by TR Robertson
The annual Carlsbad Business Achievement and Distinction (CBAD) Awards were held Monday at the Westin Carlsbad Resort & Spa awarding significant business, education, nonprofit, and police for outstanding service in the community of Carlsbad. The Awards Ceremony was presented by Grand Pacific Resorts, Tri-City Medical Center and Wells Fargo. There were also Table Sponsors for each of the dining tables in the ballroom. Carlsbad Chamber CEO Bret Schanzenbach began the ceremony welcoming the over 350 guests in attendance and introducing Hayley Cruz, Carlsbad High School Senior and President of the Carlsbad Show Choir, who sang the National Anthem. After an introduction of Carlsbad Mayor Keith Blackburn and City Council members in attendance and San Marcos Mayor Rebecca Jones and other dignitaries, the first award winner was introduced, High School Teacher of the Year. Each award winner was introduced by various Chamber members and business or education executives, the nominees were shown and a video of the winner presented.
After several award winners were announced and lunch served, Keynote speaker Aaron Byzak, Chief External Affairs Officer from Tri-City Medical Center, gave an address centering around the theme of the CBAD Awards ceremony, “Commemorate. Celebrate. Inspire”. Aaron spoke about the accomplishments of the City of Carlsbad from a sleepy beach town to a thriving major business, organization and residential community becoming a destination city for these groups. He also spoke about the growth of Tri-City Medical Center, now celebrating their 60th anniversary. Many of the Medical Center’s accomplishments were listed, including the renaming of the towers, the soon to open Psychiatric Health Center and the remodeling of the ER lobby and receiving area. He spoke at length about the influence of his grandfather in his life, the role model his grandfather represented to his life and the inspiration his son Adam has been in his life.
After the keynote address, the remainder of the Awards Ceremony continued beginning with the naming of the Longevity Awards, long standing members of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. A list of the Award winners and Longevity Awards appears below.
Carlsbad Business Achievement & Distinction Awards Winners:
• Business of the Year (Small Business): Calsense
• Business of the Year (Large Business): John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air
• Best Place to Work: BrightStar Care of Carlsbad
• Community Impact: Senior Care Options
• Innovator of the Year: Investing By Design
• Nonprofit of the Year: Community Resource Center
• People’s Choice Award: Solutions for Change
• Kindess Inspiration Award: Bitchin’ Sauce
• High School Teacher of the Year: Aimee Nava, Carlsbad High School
• Middle School Teacher of the Year: Dave Pier, Aviara Oaks Middle School
• Elementary School Teacher of the Year: Candance Wright, Mission Estancia
• Principal of the Year: Michael Ecker, Calavera Hills Middle School
• Educational Excellence Award: Rosemary Eshelman, Carlsbad Unified School District
• Police Officer of the Year: Jackie Pacheco, Carlsbad Police Department
Long-Term Carlsbad Chamber Member Honorees:
• EMD Electronics – 35 Years
• Tri-City Hospital Foundation – 35 Years
• Bandemer Accountacy Corp. – 30 Years
• Spangler Realty – 30 Years
• Days Inn Carlsbad – 25 Years
• Days Inn Oceanside – 25 Years
• John Stevenson Plumbing, Heating & Air – 25 Years
• La Costa Glen Carlsbad – 25 Years
• Modern Postcard – 25 Years
• Museum of Making Music – 25 Years
• MyPoint Credit Union – 20 Years
