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CHAMBER CELEBRATES 2011's HIGH ACHIEVERS AT ANNUAL GALA
Officials from every level of government present to recognize awardees

Over 150 business leaders and elected officials joined the Brea Chamber at Embassy Suites Brea to celebrate excellence at their Annual Membership & Awards Gala on Friday, January 13. Year end awards were presented to businesses for outstanding achievements and service. Individuals who had contributed significant time, dedication and support to the Brea business community were recognized.

The Business of the Year Awards recognize companies for a variety of achievements, including community involvement, length of time in business, overcoming adversity, creating jobs, business leadership, customer relations, employee welfare, technology/product innovation, environmental leadership, sales/market growth and advocating for a strong local economy.

The Business of the Year: Manufacturing Award was presented to a company that meets every one of these criteria. Founded in 1919 by Thomas Kirk Hill, Esterline Kirkhill is a leading domestic producer of custom rubber and plastic products for aerospace defense, industrial, and commercial markets. Kirkhill clamps can be found aboard virtually every prototype and production aerospace vehicle built during the past 50 years. Their products can be found on the international space station, where Kirkhill is the only NASA-approved clamp design and manufacturing supplier for astronaut accessible EVA requirements.

In addition to producing innovative and high quality products, Esterline companies also strive to achieve the highest standards of business conduct and ethics. Through volunteer hours, sponsorships and consciousness stewardship of the environment, Kirkhill has demonstrated is support of the Brea community since it opened here in 1952.

Family owned and operated, Brea Orange County Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning, the Business of the Year: Service Award winner, has been serving North Orange County for over 50 years. They have built a reputation for efficiency, quality and customer satisfaction.

From ongoing education to promotions from within, Brea Orange County Plumbing Heating & Air Conditioning demonstrates its commitment to its employees. Employees are schooled in expert plumbing service and provided with continuous on-the-job training. Their happy and well-trained staff promote a positive image that significantly contributes to this company’s continued success.

Owner Don Skala emphasizes the importance of community in his business philosophy. He owns three locations, which are in Brea, Downey and the original location in Norwalk. As a member of 15 chambers of commerce, Don has found that community involvement is the key to the success of his business. Brea Orange County Plumbing is known for its community support, including generous donations of bottled water to numerous non-profits in the area.

Inspired by a passion for food and hospitality, the goal from the very beginning for Business of the Year: Retail Award winner TAPS Fish House & Brewery has been to provide a premiere dining destination with extraordinary attention to classically prepared seafood, steaks, and European ales and lagers. In 1999, TAPS debuted in downtown Brea to lines out the door.

It takes a highly skilled team of people to create a truly great restaurant. And founder Joe Manzella attributes much of his success to his close-knit team. The creations by his extraordinary culinary team and the brewmaster’s expertise have already garnered numerous awards and accolades.

But this award is meant to call attention to TAPS dedicated wait staff, people who are genuinely passionate about providing exceptional service. Professional, efficient and personable, they ensure that every visit to TAPS is an experience that makes you feel like royalty. It's not surprising that this restaurant is one of the leading dining destinations in North Orange County.

TAPS supports of a wide range of community organizations and events, including the Boys & Girls Club, the Brea Chamber and the local food bank. Offering time, talent and treasure, TAPS is truly an asset to the Brea community.
 
Innovation is the hallmark of business longevity. 2011 Innovation Award winner Placentia-Linda Hospital has implemented a plethora of new and effective services to help patients have better access to healthcare.

The hospital has received numerous awards and prestigious designations for its exceptional medical services. Their staff have far exceeded the goal of bringing the personal touch to patient care. Their facility is warm and inviting, allowing patients to feel comfortable and enjoy their stay.

One might not be surprised by a hospital using technological advances to improve medical care, and excelling in high tech screenings and procedures, such as digital mammography. But Placentia-Linda Hospital also extends its use of technology to improving customer relations.

Their web site is information rich and easy to navigate. They offer a variety of online services, such as pre-registration, cheer cards and online bill pay. You can also enter and save insurance numbers as a handy reference, allergy information and your medical history. Through InQuickER, their online healthcare check-in system, you can monitor emergency room wait times and reserve your spot in line – allowing the comfort of your living room to become your waiting room.

Through social media and e-newsletters, Placentia-Linda keeps the community informed. The hospital has also developed an app for mobile users. This handy tool provides information about ER wait times, directions to the hospital, health and first aid references, contact information for the hospital and major departments, and allows you to search for a physician based on specialty, insurance accepted, gender, and so forth.

Celebrating 40 years this September, the hospital strongly believes in teaming up with the community and giving back whenever possible. They participate in many local events, workshops and health fairs, and provide financial support to various community organizations.

The Ambassador of the Year is awarded to an individual who has dedicated countless hours to the Brea Chamber. Whether it’s mentoring a new Chamber member or volunteering at a Chamber event, this Ambassador is always willing to help out. Heather Garza (New York Life) is consistently reliable, gracious and professional in demeanor. The Chamber deeply appreciates her commitment to the Brea business community and steadfast support for Chamber programs. She is someone the Chamber can always count on to do the jobs that need doing and to have a positive attitude that lifts the spirits of those around her. Under Heather's leadership and direction as event chair, the Chamber’s 1st Annual Women’s Leadership Conference was a huge success.

Many people contributed to the success of Michael Duran (Citizens Business Bank) as Chairman of the Board in 2011. It truly was a team effort. However, one individual stood out as the only choice for the honor of receiving the Chairman's Award of Excellence. Tina Javid (Southern California Gas Company) is truly a champion of the Brea Chamber of Commerce. She supports Chamber events with generous sponsorships and Chamber projects with generous amounts of her personal time. Her insights during meetings are invaluable. Under her direction, our legislative advocacy efforts have been tremendously successful.

The Citizen of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has made significant contributions to the quality of life of this community through his or her personal volunteer effort. It is through the efforts of individuals who willingly give their time and their talent that volunteer organizations can provide the vital services our community so cherishes. Jeff Weber, 2011 Citizen of the Year, has been a teacher for 21 years, eight of those years at Brea Olinda High School. For the last three years, he has been the co-chair for the Special Education Department. He has also taught teacher education courses at Cal Poly Pomona and Cal State Fullerton. The SDC Life Skills program serves the needs of students with moderate to severe disabilities such as autism, Down Syndrome, mental retardation, and more. The focus of the program is on functional academics, independent living skills, and job skills. His service has been instrumental in numerous community service programs and events and continues to devote his time to community involvement and making a difference in others lives.

In addition to the award presented by the Brea Chamber, each winner received recognition certificates from City of Brea Mayor Don Schweitzer, Orange County Supervisor Shaun Nelson, Assemblyman Chris Norby, Assemblyman Curt Hagman, Senator Bob Huff, Congressman Gary Miller and Congressman Ed Royce.

Master of Ceremonies Assemblyman Curt Hagman installed the Chamber's 2012 Board of Directors. 2012 Chamber Officers are Chairman of the Board David Rader (Brea Baptist Church), Chairman-Elect Michael Becher (Miller Giangrande LLP), Vice Chair Finance & Administration Jonathan Lyng (Black Gold Golf Club), Vice Chair Member Services Tina Javid (Southern California Gas Company), Immediate Past Chair Michael Duran (Citizens Business Bank) and Corporate Secretary/CEO Sharon Wagner.

Also serving on the 2012 Board of Directors are Steve Adams (Global Financial Solutions), Pat Buttress (Southern California Edison), Jonathan Ekno (Ekno Insurance Group), Glenn Green (White Rhino Promotional Products), Michael Lawton (Lawton Real Estate), Jim Martinez (Chevron Corporation), Rich McKeown (Brea Mall/Simon Properties), Vern Meurer (Con-Tech Plastics), Bill Murray (Edward Jones Investments), Rod Parsons (Attorney at Law), Mary Ann Railey (Placentia-Linda Hospital), Brady Sherard (TAPS Fish House & Brewery), Deana Single (Veterinary Pet Insurance Company, Inc.), Jim Snover (The IMS Company), Russ Tanakaya (Embassy Suites Hotel) and Gina Vander Meer (South Bay Document Destruction).

The Brea Chamber of Commerce has been connecting business with opportunity for nearly 100 years. For more information, please call the Brea Chamber of Commerce at (714) 529-4938.