to its mission. Whether she’s delivering furniture, visiting programs, or working behind the scenes, her commitment never wavers. Jean Edwards is more than a leader—she is a true changemaker, and deeply deserving of the Living Legend Award.
Beaverton's Living Legend 2026
Jean Edwards
BACC Chamber Member of the Year 2026
Purpose: We're excited to spotlight a standout Beaverton Area Chamber member whose consistent contributions have significantly shaped the chamber's success.
Below are three nominees. Please vote for one.
BACC Corporate Partner of the Year 2026
Purpose: We acknowledge a longstanding Beaverton Area Chamber member, a business that has consistently demonstrated social responsibility, enhancing community life and setting high standards for living and working in and around Beaverton. Below are three nominees - please vote for one.
NW Natural - NW Natural has been an incredible, longstanding Visionary Partner of the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce and passionately supports local business. NW Natural serves the BACC Advocacy Council as well as sponsoring the monthly Q & A sessions with local elected officials and Concerts in the Round! Beyond that, NW Natural has been an active supporter of the Beaverton, Oregon, community through various initiatives. The company contributes nearly $1 million annually to local nonprofits, with a focus on youth and family resilience, environmental stewardship, health and human services, and arts and culture. Additionally, NW Natural's Gas Assistance Program has provided over $6.7 million since 1982 to help low-income families and seniors, including those in Beaverton, pay their heating bills.
Purpose: We honor this Beaverton resident for their unwavering commitment to the community. Recognized for outstanding achievements outside of business, they have positively impacted the well-being of Beaverton in remarkable ways, especially in the last two years. Below are three Nominees - Please vote for one.
Ryan is the best! He is always supporting everything. He always has a smile on his face. Everyone is his friend. Ryan is an avid sponsor of nonprofits in Beaverton. He works collaboratively with all businesses in the area to support better business for all. He strives to create a better Beaverton Community!
Purpose: We proudly recognize a small business (100 or fewer employees) for their significant contributions to our local economic growth. This award celebrates their successes and positive impact on our community. Below are three nominees - please vote for one.
Urban River Spirits is the only non-alcoholic lounge in Washington County! Beyond their physical space, which began in Forest Grove and moved to downtown Hillsboro, they find homes all over the region, including the Beaverton Farmers Market. Why not simply sell out of their storefront? Because they are striving to serve and create community well beyond their doors. In a society where so much centers around alcohol, they are making everyone feel welcome, no matter how they choose to celebrate! Recently, they served beverages at Beaverton's State of the City - helping to make our entire community feel welcome!
Purpose: Honor and commend a distinguished non-profit partner of the Beaverton Area Chamber of Commerce for their outstanding service to our community. This award aims to celebrate their achievements and the positive influence they have had on the well-being of our community. Below are three Nominees - Please vote for one.
Organización De Amigos (Amigos) is a local nonprofit that supports kids and families in Beaverton and Hillsboro by bringing free after-school fitness and mentorship programs directly into public schools. Their programs help elementary-age students build confidence, strength, and healthy habits, while also learning teamwork, resilience, and self-belief. Beyond regular classes, Amigos creates community events and special experiences that give kids positive challenges and a sense of belonging. By working closely with schools, volunteers, and local partners, Amigos removes barriers like cost and access, making sure all kids—regardless of background—have the chance to move, grow, and thrive.
Public Safety Award of Excellence 2026
Purpose: To recognize an individual who goes above and beyond their role to ensure public safety and enhance the well-being of the Beaverton community. Below are three nominees - please vote for one.
Detective Amanda Pickar serves at the Family Peace Center (FPC) with a DV caseload Current Role and Investigation Philosophy Her work at the Family Peace Center includes: Responding to walk-ins as well as calls for service related to domestic violence (DV) ranging from support and resource referrals to complex investigations, creating and presenting DV investigation training for law enforcement officers, training recruit officers how to effectively work with victims and conduct comprehensive domestic violence investigations, testimony on criminal cases in Federal and Circuit court, crisis intervention, de-escalation, and public speaking. Amanda’s DV investigations are far more than an evaluation and possible arrest of one event at hand. While a victim may be focused on an incident that brought them to the police, Amanda is assessing historical patterns of abuse and dynamics that restrain a victim from leaving their situation. She takes her time to assess and respond to the emotional state of a victim and uses various means of communication to build rapport, leading to greater trust and participation in the investigative and prosecutorial process. She has noted she stays flexible in her approach and style with respect to people’s history with police, schedules, and past trauma. She has met with victims after hours at Family Peace Center and other locations, or initially by phone in order to provide a confidential and safe environment away from the police department. Amanda’s goal is to foster participation and show that as an officer she wants to help, while educating the involved about her role at the same time. She sees her desire to investigate, form probable cause for an arrest and resolve the criminal case is often not the priority of a DV victim; She will offer support, guidance, resources, facts, and an empathetic ear to start off a conversation. She has noted that providing tangible help in the form of food bags, working cell phones, diapers and formula may be of greater initial relevance for many victims than asking questions about the aspects of domestic violence. While working with the victim, Amanda is considering employment, pets, kids, and other dynamics that may need assistance to better serve the long-term successful change of situation; she has direct relationships with victim advocates and various sources of resources to help buttress lasting change. She often introduces humor, baked treats, and other comforting tactics as she helps victims through events like a grand jury or trial. Leadership & Community Engagement
Dedication to Youth Excellence Award
Purpose: To recognize an individual who fosters a positive environment to teach, educate, instruct,counsel or inspire our youth in Beaverton.Below are three Nominees - Please vote for one.
As a Youth Services Officer since 2023, Deputy Dunn serves students in the Beaverton School District in a capacity that extends far beyond traditional law enforcement. In the schools, he is a leader in moments of conflict, a counselor during crisis, and a mentor during some of the most formative and challenging years of adolescence. His work directly strengthens school safety, supports student growth, and fosters constructive relationships between youth, families, educators, and public safety professionals. Deputy Dunn is formally responsible for approximately 15 elementary and middle schools, most lying within the Beaverton School District. However, he does not confine his work to those campuses. Whenever needed, he willingly responds to any school within the district to assist fellow Youth Services Officers, provide additional support during critical incidents, or cover for other officers during their absences. His willingness to step beyond his assigned responsibilities reflects both his dedication to the broader Beaverton community and his unwavering commitment to ensuring that every student—regardless of school—has access to consistent, positive law enforcement support. By consistently modeling balanced, youth-centered intervention across multiple campuses, he strengthens the overall climate within Beaverton schools. Students observe that law enforcement can be fair, supportive, caring, and invested in their future. Families see that officers can serve as partners in their children’s success and give them skills to carry throughout their lives. Fellow officers benefit from his teamwork and reliability. His presence contributes to safer environments where learning and growth can thrive. Deputy Dunn exemplifies the highest purpose of youth-focused service: he does not simply enforce rules—he teaches responsibility; he does not merely respond to crises—he guides young people toward better choices; he does not just maintain safety—he inspires confidence, goodwill, and excellence every day. His ability to blend enforcement responsibilities with authentic mentorship reflects great credit upon himself and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, while directly improving the lives of the youth of the Beaverton School District.
Distinguished Voluntary Service Award 2026
Purpose: To recognize an individual who gives of their time and talents to enhance the quality of life in Beaverton. Their work leaves a positive impact on those they help. Below are three nominees - please vote for one.
Amanda embodies the spirit of community involvement. She is a connector of people—bringing together individuals, organizations, and ideas with a shared purpose of strengthening Beaverton. Her ability to see potential partnerships and inspire collaboration has resulted in meaningful contributions that extend well beyond individual efforts. Amanda understands that lasting change happens when people work together, and she consistently creates spaces where that connection can thrive. Amanda is keenly aware of the impact her involvement can—and does—have on the community. She doesn’t view volunteering as a task, but as a responsibility to uplift others and invest in the long-term well-being of Beaverton. Amanda is also known as the person who is first to step up and say, “I’ll help.” Whether the need is anticipated or urgent, she leads by example with humility and action. Her willingness to contribute her time, energy, and leadership inspires others to get involved, creating a ripple effect that strengthens community engagement. Through her service, Amanda has demonstrated a rare combination of compassion, initiative, and vision. Her voluntary contributions reflect not only her character, but also the values of the Beaverton community—connection, service, and shared success.
Youth Achievement Award 2026
Purpose: Celebrate and honor a young Beaverton resident who demonstrates outstanding commitment to the city and actively contributes to the well-being and future development of generations to come.Below are three Nominees - Please vote for one.
Sophia Sakaino - In getting to know Sophia over the last 2 years, I have seen how committed she is to improving the world around her. She is a dedicated young woman with a bright future ahead. She is a top student, receiving honors in many classes and challenging herself with high-level courses; and while these academic achievements are impressive, what makes Sophia really stand out is her passion for personal growth and desire to give back to the community. Sophia is involved in a variety of activities, both inside the school and in the greater community. She works to celebrate and uphold Pacific Islander heritage, and is both a student and teaching assistant of hula and native languages. Her many leadership roles and accomplishments show a trend towards service and being a voice for others. She has taken true action by engaging in legislative processes and campaigning for organizations and issues she is passionate about. Sophia goes about achieving her goals without seeking to be recognized or celebrated. She is a wonderful human being who cares for our community, cares for others, and is set on being an agent for positive change in the world.
Distinguished Military Contribution Award Winner 2026
Purpose: To recognize and honor Military Service individuals (active or veterans) in Beaverton who, in addition to their military duties, generously contribute their time and talents to enhance the community's quality of life. Their voluntary efforts have a positive impact on the lives of those they assist.
Thomas Hrabal entered Active Duty in 1994 as a Second Lieutenant in the Medical Service Corps. His first assignment took him to Germany, where he served as a Medical Platoon Leader for the 2/67 Armor Battalion and later as Hospital Adjutant for the U.S. Army Hospital in Heidelberg. In 1999, Thomas transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served with the 396th Combat Support Hospital (CSH) in Vancouver, Washington. Following a mobilization in 2003, he entered the Active Guard Reserve (AGR) program, where he held several key positions that required him to uproot his family from the Pacific Northwest and took him to such places as Missouri, Kansas, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Utah, as well as Germany. Thomas is a Veteran of the Afghanistan War and is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College, as well as the U.S. Army War College.
· Since retiring from the military in 2024 after 30 years of service, Thomas continues to serve his community as an active member of American Legion Post 6; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2666; Elks Lodge #1862; Hillsboro Rotary; and Kiwanis Club of Cedar Hills. Thomas also helped establish the Joe Mud Veterans Coffee Connection that meets the second Thursday and fourth Saturday of every month from 0900-1000 hours at Elks Lodge #1862. As a licensed substitute teacher, Thomas takes pride in being able to help nurture our future leaders. And as a licensed real estate agent, Thomas is always looking for that opportunity to assist a fellow Veteran in either selling or purchasing their home. Constantly focused on giving back to his community, Thomas's service to others finds no bounds.
