Kitsap resident Ray Norton will take the helm in January of the Columbia Tower Club Board of Governors. Norton, an 11-year club member who has served five years on the board, is the owner of Poulsbo-based The Impressions Group, Inc.

Located on the top two floors of the Columbia Tower, the tallest building west of Chicago, the Columbia Tower Club is a business social club that accepts new members by invitation only. The member list is private, but it's not a secret that some of the area's most prominent faces, from celebrities to government leaders, belong to the exclusive club.

“It's an honor to be asked (to join),” says Norton, who was invited by former Board of Governors Chairman Fred Brown while attending a meeting at the club. That's the same Fred Brown who was known as “Downtown Freddie Brown” when he played for the Seattle Sonics, for his seeming ability to can three pointers from anywhere on the court. Norton thought it was “out of his league” at first. “I went ahead and joined, and it's probably the best thing I did.”

One of the CTC's advantages — and maybe its signature — is the elegant setting that offers sweeping views of Puget Sound, the exceptional food and the service. Members can come in any time of the day, either to dine, use the computer-equipped business area, reserve a private room, or hang out in the library or the lounge.

“Some major business in Seattle area is conducted in this club,” Norton says.

The club's social functions range from concerts and family parties to special evenings that include dinner and a trip to a theater performance. Members can also use more than 200 other private clubs, owned by the same company, Dallas-based Club Corp, around the world.

The club maintains a family environment, and it's not unusual to see children at events and after work with their parents. The kids, however, have to adhere to the same dress code as adults - no athletic ware or denim. The dress code has been recently relaxed, with the gentlemen now required to wear a jacket only in the main dining room.

The Board of Governors acts as a liaison between the staff and the approximately 2,000 members. Norton says the club truly belongs to the members, who have input into how the club is run through the governors.

While the social mingling with some of the most influential business and cultural leaders in Seattle could be an attraction in itself, for Norton it's the business aspect of the club that has been a great benefit for the growth of his business.

“The business connections I've made as a member are invaluable,” he says.

Norton's company, The Impressions Group Inc., provides branding and marketing services to companies, including online company stores and full-service warehousing. He started the business 18 years ago in Silverdale and later moved to Poulsbo as the company needed additional warehouse space.

The Impressions Group, which has about 10 employees, focuses on small and medium size businesses. Although at one point the company had 16 offices in four states, they were later consolidated. “I decided I wanted to be more focused and more involved in the company,” says Norton, who was born and raised in Bremerton and is a past chair of the Bremerton Planning Commission and past board member of the Bremerton Chamber of Commerce.

As he continues to grow his business, Norton looks forward to starting his two-year term as Columbia Tower Club chairman in January, even if that means a lot more time commitment and trips to Seattle.

“It's very humbling, to say the least,” he says. “Here is a small businessman from Poulsbo who'll chair the board of the most prominent club in the Northwest. I like the fact I'm from the other side of the water. I think it lends credibility — and visibility — to the Kitsap Peninsula.”.