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CORVALLIS - The College of Business at Oregon State University recently recognized a number of leading alumni and business partners at their 2004 Alumni and Business Partner Awards held in downtown Portland.

The Hall of Fame Award, which honors OSU graduates who have made sustained and meritorious business contributions throughout their careers, was presented to R. Steven Gilley, a 1956 OSU graduate and chairman of AG Hotels; and Kenneth Thrasher, a 1971 graduate and chief executive officer of Compli.

Thrasher, who had a 20-year career with Fred Meyer, including chief executive officer of that retail firm, is now the head of Compli, a training verification and compliance documentation software firm. He is also an active civic leader, serves on the Oregon Business Council, and was honored for his "strong sense of business ethics and sense of leadership."

Gilley was a national real estate executive for nearly five decades and president of one of the largest privately held real estate development and ownership companies in the nation. He's also an active philanthropist and community activist, former president of the OSU Alumni Association and member of several boards.

Five OSU alumni received the Distinguished Business Professionals Award, which honors mid-career Oregon State graduates who are still practicing their profession, and have demonstrated "sustained distinguished contributions to his or her profession, field, OSU or society at large." Recipients of this award included:

• E. Scott Hildebrandt, previous vice president and chief financial officer of Merant Software, and a previous executive with InFocus and Tektronix;

   

• Bruce C. Hraba, president of Waterford Hotels and Inns, who has had a 37-year career in the hospitality industry;

   

• Allen P. Leggett, senior vice president of Arthur J. Gallagher and Co.;

   

• Joseph F. Lobbato, chief operating officer of Central Group, one of the largest and most successful family companies in Thailand; and

   

• Donald A. Robert, chief executive officer of Experian North America, an organization with 4,600 employees.

Three OSU alumni received the Distinguished Early Career Business Professionals Award, which recognizes alumni with less than 20 years of experience. Recipients of this award included:

• Donald C. Atkinson, business segment manager for Kraft Bags and Single Face business at Weyerhaeuser Co.;

   

• James D. Parkin, a partner in Deloitte and Touche and member of the college's Business Advisory Council; and

   

• Brentley Milo Bullock, a partner in Perkins Coie, member of the American Bar Association and chair of the Oregon Entrepreneurs Forum.

Two Distinguished Business Partners Awards were made, honoring non-alumni or companies who have distinguished themselves through professional practice and service to the OSU College of Business, the profession or society. Recipients of these awards include:

• Sonja Lee Haugen, general manager of Austin Industries and ex-officio member of A-dec Senior Management Group; and

   

• Patricia E. Hraba, vice president of Waterford Hotels and Inns, who is also active in community and service activities and a member of the OSU Austin Entrepreneurship Program advisory council.