Kirby Day received the Citizen of the Year Award during the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Kirby Day received the Citizen of the Year Award during the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Chamber names Citizen of the Year, gives Lifetime Achievement Award

For the first time ever, three receive lifetime honors

Day had his night.

Kirby Day, port manager for Holland America Group, was named Citizen of the Year Saturday at the Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce’s annual dinner held in Centennial Hall.

“I’ve been so fortunate to end up here,” Day said after receiving his award. “I love this community. I’m humbled to be on the list of people who have stood up and received this award.”

Day, who helped start and shape Tourism Best Management Practices, said he’s pleased to do his job and happy about where he does it.

“I’ve been honored and blessed to be in this industry for 38 years, 31 of it in Juneau,” Day said. “I will always think of this as my home.”

Fittingly, the dinner’s theme was Cruise the Night Away, and Day was greeted onstage by the opening of the Beatles’ “Yellow Submarine.”

“Is that supposed to be my era of music?” Day joked while shiny confetti fell.

After the ceremony, Day said he was completely surprised to receive the award and credited his coworkers and opportunities that have allowed him to make decisions that have had a local impact.

Day said hiring local has been “near and dear” to his heart over the years, and there are people who started out holding signs for him who have gone on to become business owners.

He said it might be contrived, but that takes a team effort.

“It’s not me, it’s a number of people I’ve worked with and learned from,” Day said.

Sztuk together

Steve and Jean Sztuk were similarly surprised by the Lifetime Achievement Award the couple received during the dinner.

“We’re absolutely honored, and I’m stunned,” said Jean Sztuk, longtime director for Juneau Fourth of July Parade Committee. “Usually, when I start talking people say, ‘Will she ever shut up?’ But I’m honored. I don’t know what else to say.”

Steve Sztuk, a World War II veteran who worked for Alaska Electric Light & Power for 42 years, thanked everyone for the award.

After the ceremony, Jean Sztuk said she had an inkling her husband might be receiving an award because she was asked by event organizers for some information about him, but when their names were read, it still came as a shock.

“I just grabbed his hand and said to my angels, ‘Thank you.’” Jean Sztuk said. “I haven’t cried in years, and I almost lost it.”

The Sztuks weren’t the only Lifetime Achievement Award recipients as an unprecedented third award winner was also announced.

State Sen. Dennis Egan, former Juneau mayor and a hall-of-fame broadcaster, also received the award.

Egan was unable to attend the dinner; however, presenters said he would be honored at an upcoming luncheon.

Gavel to gavel

The dinner also served as a changing of the guard for the chamber.

Outgoing president Richard Burns passed the gavel to incoming president Mike Satre.

Satre outlined a couple of hopes for his term while addressing attendees, including increasing membership.

“As our membership strengthens and grows, we’ll build our financial strength,” Satre said.

He also said he wants to ensure existing members get as much as they can from the chamber.

“That’s my one goal as president this year,” Satre said.


•Contact arts and culture reporter Ben Hohenstatt at 523-2243 or bhohenstatt@juneauempire.com. Follow him on Twitter at @capweekly.


Jean and Steve Sztuk received the Lifetime Achievement Award Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. “I’m stunned,” Jean Sztuk said. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Jean and Steve Sztuk received the Lifetime Achievement Award Greater Juneau Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner. “I’m stunned,” Jean Sztuk said. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

More in News

(Juneau Empire file photo)
Aurora forecast through the week of Nov. 17

These forecasts are courtesy of the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Geophysical Institute… Continue reading

Larry Gamez and Rachel Ceja collect items for a Thanksgiving food basket to deliver to a house in the Mendenhall Valley on Saturday morning as part of St. Vincent de Paul’s annual distribution program. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
Matching those hungry to help with those hungry to feast carries on as pre-Thanksgiving ritual

Food baskets delivered to hundreds of homes, food bank hosts annual drive on Saturday before holiday.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree reaches Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, Nov. 20, to much celebration. (U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree photo)
Santa’s truck-driving helpers are east bound and down to Washington, DC

U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree completes multiweek cross-country journey from Wrangell.

The Palmer project would sit in the watershed of the Chilkat River, pictured here. (Scott McMurren/Flickr under Creative Commons license 2.0)
Japanese smelting giant pulls out of major Southeast Alaska mining project

Palmer development, above the salmon-bearing Chilkat River, has for years fueled political divisions.

Juneau Police Department cars are parked outside the downtown branch station on Thursday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
JPD’s daily incident reports getting thinner and vaguer. Why and does it matter?

Average of 5.12 daily incidents in October down from 10.74 a decade ago; details also far fewer.

(Michael Penn / Juneau Empire file photo)
Police calls for Monday, Nov. 18, 2024

This report contains public information from law enforcement and public safety agencies.

The Douglas Island Breeze In on Wednesday. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)
New owner seeks to transfer Douglas Island Breeze In’s retail alcohol license to Foodland IGA

Transfer would allow company to take over space next to supermarket occupied by Kenny’s Liquor Market.

Most Read