Tri-Citian of the Year committee seeks nominations for region’s highest honor
Nominations are open for the Tri-Cities’ highest civic honor, Tri-Citian of the Year.
The annual honor, now in its 54th year, is a collaboration of Tri-Cities’ Kiwanis and Rotary clubs.
David LaMotte, a songwriter, speaker, author and Rotary Peace Fellows, is the keynote speaker for the annual banquet, starting at 6 p.m., April 30 at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.
LaMotte has been featured on TEDx Talks, with topics such as “Why Heroes Don’t Change the World.” His book, “You are Changing the World Whether You Like it or Not” resonated with the organizers behind the 2026 program.
“David’s TEDx talk on change aligns with what we know about our Tri-Citian of the Year recipients,” said Carol Moser, chair of the 2026 program.
By tradition the Tri-Citian of the Year’s identity is a secret even to the individual up until it is announced at the banquet, typically by the previous year’s winner.
Retired Benton County Prosecutor Andy Miller was the 2025 honoree.
The Tri-City Herald established Tri-Citian of the Year in 1962 to honor local leaders making a meaningful impact on the community.
After a hiatus in the 1970s, local Kiwanis and Rotary clubs revived it, making it a centerpiece of their efforts to promote the ideal of “service above self.”
Nominations, sponsorships, tickets and a list of past Tri-Citians of the Year is available at tricitianoftheyear.com.