6:15 PM
7:15 PM
Check - In / Reception
Program Begins
Color Guard & Pledge of Allegience
7:20 PM
Welcome Remarks
Oscar Garcia, CHCC & CHCCF Vice President
Heather Luzzi, SBA
Rob Kerth, SMUD District Director
Veronica Corona, Chairwoman of CHCC
7:35 PM
8:00 PM
8:45 PM
Dinner 2025 Regional SBA Award Presentation
Closing Remarks
Heather Luzzi
with Agency Breakout Rooms May 15, 2025
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Join the Sacramento Public Agency Consortium (SacPAC) for a FREE virtual Government Contracting Information & Q&A Panel, followed by Agency Networking Breakout Rooms!
Are you looking to navigate the world of government contracts? Don't miss this opportunity to gain insights, ask questions, and network with industry experts!
Register now at https://www.sacramentopac.org/upcoming-events
On behalf of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and the U.S. Small Business Administration Sacramento District and our supporters, it is with great pleasure that I welcome you to the Capital Region SBA Small Business Awards Gala
Each year, the SBA takes great pride in highlighting the determination,
creativity, and leadership of small business owners, champions, and advocates across the country. The individuals and companies we celebrate this evening have not only demonstrated exceptional business acumen but have also made meaningful impacts in their communities through innovation, job creation, and service.
This gala is more than an awards ceremony—it is a tribute to the resilience and heart that defines America’s small business community. We are inspired by their stories, encouraged by their perseverance, and proud to stand beside them in their continued journey of growth and success.
Thank you for joining us tonight to honor these remarkable achievements. We hope you enjoy an evening filled with inspiration, celebration, and connection. With warmest regards,
Thank you,
Oscar Garcia, Senior Vice President California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce Foundation
My name is Heather Luzzi, I am the Director of the U S Small Business Administration’s Sacramento District Office
Every Year since 1963 the President of the United States has issued a proclamation announcing that the country should honor and recognize National Small Business Week In the U S , small business is the backbone of the economy They create two out of three new jobs, and more than half of Americans own or work for small businesses This is a
time dedicated to celebrating the critical contributions of America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners. In the Sacramento District Office Geography, we have expanded this celebration of small business and hold events all over the district. Capital Region Small Business Week, a part of National Small Business Week, is powered by our Local utility, SMUD. I am a firm believer that we should be celebrating every day these contributions to our local economy. Whether a business opening, expanding, gets a contract or makes a sale Businesses need your support daily
Small Business is truly the lifeblood of our economy The SBA is available and stands ready to walk hand in hand through this journey with you This year our theme is “Start Small Dream Big” I am sure you will recognize some of the businesses that the U S Small Business Administration has assisted with our products and services since our founding back in 1953; Companies like Chipotle, Columbia Sportswear, Gymboree, Under Armor, Federal Express, Ben and Jerry’s, Etsy, U-Haul, Chobani Yogurt, Costco, Apple, Calloway Golf Company, Restoration Hardware and so many more All of these companies started small with a big dream The fact is, Small Business is BIG Business
I hope that you have had the opportunity to attend one or more of the many events that have occurred around the district in celebration of Small Business Week Maybe you attended the kickoff event SacBIZ Connect with Startup Sacramento, where we brought you the tools and resources available to support entrepreneurship. Or perhaps you attended BizX with the City and County of Sacramento, or May Marketplace with the Woman’s Business Center or the Sacramento Women’s Conference organized by the Better Business Bureau. Or the Small Business Export Workshop brought to you by The United States Commercial Service and California Capital or maybe you attended 1 Million Cups, or Mentor Sprint brought to you by the Carlson Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Sacramento State and StartupSAC Or maybe the Women’s RoundTable event put on by the Rancho Cordova Chamber of Commerce and Clutch Or the SCORE event, Simple Steps for Starting your Business, Or the Procurement and Financing event put on by the Sacramento Valley, San Joaquin and Sierra Small Business Development Centers in partnership with the Norcal SBDC Probiz Center
I hope that if you attended any of these great events, you came away from them feeling supported and empowered I want to thank all of the collaborators for their support this week and every week of the year I am honored to have partnered with the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce again this year to welcome you to our Awards Gala Tonight, we are celebrating the BEST in Small Business with our Awards Honorees I am proud to have such incredible businesses within the Northern California Region and hope that you will make time tonight to congratulate each of the Award Recipients I want to thank our supporters for this evenings Gala; 5 Star Bank, U S B k C lif i Hi i Ch bers of Commerce, Levanta Tu Voz, SacPac, and AmPac.
Heather Luzzi Director, Sacramento District Office
United States Small Business Administration (SBA)
OSCAR GARCIA, Senior Vice President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Director of the CA Hispanic SBDC
Oscar Garcia is the Senior Vice President of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce and Director of the CA Hispanic SBDC Regional Center; he is widely recognized for his contributions to Northern California’s entrepreneurial community.
He plays a key role in strategic business planning and development, education, technical assistance, and capital infusion for business growth and expansion.
Additionally, Oscar is a trusted leader in the small business community where he helps business owners understand and follow the path to starting and growing a successful business.
For his contributions to the business community, he has been recognized by the California House of Representatives, State Assembly, and the Senate. He was presented with the Counselor of the Year award by the SBA District Office and SCORE organization.
JULIAN CAÑETE, President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Julian Cañete serves as the President and CEO of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. Through its network of over 120 Hispanic chambers and business associations, the CHCC is a leading voice on issues impacting business in California.
The mission of the CHCC is to foster economic growth, creating and sustaining prosperity benefiting California’s economy and communities.
Julian previously served as the Director of Public Policy and Strategic Partnerships for the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce and as President and CEO of CHCC from 1999 – 2006 and again from 2009-2012.
He is currently a member of the California Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Board, Californians for Affordable & Reliable Energy (CARE), CalTrans Small Business Council, CA Secretary of State Voters’ Choice Act Task Force, the SBDC Northern CA Network Advisory Board, T-Mobile California External Diversity Sub-Council, and the CalVet Foundation.
HEATHER LUZZI, Sacramento District Office, District Director
A former banking executive with over 30 years of Banking and Finance experience. Luzzi oversees the delivery of SBA services in the Sacramento District’s 22 county Northern California region.
Luzzi re-joined the SBA in 2017 as the District Director. She is an experienced banker and leader who understands the challenges of small business owners who want to start and grow companies in Northern California. Luzzi was previously a Senior Vice President at a community bank where she ran the small business lending division until returning to the U.S. Small Business Administration. Luzzi is no stranger to small business, as her grandfather owned and operated a furniture store in San Francisco for over 40 years, both her parents were small business owners and the youngest of her three children started his own small business at the young age of 11. Luzzi is strong advocate for small businesses and the communities that her office serves.
She has also held various other positions at SBA, such as- Loan Officer, Senior Analyst, District International Trade Officer, and Lender Relations Specialist.
As the Small Business Administration’s Sacramento Director, Luzzi is a champion for the region’s entrepreneurs, expands access to SBA programs by under-served communities, increase utilization of SBA services across the district’s 22 North- Eastern Counties.
Kerth, SMUD, District Director
Rob Kerth was elected in 2014 to fill a term on the SMUD Board of Directors which would expire at the end of 2016. Kerth was previously elected to the SMUD Board in November 2008 and served a four-year term. He represents Ward 5 which includes midtown, downtown, North Sacramento, Natomas, Rio Linda and Elverta.
Kerth is a third-generation Sacramentan and former two-term city councilman who got his start in public service as a neighborhood activist for the historic Woodlake district of North Sacramento. While on the Sacramento City Council, he was recognized as a major force for revitalization efforts not only in his district but also in other long-established neighborhoods. During his time with the city of Sacramento, Kerth specialized in regional problem-solving. His assignments included the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Sacramento Regional Transit District and the Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency. Kerth developed notable expertise on infrastructure issues throughout the six-county Sacramento region.
Kerth founded Ice Unlimited, which brought Sacramento and Folsom their original holiday ice rinks. He is also responsible for the design of ice rinks in Sacramento's Arco Arena and at Squaw Valley U.S.A. A graduate of Stanford University, Kerth holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in controls and systems. He and his family still live in Woodlake, less than three blocks from his childhood home.
Veronica Corona, Chairwoman of the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce
Veronica Corona is an award-winning entrepreneur, business consultant, bilingual public speaker, and community leader, she specializes in empowering small business owners and entrepreneurs to navigate challenges, scale their businesses, and achieve sustainable growth. With a background as the former CEO of a multimillion-dollar janitorial company and extensive experience in leadership coaching, she brings industry insights, strategic guidance, and actionable advice to help businesses thrive.
She attributes her drive and dedication to her parents, who immigrated to the U.S. from Jalisco, Mexico and instilled a strong work ethic in her and her three siblings. This foundation, combined with her passion for building meaningful relationships, has propelled her to become an award-winning entrepreneur.
In addition, she is a current Board member for the City of Los Angeles Work Force Development, and Board Member of the American Cancer Society. She is a past president (2012-2014) of The National Latina Businesswomen Association (NLBWA)- Los Angeles Chapter, past advisor for NEW-Women Economics and USC Multicultural Entrepreneur Program. A testament of her unwavering dedication.
Contractor of the Year
Site Work Solutions
George Whitmer was born on July 7, 1970 in Oxnard, California. His Father, George Whitmer Senior retired from the California Highway Patrol after 29 years of service, his Mother Cheryl Whitmer, Vice President in banking retired after many decades in banking. George was taught from a young age to strive for excellence in work, morals and ethics. His Father and he had a strong bond over the love of classic cars, while his Mother instilled him with financial knowledge and a keen eye for detail. At 35, George aspired to open his own company, and thus Site Work Solutions was born out of a determination to excel in the construction industry and provide work that exceeds the expectations of all project owners. Site Work Solutions today is a HUBZone certified general contracting firm located in Redding, California. Site Work Solutions continues to grow under the direction of George and his decades of experience and expertise from a wide range of successful civil and building construction projects. The long list of happy clients is a testament to George's professional approach to construction, customer service and loyalty.
Veteran-owned Small Business of the Year
Chriswell Home Improvement
Chris Mesunas proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1990 to 1998, earning the distinction of Sergeant and honorably participating in Operation Desert Storm as a veteran. Mesunas is the co-founder and now CEO of Chriswell Home Improvements, Inc., brings over 40 years of experience in the construction industry to bis award-winning, full-service home improvement company. Established in 2010, Chriswell Home Improvements serves homeowners in greater Sacramento and surrounding areas, offering services ranging from , kitchen and bathroom remodeling to roofing, siding, windows, and more. Under Chris's leadership, the company integrates high-quality, energy-efficient products to deliver durable and beautiful results tailored to each client's vision.
Inspired by his grandfather, Chris developed a passion for construction at an early age, learning foundational skills like drywall installation. His dedication to creating practical and beautiful spaces has been fueled by the pride of completing his first remodeling project. Chris's commitment extends to growing the business as a lasting family legacy, with his son Jacob already contributing and his daughter Charlotte planning to join.
Chris remains committed to excellence, integrity, and improving lives through exceptional craftsmanship and service
Sacramento District Small Business Person of the Year
Studio T Arts & Entertainment, Tamaira “Miss Tee” Sandifer
Tamaira Sandifer, widely known as Miss Tee, is a dynamic educator, entrepreneur, and community leader committed to transforming lives through creative arts and youth empowerment. As the Founder and CEO of Studio T Arts & Entertainment, a nationally recognized nonprofit based in Sacramento, California, Miss Tee has spent over two decades providing high-quality arts education, leadership training, and life skills to more than 800,000 youth from underserved communities.
Studio T was born from Miss Tee’s deep commitment to social impact and equity in education. What began as a small dance studio has grown into a full-service creative and educational hub offering programs in dance, music production, media, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and wellness. Under her leadership, Studio T has become a national model for holistic youth development, blending the arts with education and mentorship to equip the next generation with the tools to lead and thrive.
Miss Tee’s innovative approach to education and nonprofit leadership has garnered national acclaim. In 2024, she and Studio T were named finalists in the prestigious Stevie Awards for Women in Business — with Miss Tee nominated for Female Executive of the Year, and Studio T for Organization of the Year. These honors recognize her visionary leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to creating sustainable change in communities that need it most. Her impact has also been recognized by Forbes as one of the Culture 50 Champions, the Los Angeles Times as a finalist in the Inspirational Women Awards, Youtube x Involve as a part of the Executive Role Models List, and NAWBO as the winner of the Outstanding Women Leaders Awards. She has received accolades from state legislators, civic leaders, and philanthropic institutions for her extraordinary impact.
Beyond her nonprofit work, Miss Tee is a speaker, mentor, and advisor who regularly collaborates with local and national organizations to advocate for youth development, education reform, and diversity in leadership. Tamaira "Miss Tee" Sandifer is more than an executive — she is a catalyst for hope, creativity, and transformation. Her mission remains clear: to unlock the potential of every young person and ensure they are seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Ladris Technologies Sandifer
Leo has led Ladris since its inception, co-founding and driving corporate strategy and go to market. Prior to founding Ladris, Leo worked as a software & data engineer. He previously won the Berkeley Lipson Prize and was an Ibrahim Fellow. He received his BA from UC Berkeley.
