By Dan Corcoran

EUGENE, Ore. -- The Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce is honoring the female business leaders in the community with the 2009 Woman Business Leader of the Year award.

The Chamber hosted a luncheon at the Eugene Hilton for the finalists of this year's award on Thursday. All five finalists were recognized for their accomplishments before Jeanne Staton of Staton Companies was announced the winner.

The award program honors successful woman business leaders in the Eugene/Springfield area and recognizes their business successes, career achievements and contributions to the community. The other four finalists for the second annual award were:

Suzanne Arlie, Arlie & Company

Liz Cawood, CAWOOD

Linda McKay Korth, McKay Investments

Anne Marie Levis, Funk/Levis & Associates