NCU’s Evening of Tribute to Honor Ethical Business Leaders – John Alvord, Forrest Technical Coatings, and One Hope

Evening of Tribute AwardsNorthwest Christian University’s Center for Leadership and Ethics (CLE) will honor Eugene business leaders John Alvord, Forrest Technical Coatings, and One Hope as the 2019 recipients of the Exemplary Ethical Leader Awards, the Center’s highest community honor, at its annual Evening of Tribute gala on Thurs., May 9, 2019, at the Hotel Eugene, formerly the Eugene Hilton. Evening of Tribute is presented by Moss Adams.

“We are pleased to honor these community members for their commitment to establish and promote a business-culture where honorable and ethical practices are the foundation for personal, organization and community relevance,” said Susan Soonkeum Cox, Vice President for Policy and External Affairs at Holt International and a CLE Advisory Board member. “They are prime examples of wisdom, faith, and service in action for NCU students and the entire community to model.”

2019 Exemplary Ethical Leader award recipient’s chosen by the advisory board of NCU’s Center for Leadership & Ethics are:

John Alvord

In 1959, John Alvord moved to Eugene to continue a banking career. He joined his wife, Willa, in founding Alvord Taylor Inc., a non-profit corporation whose mission was to assist the adult developmentally challenged realize their potential. As a 44-year Rotarian, he follows the Rotary motto: “service above self,” which has guided him to past leadership positions in United Way of Lane County, Eugene Arts Foundation, Lane Community College Foundation, Eugene Airport Rotary, Sacred Heart Medical Foundation, and now Eugene Active 20-30. He also supports many other worthy charities including St. Vincent DePaul, the Eugene Opera, Pearl Buck Center, and Northwest Christian University. John and Willa, his wife of 45 years, have adopted seven children who have presented them with sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Forrest Technical Coatings

Oregon-native Scott Forrest and his wife Cecelia founded Forrest Paint Company in 1973 with the express purpose to create a friendly and family-supportive workplace. Now known globally as Forrest Technical Coatings and under second-generation leadership, Forrest supports the families of over 120 employees as a local retailer of house paint, a major industrial coatings provider for the Pacific Northwest, and a market leader on a global scale in high temperature resistant coatings. Along the way, Forrest has given to countless organizations and focuses especially on programs that provide support to kids and families, the arts, and affordable housing and homelessness. Forrest is also a leader in finding innovative solutions to lessen the environmental impact of their processes and products.

One Hope

One Hope is a nonprofit organization that brings together pastors, leaders and Jesus-followers to love God, each other, and to demonstrate God’s love to the community. Local pastors live life in genuine friendship and trust, praying for one another and the community. Their congregations share the joyful responsibility of united 24/7 prayer for the community. This unified pursuit of God leads pastors and churches to serve together in gospel-centered collaboration for the good of the city. Through the efforts of One Hope, hundreds of God’s people engage in various initiatives from school partnerships and Project Hope, to caring for vulnerable children and partnering with Lane County Department of Human Services through Every Child.


About NCU’s Center for Leadership and Ethics

Established in 2005, NCU’s Center for Leadership and Ethics equips and inspires ethical leaders by providing faith-integrated and values-based education and mentorship to NCU students, alumni, and the community. The Exemplary Ethical Leader Awards are awarded annually by the Center’s Advisory Board. Recent recipients include: Rexius, GloryBee, Joe and Cathleen Karcher (Carl’s Jr.), Market of Choice, Industrial Finishes, Phil Speers (Sheppard Motors), Eugene Mission, Holt International, Dr. Ada Lee, among others. NCU’s Center for Leadership and Ethics is supported by Moss Adams, Industrial Finishes, Oakway Center, PeaceHealth, and Umpqua Bank.

Find more information about NCU’s Center for Leadership & Ethics and ticket information for the Evening of Tribute.

Related Posts