North San Diego chamber honors 19 at Celebration of Business

Nineteen area businesses and individuals were honored during North San Diego Business Chamber’s annual Celebration of Business dinner.

Saturday night’s event was held at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, with nearly 300 in attendance, chamber officials said.

Lifetime Achievement awards went to Dr. Donald Balfour, former president and director of Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers, and Janet Beronio, senior vice president and general manager of Harrah’s Resort Southern California. To be selected, they had to have repeatedly gone beyond the standard obligations in their industry and contributed significantly to the local business community during their working lifetime. They also had to be in the business community for 10 or more years.

Three Emerging Leader of the Year awards were presented. They went to Giordin Perlman of Northrop Grumman, Jason Cestaro of Mercedes-Benz of Escondido and Ron Zuccaro of BAE Systems. Award criteria included being an entrepreneur, business owner or executive of a company/organization that has been in business for at least three years, being 40 years old or younger at the time of nomination, and an individual responsible for a large role in his or her company’s good standing, its vision and its continued growth.

There were also three Business Leaders of the Year awards presented. The recipients were Pablo Gonzalez of Northrop Grumman, Ric Militi of InnoVision LLC and Stacey Hrountas of Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Centers. The recipients had to be executives who have made a positive impact on their organization through innovation, integrity, growth and pushing their company to excellence in every aspect of business.

Cox Communications, San Diego County Regional Airport Authority and Linda Strand of Independent Energy Solutions were named Sustainability Champions of the Year. Selection criteria included being an individual or business that has shown a commitment to sustainable, green living; one who promotes education and training; engages in green practices within one’s organization, which includes creating, sustaining or promoting programs in response to environmental issues; and develop, implement or sponsor green events to get the community involved.

Those named Community Champions of the Year were Millennium Health, San Diego County Credit Union and Bill Loeber of Hewlett-Packard. The recipients demonstrated deliberate inclusion of public interest into corporate decision-making practices; embraced responsibility for the impact of their activities on the environment, consumers, employees and the community by proactively encouraging growth and development; and voluntarily eliminated practices that harm the public sphere.

The Think Local First Champions of the Year were Active Digital Signage and Unicorn Jewelry and Watch Boutique. They are businesses that show a commitment to support local commerce; encourage their employees to engage in local spending; and follow best practices such as promoting local spending, advocating for keeping dollars local and supporting initiatives that keep local spending in the minds of employees.

The Burn Institute and Patricia Reily of California State University San Marcos were named Collaborators of the Year because they have shown a commitment to collaboration within their organization or community, they work with others to achieve shared goals and promote collaboration among all.

Cooking 4 Life was named Healthiest Business of the Year for promoting wellness within its company.