Chamber of Commerce Recognizes Its Best & Brightest Stars

The City of Cathedral City works closely with the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce – Cathedral City District to promote and encourage continued success among members of the Cathedral City business and civic service community.  It’s especially fitting, therefore, that each year the City’s best & brightest “stars”, and those who support their continued success, are recognized at the Chamber’s annual Orion Awards. This year’s event was held on Thursday, May 24, at the beautiful DoubleTree by Hilton Resort Hotel at Vista Chino & Landau Boulevard. The Title Sponsor of the event was ­Jessup Auto Plaza, with the City of Cathedral City serving as Presenting Sponsor.  The David Rohr Floral Studio, a Cathedral City business, was the Centerpiece Sponsor.

The festive evening event began with a reception and silent auction bidding by attendees on amazing offerings donated by area businesses and organizations. The signature presentation of the Orion Awards, which recognizes outstanding performance and accomplishments in nine different categories, was masterfully led by Emcee Bryan Gallo, Weathercaster with KMIR News and host of “Desert Living”, and a team member for many successful community functions throughout California.

CONGRATULATIONS to this year’s Orion Award winners and nominees in each category:

LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – STAYBRIDGE SUITES
Award Sponsor: Mercy Air
Other Nominees: Frazier Pest Control, Esser Air Conditioning, Jessup Auto Plaza, and Planet Fitness

SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR – FIRST CALL SECURITY & SOUND
Award Sponsor: Modern Woodmen of America
Other Nominees: Body Concierge, Capizzi’s Cheescakes. . .and then some, and Winslow Drake Investment Management

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR – ZOBO & MEESTERS
Award Sponsor: Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries
Other Nominees: A.J.’s on the Green, Pizzeria Bambino’s, Bubba’s Bones & Brew, and El Portal

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR – CV REPERTORY THEATRE
Award Sponsor: Jessup Auto Plaza
Other Nominees: Hemp City/CVB Works, Free Volt, and iRecover

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR – THE UNFORGETTABLES FOUNDATION
Award Sponsor: Frazier Pest Control
Other Nominees: Salvation Army, United Cerebral Palsy, California Jazz Foundation, and the Cathedral City Historical Society

WOMAN OF THE YEAR – JULIE FRAZIER, Frazier Pest Control
Award Sponsors: Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital
Other Nominees: Rhonda Carnevale, Sue Townsley, Kathleen Jurasky, and Kara Robinson

MAN OF THE YEAR – TERRY NELSON, Team Art Terry & Kara, Windermere Real Estate
Award Sponsors:  Desert Regional Medical Center and JFK Memorial Hospital
Other Nominees: Ted Hane, Alan Carvalho, Larry Davis, and Sameer Bhatia

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR – AUSTIN BENETEAU, Modern Woodmen of America
Award Sponsor: Windermere Homes & Estates, Art Terry & and Kara Robinson Team
Other Nominees: Thommy & Michael Kocan, Loretta Nelson, Jim & Ralph Thompson-Cantua, and Valerie Schecter

CITY OFFICIAL/EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – MAYOR STAN HENRY, City of Cathedral City
Award Sponsor:  Windermere Homes & Estates, Art Terry & and Kara Robinson Team
Other Nominees: City Councilmember Shelley Kaplan, Fire Chief Paul Wilson, Police Chief Travis Walker, and
Business Development Manager Leisa Lukes

SPECIAL THANKS to the many volunteers involved in making this event a stellar success!