Chamber Installs New Officers, Honors Outstanding Community Members

Board members were installed and community members recognized during the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce's annual installation and awards banquet Jan. 23 at the San Bernardino Hilton Hotel. Chamber CEO Phil Carlisle welcomed the crowd, including dignitaries like Mayor Rhodes Rigsby and representatives from the offices of Congressman Gary Miller, Assemblymember Mike Morrell and San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos. Rigsby swore in the chamber's 2014 board members and its officers: Gary Nelson, president; Scott Stockdale, president-elect; Roni Bailey, secretary; James Walling, treasurer; Danny Fontura, Luke Kibler, Elsie Chan, George Macias, Victor Miller, Margie Miller, Richard A. Schaefer, Bill Arnold, Angela Lalas, BJ Rhoads and Verne Miller; and recognized its directors emeritus: Norm Meyer, John Ruffcorn, Willard Stewart and Mel Upp. In his President's Address, Nelson compared the city of Loma Linda's sound financial state and the progress of the community in comparison to the nation as a whole. A banker by trade, Nelson touched on the oftentimes harrowing reality of the national debt crisis. The good news for Loma Linda came in three points, according to Nelson: 1. Loma Linda University has a record-breaking number of enrolled students; 2. Real estate values continue to climb and the city is seeing growth with the addition of new business and upcoming projects, and; 3. Loma Linda remains fiscally sound. Nelson touched on the $173 trillion national debt and the unemployment rate and gave a disclaimer. "As long as general public does not bother to inform themselves our economy will grow at a slow pace and it’s not going to be a normal recovery," he said. "The longer we don't pay attention or we don't address some of these very large issues, the worse it will be for [our] kids and grandchildren. But there's hope, especially when looking at the chamber and the city. Loma Linda is in a good financial position, unlike the state and some surrounding communities, and it's because we have people that are involved and people that make tough decisions. That gives us an advantage and Loma Linda can to continue to grow." President's awards were given to several community members that evening. Leonard Werner, MD, an accomplished professor of Basic Sciences, Division of Pharmacology at the Loma Linda School of Medicine, was awarded the B. Lyn Behrens, MBBS Excellence in Leadership Award; Loma Linda Academy High School student Beau Young, with aspirations to attend University of California, San Diego, was awarded the $1,000 Southern California Edison Scholarship; Chamber Ambassador Jennifer Castaneda, who has been working with the chamber since 2005, was awarded the Chamber Ambassador of the Year 2013 award; and Chamber Board Member BJ Rhoads was recognized as the Outstanding Board Member of the Year 2013. Chamber officials said that winners of the 2013 Community Awards were accomplished, active community members and leaders who have exemplified hard work and dedication both to their community. Diana Deanda, city of Loma Linda finance director, was honored as the City Employee of the Year for which Rigsby called her "superhuman year," working to keep the city fiscally sound in the wake of the dissolution of the Redevelopment Agency. “I want to thank my parents for establishing in me a core foundation, a faith in God, for the many sacrifices that they made and for their unconditional love throughout the years and for teaching me the value of hard work and instilling in me good work ethics," Deanda said. She also thanked her sister and her staff for their support and assistance. Jeremy Claridge, a physical education teacher at Loma Linda Academy Elementary, was presented the Teacher of the Year award by elementary principal John Chen, for his dedication to his school, his students and his colleagues. He said, "It's fun to work in a community that values education so much and to work at a school that doesn't just pay a good service but intentionally encourages us to keep growing and growing and get better every year.” Deputy Michael Salazar with the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, was presented with the Police Officer of the Year award by Captain Steve Dorsey, for his exhibited commitment to keeping Loma Linda and its residents safe at all hours. Salazar shared, "It has been an honor to serve and protect the community." Captain Scott Daniels was presented the Firefighter of the Year award by Loma Linda Fire Chief Jeff Bender, for his contributions to the city and executing difficult decisions to keep residents safe. In an emotional speech, Daniels said, "There was a man who told me there's no greater thing you can do for your fellow man than to serve him. That man was Chief Bender. I have carried those words with me on every call, on every fire.” Napoli's Italian Restaurant was honored as the Business of the Year for consistently providing great service and authentic cuisine in its 21 years of business, and Margie Miller, publisher of the City News, was honored as the Citizen of the Year for her contributions to the community through her weekly print and online newspapers and through her contributions as a chamber board member. Miller said, "I, too, thank my parents for giving me my core values, unconditional love and support. From my dad I learned to always give a helping hand up, and I draw my strength from my mom." Miller thanked her husband, Jim Miller, for his unwavering support, as well as her staff.