Looking Back at Past Blue Ribbon Award Winners: Julie Regan
Trent Unruh | April 16, 2024 | Blog • Chamber News
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As a recipient of Tahoe Chamber’s Blue Ribbon Award and now Executive Director of Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA), it seems like winning must have always been a part of the plan for Julie Regan.
Since being recognized back in 2018 in the “Public Agency Service” award category, the TRPA has continued to find success with Julie now at the helm as Executive Director and has worked tirelessly to improve customer service, educate the public about TRPA’s crucial role in the basin, and to bring everyone together in protection of the lake.
“It was a high honor for me and TRPA to be recognized for our hard work to improve upon the services we provide to the public,” Julie said. “At that time, I was Deputy Director and External Affairs Chief and had been with the agency for 15 years. In 2022, I was selected out of a national field of candidates to lead TRPA by our 15-member Governing Board. While the Blue Ribbon Award was an incredible milestone for me, becoming Executive Director was the honor of my career.”
For many in the Lake Tahoe area, Julie needs no introduction. An environmental policy leader, Julie is the Creative and Executive Editor of Tahoe in Depth, a news publication that aims to inspire environmental understanding and stewardship at Lake Tahoe. She also led the 2016 Lake Tahoe Annual Summit which featured President Barack Obama and occasionally meets with State Department-sponsored dignitaries visiting internationally from Denmark, Japan, Tajikistan, Egypt, Montenegro, Morocco, Qatar, India, and Pakistan.
As Executive Director of TRPA, Julie is proud of the winning culture she’s helped to create and celebrates an all-time low rate of staff turnover; with the team performing at a very high level.
When asked about her thoughts on Tahoe Chamber’s role in the Lake Tahoe community, Julie responded by saying: “The Tahoe Chamber led the way 15 years ago in bringing potential partners to the table so that together we could collaborate on what is best for the Tahoe Basin. It is inspiring now to witness so many different organizations collaborating to protect and enhance the economy and the environment of the Tahoe Basin to benefit residents and visitors for generations to come.”
Now, Julie is asking for the community to once again rally around deserving agencies by nominating them for this year’s award.
“We could all spend a little more time recognizing the positive people who work hard to make a difference on the South Shore and who help make Tahoe more special”, Julie said. “Taking a few minutes to nominate a public agency, business, non-profit, or an absolute rock star of a person will make you feel good and encourage them to keep up the good work. It’s imperative that we promote positivity in our communities and the Blue Ribbon Awards is an important way to do just that.”
Nominations are open until April 17th and include: Sustainable Tourism (sponsored by Marriott Grand Residence), Innovation (sponsored by Idle Hour), Excellence in Business (sponsored by Azul & Base Camp Pizza), Volunteer of the Year (sponsored by El Dorado Community Foundation), Community Enrichment (sponsored by Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe), Customer Service – Business (sponsored by Vail Resorts), Customer Service – Public Agency (sponsored by South Tahoe Refuse), and New Business of the Year (sponsored by The Cork & More).
The awards ceremony, set for May 16 at the Tahoe Blue Event Center, promises an evening of celebration with a specialty cocktail from Tahoe Blue Vodka, a raffle, dinner, and recognition of award recipients. Attendees are invited to dress in theme colors and shimmer in sapphire and silver. The event is being presented by ADVANCE and the South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts and supported by media sponsors Tahoe Daily Tribune and Outside TV, with additional sponsorship from Tahoe Blue Event Center, Bally’s Lake Tahoe, Luna Lending, Barton Health, and The Landing Tahoe Resort and Spa.
To nominate, become a sponsor, or purchase event tickets, head over to the Blue Ribbon Awards page for more information.