Chamber Recognizes over 100 local businesses at Awards Luncheon

On July 12th, the Oceanside Chamber held its annual Awards & Recognition Luncheon to honor over 100 local businesses for their support of the Chamber and community. Dozens of members were recognized for their Chamber membership anniversaries of 5, 10, 15... all the way up to 65 years of membership, celebrated by Orco Block & Hardscape. The Chamber also recognized the excellence of our local business community with the following awards: Small Business of the Year, Education Partner of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year, Green Business of the Year, Citizen of the Year and Elected Official of the Year. 

The Chamber's Immediate Past Chair, Kevin Witowich gave an overview of some of the Chamber's accomplishments from the past 12 months. Highlights included a 9% increase in membership numbers, partnering with Camp Pendleton on its 75th Anniversary celebration, creating the 1st Annual Latino Business Showcase, representing the business community in the City's districting process and developing a 3-Year Strategic plan for the Chamber.

New Chamber Board Chair, Joshua Van Orden, provided a look ahead and spoke of the highlights of the Chamber's 3-Year Strategic Plan which includes work in the following areas: Public Policy, Economic Development, Workforce Development, Military Transition assistance, Neighborhood business outreach and support for the Food Service Industry.

2017 Award Winners

Small Business of the Year – That Boy Good
That Boy Good is a locally owned restaurant that has developed a great reputation for authentic food, friendly service and a relaxed atmosphere.  In addition to being one of the most popular eateries in Oceanside, That Boy Good has become an active supporter of local charities and schools.  They also help to support the Crown Heights Resource Center by selling ad spots on their ceiling tiles.  With the great success of their downtown restaurant, owners Mark and Kim Millwood are opening a new location on Horne Street.   

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Education Part of the Year – Children’s Paradise Preschool & Infant Center
Children's Paradise Preschool & Infant Center opened its fifth center, first in Oceanside, last year and jumped right into supporting the Oceanside community.  Children's Paradise aspires to improve communities one little child at a time by giving them the tools they need at an early age to be successful in elementary school and beyond.  The Centers work to insure all children have access to high quality early learning regardless of the income of their families. This often results in a better job, creating more successful generation and ultimately improving the entire community.  Each Center affords children imaginative learning environments filled with developmentally appropriate activities and expansive outside play areas. It encourages children to be children by providing them the freedom to explore and be creative. The program also provides parenting classes to create a strong support system for families seeking work.

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Non-Profit of the Year: Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside
For more than 65 years, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside has been offering enriching and life changing programs to youth in our community.
Serving more than 1,300 children each day at eight locations, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside works to inspire them all to reach their full potential.
Over the past year, Boys & Girls Clubs of Oceanside has:
• Begun the process of building a Center for Innovation to include a Culinary Arts Teaching Kitchen, a Performing Arts Center and a Science, Technology, Research, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics Lab
• Applauded as their Youth of the Year, Julie Hernandez, who went on to become the California State Youth of the Year
• Been honored with a Building Better Futures Award at the 2017 Gang Prevention & Intervention Summit
• And celebrated with close to 30 high school seniors who made it to the graduation finish line

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Green Business of the Year: The Privateer Coal Fire Pizza
This locally owned restaurant has been a pioneer in helping the City of Oceanside prepare for the implementation of the State’s food recycling mandate. Their willingness to participate in a pilot program has helped provide the City with valuable data in determining logistics and capacity going forward. 

The Privateer has been in the forefront of green business practices and was the first Oceanside restaurant to receive the Ocean Friendly Restaurant designation from the Surfrider Foundation. 

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Oceanside Chamber Citizen of the Year: Lori Boody
Through her work with the American Cancer Society, Lori inspired the Chamber to get involved in the Relay for Life event this year. In addition to creating a Chamber team, through Lori’s support, we were able to generate 18 additional teams and help raise over $20,000 for cancer research.
Lori serves as an active participant on most of the Chambers standing committees and also serves as the Executive Director for the North County Veterans Stand Down being held in January 2018 (helping homeless Veterans)
Lori is also Secretary of the North County Assistance League (helping school children of Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista)

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Elected Official of the Year: Dr. Jim Dagostino, Chairman Tri-City Healthcare District Board
Director Jim Dagostino joined the Tri- City Healthcare District board in March, 2013 and became the Chairman of the Board in January, 2016.

Extremely active in local and state wide healthcare initiatives, Jim’s professional activities include Former Chairman Government Affairs Committee California Physical Therapy Association. Professor EDUCATA, Law and Ethics for the Practicing Physical Therapist, Expert Consultant Physical Therapy Board of California.

Jim has provided the leadership on the Board for such projects as the approval of the Design/ Build project, the UCSD affiliation, the HUD long term financing and many other strategic initiatives in concurrence with Tri- City growth. With his leadership the Board continues its success in meeting the demands of our communities healthcare needs in the future.

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