Escondido Chamber of Commerce Award Winners

Escondido Chamber of Commerce recently announced the award winners that will be recognized on June 8th at the 102nd annual installation and awards held at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

The honorees include:

• Chuck Aeling, Aelott Air Conditioning – Business Leader of the Year
• Al Owens – Jim Felix Award, Community Volunteer of the Year
• NK Towing & Road Service – Small Business of the Year
• Westfield North County – Medium Business of the Year
• Palomar Pomerado Health – Large Business of the Year
• Kevin Svetich, CLU, Kevin S. Svetich Insurance & Investments – Board Member of the Year
• Angel’s Depot – Community Organization of the Year
• Nancy Murphy, CDC Commercial Real Estate, and Suzanne Southwell, Waddell & Reed Inc. – Ambassador of the Year
• Angelo Damante – Jack Raymond Civic Engagement Leadership Award

Soroptimist International of Vista named Kaye Van Nevel the 2012 Soroptimist of the Year. Club president, Cherie Wilson, stated the award honors a member "who has gone above and beyond the club’s obligations, providing outstanding service throughout the year."

Administrator of the Year award was given to Julie Johnson, MiraCosta College’s director of GEAR UP, from the Association of California School Administrators Region 18 and the San Diego County School Boards Association. The honor was bestowed at the annual "Honoring Our Own" Awards Dinner. She was nominated by co-workers for her "outstanding work with students and staff as assistant principal at El Camino High School".

Ron Perez was appointed to the Palomar College Governing Board on May 8 as the vice president of finance and administrative. He will begin his role on June 18th at Palomar College. Perez previously had been the vice president of administrative services at San Diego Mesa College.

The nonprofit Cancer Angels of San Diego named Marjorie Holmstrom executive director. The Carlsbad-based group provides help to stage IV cancer patients who are facing financial difficulties.

The 2012 recipient of the James O. Page EMS Achievement Award by the International Association of Fire Chiefs is Fire Chief William R. Metcalf of North County Fire Protection District in Fallbrook. This award is presented yearly to a leader that has promoted and created a national scale non-clinical achievement in fire service emergency medical services.

Dr. Rebecca Samuels, osteopathic physician has joined Palomar Medical Group in Escondido.

The 1st place winner in the printmaking/sculpture category at the Carlsbad-Oceanside Art League was Marta Hotel, Carlsbad resident and business owner. Her metal sculpture is named "Inspiration Breaks Free."

Director of Nursing of the Year for Life Care Centers of America’s Southwest Division is Gloria Arado, director of nursing at Life Care Center of Escondido. She was honored at the annual directors of nursing meeting in Cleveland, Tennessee. This award is presented to the director of nursing in every division of Life Care’s eight divisions that demonstrates qualities in various areas such as staff development and customer service ratings.

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