The Salinas Valley Chamber has announced the recipients of its Annual Awards Luncheon which will take place on Thursday, February 25 from 11am-1pm at Sherwood Hall. With an attendance of over 500, the Annual Awards Luncheon is the single largest gathering of businesspeople in our area. The Chamber is celebrating its 95th event this year, presented by Rabobank.
The Chamber will honor the following businesses and individuals for their accomplishments:
Small Business of the Year: TriCord Tradeshow Services
TriCord Tradeshow Services was formed in 1999 when owners Larry Bell and Mike Grim merged Monterey Transfer Show Division with Monterey Convention and Exhibit Services. Together, Bell and Grim, who both grew up and live in Salinas, have created a high quality service provider with the resources and experience to service our region and beyond. TriCord’s growth has been commendable and they have begun serving international customers. Their dedicated approach to customer support has helped thousands of associations, corporations and individual exhibitors with their exhibit and event marketing needs. One satisfied customer, the CEO of a prominent Salinas ag company, said “TriCord does a fantastic job of making their customers look great.”
Large Business of the Year: La Plaza Bakery
La Plaza Bakery is a prime example that the American business dream still exists. The Rodriguez Family has been in business for 30 years. The family is very active in supporting many local groups, including numerous non-profits. With six locations in the Salinas Valley, La Plaza Bakery employs over 100 part-time and full-time employees. Their bakeries and cafes offer fresh Mexican pastries daily, traditional Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner and cakes for all occasions. Lately, the team has been working on expanding their catering business. Chamber CEO Paul Farmer readily admits that La Plaza is the home of his favorite carne asada burritos. La Plaza Bakery is the recipient of the 2013 Soledad Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year and 2014 12th District Business of the Year by Senator Anthony Cannella.
Businesswoman of the Year: Teri Belli, Belli Architectural Group
Teri Belli is a successful local businesswoman who often puts her considerable talents to use for the betterment of the community. A CPA with more than thirty years of experience in industry and public accounting practice, she served as the 2014-15 President of the Downtown Rotary Club. In that capacity, she focused some of the club’s energy and resources into a $100k commitment to Oldtown Salinas. (The Club has been spearheading a yet-to-be-revealed landmark project.) Teri has volunteered with the Salinas Valley Half Marathon, the Hartnell Foundation Board and many other organizations. Teri embodies the spirit of the Businesswoman of the Year which is to demonstrate excellence and provide valuable service to her business or profession while supporting the goals of other professional women.
Citizen of the Year: Alfred Diaz-Infante
His nominator claimed, “No one has contributed more to the well-being of our community than Alfred Diaz-Infante.” While that is admittedly a bold claim, virtually everyone who has worked with Mr. Diaz-Infante can attest to its truth.
The President & CEO of CHISPA, a local builder of neighborhoods, Alfred is a model of selfless community service. Importantly, the initiatives Alfred undertakes are always challenging issues of significance to the community. Examples include the Refinement Group (County General Plan), COPA (affordable housing issues), Salinas Regional Sports Authority (soccer complex on Constitution) and the Salinas Economic Development Element (jobs, housing and a healthy community). Alfred has served with distinction on the boards of National Steinbeck Center and YOSAL. He has been an engaged County Planning Commissioner and has assumed leadership roles with SPARC, Big Sur Land Trust and Sacred Heart Church.
Ag Leadership Award: Abby Taylor-Silva, Grower-Shipper Association
Abby displays professionalism in everything that she is involved with. As a former Board member of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, she led the Government Relations Committee with effectiveness and direction. Recently appointed to the Monterey County Water Resources Agency Board, Abby brings a broad perspective of water issues that face all our residents, not just the Ag community. Her involvement with other community committees, events, and fundraisers has helped to shape the future of Salinas. At her Grower-Shipper position as an advocate for Agriculture, Abby has gained respect within the constituency she represents and adds broad perspective to numerous issues facing farmers and processors. She was instrumental in negotiating the Ag Waiver (water quality regulation) and is one of the founding participants in the groundwater coalition formed as part of this regulatory process. Beyond her community and work involvements, Abby is a member of Salinas Rotary and dedicates time to helping her club successfully support the efforts to improve our city and region. Finally, Abby is completing her Ag Leadership skills development program where she learned a broader perspective of what it means to be successful as an individual, professional, and community servant.
Spirit of the Community: Richard Smith
Richard Smith is a revered local ag icon who spent 43 years growing grapes and making wine in the Salinas Valley. While he recently passed away, he left a tremendous impact on many people including customers, coworkers, his family and the industry. Paraiso Vineyards is the family’s business, but Richard’s passion outside of work was ag politics. He invested numerous hours as part of the General Plan process and even more hours on water issues in the county.
Richard and his wife Claudia join a rare club of two-time honorees from the Chamber; they were recognized in 1998 with the Ag Leadership Award. They served on many non-profit boards and were the founders of organizations including Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association and Monterey County Ag Education. Their donations were endless in support of many local charitable events. Some of their favorites were Rancho Cielo, the California Rodeo, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Boy Scouts. Smith was also a reliable supporter of the Salinas Valley Fair. His son Jason Smith said, “More than all of the accomplishments, he just believed in our community. He treated everyone the way he wanted to be treated. If you walked into the room, he made you feel like the most important person there.”
Event Presenting Sponsor: Rabobank
Corporate Sponsors (to date):
Aera Energy; Alco Water; Alliant Insurance Services; Alvarez Technology; Chevron; Don Chapin Company; Green Rubber – Kennedy Ag; Mann Packing Company; Pinnacle Bank; Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System; Sam Linder Auto Group; Taylor Farms California
Partner Sponsors (to date):
1st Capital Bank; American AgCredit; Belli Architectural Group; California State University Monterey Bay; California Water Service Company; Central Coast College; Credit Consulting Services; D'Arrigo Bros. Company of California; Geisler3; ISU – Pulford Insurance Agency; Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss; Scheid Vineyards; SSB Construction
Master of Ceremonies: Brittany Nielsen, weekday morning anchor, KSBW Action News 8
For more information, call (831) 751-7725 or visit www.SalinasChamber.com.
The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce is an association of about 600 businesses and organizations, representing thousands of local employees and stakeholders. The Chamber is dedicated to Creating a Strong Local Economy, Promoting the Community, Providing Networking Opportunities, Representing the Interests of Business with Government, and Taking Political Action. To learn more, visit www.SalinasChamber.com or call (831) 751-7725.
Source: The Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce
