Our Voice: Congratulations, thanks to Kennewick’s honorees | Bellingham Herald

Since 1946, Kennewick has been honoring those who provide exemplary service to the community.

This year’s winners of the Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year are Glen Marshall and René Pepiot Norman. They join a long list of local luminaries who have received the award.

Many are familiar with Marshall’s name as the chief executive officer of Trios Health, the man who led Kennewick General Hospital through a name change and its path to the new $120 million facility at Southridge.

But this award is focused on uncompensated public service — and Marshall has plenty of that. He has served on the boards of the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Tri-City Cancer Center, the United Way of Benton and Franklin Counties and the Tri-City Development Council, just to name a few. He is an active member of the Columbia Center Rotary, a living example of their motto “Service above self.”

Marshall has sponsored auction packages for many fundraisers featuring his Texas grilled steaks, played Santa for hospital patients, helped with a fundraiser for My Friends Place, and taught many community members to play tennis.

“Simply put, Kennewick is a better place to live because of Glen Marshall,” said Wanda Briggs, a longtime member of Trios’ board, in her nomination of Marshall for the honor.

René Pepiot Norman has been a caregiver since she was a teen volunteer at her church’s nursery. She grew up always willing to take in a stray — whether the human or animal kind — and provide aid to those in need.

As an adult, Norman has donated her time and energy to many organizations, including the River View High School Booster Club, where she has helped with fundraisers and organized projects to refurbish the aging athletic facilities.

The Kiwanis Club of Kennewick is where Norman has focused much of her efforts, holding several leadership positions, including as president in 2014. Along with her time and dedication, Norman brings a welcomed sense of humor to the chapter as well.

She has spent many years managing ticket sales at the main entrance to the Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo each August. She also brings in other service clubs to help with parking at the event.

Norman also is a volunteer at Trios Health, and she volunteers to read to kids at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton and Franklin Counties. Norman’s nominator says she has a heart of gold, and that’s plain to see from her many forms of service in Kennewick.

Congratulations to this year’s well-deserved honorees as Kennewick Man and Woman of the Year, Glen Marshall and René Pepiot Norman.