On April 18, 2026, the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce will host a milestone celebration at the Salem Convention Center—the 75th Annual First Citizen Awards Banquet. This prestigious event, which has recognized the region’s most dedicated servant leaders since 1950, will honor four exceptional individuals whose contributions have strengthened the fabric of Salem’s community. From workforce development and youth empowerment to arts advocacy and professional excellence, this year’s honorees embody the spirit of giving back that has defined the First Citizen tradition for three-quarters of a century.
Laura and Dan Dorn: First Citizen Award
When it comes to servant leadership in Salem, few couples have made as profound and lasting an impact as Laura and Dan Dorn. Their combined decades of professional achievement and community investment have touched virtually every corner of Marion and Polk Counties, making them the clear choice for the 2026 First Citizen Award—the banquet’s highest honor.
Laura Dorn has built a distinguished career in real estate with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, helping hundreds of local families achieve the dream of homeownership. Her professional accomplishments include serving as president of the Mid-Valley Association of Realtors in 2002 and leading the Salem Area Chamber of Commerce as board president from 2021 to 2022. Dan Dorn, founder and owner of Sunco Homes & Remodeling, has earned recognition as an award-winning homebuilder while simultaneously serving the public interest. His eight-year tenure on the Salem Planning Commission from 2003 to 2011 helped shape development decisions that continue to influence the city’s growth today.
Yet it is the Dorns’ collaborative efforts that have generated their most significant community impact. Together, they have become champions of youth workforce development, dedicating countless hours to Advanced Construction Education (ACE) and the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC). Dan volunteers his expertise to lead the construction of student-built homes, providing high school students with invaluable hands-on experience in residential construction. Laura lists and sells these homes without commission, donating the proceeds directly back to the program—a gesture that has raised substantial funding while creating training opportunities for aspiring industry professionals…