A former city manager, a community volunteer and Allan Hancock College were recognized for their roles during a centennial celebration of business and the broader community in the Santa Maria Valley Saturday night.
The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce 100th Annual Awards Gala included recognition of nine recipients at the dinner held in the Central Coast Jet Center’s huge hangar, which had been transformed into an event space.
“For a century this event has served as a testament to the power of our local business community, a community that is the heartbeat of our region,” said Michael Boyer, chamber chief executive officer and president. “Our chamber was founded and continues to operate on the belief that when all local businesses thrive the entire community prospers.”
Jason Stilwell, who retired as Santa Maria city manager in 2023, received the Robert F. Grogan Public Service Award, named for another former city manger who served for two decades.
“Traditionally, this award is given to an individual who has been instrumental in helping to create an environment in which our businesses can thrive,” said Glenn Morris, former chamber leader who presented the award to Stilwell. “This year’s honoree certainly fits that criteria.
“Not only does he understand and appreciate the role that business plays in the vitality of the community, he worked closely with the chamber to create policies and a culture to position Santa Maria as the regional leader on the Central Coast,” Morris added.
Stilwell offered one of his trademark quips, offering appreciation for those who nominated and supported him receiving the honor — “and I appreciate the folks who didn’t support me this evening as well.”
Stilwell, a Cal Poly graduate, spent more than 30 years working in government including a stint for Santa Barbara County. He arrived in Santa Maria in 2015, first serving as deputy city manager and two years later taking the helm as city manager.
He continues to volunteer in the community in various ways by belonging to nonprofit organizations including the Santa Maria Breakfast Rotary Club.
In the night’s only honor not revealed before the dinner, Allan Hancock College received the Chairman’s Award, a chance to recognize an individual or organization that made a real difference in the community and may not fit in usual award categories.
“For over 100 years, Allan Hancock College has been changing the odds for our community,” Emily Kitts, departing chamber board leader, said as she wrapped her stint as chair.
“This year they’ve taken a monumental step forward bringing an entirely new level of opportunity to the Santa Maria Valley with a historic partnership with Cal Poly,” she added. “This partnership creates an affordable and accessible pathway for students to earn a four-year degree right here at home.”
“This level of effort, leadership and community impact is exactly why we’re so proud to present this year’s Chairman’s Awards to Allan Hancock College,” she said.
Jaime Flores accepted the Robert P. Hatch Citizen of the Year Award saluting that he “made a lasting mark on the Santa Maria Valley through his passion, through his leadership and his community impact,” according to presenter Jim Bray, the 2023 winner of the honor.
Flores, a 1995 graduate of St. Joseph High School and Allan Hancock College, founded barbecue and beer festivals, serves as chairman of the Santa Maria Elks Rodeo Parade, and contributes to the Santa Maria Noontime Kiwanis.
The Nonprofit of the Year Award went to Santa Barbara Humane, which after a 2020 merger includes the former Santa Maria Humane Society.
The organization administered almost 27,000 vaccinations and exams along with nearly 8,000 spay and neuter surgeries in 2024.
“The incredible staff and volunteers at Santa Barbara Humane work tirelessly, demonstrating unwavering compassion, innovation and service in every facet of their work,” according to video spelling out the reason for the award.
Other awards handed out Saturday included:
- Ambassador of the Year — Noemi Robles
- Leadership Santa Maria Valley Ted Eckert Award — Hugh Rafferty
- Tourism Partner of the Year — Presqu’ile Winery
- Small Business of the Year — Arrow Plumbing
- Large Business of the Year — SESLOC Credit Union
Additionally, the Santa Maria Chamber received the California Chamber of Commerce’s President’s Circle Award recognizing business advocacy and helping members comply with labor law.
