Chamber to celebrate local leaders Chamber to celebrate local leaders (November 15, 2002)

Nov. 21 event to honor those in business and service

By Candice Shih

The Chamber of Commerce will honor leaders and volunteers in the community on Nov. 21 at the eighth annual Celebration of Leaders reception.

Bob Tysko, vice president and branch manager at the Bank of Los Altos, was selected as "Outstanding Business Person" this year. He has been active in the Chamber, serving on its board of directors for six years, chair of its Business Expo planning committee, and member of its Business Issues and Public Policy Committee.

Tysko also serves as a member of the Mountain View Rotary Club.

Schola Cantorum was chosen as this year's "Outstanding Organization" for its presence as a community chorus. The 135 volunteer singers perform four concerts every year.

"Outstanding Businesses" this year are Shoreline Amphitheatre and Harrell Remodeling. Shoreline Amphitheatre is being noted as a top 50-plus-employee business for its donation of tickets to local businesses and groups, its support of nonprofit organizations, and its sponsorship of the Mountain View-Whisman Choral Fest.

Harrell Remodeling, which leads businesses in the under-50 employees category, has been strong in customer service and timely schedules.

Volunteers in the nonprofit community will also be recognized for their hard work.

Karen Purtich was nominated by St. Timothy's -- The Business Leadership and Spirituality Network as an outstanding volunteer. She is being recognized for her tireless work and eagerness to step in with her professional skills as a human resources director while the economy began to falter.

The Community School of Music and Arts selected Sue Larson for the honor for her longtime dedication to the organization. Larson has taken leadership positions on the board of directors, Spring Benefit Committee, and Capital Leadership Committee and helped raised $7 million for CSMA's new facility on San Antonio Circle.

Janet Grubel is being recognized by the Palo Alto Area Red Cross for her work with the Partners in Preparedness initiative, which develops community emergency preparedness.

Rose Filicetti is this year's Leadership Mountain View Alumni Association nominee. A member of the Mountain View-Whisman School District Board of Trustees, Filicetti served on the Leadership Mountain View Council and led its committees on council development, fundraising and recruiting. She continues to serve on LMV's Honorary Council. Filicetti said the award is "a catalyst for community involvement. ... I like the netwoeking that's continued." She has been involved with Leadership Mountain View for since 1993. As a member of the LMV Alumni Association, she recruited many members of this year's class.

This is Filicetti's second Celebration of Leaders award. The first was in recognition of her work on Measure D, a school bond measure. "It's a wonderful honor. I'm very pleased and proud," she said.

Alan Ross, a volunteer with the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail, will also be recognized. He has been involved in various trail and habitat restoration projects and regularly volunteers at the Trailblazer Race. Ross also supports the trail at public meetings.

The Community Health Awareness Council nominated Joan MacDonald as its outstanding volunteer. She has long been a member of its board of directors and chairs its marketing committee. MacDonald also serves on Friend of CHAC, which supports its fundraising events.

Catherine Vonnegut is the nominee of the Mountain View-Whisman School District this year. A PTA leader, Vonnegut recently organized the district's first Choral Fest at Shoreline Amphitheatre, an effort that required communication between many individuals and organizations in the community.

David Quincy was chosen by Mountain View RotaCare as its outstanding volunteer. Quincy, an M.D., serves as its medical director and family practice provider.

The Community Services Agency is honoring Curtis Church this year. A past president and board member of CSA, Church is also a pastor of the Mountain View Central Seventh Day Adventist Church and president of the Mountain View Rotary Club.

Reservations for the reception can be made by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 968-8378.
E-mail Candice Shih at cshih@mv-voice.com