Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier received the Bill Kyle Service Award at the annual Auburn Area Connect Chamber of Commerce Spotlight Awards Gala at the Muckleshoot Casino on Wednesday.

For her accomplishments in office, the chamber honored Guier with the award at the recognition dinner.

The award is named after Kyle, who was known for his service to others, especially caring for the less fortunate. The award is given each year to an elected official whose hard work and dedication positively impacts the greater Auburn community.

Kyle, who made his home in Auburn with his wife Dolores, owned a medical insurance agency. Among his many contributions, Kyle helped save the Auburn Food Bank from closing in 1994. He also created in 2006 the Food to Go program that fed hungry students at the food bank on weekends.

He volunteered with the food bank, Auburn Rotary, South King County United Way and the Association of Washington Business among other organizations

Kyle passed away in 2009, but his legacy in the Auburn area lives on through the award.

Other Spotlight Award winners:

Connect Achieve Award: Suzanne Johnson (Green River College president)

Auburn Area Connect Award: Auburn Police Department

Connect Environmental Practices Award: MultiCare Auburn Medical Center

Connect Impact Award: Orion Industries

Connect Entrepreneur Award: Blackfish Spirits Distillery

Connect Minority Owned Award: Reggie Matto/Clarion Hotel Auburn

Connect Employer of the Year Award: Emerald Aire Inc.

Auburn Area Woman Leader of the Year Award: Brittiany Karlson (Vinifera, Auburn Downtown Association)

Connect Nonprofit of the Year Award: Battlefield Addiction

Bill Kyle Award: Mayor Leanne Guier (city of Pacific)