Gary Fish, founder and president of Deschutes Brewery, is scheduled to receive a leadership award at The 2012 Governors’ Gold Award tonight in Portland.
Fish has been selected as the winner of The Al and Pat Reser Civic Leadership Award, which is awarded to those who have contributed to the community and the state, said Margie Hunt, CEO of Special Olympics Oregon. The contribution can range from time to resources, and Fish has done both, she said.
“He’s one of those extraordinary entrepreneurs who decided from the very beginning that his company would be about the community," she said. “He can (also) be considered one of the major drivers of the craft beer industry."
Fish, the third recipient of the award, said having present and past governors involved in the selection is a special honor for him and Deschutes Brewery.
“These things always humble me quite a bit because I didn’t do this by myself," he said. “I look at this as an honor for our entire organization."
