Chamber of Commerce honors local leaders Chamber of Commerce honors local leaders (January 02, 2004)

Four businesses and nine volunteers awarded by Chamber

By Aynsley Karps

For the Chamber of Commerce, 2003 closed with its ninth annual Celebration of Leaders Awards dinner.

About 250 people attended the ceremony on Nov. 20 at the Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto which recognized four local businesses and organizations, along with nine volunteers nominated by various nonprofit groups for their contributions in the community.

"Just like most years, this group of award winners was very diverse and representative of the community," Chamber President Carol Olson said. The following winners were selected "because they went above and beyond what anyone would expect of them, as well as showing that one person or business can make a difference."

Businesses

William Maston, William Maston Architect & Associates
Outstanding Business Person

For the past 14 years, William Maston, principal of William Maston Architect & Associates, has been involved with the development and update of the Downtown Mountain View Precise Plan.

Maston also served in the Mountain View Rotary, on the Mountain View Downtown Parking Subcommittee, as chair in 1998; on the Mountain View Downtown Committee since its launching in 1999, as chair in 2000; and the Mountain View Elementary School District Fiscal Oversight Committee. He volunteered as a high jump coach for a local track and field team and participated in the Shadowing Program and architecture internships.

"Through his expertise and his business, he has found ways to apply that as an active volunteer in the community," said Olson.

Mountain View Community Television, KMVT 15
Outstanding Organization

Local residents lend more than 5,000 hours of volunteer time to Mountain View Community Television, KMVT 15. The station provides 700 hours of original community programming to the city including 72 series and 30 specials.

Olson stated, "[KMVT] is a wonderful example of a leadership-driven organization that started small and has had a huge impact on this community." KMVT covers all downtown events, city council meetings, local election programming, Chamber of Commerce Mountain View, and more. It works with the police and fire departments to help get important information out to the public as well.

"We're extremely lucky to have such a professional and committed station like KMVT here in Mountain View," said Olson.

Hotel Avante
Outstanding Small Business

Hotel Avante, a subsidiary of Joie de Vivre Hospitality, developed relationships with complimentary businesses within Mountain View. By working with technology companies, restaurants, and major entertainment venues in its "keep it local" mission, Hotel Avante helped provide visitors with a comfortable and community-based environment.

"It's a philosophy with this company to be active," said Olson. "Hotel Avante keeps bringing to the forefront that everyone in this community needs to support each other and that businesses need to do business with each other here locally."

Hotel Avante was also involved in such endeavors as the Education Forum Focus Group, the Art & Wine Festival and the Chamber's Ambassador Program.

Foothill Disposal Co., Inc.
Outstanding Large Business

Having joined in 1947, Foothill Disposal Co., Inc. is the Chamber's longest-standing member. Among the organizations that benefit from Foothill Disposal's support are the Mountain View Educational Foundation, the Mountain View Library Foundation, Chamber of Commerce Mountain View and American Red Cross, Palo Alto Area Chapter.

The business also assists the Community Services Agency food drives by keeping CSA's pantry filled for low-income families, frail and homebound seniors and the homeless. The company picks up, delivers, stores, sorts and helps bring the food to recipients.

"Foothill Disposal has been an incredible corporate citizen here in Mountain View for a long time, and their leadership has changed over the past few years, but their philanthropic contributions as well as their volunteer contributions have not changed," said Olson.

Volunteers

Dana Norris
American Red Cross, Palo Alto Area Chapter

Dana Norris coordinated Red Cross volunteers who give community presentations on disaster preparedness. She is a member of the local Red Cross Disaster Action Team and the Chapter's co-lead for disaster volunteer training. Norris' boundless energy and desire to serve were cited in her nomination.

Rory Kaplan
Community Health Awareness Council

Rory Kaplan, currently a JPA representative on CHAC's Board of Directors, served in 1990 first as a community representative. When asked what is most rewarding about volunteering with CHAC, Kaplan responded, "Knowing that I'm connected with an organization that does so much good for so many communities."

She added, "The staff and interns at CHAC are an amazingly dedicated group who spend hours and hours for minimal pay."

Mike Couch
Community School of Music & Arts

For more than 10 years, Mike Couch has volunteered at CSMA by serving on the Board of Directors, finance, strategic planning, and building committees. His leadership and expertise played an important role in the construction of CSMA's new permanent home.

Debbie Wu
Community Services Agency

Debbie Wu spent six years involved with fund development activities at CSA and served as the group's recent past president. The organization has continued to make long-term planning a priority, thanks to Wu's leadership, guidance, and example.

She was also a major proponent for increasing CSA's fundraising efforts, including the establishment of CSA's first-ever major donor campaign.

Jan Frankum
Friends of Stevens Creek Trail

Jan Frankum coordinated the volunteers for the Friends of Stevens Creek Trail Annual Trailblazer Race the past two years. The organization praised Frankum for her dedication and commitment, as well as her ability to stay calm and collected and get the job done in every activity she's involved in.

Linda J. Miller
Leadership Mountain View

As the head of the Leadership Mountain View Council, Miller devoted many hours volunteering for the association. She was honored for bringing sound fiscal management and long-term strategic focus to the organization and for implementing a sponsorship program.

Elaine Spence
Peninsula Youth Theatre

Elaine Spence found props and donations for PYT through her efforts on the development committee. "Working with the kids is the most rewarding," Spence said. "Everyone is nice. It's a close group of people, like family. We all create a production made from nothing that's transformed into something wonderful."

Dr. Dexter Hake
RotaCare Free Clinic

Dr. Dexter Hake logged over 1,800 volunteer hours at the RotaCare Free Clinic. He spent his time providing medical services to those in the community with the most need and the least access to health care. The award recognized his outstanding mentorship and wisdom and for his dedication to the "art" of his profession.

Ross Johnson
St. Timothy's Church

Ross Johnson donated many hours to St. Timothy's Church by working behind the scenes doing whatever needs to be done. "Volunteering for St. Timothy's is a spiritual message for me personally," Johnson said.

"St. Timothy's is such a unique place," he added. "The range and breadth of people is young, aspiring, warm, growing and inclusive."

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