Steve Meyer, the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's newest Citizen of the Year, said he was surprised when he recently received the honor.

"For the last 40 years, my practice has been to stay quiet and work for our customers. I am humbled by the chamber recognition," Meyer told The Press. "Coeur d'Alene has been a great place to work, invest, raise our family and contribute to the community. I feel like I have received more than I have given."

The award recognizes an individual's exemplary volunteer efforts, altruistic philosophy and personal service on behalf of the community.

In its announcement of Meyer's receipt of the award, the chamber lauded the Hayden Lake resident's "leadership and commitment to technological innovation and education, not only in North Idaho but statewide."

Meyer is president of the board of the North Idaho College Foundation and serves on the Governor's Economic Advisory Council. He recently retired from the board of directors of Mountain West Bank.

In 2005, Meyer and his wife, Judy, donated $1 million to North Idaho College. Judy serves on the college's Board of Trustees, a volunteer position she has held almost continuously since 1990.

"Our most satisfying projects have been in supporting education - school district bond elections, NIC Foundation projects," Meyer said. "Building the cultural fabric of better education has two big benefits: our children win and better education is important when recruiting new companies to move here."

In 1975, Meyer founded what is now one of the leading commercial real estate development companies in Coeur d'Alene.

"Building Parkwood Business Properties over the last 40 has been a great experience. Our focus on quality buildings in a campus setting has been very rewarding," Meyer said. "Our company is now moving on to the second generation of leadership and I'm confident they will take it forward to new projects good for Coeur d'Alene."

He co-founded another successful Coeur d'Alene company, Advanced Input Devices, and served as its CEO or chairman. One of the largest technology employers in North Idaho, AID is now owned by Esterline Technologies.

Meyer has been an investor or board member for multiple technology ventures in the state.

In recent years, Meyer has served as a mentor for the next generation of innovators and startup companies, something he said he finds particularly satisfying.

"My current project is shining a light on the remarkable opportunity open to North Idaho in expanding our software industry," Meyer said. "We need to be expanding our education opportunities and supporting young software companies."

Meyer was inducted into the Idaho Technology Council's Hall of Fame in September.

"Meyer's fingerprints are on many of the most successful Idaho technology enterprises of recent decades," stated the award announcement.

Mark Browning, vice president of community relations and marketing at North Idaho College, received the chamber's Ed Abbott Volunteer of the Year Award.

The award - named for Ed Abbott, an active chamber board member who died in 1984 - recognizes Browning's participation in numerous chamber projects throughout the year.

The Ed Abbott Award was initiated in 1987 as an annual award to recognize the chamber volunteer who best exemplifies those qualities of infectious enthusiasm and confident leadership.