The Aptos Chamber of Commerce recently announced its 2024 award winners, naming the Sentinel’s Steve Bennett as Man of the Year and Tricia Wynne as Woman of the Year.

The chamber said Bennett, director of operations and advertising at the Santa Cruz Sentinel, is being honored as Man of the Year for his outstanding commitment to community service.

“As a devoted community leader, Steve has contributed his time and expertise to numerous nonprofit boards, including the Freedom Rotary, Aptos Chamber of Commerce, Santa Cruz County Business Council, Pajaro Valley Chamber, and as a mentor at Diamond Technology High School,” the chamber wrote in a statement. “He coordinates the start of the World’s Shortest Parade and volunteers to MC for auctions and candidate forums.”

According to the chamber, Wynne is being honored as Woman of the Year for her outstanding commitment to fundraising and advocacy to not only to the Aptos Library, but for all 10 branches in Santa Cruz County.

“She is also a key player on all committees where she participates and is active in both Second Harvest Food Bank and at Resurrection Church which serves the community with meals every week,” wrote the chamber. “She is always willing to extend a helping hand wherever asked. She is a key contributor to our community.”

The upgrades at Willowbrook County Park in Honor of Sergeant Damon Gutzwiller, 2950 Willowbrook Lane, Soquel, earned the Community Enhancement Award. Upgrades include a renovated playground, a memorial seating area, and a new flagpole, all contributing to the beautification of the park. Gutzwiller, 38, was shot and killed while responding to reports of a suspicious vehicle in Ben Lomond in 2020.

Supervisor Zach Friend earned the Outstanding Achievement Award. “Friend has been honored for his unwavering advocacy and commitment to policies that address key issues such as housing, transportation, and disaster preparedness, making a lasting impact on the community,” wrote the chamber.

Other award winners were K & D Landscaping Inc. earning Business of the Year and Live Like Coco earning Organization of the Year.

The chamber will honor the winners at the Aptos Annual Awards Dinner and Auction, 5-9 p.m. Nov. 15 at Seascape Beach Resort. The evening will include a formal dinner, followed by the awards presentation. Go to aptoschamber.com or call 831-688-1467 for tickets and information.

Kalantari-Johnson earns accolade

Santa Cruz City Councilmember Shebreh Kalantari-Johnson was recently selected as one of 15 leaders to join the NewDEAL (Developing Exceptional American Leaders), a selective national network of Democratic state and local elected officials with more than 200 members, with honorary Co-Chairs U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and U.S. Rep. Marilyn Strickland.

“We are in a vitally important moment for state and local leaders as we work to tackle the climate crisis; address housing costs and homelessness with smart, compassionate policies; and ensure Santa Cruz is an economically vibrant and welcoming city where everyone is treated fairly and safely,” said Kalantari-Johnson in a statement. “I look forward to sharing lessons with and learning from other leaders who are setting the standard for effective governance, and I am excited to be part of NewDEAL’s efforts to expand opportunities for Americans in communities nationwide.”

Members of the network have been chosen from more than 2,000 nominations over NewDEAL’s 14 years. They are united by their work to enact pro-growth and pragmatic solutions across their diverse array of communities. As part of NewDEAL, they are recognized for their forward-thinking approach and commitment to making government work to solve modern challenges. Members have included U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who joined as a mayor; Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, who joined as a county commissioner; and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, who joined as a California state senator. Kalantari-Johnson joins current NewDEAL Leaders from California including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and state Sen. Ben Allen.

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