Renton’s Jim Medzegian, known for his work with Piazza Renton, has been named 2009 Citizen of the Year.

“Jim has many years of community service. Every time you turn around you see him volunteering on different projects,” said Renton Mayor Denis Law.

The City of Renton, Renton Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club make up a panel that chooses the winners from a list of nominations.

They also choose two Outstanding Citizens. This year Linda Middlebrooks, who volunteers with education and the arts, and Larry Sleeth, a volunteer chef who also helps with the Renton History Museum.

“They’ve provided years and years of volunteer time on community projects and different events that help to make it a better city to live in,” Law said.

The three will be recognized with a banquet Oct. 29.

“It’s small way of recognizing some of the tremendous work our citizens provide to make life better for other people in our community,” Law said.

Jim Medzegian

2009 Citizen of the Year

Medzegian co-founded the Citizens for Piazza Renton, which helped build the park, and is now the president of Piazza Renton, which organizes the Renton Farmer’s Market.

“I can’t tell me how many years and hours he’s put into the farmers markets that have taken place at the Piazza park downtown,” Law said.

For Medzegian it’s been the most important project he’s worked on in Renton.

“We needed a heart in downtown renton,” he said. “It cuts across and touches so many people in the community.”

He’s also the co-chairman of the Return to Renton Annual Benefit Car Show, which has flourished under his leadership. It raises thousands of dollars each year to the Police Department’s youth programs.

As a member of the St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in the Renton Highlands for about 45 years, Medzegian also headed up two major capital campaigns that raised nearly $2 million for the church building program.

He served on the Renton Technical College Foundation Board of Directors and as a trustee at Renton Technical College for 11 years.

He was co-chair of the committee that raised close to $1 million for computer equipment for the Technology Resource Center.

He’s also the member of multiple Renton organizers, including the rotary and the chamber of commerce.

“He’s one who rolls up his sleeves, sets things up and is working week after week after week,” Law said.

Medzegian worked about 40 years for The Boeing Company before retiring 12 years ago as director of safety, health and environmental affairs.

He has three grown sons with his wife Joanne Medzegian of 47 years and seven grandchildren.

For now his focus is moving to his family. He has decided to step down as the Piazza group’s president, he said.

“I think maybe I’ll do a little less and take care of my health,” he said.

Linda Middlebrooks

2009 Outstanding Citizen

A passionate supporter of education and the arts, Middlebrooks has worked on behalf of about a dozen community organizations.

Teaching in the Renton School District for 25 years, she graduated from Seattle Pacific University.

As the manager of the Renton Farmers Market, Middlebrooks enjoys how it touches thousands of people each week.

“The farmers market brings in so many people to Renton,” she said.

As a part of her interest in the arts, she supports the Renton chapter of the Philanthropic Educational Organization.

She also helps plan the Renton Annual Art Show in the community center.

“As far as I’m concerned, that is one quality art show that is brought to Renton,” she said. “Renton started it 50 years ago.”

She’s also a part of the Renton Municipal Arts Commission, Allied Arts Board, Lakeridge Garden Club and the Paramount Theater Volunteer Council Board.

Recently, she helped raise funds for Renton’s Unleashed Furry Friends, which completed the city’s first off-leash dog park this summer.

Middlebrooks has been married to her husband John for 41 years and has two grown children.

“I like the small community feel (in Renton), even though it’s really big,” she said. “We’re known for education, beauty.”

Larry Sleeth

2009 Outstanding Citizen

Sleeth played an instrumental role in completing the renovation of the Renton Historical Society’s annex building and helped move Renton’s iconic coal car back and forth from the Northwest Railway Museum.

As the “Larry” of Don & Larry’s BBQ Catering (with Don Persson) since 2000, he has volunteered for the past 15 years as a chef for the Thanksgiving Day Dinner at the Renton Community Senior Center.

“I’m really quite fond of my cooking, but I really enjoy the work I do with the Renton History Museum,” he said.

Larry has also been the co-owner of A.S.A.L. Custom Construction since 1980.

He was employed by the City of Renton as facilities manager from 1969 until his retirement in 2000.

“I know that Renton is a great community and has a lot of really great people. So to be thought of at that level is quite an honor,” he said.

Sleeth started volunteering in the early 1970s, when he ran the basketball program for the Burien Boys & Girls Club.

Since then, he has been a fleet captain for the Tyee Yacht Club, a trustee member for the Renton Historical Society and a member of Renton Rotary.

Larry has been married for 43 years to his wife Andrea and has two sons and three grandchildren.