Local heroes honored as well
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce celebrated perseverence, fortitude and innovation in the business community at its Annual Brilliance in Business Awards Dinner March 4 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad.
The 42nd annual event honored the business and community leaders whose accomplishments set them apart by virtue of their sustained success, growth, community spirit and positive outlook. Guest host, KOGO financial commentator George Chamberlain helped present the winners with shining star-shaped trophies. A multi-media presentation by BizVid Communications highlighted the achievements of the award winners and finalists with images taken at their place of business and in their community. The Chamber awarded businesses and individuals in several categories:
• Businessperson of the Year
—
Bill Canepa — Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach
• Small Business of the Year (tie)
— The Grand Deli
— Productive Computing
• Medium Business of the Year (tie)
— Arbor Scientia
—
Marrs Maddocks & Associates Insurance Services, Inc.
• Large Business of the Year
— Buffini & Company
• Entrepreneur of the Year
—
Christine Davis — Coolest Shoes in California
• Lifetime Achievement in
Business
—
Knox Williams — Rayne Water Systems
• Environmental Spirit
— Brookfield Homes
• Community Leadership
—
Steven Tague — Tague
Insurance Agency
• Non-Profit Association of
the Yea
— Partnerships With Industry
• Village Visionary Award
— John Simons
The Non-Profit Association of the Year category is new this year. The category was added to recognize the growing number of non-profit organizations in Carlsbad. “Our community has long been an example of how unity can help better the quality of life for everyone,” said Ted Owen, CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber. “But in the past year, the growing number of these altruistic organizations really deserve to be recognized. In an economic recession, not only have they stepped up their efforts to better the lives of everyone in the community, they have raised the profile of Carlsbad by illustrating that a community is only as good as its citizens — and we certainly have some great citizens working for our non-profits,” he said.
Owen recognized the exceptional efforts of this year's winners, and commended them for taking a challenging economy and turning into an opportunity to innovate and grow using hard work and a positive attitude.
The winners took home trophies in the shape of a shooting star, symbolizing the stellar achievements of the past year. The trophies were provided by SDTrophy. The awards serve as monuments to each winning company's spirit of triumph and achievement.
In a moving tribute to a community hero, the family of John Simons came to the podium to accept the Village Visionary Award, given to Simons for his vision in piloting three community projects to successful fruition: Anastazi Development's The Villages By The Sea and The Bluffs In Carlsbad. The third project was the renovation of the community gazebo, which had fallen into disrepair, and which is now named in Simon's honor. John Simons passed away in late 2010.
Simons was not the only local hero honored at the gala evening ceremony. The gathered crowd stood in ovation for each of five Purple Heart recipients who were honored guests at the awards dinner. Four of the recipients were from the United States Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton, and one honoree was from the United States Navy. Since 2004, the Chamber has incorporated this recognition for decorated heroes of the local Marine base. This year the Chamber honored First Sergeant Daniel Krause, Staff Sergeant Theron Hart, Staff Sergeant Mark Plummer, Sergeant William Barnett, and Hospitalman Third Class Peter Gould.
Mayor Matt Hall, himself a Purple Heart recipient, helped Owen present each of the Marines with a plaque of appreciation, and asked the wives of the local heroes to stand and be recognized for their support.
Also during the evening, the Chamber recognized the achievements of the 2010 board of directors and inaugurated its 2011 board members. The board members were lauded by Owen for being the linchpin of the Chamber's efforts.
“Our board members are also shining stars who help guide this Chamber to its goals,” he said. They light the way for us, and without their support and guidance, we would be unable to do the great work we do on your behalf. They work hard and they are a constant source of creative ideas and practical solutions. We owe them a great debt of gratitude,” Owen said.
More than 550 business leaders, elected officials and community members attended the awards dinner, which included a VIP cocktail reception followed by exquisite cuisine at the renowned Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa.
The event was sponsored by AKT, LLP, Grand Pacific Resorts, Inc., LEGOLAND California, Life Technologies Corporation, NRG West, Quattra Via Aveda, Shapell Homes, SDG&E, Tri-City Medical Center and Waste Management.
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce celebrated perseverence, fortitude and innovation in the business community at its Annual Brilliance in Business Awards Dinner March 4 at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa in Carlsbad.
The 42nd annual event honored the business and community leaders whose accomplishments set them apart by virtue of their sustained success, growth, community spirit and positive outlook. Guest host, KOGO financial commentator George Chamberlain helped present the winners with shining star-shaped trophies. A multi-media presentation by BizVid Communications highlighted the achievements of the award winners and finalists with images taken at their place of business and in their community. The Chamber awarded businesses and individuals in several categories:
• Businessperson of the Year
—
Bill Canepa — Hilton Garden Inn Carlsbad Beach
• Small Business of the Year (tie)
— The Grand Deli
— Productive Computing
• Medium Business of the Year (tie)
— Arbor Scientia
—
Marrs Maddocks & Associates Insurance Services, Inc.
• Large Business of the Year
— Buffini & Company
• Entrepreneur of the Year
—
Christine Davis — Coolest Shoes in California
• Lifetime Achievement in
Business
—
Knox Williams — Rayne Water Systems
• Environmental Spirit
— Brookfield Homes
• Community Leadership
—
Steven Tague — Tague
Insurance Agency
• Non-Profit Association of
the Yea
— Partnerships With Industry
• Village Visionary Award
— John Simons
The Non-Profit Association of the Year category is new this year. The category was added to recognize the growing number of non-profit organizations in Carlsbad. “Our community has long been an example of how unity can help better the quality of life for everyone,” said Ted Owen, CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber. “But in the past year, the growing number of these altruistic organizations really deserve to be recognized. In an economic recession, not only have they stepped up their efforts to better the lives of everyone in the community, they have raised the profile of Carlsbad by illustrating that a community is only as good as its citizens — and we certainly have some great citizens working for our non-profits,” he said.
Owen recognized the exceptional efforts of this year's winners, and commended them for taking a challenging economy and turning into an opportunity to innovate and grow using hard work and a positive attitude.
The winners took home trophies in the shape of a shooting star, symbolizing the stellar achievements of the past year. The trophies were provided by SDTrophy. The awards serve as monuments to each winning company's spirit of triumph and achievement.
In a moving tribute to a community hero, the family of John Simons came to the podium to accept the Village Visionary Award, given to Simons for his vision in piloting three community projects to successful fruition: Anastazi Development's The Villages By The Sea and The Bluffs In Carlsbad. The third project was the renovation of the community gazebo, which had fallen into disrepair, and which is now named in Simon's honor. John Simons passed away in late 2010.
Simons was not the only local hero honored at the gala evening ceremony. The gathered crowd stood in ovation for each of five Purple Heart recipients who were honored guests at the awards dinner. Four of the recipients were from the United States Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton, and one honoree was from the United States Navy. Since 2004, the Chamber has incorporated this recognition for decorated heroes of the local Marine base. This year the Chamber honored First Sergeant Daniel Krause, Staff Sergeant Theron Hart, Staff Sergeant Mark Plummer, Sergeant William Barnett, and Hospitalman Third Class Peter Gould.
Mayor Matt Hall, himself a Purple Heart recipient, helped Owen present each of the Marines with a plaque of appreciation, and asked the wives of the local heroes to stand and be recognized for their support.
Also during the evening, the Chamber recognized the achievements of the 2010 board of directors and inaugurated its 2011 board members. The board members were lauded by Owen for being the linchpin of the Chamber's efforts.
“Our board members are also shining stars who help guide this Chamber to its goals,” he said. They light the way for us, and without their support and guidance, we would be unable to do the great work we do on your behalf. They work hard and they are a constant source of creative ideas and practical solutions. We owe them a great debt of gratitude,” Owen said.
More than 550 business leaders, elected officials and community members attended the awards dinner, which included a VIP cocktail reception followed by exquisite cuisine at the renowned Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa.
The event was sponsored by AKT, LLP, Grand Pacific Resorts, Inc., LEGOLAND California, Life Technologies Corporation, NRG West, Quattra Via Aveda, Shapell Homes, SDG&E, Tri-City Medical Center and Waste Management.