Awards ceremony recognizes community and business leaders for impacting regional economic development
The South County Economic Development Council recognized four local leaders at this year’s 19th Annual Economic Summit, which focused on regional development and forging bi-national relationships in order to achieve economic progress. In addition to the event’s featured keynote speakers, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis and Macy’s Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Terry J. Lundgren, the event held an awards ceremony recognizing local community and business leaders in the South County and Baja regions for their efforts in economic development in their communities.
The four awards given at the Summit recognized leaders and organizations for their work in the following categories: The Bi-National Endeavor Award- Sponsored by Union Bank of California; the Regional Leadership Award- Sponsored by the City of Imperial Beach; the Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award- sponsored by Cox Communications; and the Corky McMillin Best of South County Award –Sponsored by The Corky McMillin Companies.
Bi-National Endeavor Award: The Bi-National Endeavor Award is presented to a leader (business or citizen) who has committed extended efforts to continue fostering relationships and promote economic growth on both sides of the border. The Bi-National award was given to SANDAG. Citing their efforts with the Otay 2 Port of Entry and recognizing the need to not only bring in multiple government entities to support the effort, but government representatives from both sides of the border, SANDAG was recognized for their efforts in ensuring that the planning and collaboration around this effort was successful.
Regional Leadership Award: The Regional Leadership Award honors a South County entity or organization that has served as a leader in integrating valuable benchmarks upon the region, and has made a significant impact in the South County in the past year. The Regional Leadership Award was presented to Dan Biggs, immediate past president of the South County EDC. Mr. Biggs was recognized for his attentive efforts as President of the South County EDC during last year’s economic downturn, where he took it upon himself to create a “tool kit” for businesses. He not only developed creative ways for businesses to survive the recession, but he also made numerous presentations to South County chambers to ensure the business community remained strong, hopeful, and prosperous
Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award: The Outstanding Corporate Citizen honors a citizen who has made a remarkable contribution to the South County through their business or organization. The Outstanding Corporate Citizen Award was presented to Robert Valde-rama of the Port of San Diego. As a trusted community leader, one in which local entities turn to again and again to lead community efforts, the prominent South County business leader was recognized for the time and energy he has given to volunteer and serve National City. He serves on the South County EDC board, the Board of Directors for National City Chamber of Commerce and serves as a Port Commissioner representing National City.
The Corky McMillin Best of South County Award is named after Corky McMillin in recognition for the exemplary business he built in South County. It is presented to a local business that has a history of consistent excellence in products, service, customer satisfaction and overall performance as judged by colleagues and customers alike. The Corky McMillin Best of South County Award was presented to the San Ysidro Health Center. As many individuals lost their jobs and health benefits in a downturned economy, the San Ysidro Health Center opened an urgent care center in Chula Vista, a new maternal and child health center in San Ysidro and expanded their service to include a third location in National City- all in the past year. The San Ysidro Health Center was recognized for their continued efforts in striving meet the health care demands of South County.