Skip to main content

San Clemente Journal

Chamber Installs New Board, and Special Recognition Awards

Mar 02, 2022 09:44AM ● By Don Kindred

Bob Hayden, 104 years old receives the Lifetime Achievement Award Surrounded by family.

More photos a the bottom ... 

And the winners are in…. The 2021 "Citizen of the Year,” "Business of the Year," “Non-Profit of the Year,” “Volunteer of the Year,” “Volunteer of the Year,” "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement” and “Sustainable Leadership” award winners have been honored. These prestigious awards were given out to their deserving recipient at the Chamber’s “Annual Meeting of Members, Installation of Officers & Directors and Award Ceremony Luncheon,” Sponsored by our Chairman’s Circle Sponsors:

Farmers and Merchants Bank, the Outlets at SC, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, Rainbow Sandals, Rod’s Tree Service, San Clemente Villas by the Sea, MemorialCare Saddleback Medical Center, Southern California Edison, San Diego Gas & Electric and WynneCRE


Our 2022 business sponsors include: GM Funding, TFR Builders, Accurate Termite & Pest Control, Arlon Enmeier Securities America Inc, Cox Communications, CR&R, San Clemente Estate Law, Tax Pros Plus and we could not do it without today’s event sponsors: Bella Collina San Clemente, Mikii’s on Del Mar and Wildflower Flowers and Gifts on Friday, February 25, 2022 at the Bella Collina San Clemente at 11:30 a.m.

Master of Ceremony, Former Mayor Tim Brown began the afternoon’s event and introduced Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett to install the following Board Members:

Executive Committee: Chairman of the Board – Ricky Rodriguez, Rod's Tree Service, Inc;

Vice Chairman – Larry Rannals; Chief Financial Officer – Nick Buchanan, Cape Point Development, LLC; Immediate Past Chairman – Jim Wynne, WynneCRE; 1st Vice Chairman – Susan Jennrich, Outlets at San Clemente and 2nd Vice Chairman – Lance Larson, Larson Corporation Inc.

Directors: Tyler Boden - Boden Energy Solutions, Burton Brown - Atomi Financial Group, Inc., Pat Huber - Rainbow Sandals, Isaac Camacho - Accurate Termite and Pest Control, Don Kindred - Kindred Associates, Lance Larson – Larson Corporation Inc., Jennifer Elliott - San Clemente Estate Law, P.C., Glenn Walker - Walker Insurance Solutions LLC, Vicky Wilso - taxpros+ and Steve Ynzunza - Coast Property Handyman Services.

Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett Calls up 2021 Chairman of the Board – Jim Wynne

The Chamber Board, Members, City Officials and legislators acknowledge 2021 Chairman of the Board Jim Wynne and his decisive Program of Work. Jim was applauded for his efforts this past year, which included:

Representing the Interests of Business with Government

In 2021, Jim worked closely with our area legislators to discuss the concerns of our member businesses. Points conveyed included: Business Advocacy, Health, Workforce and Business Funding.

Promoting the Community and Marketing Businesses

Produced:

  • 1st Edition of Explore San Clemente the new City Guide & Business Directory

  • Weekly e-mail “Shorts”

Expanded:

  • Chamber’s Website

  • Member Job Postings, Hiring availability

  • Member Deals and News Releases, which promotes member businesses

Provided Networking Opportunities

Hosted:

  • Annual Meeting & Award Ceremony Luncheon

  • Drive-Thru Showcase with Business Expos

  • San Clemente Micro-Brew Fest

  • Taste of San Clemente

  • Chamber Networking Café’s, networking events

Marketing Members:

  • Chamber Membership Orientations

  • Ribbon Cutting & Open Houses

Building a Strong Local Economy

Developed:

  • Networking Building Events

  • Business Referrals

Addressed:

  • Business Advocacy

  • Economic Development

  • Workforce

  • Health

  • Business Funding

These are just some of the activities your Chairman of the Board, Jim Wynne, did to promote your business in 2021. Special thanks to Steve for all his efforts as the 2021 Chairman of the Board.

2022 Chairman of the Board

Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett swore in Ricky Rodriguez, Rod's Tree Service, INC. as the 2022 Chairman of the Board. Ricky outlined his decisive 2022 Program of Work for the Chamber. The Board of Directors of the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce look forward to working with Ricky to champion the San Clemente business community. Congratulations to Ricky ~

Former Mayor Tim Brown led the area legislators; including Congressman Mike Levin’s office (Terry VanHorne), Senator Pat Bates, Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and Mayor Gene James in congratulating the 2021 "Citizen of the Year,” "Business of the Year," “Non-Profit of the Year,” “Volunteer of the Year,” “Volunteer of the Year,” "Outstanding Lifetime Achievement” and “Sustainable Leadership” award winners.

The San Clemente Times” won the prestigious “Business of the Year”

The Business of the Year Award criteria includes Community Involvement, Chamber Support, and Business Standards – SC Times exemplifies all these principles and more.

Throughout the entire pandemic, the SC Times played a critical role in informing the community through it’s weekly newspaper, website, daily newsletters and social channels. Additionally, in order to keep the community engaged and informed, they implemented a new daily newsletter (SC Times Daily), Covid tracker report and also transitioned their public Beachside Chats to Zoom in order to welcome even more community members and leaders. They launched numerous programs to support our local businesses, including giving free ads and listings for businesses who stayed open throughout the pandemic. And they continued to publish their annual “SC Times Golden Ole Reader’s Choice Awards” which annually spotlights the best businesses in our community as voted on by their readers.

As they have always been since launching in 2006, the SC Times is the go-to, unbiased, reliable source for daily local information for San Clemente. In the heat of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, they worked tirelessly to not miss a single issue, nor did they lay off any staff. And through all of this, they planned and prepared the SC Chamber’s new, beautiful and outstanding City Guide and Directory of Members—Explore San Clemente.

The SC Times is locally owned and operated by San Clemente residents, Norb & Alyssa Garrett, and this year marks their 16th anniversary in business. For 16 years, they have kept our community going and informed. In that time, they’d donated more than $100k in in-kind support for local non-profits, youth groups, clubs and associations.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and the City of San Clemente applaud The San Clemente Times for their contributions to our community and the area at large. Thank you, Norb, Alyssa and the team at the SC Times, for your outstanding commitment to the City of San Clemente!

Dorothy Visser Senior Center” recognized as the 2021 “Non-Profit of the Year”

Although they were closed for attendance for almost two years at the Center, the dedicated staff and loyal volunteers continued to service the older population of San Clemente throughout the Covid pandemic. Helping to alleviate food insecurity in San Clemente, meals were delivered to over 75 citizens each day and fresh food was made available for pick up on a daily basis. While still delivering meals to the home bound, upon reopening the Center began providing additional services including daily lunch service.

When reopened the Center encouraged seniors to reestablish social connections by participating in activities such as Bridge, Bingo, Exercise classes, and educational programs while maintaining strict adherence to Covid protocols.

The Center also provided assistance to all residents of San Clemente by conducting Covid Vaccine and Flu Vaccine clinics and Red Cross Blood Drives. Participation was encouraged by making the clinics “fun” with an ice cream truck and serving hot dogs.

Beth Apodaca, the director of the Dorothy Visser Senior Center has been involved in the Chamber of Commerce for over 30 years. She is a San Clemente Chamber ambassadors and attends many of the Chamber meetings. Beth has held many roles in the various events that the Chamber has put on over the years. She is always willing to help in any capacity that is needed and gives the same dedication she gives to the Senior Center.

The San Clemente Chamber of Commerce and City of San Clemente applaud Dorothy Visser Senior Center for their contributions to our community and area at large.

Eileen Kawas took home the prominent 2021 “Citizen of the Year” Award

The Citizen of the Year Award is presented to an individual who provides outstanding contribution to the City of San Clemente and its citizens. And for 2021, it is our pleasure to honor Eileen Kawas.

After a successful career in bio-tech, Eileen returned to San Clemente several years ago to be close to family. She is an active member of the American Association of University Women, whose goal is to encourage higher education among women, and is a long-standing member of the President’s Circle of The Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens. Eileen also gives generously to other local groups such as the Boys & Girls Club and the Ocean Institute.

Eileen believes the Pier is the heart of San Clemente and became involved with the PierPride Foundation to preserve and enhance this iconic landmark. This year, she’ll complete her third year as President of the Foundation, fundraising a remarkable $75,000 to refurbish the Pier snack shack in partnership with the City of San Clemente, Orange County and numerous local non-profits, businesses, corporations and individuals.

Beyond civic engagement, Eileen won’t hesitate to tell you that ‘buying local’ is her mantra. You can find her supporting local restaurants and shops on almost any day of the week. She believes in San Clemente.Many thanks to Eileen for being outstanding citizens of San Clemente

Rick Divel receives the distinguished 2021 “Volunteer of the Year” Award

Many individuals go beyond the call of duty as Chamber volunteers and exhibit an untiring commitment to the organization. These stand-out community members are often running their own businesses, and yet they make time to contribute dozens of hours each year to serving the Chamber and its program of work.

The 2021 Volunteer of the Year Award recipient is Rick Divel.

Rick is the true spirit of an outstanding volunteer. He is also an icon in our community, with a deep family history in San Clemente. So, if you don’t know Rick, you should!

Rick volunteered in 2021 at almost every ribbon cutting-- (and we host A LOT of these!) Rick consistently lends a hand to the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines and shows up to volunteer at every possible Chamber event.

Accompanied by his lovely wife and fellow ambassador Reeca (REE-SA), Rick is involved with many other non-profits and local charities including youth sports programs, the San Clemente Historical Society, the Casa Romantica and San Clemente Men’s Golf Club.

Accolades go to ALL volunteers of the Chamber, but we absolutely couldn’t do it without Rick. Congratulations!

Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award” Winner – Bob Hayden

UCLA graduate. CPA. World Traveler. Can be counted on to have a funny joke. Great family guy. Has the secret to longevity evidently, as he is 104 years old. Bob brings out the best in people. He chooses optimism. He sends birthday cards. He is fair and equitable when it comes to problem-solving. He is inclusive, kind, and pretty much a role model for everyone.

Very Very Retired. Former Founder of Hayden, Narey & Persich, a

San Clemente CPA firm. Family 6 Children, 6 Grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren

Closest geographic relatives are: Shirley Goldman, daughter (San Clemente)

Steve (son) and Merle Rhodimer (Dana Point).

He is a devoted San Clemente philanthropist who has donated to Courtney’s

Sand Castle Universal Access playground, SCHS, Dorthey Visser Senior Center,

PierPride Foundation, Family Assistance Ministry, COA, South Coast Boys & Girls

Club and others.

Bob is a member of the esteemed San Clemente Don’s. He is an active

member of San Clemente Rotary and has served in almost every leadership

role available in that service club. He established and continues to support

the Rotary Foundation, a funding mechanism for people and organizations

in need and is a Paul Harris Fellow (highest giving level of Rotary). He is an

Eagle Scout and supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He is a World War

II U.S. Army veteran.

Bob is universally loved member of the San Clemente Rotary and can be counted on to end each meeting with a joke, usually shared from the podium, and guaranteed to cause club members to laugh. If it were possible to give two lifetime achievement awards, Bob would be

deserving of both: based on his longstanding, unwavering service to San Clemente, he

can be credited with at least two lifetimes of giving.

Thank you Bob for your many years of continuous support and for your outstanding dedication to the City of San Clemente.

Daniele Smith – Receives the Annual Ambassador of the Year.

The purpose of the Ambassadors is to generate goodwill among the present and potential Chamber of

Commerce members, local businesses and the community in which we live and conduct business.

Ambassadors must create and carry out specific programs, seek to involve others in their activities and be

committed to Membership retention within the Chamber of Commerce.

This recipient volunteered at almost every single Chamber event in 2021 including the Annual Meeting,

San Clemente Micro-Brew Fest, the Taste of San Clemente and Military Celebration BBQ. And in

addition, volunteers time at many other special community events.

In 2021, This recipient was an exemplary Ambassador Council volunteer.

We commend Daniele for her hard work and dedication to the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce.

Sustainable Leadership Award (new award) goes to The Outlets at San Clemente.

Included in the mission of the Chamber is to “strive for a better quality of life in our community.” With this, our organization accepts the responsibility to promote the preservation the unique and wonderful environment in which we work, live and play.

Alongside our partners at the City of San Clemente and CR&R Environmental Services, we are proud to present a new award for Sustainable Leadership.

And for 2021, it is our pleasure to acknowledge the Outlets at San Clemente.

The facilities and management teams at the Outlets have done an exceptional job of encouraging recycling during day-to-day operations. In keeping with their motto “A Beautiful Way to Shop” the property is outfitted with recycling stations and educational signage throughout.

To reduce the amount of waste disposed, cardboard boxes are broken down and compacted to recycle, and dining establishments participate in food recycling where staff is encouraged to separate food waste into appropriate carts for collection.

Members of the management team are involved in promoting waste reduction, reuse, and recycling-- resulting in a high return of recyclable materials.

Since January of 2021, the Outlets at San Clemente diverted from landfill, 160 tons of recyclables and 49 tons of food waste.

We congratulate the Outlets at San Clemente for their sustainable leadership.

These individuals deserve a tremendous amount of respect for their contribution to the San Clemente Chamber of Commerce (Your Business Organization) and the City of San Clemente.

Special thanks to Master of Ceremonies, Former Mayor Tim Brown; Installing Officer, Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett; Senator Pat Bates, Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, Mayor Gene James, Chuck Narey and photographers Don & Shelly Kindred and Jayden Smith.