POST FALLS - Jerry Lyon has quietly gone about serving Post Falls.

But his widespread involvement caught up with him on Thursday night.

The president and chief operating officer of Community 1st Bank, who is involved with multiple organizations, was named Citizen of the Year during the Chamber of Commerce's annual banquet at Red Lion Templin's Hotel.

"I owe a lot to my wife (Kathie) and family, and I owe a lot to my family at Community 1st Bank," said Lyon, fighting back tears while receiving the award. "They all allow me to do what I do."

When Lyon stepped up to the podium, he was visibly touched to learn that all three of his children, Jaime, Jeremy and Justin, were in attendance.

Lyon has been in leadership roles with Kiwanis and the food bank. His involvement also includes the Boys and Girls Club, chamber of commerce, Post Falls Community Volunteers, Little League, Real Life Ministries, River City Leadership Academy and youth reading programs. He has also served as a volunteer fireman and EMT.

"Leadership by example and done with enthusiasm and a positive attitude," said Len Crosby, last year's Citizen of the Year describing Lyon. "He is respected for doing the right thing always and admired for his willingness to do what it takes to make every corner of this community a better place."

The bank's philosophy of "doing the right thing" is also something Lyon lives by.

"The personal growth and satisfaction that I have realized from each of the organizations that I work with has far outweighed the contribution of time and energy I have given," he said in an earlier interview.

The Chamber of Commerce's accomplishments over the past year were noted during the event, including raising membership by 27 despite tough times, creation of a new website and CEO and President Pam Houser attending the U.S. Chamber International and obtaining a designation in organization management.

Other award recipients included:

* Business of the Year (more than 50 employees) - Arrotta family and the Midway Automotive Group, for contributions to youth programs, Holidays and Heroes, The Press Christmas for All;

* Small Business of the Year (less than 50 employees) - Spokane Teachers Credit Union, for sponsoring the Reverse Job Fair and other youth programs and for civic and chamber involvement;

* Volunteer of the Year - Barbara Chambers, for volunteering more than 100 hours per month at the food bank, serving on chamber committees and offering her talents as a dessert maker and seamstress to make blankets for newborns and children displaced by domestic violence;

* Spirit of Post Falls - Chief Allan and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe, for being a partner and contributor to business, education and local programs such as the backpack effort for children in need, the Kootenai Technical Education Campus and the chamber of commerce;

* President's Award (given by Houser) - staff of the Coeur d'Alene/Post Falls Press for working with the chamber on publication projects; and

* Chairman's Award (given by outgoing chair Ed Santos) - Jame Davis, the chamber's vice president of tourism and marketing for assistance on projects.