Chamber Award Recipients
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber has a long-standing tradition of honoring the visionaries and leaders who shape our community’s future. From local entrepreneurs to dedicated public servants, our Annual Awards program recognizes the hard work and dedication that makes the Santa Maria Valley a great place to live, work, and do business. We invite you to explore our history of local leadership and join us in celebrating the past recipients of these community honors.
2024: Terri Lee Coleman
2023: Jim Bray
2022: Pastor Carl Nielsen
2021:Â Sue Andersen and the healthcare staff at Marian Regional Medical Center
2020: Hugh Rafferty
2019: Hardy & Judy Hearn
2018: Orie & Gladys Johnson
2017: Bill Wurth
2016: Ed Murray
2015:Jim Peterson
2014: Bob Hatch
2013: Tom Martinez
2012: Rob Buchanan
2011: VTC Enterprises
2010: Jim McLaughlin
2009: Mark Smith
2008: Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538
2007: Harrell Fletcher
2006: Dave Cross
2005: Jim Glines
2004: City of Santa Maria
2003: Nat D. Fast
2002: Dr. Dennis Shepard
2001: Joe Sesto "Mr. Santa Maria"
2000: Mike Gibson
1999: R.H. Tesene
1998: Agnes Grogan
1997: Jim Diani
1996: George Crosby
1994-1995: Jay Will
1993: Joe Olivera, Jr.
1992: Darwin Sainz
1991: Tony Cossa
1990: Don Lahr, Sr.
1989: Herb Gerfen
1988: Dottie Lyons
1987: Brian Hall
1986: Bill Coltrin
1985: Joe Hagerman / Mike Rubcic (Posthumous)
1984: Henri Ardantz
1983: Joe White
1982: Chuck Hebard
1980: Sue Sword
1980: Rev. J. Stanley Parke
1979: Sammy Minami
1978: Dr. Robert Miller
1977: O.P. Chase
1976: Margie Ziemba
1975: George C. Smith
1974: Joe Sesto
1973: Clarence Minetti
1972: Dorothy Lyman
1971: Catherine Kante Carey
1970: Carl W. Engel
1969: Elwin E. Mussell
1968: Robert L. Nolan
1967: William Bernhardt (Man), Mae Lapp (Woman)
1966: Leland "Butch" Simas (Man of the Year), Dorothy Datter (Woman of the Year)
2024: Diani Companies (Large), Gina's Piece of Cake (Small)
2023: CalPortland (Large), Wine Stone Inn (Small)
2022: Atlas Copco Mafi-Trench (Large), Cuginis Pizzeria & Trattoria (Small)
2021: Morris & Garritano Insurance Services (Large), Santa Maria BBQ Outfitters (Small)
2020: Coast Hills Credit Union (Large), Care Connection Transport Services (Small)
2019: Babe Farms (Large), Jack's All-American Plumbing (Small)
2018: Idler's Home (Large), Trattoria Uliveto (Small)
2017: Red Dog Management (Large), Testa Catering (Small)
2016: Heritage Oaks Bank (Large), Studio 23 (Small)
2015: Halsell Builders
2014: Community Bank of Santa Maria
2013: Bonipak
2012: C&D Zodiac Aerospace
2011: Hardy Diagnostics
2010: Okonite
2009: Straw Hat Pizza
2008: Toyota of Santa Maria
2007: Cafe FX
2006: VAFB
2005: Union Asphalt
2004: Marian Hospital
2003: Craig Stevens
2002: Darren Gee
2001: Harrell Fletcher
2000: Martin Testa
1999: David Cross
1998: Dr. Robert Beavers
1997: Franziska Shepard
1996 Ray Deutsch
1994-95: Bud Neighbors
1993: Don Lahr, Jr.
1992: Kathy Gilliland
1991: Vickie Clift
1990: Bill Perry
1989: Bill Byrd
1988: Bonnie Royster
1987: Bill Frainer
1986: George Jeffers
2024: Frank Ortiz
2023: Mike Grogan
2022: Dan Blough
2021:Â Larry Lahr, Trustee (retired), Allan Hancock College
2020: Dr. Michael Moats
2019: Mark Richardson
2018: Rick Haydon
2017: Ralph Martin
2016: Bob Orach
2015: Rick Sweet
2014: Joni Gray
2013: Rodger Brown
2012:Â Larry Lavagnino
2011: Tim Ness
2010: Trent Benedetti
2009: Alex Posada
2008: John Everett
2007: Laurie Tamura
2006: Bruno Brunello
2005: Art Montandon
2004: Recreation & Parks Department
2003: Bailey Hudson
2002: Jack Buchanan
2001: Rod Rodenberger
2000: Frank Salazar
1999: Kirk Spry
1998: Curtis Tunnell
1997: Gordon Gill
1996: Judge Barbara Beck
1994-1995: Joe Hagerman
1993: Robert Hossli
1992: Joe Centeno
1991: Mike Maramonte
1990: Robert F. Grogan
2024: Children's Resource & Referral of SB County
2023: Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley
2022: United Way of Northern Santa Barbara County & Transitions Mental Health Association
2021: Allan Hancock College
2020: Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Barbara County
2019: Boys & Girls Clubs of Mid Central Coast
2018: Santa Maria Business Development Center
2022: Robert Tolan
2021: Ivette Peralta
2020: Krista Delia
2019: Carlos Escobedo
2024 - Julie Colegrove
2023 - Sol Pacheco
2022 - Kelsi Fitzgerald
2021 - Naomi Altergott
2020 - Paula Fuller
2019 - Erika Weber
2018 - Diana Moffit
2017 - Charlene Paz
2016 - Dave Brogren
2024: The Hitching Post - Casamalia
2023: Guadalupe - Nipomo Dunes Center
2022: Cubanissimo Cuban Coffee House & Cafe
2021: Naughty Oak Brewing Company
2020: Costa De Oro Winery
2019: Cottonwood Canyon Winery & Vineyard
2018: Jaime Flores - Central City Events
2017: Foxen Canyon Wine Trail
2016 C Nagy Wines
2015 Historic Santa Maria Inn
2014 West Coast Kustoms
