Paso Robles Chamber Gala: Returns to Honor Awardees

Annual Gala Returns

By Camille DeVaul

After 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 34 | pasoroblesmagazine.com

and Templeton chambers are in the process of merging. The two chambers announced their merger on New Year’s Day, uniting more than 1,000 businesses. “As we navigate this new merger, we are going to make sure we honor both communities,” added Shanay.

A tradition brought into this year’s gala from the Templeton Chamber was Business of the Year. McPhee’s Grill was this year’s recipient. Max McPhee received the honor on behalf of his father, Ian, who was unable to attend the event.

Notable guests of the evening included: U.S. Congressman Jimmy Panetta, representing California’s 20th District Senator John Laird of California Senate District 17

Kelley Abbas, representative from the office of Assemblyman Jordan Cunningham (35th District)

Mary Strobridge, board president of Cuesta College Board of Trustees District 5

Paso Robles Mayor Pro Tem John Hamon

Paso Robles Councilman Steve Gregory Nathan Williams, PRJUSD Board of Trustees member

Rex Caudle Rich Clayton Jim Cogan Lisa Colwell Robert Covarrubias Elizabeth Covert Dr. Maria Escobedo Shonna Howenstine Kathy Kelly Sarah Martin Kathy Nutt Victor Popp Stephanie Roberts Debbie Thomas Mike Talen Thomas White Ashley Wilken

Their fellow board members include:

Also present were Paso Robles Police Chief Damian Nord, Paso Robles Joint Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Curt Dubost, Paso Robles City Manager Ty Lewis, and Paso Robles 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.

While the chamber turned 100 years old in 2020, there are some blurred lines and missing records indicating when they started the gala or even electing Roblans of the Year.

Regardless, their mission has remained the same — promote economic vitality, empower leaders, champion businesses, foster civic engagement, and honor our history.

Shanay’s final note of the night was, “And a great time was held by all.” 