Henriksen is chosen as First Citizen of 2015

The first woman elected mayor of Camas has another first to add to her résumé — First Citizen. The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington named Nan Henriksen, 73, as Clark County’s First Citizen of 2015.

The annual tradition honors someone who’s improved Clark County. Henriksen’s long list of endorsements says she not only improved the community, she shaped it.

“Born and raised in the small city of Camas, Nan grew up to make a huge difference in our local world. Few, if any, elected officials in the last three and a half decades can claim the depth and breadth of her achievements or influence,” said a nomination letter written by former County Commissioner Betty Sue Morris and retired Sheriff Garry Lucas. “Nan Henriksen helped shape the socioeconomic fabric of Clark County, and even reshaped the form of its government. Despite recurring and serious physical problems, she persevered in contributing to her community.”

In addition to her intense commitments, Henriksen raised a family, ran a small business and frequently volunteered.

Most recently, Henriksen came out of retirement to aid in forming the county home-rule charter and was unanimously elected as chair of the Board of Freeholders, which drafted that charter. Structurally changing government could have been chaotic, to say the least, but Henriksen made the process run smoothly. She brought a “diverse and often argumentative” group of 15 freeholders to a consensus, the nomination letter said.

“Even tense conversations and situations were handled with aplomb,” Temple Lentz, one of the freeholders, said in her endorsement letter.

Henriksen has long been known for her skill in mediating and leading groups to make decisions. She’s trained as a large-group facilitator and in dispute resolution.

Her endorsements said Henriksen’s guiding hand and ability to voice why the change was necessary were pivotal to the charter’s adoption.

“I have to say, it was one of the most artful demonstrations of diplomacy, structure, people skills and topic expertise I have seen take place in a gathering of public officials,” said Steve Foster in his endorsement letter.

This is Henriksen’s second award recognizing her work in connection with the charter. Last year, she was named “Statesman of the Year” by the Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce. She’s also won a Women of Achievement award in 1995 and was named Camas Political Leader of the Century in 2006.

Her time as mayor of Camas, from 1983 to 1992, is said to have helped make Camas the desirable suburb that it is today.

“When Nan became Mayor of Camas, it was a pivotal time. The (Georgia-Pacific) mill threatened to close. The city was dependent on the revenue from the mill. Disaster awaited,” local historian Pat Jollota said in her endorsement letter. “Nan rallied the council, they annexed Prune Hill, rezoned and invested in infrastructure.”

The designation of large areas of land for high-tech industrial uses diversified the city’s tax base and paved the way for companies such as WaferTech, Underwriter Laboratories, Bodycote and Linear Technology.

“I felt so strongly about good planning before the days of growth management,” Henriksen said.

Current Mayor Scott Higgins said he’s “reaping the fruit of her dedication” to making Camas a great place to live, work and play.

Last year, “Family Circle” magazine named Camas one of the best towns for families, for its ample hiking opportunities, community events and award-winning schools.

“Nan led her city in a progressive manner yet maintained the small-town quality that Camas is so well known for, and made it the envy of most cities in Washington and Oregon,” said former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard.

She eventually was appointed to the Western Washington Growth Management Hearings Board, forcing her to leave her office as mayor. It was difficult adjusting to the new role because she had to pull away from local involvements — the ones she had held dear for decades.

She kept her seat on the board until her retirement in 2004.

While reflecting on her contributions as mayor and as chair of the freeholders, Henriksen said: “Certainly, I didn’t do either of those things alone, but playing a strong role in them was certainly gratifying.”

Henriksen will receive her award during a community event set for Oct. 20 at the Hilton Vancouver Washington. Tickets and more details will be available in August, according to the Community Foundation.