Pictured, left, Mark Utti, 2024 Community Applause Award recipient, with Jack Ficken, of Lewis & Clark Bank, who nominated him for the award.

SEASIDE — The Oregon Bankers Association, in partnership with Oregon Business Magazine, has announced that Mark Utti, of Seaside, is the recipient of the 2024 Community Applause Award.

Founded in 1996, the award is the result of a competition between banks doing business in Oregon who nominate a business customer who significantly gives back to their community. Utti was nominated by Jack Ficken, relationship manager at the Astoria branch of Lewis & Clark Bank.

Utti is a North Coast entrepreneur who was raised in Astoria. He leads 12 businesses in the hospitality, entertainment, property development and retail industries. He employs close to 300 people year-round, and personally supports their milestones, like graduations and 4-H events.

His philanthropic efforts include offering a full-ride scholarship to Clatsop Community College, funding youth sports through Seaside Kids Inc. and donating to causes important to his employees.

As part of the award, the Oregon Bankers Association provided Utti with a $1,000 check, payable to Seaside High School, in his honor. Utti is matching the donation to form a college or vocational scholarship for the school’s students. He has committed to continuing the $2,000 scholarship into perpetuity.

The bankers association also produced a video about Utti, his businesses and the work he has done to uplift the Seaside community.