Mark Brault, CEO of Grace Clinic, was honored as the 2022 Tri-Citian of the year at a May 3 event at the Three Rivers Convention Center in Kennewick.

Tri-Citian of the Year is the community’s highest civic honor and recognizes honorees for “service above self.”

Brault, a Richland resident, is a retired CPA whose civic resume includes supporting almost every major nonprofit in the Tri-Cities. He leads Grace Clinic, the nonprofit clinic in Kennewick that provides health care services to people without insurance in Benton and Franklin counties. It is the second-largest free clinic in Washington.

He was nominated by Bill Moffitt and introduced by Dave Retter, the real estate executive who was the 2019 Tri-Citian of the Year. Retter called him the perfect candidate.

“If I didn’t know better, I would conclude that ‘Community’ is his middle name,” Retter said, according to a news release.

Brault joined the Grace Clinic board in 2006 and is credited with leading its transition from an all-volunteer organization to a medical clinic that provides medical, dental and mental health care. He serves as its unpaid chief executive.

Grace Clinic has served more than 100,000 patients since its inception and raises about $600,000 annually to support operations.

Brault collaborated with Trios Health and Kadlec Regional Medical Center to have third-year medical residents work at the clinic, which allowed it to open an additional day a week.

His other commitments include serving as an advisor and volunteer for the Tri-City Union Gospel Mission, working with the Blue Mountain Council Boy Scouts during a “difficult” financial time and a 10-year stint on the board of United Way of Benton & Franklin Counties.

He belongs to the boards of Columbia Industries, Benton Franklin Community health Alliance, the Healthcare Alliance and the Public Market. He is commissioner and vice president of the Two Rivers Health District of the Kennewick Public Hospital District.

Bob Rosselli, past chair of the Columbia Industries board, said Brault’s skills have served it and other organizations well in a letter of support for his nomination.

“Since he joined the board of Columbia Industries, I have gained an even greater appreciation for his capabilities and concerns for the welfare of persons in need and with disabilities who reside in the community,” he wrote. “He has a big heart and special skills.”

Brault and his wife, Kathy, have four children and are longtime members of Hillspring Church, where he is involved with efforts to provide Christmas gifts to local prisoners each year.

Tri-Citian of the Year was on hiatus in 2020 and 2021 because of the pandemic. By design, the honoree is kept in the dark until his or her name is announced during the banquet.

Jim Hall, chief of philanthropy at Kadlec, emceed the 2022 event. The awards program is conducted by the Tri-Cities Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs after being initiated by the Tri-City Herald in 1972.

Go to: tricitianoftheyear.org.