Greater Vancouver Chamber and Edward Jones Announce Jon Girod as 2026 First Citizen Award Honoree

GREATER VANCOUVER AND EDWARD JONES ANNOUNCE JON GIROD AS 2026 FIRST CITIZEN AWARD HONOREE

Quail Homes owner and Careers in Construction founder recognized for his lasting contributions to housing, workforce development, and the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

VANCOUVER, Wash. — The Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), in partnership with Edward Jones, is proud to announce Jon Girod, owner of Quail Homes and founder of Careers in Construction, as the recipient of the 2026 Clark County First Citizen Award. The honor recognizes Girod’s decades of professional leadership, civic engagement, and commitment to creating opportunities that strengthen Southwest Washington.

A regional tradition dating back to 1939, the First Citizen Award celebrates individuals whose professional achievements, volunteerism, philanthropy, and dedication to public service have made a lasting difference in their communities. Girod’s career reflects that spirit, combining a longstanding contribution to the region’s housing industry with a commitment to helping young people build successful futures through careers in the skilled trades.

“Jon’s story is a powerful example of what it means to put community first,” said John McDonagh, President & CEO of the Greater Vancouver Chamber. “He has built a successful career in our region’s housing industry, but he has also recognized a broader need and taken action to address it. By connecting students with opportunities in the skilled trades, Jon is helping strengthen our workforce, open doors for the next generation, and create benefits that will extend well beyond his own lifetime. That commitment to turning success into opportunity for others is at the heart of the First Citizen Award.”

Since 1989, Girod has built more than 3,000 homes and developed more than 2,000 lots, with an emphasis on housing designed for empty nesters and multigenerational living. As owner of Quail Homes and a past president of the Building Industry Association, he has helped shape the region’s residential construction industry. But his impact extends well beyond the homes he has built.

Recognizing the growing need for skilled tradespeople and the importance of introducing students to career opportunities beyond traditional four-year college pathways, Girod founded Careers in Construction, a nonprofit organization that establishes Skilled Trade Centers on high school campuses. Through industry-relevant curriculum, hands-on learning, and connections with employers, the program helps students explore and prepare for careers in construction and other skilled trades.

Girod has worked alongside educators, school districts, industry leaders, elected officials, and community organizations to expand career and technical education (CTE) and strengthen connections between education and the workforce. His advocacy emphasizes that students deserve access to multiple pathways to success, including careers that offer family-wage opportunities, professional growth, and long-term stability.

For Girod, the recognition is not a solo achievement. He credits the many people who have helped advance his work and bring his vision to life.

“I am honored by this award, but a lot of great people are helping me do this. So it’s a WE thing,” Girod said.

The First Citizen Award is presented by Edward Jones, whose partnership supports the Chamber’s recognition of individuals making a lasting difference in the community.

“The First Citizen Award represents leadership, courage, action, and results. These are core values not only of our community’s most impactful leaders, but also values we bring to the table on behalf of our clients. We truly value leadership and work to model it with the families we serve,” said Andy Nygard, Edward Jones financial advisor.

Girod will be formally recognized during the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s Business & Leadership Awards, presented by Riverview Bank, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 4 to 6 p.m. at The Heathman Lodge in Vancouver, Washington. Community members are invited to attend and celebrate Girod alongside the region’s outstanding business and community leaders.

Tickets and event information are available at VancouverUSA.com/Business-Leadership-Awards.

The Greater Vancouver Chamber’s Business & Leadership Awards are made possible through the generous support of Presenting Sponsor Riverview Bank, along with Edward Jones, BBSI, Maddox Industrial Transformer, Washington Trust Bank, WSU Vancouver, Alaska Airlines, The Columbian, MacDonald-Miller Facility Solutions, and Casey Evans Media.

To learn more about the First Citizen Award and explore past honorees, visit VancouverUSA.com/First-Citizen-Award-Honorees.

About the First Citizen Award

Since 1939, the annual First Citizen Award has been presented to a Clark County resident who models the attributes of good citizenship through leadership, action, civic pride, and cultivates inclusive civic engagement practices. These are individuals who, through their business, volunteering, and philanthropic efforts, improve the lives of those in the community by serving first. For more information about the First Citizens through the years, visit: https://www.vancouverusa.com/first-citizen-award-honorees.

About the Business & Leadership Awards

Introduced in 2012, the Business & Leadership Awards honor outstanding businesses and individuals who exemplify the Greater Vancouver Chamber’s motto of "Moving Business Forward." For over a decade, the southwest Washington business community has celebrated excellence and leadership through these prestigious awards.

About the Greater Vancouver Chamber

SW Washington’s largest business organization, the Greater Vancouver Chamber (GVC), with nearly 1000 members, has been Moving Business Forward in southwest Washington for over 135 years through business advocacy, community building, education, and creating visibility for our members. The Chamber is a supportive alliance of diverse member businesses, individuals, and organizations, working together toward long-term business prosperity. The GVC is the heart of Clark County’s business community, advocating for sound, sensible and dynamic policies that ensure a vital economic climate and prosperity for all. For more information, please visit VancouverUSA.com.

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