John Gooley, board vice president of the Mt. Angel Foundation and longtime executive with Withers Lumber, has been honored for his volunteer work.
Gooley received the 2023 Community Service Award from SEDCOR, the Strategic Economic Development Corporation of Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties. The award was presented at SEDCOR’s annual membership luncheon Sept. 8 at the Salem Convention Center.
The award was one of eight presented. Other categories were for agribusiness, business partner, entrepreneur, innovative product, public/private partnership, community leadership, and manufacturer.
SEDCOR officials praised Gooley for his work on the Mount Angel Festhalle, his service on several boards, and, most recently his leadership in putting together a public/private partnership to build the new Gem Equipment Welding Room at John F. Kennedy High in Mount Angel, Gooley’s alma mater.
In his remarks at the luncheon Gooley noted the assistance he received from Gem Equipment as well as the support of more than 40 individuals and businesses (whose names are on a plaque outside the welding room), including Tommy Reidman, K&E Excavating, River Bend, the Grant Co., the Michael Roth Foundation and Gooley’s employer for nearly 50 years, Withers Lumber.
The welding room debuted with an Aug. 31 open house. Gooley handed over the keys to Mt. Angel School District Superintendent Rachel Stucky and the crowd watched as a plasma cutter, paid for with a grant from Marion County, etched “THANK YOU EVERYONE” on a piece of sheet metal.
