Oak Leaf • Paso Robles Chamber
Annual Gala Returns By Camille DeVaul
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fter a year away, the Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Gala at Rava Wines on May 7, with Joel Peterson, Executive Director of Paso Robles Wine Country Alliance, as the Master of Ceremonies for the second time. “We had a lovely time,” said Chamber Events Coordinator Shanay Brown. “Everybody seemed to be happy to be back together again and to be able to once again hold this lovely tradition that we sorely missed last year.” Traditionally the gala is held each year to welcome new board members and celebrate the Roblan of the Year. The last gala was held in February of 2020, just before the lockdown hit the nation in March. Unfortunately, 2021 did not allow for ease in restrictions, so as a result, the chamber had to cancel the event last year with the hope that 2022 would allow for the return of the gala, and it did. This year the chamber decided to make up for the lost time and honor two Roblans of the Year; the Paso Robles Magazine was able to feature them both in our April issue. The gala filled with over 200 attendees honored Pat Bland as the 2020 Roblan of the Year and Brian Thorndyke as the 2021 Roblan of the Year. In addition, Cal Coast Beer Co. was honored with the Beautification of the Year award. “Celebrate Togetherness” was the theme of this year’s event, which played off our heartstrings being apart for so long. “It represented not just the togetherness of being able to do an event but Paso and Templeton’s chambers coming together,” explained Shanay. “So there are a lot of reasons why that meant something. I think you could feel that people were excited to be together again.” This year marks the first gala as the Paso Robles
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and Templeton chambers are in the process of Their fellow board members include: merging. The two chambers announced their Rex Caudle merger on New Year’s Day, uniting more than Rich Clayton 1,000 businesses. “As we navigate this new Jim Cogan merger, we are going to make sure we honor Lisa Colwell both communities,” added Shanay. Robert Covarrubias A tradition brought into this year’s gala from Elizabeth Covert the Templeton Chamber was Business of the Dr. Maria Escobedo Shonna Howenstine Year. McPhee’s Grill was this year’s recipient. Kathy Kelly Max McPhee received the honor on behalf of his Sarah Martin father, Ian, who was unable to attend the event. Kathy Nutt Notable guests of the evening included: Victor Popp U.S. Congressman Jimmy Panetta, Stephanie Roberts representing California’s 20th District Debbie Thomas Senator John Laird of California Mike Talen Senate District 17 Thomas White Ashley Wilken Kelley Abbas, representative from the office of Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (35th District) While the chamber turned 100 years Mary Strobridge, board president of Cuesta old in 2020, there are some blurred lines College Board of Trustees District 5 and missing records indicating when they started the gala or even electing Roblans Paso Robles Mayor Pro Tem John Hamon of the Year. Paso Robles Councilman Steve Gregory Regardless, their mission has remained Nathan Williams, PRJUSD the same — promote economic vitality, Board of Trustees member empower leaders, champion businesses, Also present were Paso Robles Police Chief foster civic engagement, and honor Damian Nord, Paso Robles Joint Unified School our history. District Superintendent Dr. Curt Dubost, Paso Shanay’s final note of the night was, Robles City Manager Ty Lewis, and Paso Robles “And a great time was held by all.” Mayor Pro Tem John Hamon. Farewells were given to the outgoing board members Malani Anderson, John Arnold, Fred Bruen, William Enholm, Warren Frace, Nicholas Mattson, Reilly Newman, Julie Richardson, Mark Samsow, and Darryl Stolz. Following their goodbyes, the 2022 board of directors was installed, with Steven Herring elected as the 2022 Chairman of the Board and Isiah Gomer as 2021 Chairman of the Board.
Paso Robles Magazine | June 2022
5/24/22 7:33 PM
