Man, Woman, Businesses of the Year span the county
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce this week announced
the 2008 Citizens and Businesses of the Year.
Man, Woman, Businesses of the Year span the county
The San Benito County Chamber of Commerce this week announced the 2008 Citizens and Businesses of the Year.
This year’s recipients are:
– Woman of the Year: Priscilla “Cilly” Fisher
– Man of the Year: Edward Stephenson
– Retail Business of the Year: McKinnon Lumber Co.
– Service Business of the Year: Bianchi, Kasavan, & Pope
– Hospitality Business of the Year: Flapjack’s Country Cafe
– Agriculture Business of the Year: Natural Selection/Earthbound Farm
Woman of the Year: Priscilla Fisher
Pricscilla “Cilly” Fisher was born in Waltham, Mass., and studied at the School of Practical Art in Boston. She worked as a program planning specialist and staff to an engineering manager in the space program at Lockheed for 26 years. She bought a home in Hollister in 1991 and retired from Lockheed in 1992. She has four children.
Since coming to the county she has contributed to the community through volunteer work at the Marley Holte Holiday Dinners, working in the kitchen as a “helping hand,” involvement with the “Jazz Under the Stars” fund-raiser at Ridgemark, Hospice, San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, San Benito County Tourism Committee, San Juan Bautista Chamber of Commerce, HIRC Rally, Community Pantry and the Ridgemark Homeowners Association.
“Life is a gift,” she said. “Enjoy every day. Help in the Community.”
Man of the Year: Edward Stephenson
Edward Stephenson was born and raised in Hollister. In 1957, he graduated from Stanford University and then served two years as infantry platoon commander in the United States Marine Corps. He has been married to his wife, Michele, for 48 years and together they have three children and five grandchildren.
Stephenson has been involved in many community groups, activities and boards. The retired president of San Benito Bank, he was founding director of the San Benito County United Way, a past president, director and member of the Hollister Rotary Club, a member of the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association and founding president and 14-year director of Community Foundation for San Benito County. Among his achievements include being named Philanthropist of the Year by the Community Foundation in 2005.
Retail Business of the Year: McKinnon Lumber Co.
McKinnon Lumber Co. is a family-owned retail lumberyard that provides building materials to San Benito County and surrounding areas. Owners John and Jean Barrett, along with their son, Brian, and eight full-time employees, emphasize friendly, personalized service and building supplies at reasonable prices.
McKinnon Lumber is a member of the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, the Hollister Downtown Association and contributes annually to local community organizations as a way of giving back to the community that has supported them for so many years. John Barrett served as a past member of the Hollister Planning Commission and is currently a director for the San Benito County Saddle Horse Association, which his family has been involved with for more than 60 years.
Service Business of the Year: Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope
In July 2007 the firms of Bianchi, Lorincz, Huey, Hudson & Co., LLP and Kasavan & Pope, LLP merged to create Bianchi, Kasavan & Pope. With 100 years of collective industry experience the firm specializes in tax planning and preparation, retirement planning, audit services, estate and trust tax preparation, payroll services, management advisory consulting and information technology.
The firm has offices in Monterey, Salinas, Hollister and Morgan Hill reaching across several industries. BKP has remained a strong business through the use of advanced programs and data management systems.
The company encourages staff at all levels to participate in community activities and by focusing all of their services on client satisfaction. BKP enjoys a high level of volunteerism that spans more than 50 community organizations.
Hospitality Business of the Year: Flapjack’s Country Cafe
Phil and Karen Barrett saw opportunity when they purchased Flapjack’s Cafe in May 2001, giving them the chance to serve food they enjoyed cooking at home and serving to family and friends.
Two employees volunteer with the Substance Abuse Program in San Benito County and another volunteers as an aide at a local convalescent hospital. Barrett prepares a weekly meal at the Homeless Shelter. Other organizations that Flapjack’s is involved in include the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, the San Benito County YMCA, San Benito County Saddle Horse Show, the San Benito County Fair, San Benito County Historical Park, Small Steps Program, Hope for a cure scholarship fund, Willow Grove School and others.
Agribusiness of the Year: Earthbound Farm/Natural Selection Foods
Drew and Myra Goodman, determined transplants from Manhattan, came to California’s Carmel Valley in 1984. They began with a 2 ½-acre raspberry farm and decided doing the right thing meant committing to farming organically. Their labor of love became Earthbound Farm, which moved to San Juan Bautista in 1996. Today, Earthbound Farm includes 150 farmers on 34,000 acres and is the largest grower of organic produce in the world.
Their commitment to meeting the needs of customers and consumers while maintaining their integrity has been a key to their success. Each month Earthbound Farm donates to a nonprofit organization nominated by employees. Recent donations include Emmaus House, Unity Care Group, Aditi Foundation, San Benito Health Foundation, Lupus Foundation of North America and the YMCA.
Winning citizens and businesses will be honored at the 87th Annual Chamber Dinner Dance to be held at San Juan Oaks on Jan. 19, 2008. Tickets are now available at the Chamber office, 650 San Benito St., suite 130.
