When Debbie Fromdahl became president and CEO of the Roseburg Area Chamber of Commerce in 2002, chamber presidents from around Oregon helped her learn the job.

She appreciated their support and 10 years later is grateful again. A panel of her peers recently selected Fromdahl as the 2011 Oregon Chamber Executive of the Year. She received the honor at the state chamber of commerce banquet in October in Silverton.

“I remember truly being overwhelmed and honored, and realizing my name was now with a list of individuals who had always been my go-to people in this business,” Fromdahl said Wednesday. “They were chamber executives who had taken me under their wings when I started. They were the ones I had sought out for guidance and support, so to be selected for this award by them was very humbling.”

Fromdahl was the 2010 chairwoman of the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, has served on the board and has co-chaired the chamber's legislative affairs committee.

At the chamber's 58th annual First Citizens Banquet on Jan. 19, Dave Hauser, the chamber president for Eugene, presented Fromdahl with a plaque as the executive award winner.

“An award like this is not about the individual, it's not my accomplishment,” said the 50-year-old Fromdahl, who is a 1979 Roseburg High School graduate. “The chamber's accomplishments just happened to occur while I sat in this chair. It's generous of the (Roseburg) board chairs to credit me with those things, but truly it belongs to all those I work with, the staff, the industry folks, everyone who serves on committees.”

Fromdahl was nominated for the award by Norm Gershon, the 2011 chairman of the Roseburg chamber.

Gershon noted in his nomination letter that in her tenure Fromdahl had recommended significant changes at the chamber, including reorganizing the board, establishing a political action committee and revising membership meetings, business outlook forums and government affairs programs.

“She has gradually, but steadily, helped move us from an organization that, for the most part, was content with planning events and organizing networking opportunities to a true advocacy organization whose opinion, guidance and support (are) deemed critical to the success of our community's most important business related groups, government officials and others,” wrote Richard Baltus, the 2005 Roseburg chamber chair, in a letter recommending Fromdahl for the award. “She has successfully challenged the status quo whenever she thought it was necessary to help create a more progressive chamber of commerce.”

Fromdahl guided the chamber from weekly forums to monthly membership meetings and quarterly government affairs breakfasts. Overall, she and her staff recruited more prominent speakers for the monthly meetings. Attendance increased at events.

“We've put a greater emphasis on higher-quality programs with so much more of a business focus,” Fromdahl said.

Fromdahl has a staff of 11 full- and part-time employees at the chamber and the visitors center. The chamber, a nonprofit corporation, is funded exclusively by its almost 600 members. The visitors center is funded by the city.

Chamber members are from all over Douglas County and range from Roseburg Forest Products to one-person businesses. Nonprofit organizations also belong.

Fromdahl expressed optimism about the future business climate in Douglas County.

“Where we are this January feels very different than where we were last January, in a positive way,” she said. “I know we will continue to grow in our political activity at the local, state and federal levels. I know we will continue to work closely with our partners in the community. I think the business community is feeling a little more optimistic after 2011 being a tough year.”

• You can reach business reporter Craig Reed at 541-957-4210 or by email at creed@nrtoday.com.