PORTLAND, Ore. -- The chairman and CEO of Compli will be recognized for his generous contributions of time and money to support the lives of generations of Oregonians when he receives the prestigious Simon Benson Award from Portland State University March 1.

Ken Thrasher and his wife, Marta, will both be recipients of the award, which celebrates Pacific Northwest residents who are advocates for philanthropy.

Education, children and mentoring, and the arts receive charitable support and countless volunteer hours from Ken and Marta. She is a 1990 alumna of PSU's Graduate School of Education. The Thrashers work tirelessly to raise funds for Albertina Kerr Centers, Friends of the Children, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon Mentors, PSU and other organizations that help young people achieve their full potential. The Thrashers also contributed to the recently completed Portland Art Museum North Building project.

Ken serves on the boards of the Children's Institute, Friends of the Children, Leaders Roundtable, Northwest Natural, Oregon Business Council, Oregon Coast Aquarium, Oregon Mentors, and The Portland Art Museum. Ken also serves as the co-chair of PSU's successful $100 million "Building Our Future" comprehensive campaign; serves on the board of the PSU Foundation and the Business Advisory Board; and is past chair of the Oregon State Quality Education Committee. Marta serves on the PSU Advisory Boards of the Food Industry Leadership Center, the Graduate School of Education, and the Graduate School of Social Work.