A record crowd of 110 packed Dave and Buster’s show room in Westfield Santa Anita mall to honor four recipients of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Business Awards sponsored by Printing Control at the monthly Networking Breakfast, which is sponsored by Rose Hills Memorial Park & Mortuary.
<Story continues below the following photo gallery – to change image, click arrows at sides or click on thumbnails at bottom; click “FS” at bottom right to go full screen, and “SL” to have slides sequence automatically……>[flagallery gid=318]
Following music by a brass quintet of the Pasadena Symphony & Pops Random Acts of Music, the following awards were presented:
- Business Person of the Year Arcadian Kin Hui, CEO of Singpoli Group, said upon accepting the award, “Working together and understanding each other is important to a successful business. Our companies are about working together to develop creativity.”
Hui, who was joined by his wife and business partner Ivy, used the occasion to announce that Singpoli will have an entry for the third consecutive year in the 2016 Tournament of Roses Parade, noting that the float will incorporate those values into its theme.
Chamber CEO Scott Hettrick said Hui, whose four children attend Arcadia schools, was being recognized for his wide-ranging business ventures, which include the DusitD2 Hotel Constance in Pasadena, Arcadia-based YUP Racing, the many horses he owns and stables at Santa Anita Park race track in Arcadia, restaurants and TV network 8sian Media, and the planned 18-story Landmark Tower in Milpitas, California.
Hui and other honorees were presented with plaques by Chamber President Andrew Gregson of The Executive Factor and Arcadia Mayor Gary Kovacic, as well as certificates of recognition from the representatives of Congresswoman Judy Chu, State Senator Dr. Ed Hernandez, Assembly Member Ed Chau, and County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich. - In accepting the award for Business of the Year for family-owned Sierra Auto/Honda, Peter Hoffman noted that he was a vegetarian because more pollution is caused by farms of cattle and other animals than cars, but said everyone can help the environment by purchasing a new car since they emit far less pollution than older vehicles.
Scott noted that Sierra has always been a significant supporter in the community and that in 2013 Peter Hoffman was nominated with 57 other dealers nationwide for TIME’s Dealer of Year Award – an award that is given based on performance and exceptional community service. - While receiving the plaque for New Business of the Year, Raquel Mc Laughlin said she and her mother, Jeanette C. Beraha could not have opened their eclectic and fun Vintage Treasures & Antiques shop on Foothill Boulevard in Arcadia and continued to be successful without the help of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce, which she said has rewarded them with a return on their annual member dues many times over.
- In announcing Patricia Colonello of Mountain Views News as the winner of the Chamber Service Award, Scott expressed the Chamber’s deep appreciation for her voluntarily managing many logistical aspects of the Arcadia Chamber’s monthly Networking Breakfasts practically by herself since she first joined the Chamber 14 years ago in 2001. Patricia said she has enjoyed doing it because of the all people she has met and worked with.
Scott also gave surprise recognition to recent Arcadia High School graduate Emily Zheng, who has been volunteering at the Chamber for four years on her days off, and helping out at breakfasts and other Chamber events, as well as the many other community groups she supports in addition to her stellar accomplishments at school. Scott presented Emily with a check for $500 to help her with her expenses while at university this fall.
As always, attendees of the Networking Breakfast (third Thursday of each month), hosted by Rod Salazar of Stubbies Promotions, not only enjoy a great breakfast buffet and valuable networking with dozens of others but also introduce themselves one at a time with a 15-second “elevator pitch.” In addition, they have a chance to win one of multiple gifts donated by members and attendees for a business card drawing (please bring a raffle prize to next Breakfast and introduce yourself and the gift), one of which is a free three-minute Business Spotlight.
This month there were more than a dozen lucky winners of great gifts:
- Phil Anderson from the Hotel Constance donated a one night stay and two welcoming cocktails won by Michael Vercillo with the City of Arcadia Police Department.
- Alisha Iniguez and Taylor Militello of Dave and Buster’s donated four $15 Power Cards won by Darrell Benton of Revolution Financial.
- Raquel McLaughlin of Vintage Treasures and Antiques, Arcadia donated vintage prize won by Carol Libby of the Arcadia Historical Society.
- Kaitlyn Adams of Massage Envy donated a wonderful gift treatment card won by Ryan Lopez of Peppertree Grill
- Lani Lee of Beauty Culture donated a 90 minute facial won by Shauna Forrestall of Socialize LA.
- Arolyn Burns of The A Treatment Center donated a hypnotherapy or therapy session won by Naomi Briones of Embassy Suites.
- Sue Cook from the Arcadia Performing Arts Foundation donated two tickets to a show of your choice won by Richard Zook of Douglass & Zook.
- Tony Gutierrez of Harris Office Products donated a gift bag of post-its and office supplies won by Yelena Salazar of Embassy Suites.
- Norman Blieden, CPA donated his book 57 Ways to Grow A Business won by Daisy Rivas of Pro Image Sports.
- Vicki Knight of Century Rooter & Plumbing donated a $25 Bed, Bath & Beyond won by Joanne Bockian of Stars Athletics.
- Annette Ousterhout of Jan’s Towing donated a men’s t-shirt and tote bag won by Sean Sidders of Two Men & a Truck.
- Richard Zook of Douglass & Zook donated a health basket (which he re-dubbed the Peter Hoffman health basket especially for today’s honoree), won by Jeanette Beraha of Vintage Treasures & Antiques Arcadia.
- Patricia Colonello of Mountain News Views donated a free business card ad in the newspaper won by Denise Weaver of Weaver & Associates.
Tickets to the breakfast, which runs from 7:30 a.m. – 9 a.m., are $20 in advance ($25 at the door) and discounted to $15 for Chamber members who pay by the previous Friday ($20 at the door for Chamber members). No charge for those holding a Chamber All Access Pass. Tickets: 626-447-2159 or in the “Shop” area at www.ArcadiaCaChamber.org, or at Chamber office, 388 W. Huntington Drive, Arcadia, during regular business hours.
