In a presentation kept secret until its announcement, land–use planner Laurie Tamura received the Robert P. Hatch Citizen of the Year Award from the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce on Thursday night.

During the 101st annual Awards Gala, Mike and Linda Cordero received the Robert F. Grogan Public Service Award saluting their service in the community. Mike Cordero is a retired police lieutenant and former City Council member, and Linda Cordero is a school board trustee and retired principal in the Santa Maria-Bonita School District. 

They were among honorees at the event held at the Radisson Hotel Santa Maria, with about 200 people in attendance. Other awards included Ambassador of the Year to Emma Cavazos and the Chairman’s Award to Glenn Morris, who was the chamber’s CEO from 2014 to 2024.

Tamura, president of Urban Planning Concepts, was named top citizen for serving as a “bridge” among local businesses, government and residents. The chamber noted her work on various developments, including the Enos Ranch shopping center project.

The chamber also highlighted her commitment to the Los Padres Council Scouting America Board as executive director, serving for more than 20 years and “had an immense impact in everything (the council does) and all the kids (they) serve by committing her time, treasure and talent.”

According to the chamber, Tamura embodies the betterment of the community through her “profound humility” and her commitment to helping others. 

Tamura’s award remained a surprise until its presentation. As she accepted the honor, she gave her thanks to those who helped her along the way. 

“I see a lot of friends, a lot of acquaintances, and we’re all working through the Santa Maria Valley. I have a passion for it, and I really appreciate this,” Tamura said. “We’ve been through a lot together.”

For the public service award, Mike and Linda Cordero were chosen for lives spent dedicated to “protecting, (educating) and guiding,” according to the chamber. 

The public service award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to the community through professional or volunteer efforts in a public agency.

“While their individual contributions are massive, their combined impact is what truly defines them. As a couple, Mike and Linda are fixtures of the Santa Maria Valley, proving that true public service is a shared, unwavering commitment to leaving your community better than you found it.”

Mike Cordero served as a Santa Maria police officer for almost 40 years and reached the rank of lieutenant. After retiring from the police force, he became a member of the Santa Maria City Council. According to the chamber, he brought the same “fierce dedication” from policing to the council, where he worked to “ensure fiscal responsibility and champion public safety.”

Linda Cordero has spent 32 years at the Santa Maria-Bonita School District, where she served as a teacher and principal. Afterward, she became a school board trustee, through which she “modernized local classrooms” to ensure each child has an “equitable place to learn and grow.”

“When you think of Linda and her teaching ideas and her teaching experiences, you see a very organized, a very thoughtful and a very sincere individual,” Santa Barbara County Superintendent of Schools Susan Salcido said.

Other awards given out were Small Business of the Year to Abbey Carpet Santa Maria, Large Business of the Year to the Santa Maria Times and Nonprofit of the Year to Good Samaritan Shelter.