By TR Robertson
Mid-day Friday in The Seabird Ocean Resort & Spa Grand Ballroom was the scene of the presentation of awards to representatives from the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, the Oceanside Police Department, the Oceanside Fire Department, the Oceanside Lifeguards, Oceanside Unified School District, Healthcare Workers, Higher Education Employees and exceptional businesses from the Oceanside Community. This annual event is hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce has a number of sponsors supporting the ceremony including: Genentech, Frontwave Credit Union, Green Oceanside, SDGE, Sharp, Liberty Military Housing, Oceankamp, Rincon Tribe, Tri-City Medical Center, Waste Management, California State University San Marcos, COX, Mirea Costa College, Regal Medical Group, Oceanside Economic Development, Clean Energy Alliance, Main Street Oceanside, The Olson Group, Interfaith Community Services, Scripps, Event Productions, Trussell, Greater Tri Cities IPA, Kaiser Permanente, GK Asset Management, LLC, Action Research. There were also a number of Table Sponsors for the event.
As guests and recipients checked in, a cocktail reception was held where those in attendance could mingle, socialize and network before the ceremonies began.
Lunch was served, then Chamber CEO Scott Ashton began the ceremony, welcoming those in attendance and introducing a number of dignitaries in attendance. A member of Genentech was introduced, the Presenting Sponsor. Oceanside Mayor Ester Sanchez was introduced, and she spoke about the significance of the dedication and service those being honored have given to the community of Oceanside.
Oceanside Police and Fire Commissioner Rob Howard began the award presentations with the Fire Department Awardees. Colby Manning, Fire Specialist and Fire Investigator, leads Oceanside’s Smoke Alarm Program and is known in the community The Crew of Oceanside Engine 214 was awarded for their skill and dedication to the community, including Fire Captain Steve Palmieri, Fire Engineer Derick Mitre, Firefighter/Paramedic Daniel Garcia, Firefighter/Paramedic Aaron Remy and EMT Ryan Gerbovaz. Garcia and Mitre were also honored for delivering a baby during one of their calls. The EMS Leadership Team of Medical Services Officer, Rn Amy Marquez and EMS Analyst Kimberly Hall were honored for strengthening emergency response through data analysis, quality improvement, and program development, advancing lifesaving care for Oceanside.
Scott Ashton presented the Lifeguard Award to Lifeguard Sergeant Matthew Mattison for his actions in July of this year in rescuing a young adult male and a 5-year-old girl after they were thrown from a jet ski in high surf near the jetty rocks.
The Oceanside Police Awards were presented by San Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond. The officers receiving awards included Shannon Cass received The Tony Zeppetella Illegal Firearms Seizure Award for her work with the Gang Suppression Unit; Jacob Soldenwagner received the 2024 Police Officer of the Year for his work with the Crime Suppression Unit, Oceanside’s SWAT Team and as a Defensive Tactics and Firearms Instructor; Billy Walker received The Daniel Bessant Community Policing Award received his award for his work as a Field Training Officer, Crisis Negotiation Team, as a mentor with the Oceanside Youth Partnership program, and as a School Resource Officer.
Dr. Donna Miguel from California State University San Marcos presented the Education K-12 awards. These went to:
Lisa Lopez – Classified Employee of the Year – Chavez Middle School
Jennifer Logan – Classified Employee of the Year – Pablo Tac School of the Arts
Sally Cohenour-Kerl – Teacher of the Year – North Terrace School
Liliana Garcia – Teacher of the Year – Pablo Tac School of the Arts
Dr. Sunny Cooke from Mira Costa College presented the Higher Education Awards to:
Dr. Tina Ngo Bartel – Staff Member of the Year – MiraCosta College
Dr. Yvette Duncan – Faculty Member of the Year – MiraCosta College
Jessica Shrader from Genentech presented the Healthcare Awards to:
Kristen Bologna – TriCity Medical Center (Kristen passed away in July of 2025)
Gigi Gleason – Director, Tri-City Medical Center
Dr. Jason Trainer – True Care
Dr. Julie Matias – True Care
Dr. Mark Jason Peters – Kaiser Permanente Oceanside
Dr. Rebecca Marie Berger – Kaiser Permanente Oceanside
Dr. Mark C. O’Brien – Coastal Internal Medicine
Dr. Jeff Raunig – North County Primary Care
The Military Awards were presented by Col. Daniel Whitley, USMC (Ret.) to:
Sgt. Michael J. Sandoval – United States Marine Corps
Sgt. Tyler J. Lazier – United States Marine Corps
Danielle Pineda-Parks, HM2 – United States Navy
David A. Rudd, HM2 – United States Navy
The Business & Community Awards were presented by Scott Ashton, Oceanside Chamber of Commerce CEO, to the following businesses:
Oceanside Impact Award – Save Oceanside Sand (S.O.S.)
Kindness Award – Carlson Mobile Notary
Ambassador of the Year – Sherri Singleton
Chamber Partner of the Year – MiraCosta College
Oceanside Professional of the Year – Jacqueline Pelayo
Entrepreneur of the Year – Ken Rodriguez
Non-Profit of the Year Award – Assistance League of North Coast
Community Enrichment Award – Star Theatre Company
Economic Development Award – Nova Lux Consultants
Sustainable Business of the Year – Genentech
This ceremony was hosted by the Oceanside Chamber of Commerce located at 928 N. Coast Hwy. For more information go to www.oceansidechamber.com or call 760-722-1534.
