Arcadia Chamber Excellence Awards and Evening of Celebration

ACE AWARDS AND BOARD INSTALLATION EVENT

ACE Award Winners and Speakers

Citizen Of The Year

Sherry Wang
USC Arcadia Hospital Foundation

For three decades, Sherry Wang has led by example with grace, poise and passion as a community volunteer and activist who graciously gives her time to USC Arcadia Hospital (formerly Methodist Hospital) and other community organizations to make Arcadia an even better place to live.

Sherry Wang

Sherry initially began volunteering at the hospital by serving on the organization’s Bioethics Committee and spearheaded development of educational training for hospital staff to better understand the needs and cultural differences when treating patients from the Chinese community. Eventually, Sherry joined the Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and over time held numerous leadership positions, including Chair of the Board in 2016.

For three years, Sherry co-chaired the hospital’s Mardi Gras event, which raised $600,000 for the Foundation during her tenure. Sherry also chaired the hospital’s annual Crystal Ball fundraising celebration, and in 2018 she and husband Shone were honored for their leadership, philanthropy, and dedication to the hospital. In addition, Sherry has been the driving force behind the hospital’s annual Community Health Fair for 20 years, which provides hundreds of free health care services to those in need and is a joint event with the Hsi Lai Temple in Hacienda Heights.

Mt. Lowe Brewing with beer glasses on their bar and Televisions in the background

Business Of The Year

Mt. Lowe Brewing Company

Mt Lowe Brewing Co. is Arcadia’s first microbrewery, named for the famed Mt Lowe railway that once graced the San Gabriel Mountains. Mt Lowe Brewing Co. serves up the best in brews, hosts events, and donates their time and products to assist the Arcadia community and beyond.

Arcadia Strong Award

Assistance League of Arcadia

ALA has a long history of philanthropy in Arcadia and the surrounding area and will celebrate 70 years in 2024. Our signature Philanthropic Program, Operation School Bell® …

Arcadia Assistance League Arcadia

ALA has a long history of philanthropy in Arcadia and the surrounding area and will celebrate 70 years in 2024. Our signature Philanthropic Program, Operation School Bell® started in 1969 and annually serves over 1000 underserved students in the SGV area. Each student receives a new backpack filled with new school clothes, jacket, sweatshirt, shoes, socks, personal items, hygiene kits, school supplies, and reading books. We know when a student feels good about their appearance it directly affects their motivation to do well in school. The profits from sales at Bargain Box help purchase the items children receive through Operation School Bell.

This past year we initiated a new philanthropic program. During “Day of Service” this fall ALA volunteers and community partners packed 250 backpacks with baby items for new mothers in need. These backpacks were delivered to seven local charities.

Assisteens, our auxiliary for teens, continue their volunteering in the community through the “Book Buddy” partnership with Arcadia Library, helping at the Bargain Box thrift, and participating in community events. In November, the Assisteens delivered 31 $110 Vons grocery cards to the workers in the Back Stretch of Santa Anita Park. Last year, ALA gave 100 new jackets and sweatshirts to the workers of the Back Stretch. ALA also donated food gift cards for Arcadia Police and Fire Department first responders, and to case workers to give to the unhoused and/or those in need. In 2021, ALA donated $100 to each school library in the Arcadia Unified School District for the purchase of new library books.

Our volunteers strive to live up to our motto and vision to transform lives and strengthen our community. Your recognition of our volunteer efforts validate that we’re meeting our goals.

Chamber Service Award

Jonathan Rodriguez

Realtor with CA Flat Fee

Jonathan has always had a passion for serving, with service to small businesses at the forefront of the list…

Jonathan Rodriguez

Raised in Boyle Heights, Jonathan witnessed his grandmother who immigrated from Guadalajara, Mexico, start Alvarez Bookkeeping and maintain that business for nearly 30 years. Starting, maintaining and growing a business is a part of the American Dream and Jonathan took advantage of that opportunity 15 months ago when CA Flat Fee was born. In that time he has sold nearly $40,000,000 in real estate while saving clients over $350,000! Jonathan appreciates the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce tremendously and credits them with providing the tools, education and networking opportunities to gain market share in the San Gabriel Valley.

Ambassador of the Year

Jose Luis Correa
Senior Digital Advertising Sales Consultant with Hey Media

Jose Luis Correa was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. His parents, Jorge and Miriam immigrated to the United States in 1964 and settled in Pasadena, California …

Jose Luis Correa

Jose Luis Correa was born in Merida, Yucatan, Mexico. His parents, Jorge and Miriam immigrated to the United States in 1964 and settled in Pasadena, California, along with his two brothers, Jorge and Carlos; his sister Myriam was born in the US in 1969. Jose Luis went to Pasadena High School, home of the Bulldogs, and graduated in 1978. Jose Luis also went to Pasadena City College and graduated from Pasadena City College in 1982.

After college, Jose Luis worked in the hospitality industry in various restaurants in the Pasadena area, doing all sorts of jobs from dishwasher, busboy, bartender, to Assistant Manager, and General Manager. In 1985, he moved to Santa Barbara to work at Acapulco Restaurant then moved back to Pasadena to join a new restaurant in Glendale called Chuy’s in 1989. But he missed Santa Barbara and, in 1992, moved back to Santa Barbara with his wife, and son, Samuel. He was hired at a small local Spanish Radio station, called KSPE La Musical, as an advertising salesman, and Jose Luis has been in advertising sales since then. He moved back to Pasadena in 2000 and has worked at various newspapers, including the Pasadena Star-News, and Pasadena Weekly, and is currently working at Hey Media as an advertising salesman.

Jose Luis loves being in advertising sales he loves meeting new people and helping small businesses with any of their advertising needs.

Karen Mac Nair

CEO
Arcadia Chamber of Commerce

Karen Gutierrez -Mac Nair is the CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and been with the chamber for last four years …

Karen Gutierrez -Mac Nair

Karen Gutierrez -Mac Nair is the CEO of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and been with the chamber for last four years. The chamber has grown to help support the community and now working though this hard time in 2020 to stay engaged with the businesses. She has worked in the non-profit industry for over 23 years. Prior to her role at the Arcadia Chamber Karen was an elementary school teacher and then principal in the East Los Angeles area. She moved on to be the Executive Director at the Santa Anita Family YMCA in Monrovia where she worked for 9 years. Karen enjoys working with community groups and loves connecting people.

Aside from her CEO duties at the chamber, Karen sits on the board for the Downtown Arcadia Improvement Association where she serves as treasure on the executive board.

Francine Chiu

In-coming President

Francine Chiu is the CEO/National Director at Star Seven Financial Services, a company offering total financial needs …

Francine Chiu

Francine Chiu is the CEO/National Director at Star Seven Financial Services, a company offering total financial needs analysis through a network of experienced professionals. Francine was President of the Arcadia Chinese Association from 2014 to 2016, past Finance Chair of Lucky Baldwin District BSA, and part of the Rotary Club of Arcadia. Francine also hosts the Arcadia Chamber’s Connect and Prosper, a networking lunch held completely in Mandarin.

When Francine is not playing with money, you’ll always find her at a community event, enthusiastically showing her support.

Vicki Knight

Out-going President

Vicki Knight. Vicki is no stranger to the Executive Board, as she served as President in 2014 …

Vicki Knight

Vicki Knight. Vicki is no stranger to the Executive Board, as she served as President in 2014. Vicki also is on the Ambassador committee, welcoming new businesses to the Chamber. She also has been with the Chamber for over 19 years and brings experience and energy to the Board.

When Vicki is not running around the city, you’ll find her and her husband, Doug, eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Outback Steakhouse.

Places to explore

Executive Board

Meet the Executive Board as they lead the Arcadia Chamber in the coming year.Meet the Executive Board »

Board of Directors

The Incoming Board of Directors. Meet the team as they continue the purpose of the Chamber.Meet the Board of Directors »

Connect and Grow

Learn how together with the Chamber how to grow your business. You’ll be surprised.Be at the next Chambering 101 »

Chamber History

100 years of the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce and still going strong.Read our history »

Become A Member

Become part of the family. Make connections. Nourish relationships. Grow your business. Be apart of the future.Be a member today »

Arcadia Strong

Grant assistance program helping businesses who struggling financially during this time of COVID.Purchase Arcadia Strong Swag »