Chamber of Commerce Holds Celebration

LOMA LINDA>> Loma Linda is a community with many caring individuals and business professionals. To celebrate the achievements and compassion the community exudes, many gathered for the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce Annual Community Awards and Installation of Officers Dinner on Thursday, March 23. To start the evening, the installation dinner and awards, held at the Double Tree Hotel, began with a welcome from Roni Bailey, chamber secretary, and Mayor Rhodes Rigsby, who was the emcee for the evening. An invocation and pledge was conducted by Bruce Herwig of Redeemer Fellowship. “The chamber acts as the best place to aggregate all of that interest and businesses and pulls it together so they can interact with government, each other and network, and work with other communities so they can advance the entire infrastructure of business in this area.” Rigsby said. After the dinner and auction event, the officers and Chamber Board of Directors for 2017 was presented and sworn in by Rigsby. The 2017 Chamber Board of Directors includes: William Arnold, chamber president; Victor Miller, chamber vice president; Roni Baily, chamber secretary; Scott Stockdale, chamber treasure; and board members Elsie Chan, George Macias, Jennifer Rowland, Margie Miller, Dick Schaefer, Bob Stewart, Rodney Neal and Gary Nelson. “Our plans are to provide education for businesses and individuals within the community, to provide networking opportunities with other businesses, and work together to create a combined effort to get more business in their doors,” Arnold said. Arnold also took a moment to recognize the following individuals: Assemblyman Marc Steinorth; representatives from State Senator Mike Morrell’s office and from County Supervisor James Ramos' office; Dr. Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University Medical Center; Dr. Ronald Carter, vice president of LLU Affairs; Lyndon Edwards, senior vice president; the Loma Linda City Council and Mayor Rhodes Rigsby. Arnold gave special recognition to Jim Walling, a longtime member of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce and former member of the board of directors. Arnold will also provide Walling with a book on history of Loma Linda that Loma Linda University Historian Dick Schaefer created. The evening continued with recognition of many members of the chamber who have gone above and beyond to better the local community and enrich the lives of others. Konrad Bolowich, assistant city manager, presented the City Employee of the Year award to Nataly Alvizar, city administrative specialist. The Teacher of the Year award was presented by Denise Fee, principal of Mission Elementary, and was awarded to Amy Pry, a special education teacher who serves kindergarten through fifth grade students who have diverse learning disabilities. Lt. John Walker presented the Police Officer of the Year award to Deputy Joshua Gile, who joined the central station in April 2014. Fire Chief Jeff Bender presented the Fire Department Employee of the Year award to Nathaniel Boucher, who has been a member of the agency for 9 years and was promoted to fire captain in 2014. William Arnold, chamber president, presented the Chamber Business of the Year to the Ronald McDonald House, a nonprofit organization that serves families with children who have needs. In 2014, the decision was made to begin a 12-million dollar campaign so the house could expand. The house now has 54 rooms with additional amenities to help families have a home away from home. Jay Brand, board member of the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House was present along with Mike Kovack, executive director of the Inland Empire Ronald McDonald House, to accept the award. City Manager T. Jarb Thaipejr presented the Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year award to Valerie and Jay Gallant. Jarb said the two are a team that has worked with him for almost 16 years. The Humanitarian of the Year award was presented to Dennis Baxter, executive director for Habitat for Humanity in San Bernardino, and it was presented to him by William Arnold. Arnold also gave special recognition to Willard Stewart and said it has been his privilege to become friends with Stewart over the last year and half. Karen McCulloch, chamber operations manager, thanked everyone in attendance and closed the evening.