By TR Robertson
The Grand Ballroom of the Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa was filled last Wednesday with local business and organization leaders, educators, governmental officials and guests to honor the accomplishments of a variety of businesses, education leaders, and non-profits who have demonstrated excellence in various categories. This annual event, organized by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, also marked the 101st year of the Carlsbad Chamber. The ceremony featured a luncheon and a keynote speaker along with the awarding of specially designed “Ride the Wave” trophies. Special proclamations were also presented to the winners.
Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Bret Schanzenbach began the ceremony, welcoming those in attendance and introducing his daughter Therese, a sophomore at Classical Academy, who sang a beautiful version of the National Anthem. Next, honored guests were introduced and the Carlsbad Business, Achievement & Distinction sponsors were introduced. Main sponsors include BMW of Carlsbad, Grand Pacific Resorts and Wells Fargo. Gold Sponsors were Bitchin’ Sauce, Kaiser Permanente and Thermo Fisher Scientific. For the event table sponsors included Aldrich Wealth, Apex 365, Army & Navy Academy, California State University San Marcos, Carlsbad by the Sea Retirement Community, Carlsbad Unified School District, City of Carlsbad, Dynamic Space Solutions, Endeavor Bank, Guide My Finances, LEGOLAND California Resort, Marcy Browe Photography, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort – Golf Club & Spa, Phillips & Co Real Estate, Republic Services SDG&E, STEM Aviation Academy, The Jacob Scheriff Group, and Mindset Service.
All of the nominees for each category were introduced on the video screens before each of the individual awards. Once the winner was announced, the video of the winner was shown along with information about the winner. The first set of awards announced began with the Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Catherine Magana of WWF Financial announced the winner, Jo Ellen Restivo from Buena Vista Elementary. The next award was the Community Impact Award, presented by Joe Gabaldon from SDG&E. The winner was Bio-One Oceanside, owners Armund and Michele Amoranto. The Young Professional of the Year was awarded next, announced by Adam Jacobs from the Jacobs Scheriff Group. This year’s winner was Samantha Richter from the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation. Accepting the award for Samantha was Lisa Cannon-Rodman, Chief Executive Officer.
Following a short break for lunch, Bret introduced the keynote speaker for the ceremony, Tim Wrisley, Owner of Carlsbad Magazine and Wheelhouse Media. Tim spoke about growing up in Carlsbad, his love of the beach and the City of Carlsbad. Attending college at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff only increased his desire to return to Carlsbad after graduation and make Carlsbad and its beaches his forever home. Tim’s interest in surfing, skateboarding and skiing led him to employment with magazine companies centered around these Southern California interests. His experience in New York City during the 9/11 attacks would lead him to return home and a decision in 2004 to begin a magazine of his own centered around the city he loves. Carlsbad Magazine covers a wide variety of topics, people, restaurants, activities and occurrences throughout the Carlsbad region. Now 20 years old, the magazine can be found in locations all over the city and provide both residents, visitors and especially out of state tourists with a plethora of information about the history of Carlsbad, what is going on in Carlsbad and especially what makes this city so unique, and in Tim’s words, “The Greatest City in the Universe”.
Following Tim’s address, Bret Schanzenbach presented Chamber Longevity Awards to the following businesses: 25 Years – Residence Inn by Marriot, Mission San Luis Rey and Famulare Jewelers; 30 Years – Dexter Wilson Engineering, LEGOLAND California Resort, The Lund Team, Inc.; 40 Years – Carlsbad Unified School District and Carlsbad Inn Beach Resort.
The next award handed out was the New Business of the Year, presented by Dale Patterson of ThermoFisher, the winner was Parker & Hart, accepted by Naomi Parker and Shoshannah Hart. The next award was for High School Teacher of the Year, presented by Tim Stripe of Grand Pacific Resorts. The award went to Andie Tanner from Carlsbad High School. The Best Place to Work (small company) was presented by Amanda Miles from Bitchin’ Sauce. The business selected was Visit Carlsbad, accepted by Kim Sidoriak, President and CEO. Amanda Miles also presented the Best Place to Work (large company) which was awarded to LEGOLAND California Resort, accepted by Kurt Stocks, President LEGOLAND Carlsbad.
The Non-Profit of the Year was presented by Bret Schanzenbach and was awarded to +Box, accepted by owner Wesley Burt. The School Administrator of the Year was presented by Chafic Rouhana from Wells Fargo Bank and went to Jorge Espinoza, Principal of Carlsbad Village Academy. The Business Professional of the Year was awarded by Darrin Fetterolf from BMW Carlsbad and went to Crystal Privett of Mindset Service. Bret Schanzenbach presented this year’s Kind Company Inspiration Award, given to a company that is a Kindness Certified Company and follows the guidelines and values of the organization. This year’s winner was Shear Karma, the award was accepted by owner Sharla Fagen.
The Business of the Year was presented by Carlsbad Chamber Board Chair, JR Phillips of Phillips and Company Real Estate. The Business of the Year was Apex 365 Workforce Solutions. The final award for the day was The People’s Choice Award, an award given to the business selected from all of the nominees for the year and chosen through an online voting decision. This year over 2,000 people voted online. This year’s winner was Park Hyatt Aviara Resort.
The 2024 Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Business, Achievement and Distinction Awards closed with the final presentation, bringing to an end another successful Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce event.
