The Rotary Club of Wilsonville announced Scott Nichols as the newest Wilsonville First Citizen at The Sweet Life of Service: The 2026 Heart of Gold Gala & Auction on Saturday night, April 11.
“All five of this year’s finalists reflect the very best of Wilsonville, each contributing in meaningful ways to the fabric of our community,” said club President Josh Dalglish, who presented the award and chaired the selection committee. “Scott’s long‑standing commitment to lifting others up, from coaching youth sports and supporting local celebrations to his leadership at Rose Haven, truly embodies this year’s Rotary International message of Unite for Good. His impact is felt across Wilsonville, and recognizing him as the 2025 First Citizen is both fitting and well deserved.”
Nichols was surprised and pleased to receive the honor. “I am incredibly honored to be this year’s recipient of the Wilsonville First Citizen award,” he said. “I want to thank the Rotary Club for this special recognition as well as for all they do in the our community.”
He added that it was an honor he shared with his family, friends and team, not to mention his wife, Colleen. “I deeply believe this is a ‘team award’ and I am extremely grateful for the love and support of my family and friends,” he said. “Raising our family and opening our business in Wilsonville has been one of the best decisions we have ever made. We love this community. I hope everyone can remember how special it is, and can be, if we all assume best intent, take care of each other and work together.”
Nichols is a Wilsonville resident and the owner of Nichols Family Agency, a local insurance agency. He is a board member and past president of the Rose Haven Women and Children’s Day Shelter in Portland. He has coached youth football and basketball, served on the board of the Wilsonville Touchdown Club, and served as a board member and president for the Wilsonville Basketball Association. He sponsors numerous local events, including the Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, the city Community Tree Lighting, the city Easter Egg Hunt, and the Harvest Festival. He conducts the annual Lead with Kindness toy drive as well.
Please note: The First Citizen award is given each year for the prior year just completed. Nichols is the 2025 Wilsonville First Citizen. The 2026 First Citizen will be awarded in 2027.
Wilsonville First Citizen is an annual award given since 2001 to recognize a local community member for their exceptional volunteer service. Also recognized as finalists for the award this year were Brad Christensen, John Hillan-Payne, Jennie Hill and Rick Wallace. A committee made up of Rotary and other Wilsonville community leaders reviewed the nominations that were received from the community. Any adult or couple that works, lives or volunteers in Wilsonville is eligible. Nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis at WilsonvilleRotary.com/nominate.
All of the past First Citizens are listed on a monument in the Rotary Rose Garden in Town Center Park, and Scott’s name will be added there. Prior First Citizen honorees include Lyn Whelchel (2024), Brad Hansen (2023), Tammy Sue Bradley (2022), Lisa Krecklow (2021), Elaine Swyt (2020), Jake and Dianne McMichael (2019), John Budiao (2018), Jordan Scoggins (2017), Tim Knapp (2016), Sherine Beltran (2015), Jaimy Beltran (2015), Donna Bane (2014), Kathryn Whittaker (2013), Jay Puppo (2012), Dick Spence (2011), Debi Laue (2010), Lonnie and Julie Gieber (2009), Anne Easterly (2008), Theonie Gilmore (2007), Laura LaJoie Bishop (2006), Sue Ludlow (2005), John Ludlow (2005), Charlotte Lehan (2005), Alan Kirk (2004), Doris Wehler (2003), Bob and Judy Woodle (2002), and Ron Anderson (2001).
This year’s Heart of Gold theme was “The Sweet Life of Service.” Besides honoring Wilsonville’s First Citizen, Heart of Gold event serves as the main fundraiser for the Wilsonville Rotary Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Money is raised through sponsorships, auction purchases, donations, raffle and game tickets, dinner tickets and other contributions.
The Wilsonville Rotary Foundation provides funding for the numerous service projects conducted or supported by the Rotary Club of Wilsonville, including:
- Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts — These four Thursday evening concerts, held in July and August, provide top quality, family-friendly musical entertainment for the community. Donations are accepted to benefit polio eradication through End Polio Now and youth services. Going back to 2007, our club has raised more than $117,000 for this cause. This year’s shows will be July 16 (Jennifer Batten), July 23 (Conjunto Alegre), July 30 (Jennifer Batten and Full Steam) and August 6 (Band After Midnight ABBA Tribute).
- Through A Child’s Eyes (TACE) — This two-day annual event at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility for adults in custody and their children strengthens families and breaks the negative intergenerational cycles that lead to incarceration.
- Good Eggs Omelet and Pancake Breakfasts — These “all hands” breakfasts typically help raise funds for local schools and other worthy causes, but sometimes they just feed hungry volunteers (Wilsonville WERK Day) or honor veterans (annual Veterans Day breakfast at Charbonneau).
- Rotary Youth Exchange — We send local students abroad and host international students in Wilsonville on both short-term and long-term (full school year) exchanges.
- College Scholarships — We support the next generation of strong citizens and community leaders by funding $7500 in scholarships annually for graduates from Wilsonville area high schools.
- Community Service Projects — Our Service Projects Committee identifies, organizes and executes opportunities to help the community with one-time and ongoing projects, working with partners such as Habitat for Humanity, the Wilsonville Library Foundation, the West Linn-Wilsonville School District, and many others.
- Under 40 Fellowship — We have created an Under 40 (U40) Fellowship that leads its own projects and holds its own events, in an effort to bring younger members into the club.
- Support of Scouting America — We sponsor one Scout troop and two Cub Scout packs in Wilsonville.
- Human Trafficking Awareness — We have launched an effort to build awareness of human trafficking in our area and help prevent it.
- Peacebuilding — The Rotary Club of Wilsonville is an official Peacebuilder Club and has installed three Rotary Peace Poles in the Wilsonville community. They are located at Town Center Park, Wilsonville City Hall, and Wilsonville High School. (A fourth is located at Wilsonville Public Library.) Additional Peace Poles are slated to be installed in the future. We are joining the effort to create an Oregon peace trail from Portland to Ashland and have Wilsonville be a part of it by becoming an international peace city.
The club also supports international service projects conducted throughout the world by the Wilsonville club and other area clubs, and responds to certain needs as they arise.
First Citizen nominations are accepted on an ongoing basis at WilsonvilleRotary.com/Nominate, so people are always welcome to submit a nomination for the next deserving Wilsonville First Citizen. For further information or any questions, please contact Josh Dalglish at President@WilsonvilleRotary.com.
About Rotary — Rotary brings together a global network of volunteer leaders dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. Rotary connects 1.2 million members of more than 36,000 Rotary clubs in over 200 countries and geographical areas. Their work improves lives at both the local and international levels, from helping those in need in their own communities to working toward a polio-free world. Through Rotary’s disease treatment and prevention programs, members educate and equip communities to stop the spread of life-threatening diseases like polio, HIV/AIDS, and malaria. For more information, visit Rotary.org
About the Rotary Club of Wilsonville — The Rotary Club of Wilsonville was founded in 1975 and is dedicated to friendship and service projects. The club carries out several signature service projects throughout the year, including the innovative Through A Child’s Eyes program at Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, the annual Wilsonville Rotary Summer Concerts, several Good Eggs omelet and pancake breakfasts throughout the year, the Wilsonville First Citizen awards program, and much more. The club meets weekly, Thursdays at 11:45 a.m. at Black Bear Diner, and has 47 members. Log on to WilsonvilleRotary.com for more information.