Thunderbird Award

NBK Commanding Officer Receives Thunderbird Award


By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (AW) Maebel Tinoko, Navy Public Affairs Support Element West, Det. Northwest

April 9, 2010 - BREMERTON, Wash. (NNS) -- Naval Base Kitsap's (NBK) commanding officer was presented the 2010 Chief Thunderbird Award by the Bremerton, Wash., Chamber of Commerce at a ceremony April 8 at the Kitsap Golf and Country Club in Bremerton.

Capt. Mark Olson, NBK's commanding officer, received the award for his significant involvement with the Kitsap County community.

According to Scott Bosch, past president of Bremerton Chamber of Commerce, the award's history dates back to 1968, when it was first awarded to the captain of USS Puget Sound (AD 38) for his crew's impact on Bremerton and Kitsap County.

"Each year we select four different people from the community to award, and we thought Capt. Olson would be the best recipient to represent the Navy," said Frank Gentile, operations manager from Bremerton Chamber of Commerce. "We appreciate what he does for the community and the Navy for continuing to do great things in our community."

Chief Thunderbird Award recipients are selected by the past presidents and current board of directors of the Bremerton-area Chamber of Commerce. The selection criteria includes, serving in a leadership position, making positive contributions to the community and being an exemplary role model.

Sonny Loidhamer, chief executive officer from United Moving and Storage; Comedian Cris Larsen; and Hariette Bryant, from Kitsap Young Women's Christian Association, were also presented awards during the ceremony.

Olson was awarded for his continuous engagement with community services. Olson manages 11 programs in community volunteerism such as the school outreach program, Starbase Atlantis, for young scientists. He is also the advocate for 11 strategic community alliances, including the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, the Governor's Hood Canal Restoration Council and Bremerton's United Way Chapter.

"It's a tremendous honor, and I am humbled to receive this award," said Olson. "We are partners with the community, and it's important to keep our relationship strong."