The Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce celebrated excellence in business leadership at its Regional Business Awards Gala on Feb. 21, drawing hundreds of local leaders across the county to the Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort.

Nine honorees, including seven organizations and two individuals, received recognition for their outstanding contributions to the region’s business community. The event also served as the annual membership meeting for the Chamber, honoring outgoing directors and officially installing the new board.

“Tonight is about shining a light on the shining stars among us, who brighten our lives with the work they do, the teams they lead, and the communities they support,” said Kristen Miller, president & CEO of the chamber, who noted that many of this year’s honored organizations are led by women.

Large Business of the Year Award: Brownstein
Among the female powerhouses were three attorneys—Amy Steinfeld, Beth Collins, and Stephanie Hastings—who took the stage to accept the Large Business of the Year Award on behalf of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck.

For more than 50 years, Brownstein has delivered legal and policy solutions across the county to help solve pressing local issues, including addressing the housing crisis, drought and flooding cycles, and energy reliability. Brownstein attorneys and land use planners are experts on Central Coast land use, water, environmental and real estate issues.

Steinfeld said the firm embraces an ethos of “all-in, excellence and giving back,” and in the past year alone the Santa Barbara office contributed more than 700 pro bono hours to support local initiatives like DignityMoves and the White Buffalo Land Trust, as well as collectively serving on 64 community boards.

Small Business of the Year Award: Events by Rincon
Alyssa Searcy, one of the new managing partners of Events by Rincon, accepted the Small Business of the Year Award on behalf of Marc and Carol Borowitz, who founded the company 40 years ago as Brandon’s Restaurant. Over the past four decades, Events by Rincon has evolved into one of the most trusted names in catering and events, from intimate gatherings to grand weddings. It is a cornerstone of the Carpinteria community, deeply committed to giving back, supporting local nonprofits and countless fundraisers.

Searcy, who started working at Rincon when she was just 13 years old, thanked the community for supporting small businesses, and expressed her team’s commitment to ensuring that Rincon’s legacy of quality and care continues for decades to come.

Nonprofit of the Year Award: Storyteller Children’s Center
It was another female leader who accepted the Nonprofit of the Year award for Storyteller Children’s Center, recognized for its longstanding commitment to serving our region’s most vulnerable families with trauma-informed early childhood education and essential social services, ensuring that even the youngest and most at-risk members of the community have the support they need to succeed.

“At Storyteller, we believe in the power of stories,” said Executive Director Gabriella Garcia. “Too often the families we serve begin their stories in adversity, with challenges that seem impossible to overcome. At Storyteller, adversity turns into opportunity. We are not just providers but partners in ensuring that families and children have the tools, resources and encouragement they need to change the trajectory of their lives.”

Community Impact Award: Santa Barbara Airport
The Community Impact Award was presented to the Santa Barbara Airport, which served a record-breaking 1.4 million passengers last year and was described as “not just a place to catch a flight, but a vital part of our region’s success, connecting our businesses, residents and visitors to the world.”

Airport Director Christopher Hastert accepted the award, noting that the airport is “truly a community within a community,” representing the collective work of many whom he thanked. “Our efforts to make travel more inclusive and accessible include innovative programs like the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Program, therapy dog services, MOXI PlaySpace for young travelers, public art, live music, educational programs and more planned pop-ups in 2025.”  The airport also invests in the region’s future with sustainable infrastructure improvements and the Terminal Improvement Project, set to break ground in 2026.

Hospitality Business of the Year Award: The Ritz-Carlton Bacara
The Ritz-Carlton Bacara earned recognition for its 25-year legacy as an iconic destination, distinguished by both its world-class guest experiences and steadfast commitment to community engagement through its support of local charitable organizations and youth programs.

“This recognition is a testament not just to our resort but to the incredible team who brings the spirit of genuine hospitality to life every day,” said General Manager Bradley Cance. “Hospitality is more than service; it’s about creating lasting memories, supporting local businesses and contributing to the economic vitality of our region from employing hundreds of local residents to partnering with Santa Barbara farmers, winemakers and artisans. We are committed to ensuring tourism continues to uplift and sustain our community.”

Milestone Business Award: Montecito Bank & Trust
Montecito Bank & Trust, which is celebrating 50 years of service to the Central Coast, sets the standard for community-focused banking with a deep commitment to philanthropy. Its hallmark Community Dividends program has granted millions to local nonprofits, including $1 million in 2024 alone, supporting vital causes in arts, health, education and social services.

“Our founders would be so proud to know how we’ve grown and contributed as we approach this milestone celebration,” said CEO Janet Garufis. “This visionary group of business people, led by Michael Towbes, believed that their bank could deliver exceptional and personalized customer service, building lasting relationships while fulfilling the financial needs of the local community and, through philanthropy, could contribute to the economic vitality of the community it serves.”

“At Montecito Bank & Trust, we believe that small businesses are the life blood our of community, dare I say of the country,” said Garufis to loud applause. “As the largest, oldest locally owned and managed community bank on the Central Coast, we take our responsibility seriously, to provide a complete offering of financial services to meet your unique needs. We are your friends, your neighbors, your volunteers, your bank.”

Historical Preservation Award: Santa Barbara Historical Museum
The Santa Barbara Historical Museum, established in 1932, has significantly expanded its role as the premier steward of the region’s cultural heritage with its recent acquisition of the Santa Barbara News-Press archives, a monumental collection chronicling 150 years of local history.

“Our mission is to create connections to Santa Barbara history amongst our community,” said Executive Director Dacia Harwood. “History is so important today and every day, and this News-Press purchase greatly enhances our archives. The collection, like this community, is diverse and inspiring.” Harwood thanked the many people who helped secure the collection, including her team at the museum, Vice President Brett Hodges, attorney Tim Metzinger, Ben Romo and Jason Yardi.

The museum houses more than 100,000 artifacts and an equal number of archival materials, chronicling the area’s evolution through its Chumash, Spanish, Mexican and American periods through its comprehensive collection of art, documents, maps and photographs.

Visionary Arts Leadership Award: Celesta Billeci, UCSB Arts & Lectures
The Visionary Arts Leadership Award was bestowed upon Celesta Billeci, the Miller McCune executive director of UCSB Arts & Lectures, for her leadership in transforming the South Coast cultural landscape, bringing world-class performances and lectures to our community. Over her 25-year tenure, Billeci expanded the organization’s operations tenfold, making UCSB Arts & Lectures one of the most respected public arts programs in the nation.

“We know that arts are not just entertainment; they are the heartbeat of a thriving society,” said Billeci.  She continued to talk about the fact that sharing the experience of watching a live performance or listening to thought-provoking ideas is something that can not be replaced. “These moments define us and connect us and remind us why the arts matter.”

Billeci accepted the award on behalf of the incredible people who helped shape Arts & Lectures, including Sara Miller McCune for endowing her position and her dear friend and former colleague Roman Baratiak. She thanked many others, including the Santa Barbara community, donors, A&L ambassadors and council members, as well as her husband and son.

Chairman’s Award: Larry Doris
Larry Doris, associate vice president at Agilent Technologies, received the Chairman’s Award in recognition of his longstanding contributions to the Chamber. His service on the executive, technology and manufacturing, and electricity reliability committees, along with his visionary leadership in championing a strategic plan and merging the three chambers, was praised.

The event also served as the Chamber’s annual membership meeting, featuring the formal installation of the 2025 Chair of the Board, Randy Berg, the 2025 executive officers and board members, as well as a tribute to outgoing board members for their invaluable service.

Anne Pazier, outgoing board chair and owner of Santa Barbara Gift Baskets, was honored for leadership over the past year. Drawing from her family’s multi-generational business legacy in downtown Santa Barbara, Pazier brought personal insight to her work, focusing on economic development, expanding workforce housing, and supporting policies that advance local entrepreneurship.

“It’s vital to create opportunities that allow people to live, work and raise their families in the place they call home,” she said.

Local politicians in attendance included Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse and Council Members Eric Friedman, Oscar Gutierrez, Wendy Sims Moten, and Kristen Sneddon; Goleta Council Member James Kyriaco; Goleta Union School Board Member Ethan Bertrand; Benjamin Peterson from Senator Monique Limón’s office; and Supervisor Roy Lee.

The 2025 Regional Business Awards Gala was presented by title sponsors Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, and Sansum Clinic, now part of Sutter Health.

Presenting Sponsors included: Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, ExxonMobil, Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort, Montecito Bank & Trust, Sable Offshore, UCLA Health, and Village Properties. Corporate Sponsors included: Agilent Technologies, American Riviera Bank, Chevron, Courtyard by Marriott, LinkedIn, MarBorg Industries, Noozhawk, Pacific Coast Business Times, Residence Inn by Marriott, Santa Barbara Airport, Santa Barbara Independent, Santa Barbara Zoo, Signature Aviation, Southern California Edison, Teledyne FLIR, The Ritz-Carlton Bacara, and UC Santa Barbara.