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Wendell Nordby is honored with The Salvation Army’s William Booth Award at the 35th Annual Nordby Invitational.
When Western Territorial Commander Commissioner Douglas Riley visited the shelter where The Salvation Army’s Emergency/Disaster Services team was serving meals to survivors of the Camp Fire, which ravaged Paradise, California, in 2018, Wendell Nordby was in the kitchen, cooking and dishing out food.
In their conversation, Riley asked him where he was staying. The answer? The floor of The Salvation Army Chico (California) Corps.
“That’s the humility. That’s the kindness. That’s the essence of this man,” Riley said. “Wendell’s an outstanding Christian man and he’s a great ambassador for The Salvation Army. He spreads the good news of the gospel but also the good news of The Salvation Army to almost everybody he comes in contact with.”
In addition to volunteering and providing valuable contributions through the Santa Rosa Advisory Board, Nordby has helped raise more than $1.5 million for The Salvation Army’s programs and services through the annual Nordby Invitational Golf Tournament. This year, the 35th Nordby Invitational raised $118,000.
During the event, held at the Santa Rosa Golf and Country Club Aug.11, Nordby was honored with the William Booth Award, one of The Salvation Army’s most prestigious recognitions. The honor, named after the founder of The Salvation Army, is reserved for individuals whose service reflects the organization’s mission of meeting human need without discrimination.
“Wendell Nordby’s steadfast 35-year commitment to the Army through the Nordby Golf Invitational makes us a better Army in our community,” said Del Oro Divisional Commander Major Osei Stewart, who led the ceremonies. “The impact of his philanthropic contribution enables us to change lives in Santa Rosa and beyond.”
The award presentation came during the evening dinner, where community leaders, supporters and Salvation Army officials gathered not only to celebrate the golf tournament’s success but also to recognize a man whose life has become synonymous with compassionate service.
“Words cannot express the gratitude we have as Corps Officers for Wendell Nordby’s unshakable commitment to The Salvation Army in Santa Rosa,” said Santa Rosa Corps Officer Major Marcos Marquez.
Nordby, founder of Nordby Construction Company, is widely regarded as a leader in philanthropic efforts in Santa Rosa and across the region.
Among his numerous contributions through The Salvation Army, Nordby played a pivotal role in the development of Bridgehouse, a second sober-living facility for men under The Salvation Army’s Transitional Living Program in Santa Rosa.
“He was the driving force behind that,” said then Corps Officer Major Rio Ray.
Guests who stayed for the evening program witnessed firsthand the humility with which Nordby received the award. His dedication was clear to all present—not just through his words, but through the impact he has quietly made over decades of service.
“In our industry, it was all about making money doing things, and I always felt like we should be giving out and helping,” Nordby said. “I felt I could lead the way, hopefully a little bit, to get people to start to give.”
And that compassion is felt by The Salvation Army and the community members it helps.
“Wendell has a heart of gold with a deep passion and commitment to meet human need in our community,” said Marquez. “We are so blessed that his heart beats for the mission of The Salvation Army, and we are a stronger Army for it.”
For Nordby, it’s simple.
“It’s all about others,” he said. “That’s what I’ve learned. It’s not about me.”
With reporting by Grant Hansen
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