Capitola Soquel Community Awards

The Capitola Soquel Chamber of Commerce’s 73rd Annual Community Awards Celebration will take place at the Best Western Seacliff Inn Friday, April 25, 2014 from 11:30 am – 1:30 pm

The honorees will be:

Man of the Year: Rudy Escalante
Woman of the Year: Christine McBroom
Volunteer of the Year: Kim Hogan
Business of the Year: GreenWaste Recovery
New Business: Lina Floral
Community Spirit: Michaella Olavarri

Seating is limited and Reservations are required. Tickets: $35 per person. Table sponsorships available. Register online at www.capitolachamber.com/events or call the Capitola-Soquel Chamber at 831.475.6522

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Man of the Year
Rudy Escalante

Chief Rudy Escalante has worked in Santa Cruz County law enforcement for 29 years. He spent over 24-1/2 years with the Santa Cruz Police Department. Chief Escalante was the Investigations Commander and Co-Commander of their Emergency Services Unit Tactical Team. For 2-1/2 years, he served as Deputy Chief of Police for the Watsonville Police Department where he oversaw the Support Services Division. Chief Escalante is a court-recognized expert in gang and narcotic investigations.

Chief Escalante has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from San Jose State University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from University of Phoenix, and an Associate of Science Degree from Cabrillo Junior College. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia.

Chief Escalante is an active committee member of the California Police Chief’s Association Law & Legislative Committee and the State Firearms Committee. He is the current Board President for Janus of Santa Cruz, a drug and alcohol treatment facility in Santa Cruz County and is the interim President for the Capitola Public Safety Foundation. Chief Escalante has served as a panel member for Dominican Hospital regarding the Methamphetamine Epidemic in Santa Cruz County, and is a strong advocate for Women’s Crisis Support in Santa Cruz County.

His wife Cathie is a self-employed businesswoman in Capitola and their 11-year-old son attends Twin Lakes Christian School. A lifelong resident of Santa Cruz County, they reside in Live Oak.

Woman of the Year
Christine McBroom

Christine McBroom is the owner and financial advisor at Lanai Financial Solutions. She has a Master’s Degree from George Mason University, a Bachelor’s Degree from Long Island University, Southampton College. She holds professional designations of Series 7 and Series 66 licenses as well as her AAMS®, the Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation.

Christine has been a life-long visitor to Capitola. Each summer and on winter break, she visited her great aunt Mimi (Amy Tognazzini) who has lived here in Capitola for over 40 years. Christine only dreamed that she could one day live in Capitola. Her dream became a reality in 2008 when it came time to begin her financial services business and be closer to her favorite Aunt Mimi.

Capitola welcomed her with open arms. When she moved here, her life changed for the better. She met her husband, Rory, at a block party on Gilroy Drive in Capitola where (fast forward 2 yrs) they purchased a home. They have built both their private and professional lives in Capitola where Christine practices her passion in life, which is helping people create their financial goals and then achieve them.

Christine has also dedicated herself to her community. She has sat on the board of the Capitola Begonia Festival from 2008-2011, is currently on the Capitola-Soquel Chamber Board and is serving as the board’s chairperson. She’s been a member and chairperson of the Capitola Finance Advisory Committee for the past four years and is the treasurer and executive board member of the Capitola Public Safety Foundation. This past year she was appointed Capitola City Treasurer. It is for these many contributions to Capitola that she deserves the Chamber’s Woman of the Year award.

Volunteer of the Year
Kim Hogan

Kim Hogan came to Capitola in 2002 and began her involvement in Community Service about three years later as a means of making new friends. Starting with a small role in the Begonia Festival, Kim later accepted service positions with the Volunteer in Police Services, the Capitola Soquel Chamber Board of Directors, the Art & Cultural Commission, and the Capitola Public Safety Foundation Board.

These positions began a full career of volunteer services which included not only Capitola’s Begonia Festival, but Wharf to Wharf, Safe Ride Home on New Year’s Eve, Capitola Art & Wine Festival, Bikes on the Bay, Classic Rod & Custom Car Show, and the Capitola Public Safety Foundation Golf Tournament. She has not only achieved the goal of making new friends but has provided herself and many others the opportunity to participate in some amazing and fun events.

When Kim was asked how she feels about volunteer services, “The original goal of making new friends ended up with the accumulation of a whole City of friends. The years have been filled with many opportunities to be of service to members of the community. And one of the best keys to a happy life is through service. I am a happy person.”

Business of the Year
GreenWaste Recovery

GreenWaste is a privately owned and locally operated recycling and diversion company that specializes in the collection and processing of residential and commercial trash, yard trimmings, curbside recyclables, food waste, and construction and demolition debris. GreenWaste has been a pioneer in the recycling industry since its inception in 1991 and has demonstrated leadership in efficient, effective, and environmentally sound collection and processing operations. GreenWaste’s MRF in San José is one of the most innovative processing facilities in the world, capable of sorting and recovering 98% of recyclable materials processed at the facility. GreenWaste has been providing collection and recycling services to the City of Capitola since 2007.

This last year they contributed $4,200 towards Outreach and Recycling Education in our community. They have sponsored Movies at the Beach in Capitola and are the featured sponsor this year for Art and Music at the Beach in Capitola.

GreenWaste Recovery, besides delivering excellent garbage and recycling services to our community, services our large special events at no charge and takes care of the cities extra requests.

New Business
Lina Floral
Rick and Wendy Melrose owned Fionna Floral for several years in Santa Cruz

Lina Floral was created in 2009 to get back to the roots of floral designing, doing bouquets for anniversaries, birthdays, other occasions and day to day floral,” said Wendy Melrose. “To honor my father, I named this new venture after my Oma (Grandmother), whom I visited in Germany as a child.

“I went into the former Three Little Birds location. My partner at the beginning of Fionna Floral, Jodee Risney, graciously got on board and is the magical genius behind the store design and window displays. The Upper Village is a great location. We opened May 2, 2013 and are so very thankful for the fabulous response we have gotten from this community. We feel extremely fortunate.”

The Chamber welcomes Lina Floral to Capitola.

Community Spirit
Michaella Olavarri

I began my venture in the Capitola Village several years ago by opening the Capitola Coffee Roasters. Feeding people is something I truly enjoy,” Michaella said.

“After the 2011 flood in the Village I was one of about two businesses that stayed open. My son and I soon realized there were no bathrooms available for workers doing cleanup night and day. For two days, we stayed open 24 hours, taking shifts so bathrooms would be available. We gave coffee to all the business owners until their shops reopened, as well as to the people who were working diligently to save their homes.

“When my lease in the Village wasn’t renewed, I took the opportunity to work as a pastry chef in San Francisco. In September 2012, I moved into the Capitola Book Café. Then in March of 2013, I was diagnosed with cancer. My hat is off to all cancer survivors. It takes everything you have to fight. Of all the challenges I have faced, this was one of my most difficult. In October I ran my first Half-marathon. The feeling of completing the race, after being so sick, was quite surreal.

“I absolutely loved the year and a half I spent (at the Capitola Book Café.) I will miss that place tremendously. The people of Capitola have been an important part of my life.”

The Chamber recognizes Michaella as a survivor. She continues to face challenges head on and is a true warrior in the world.