It is with a great deal of respect and pride that each year the Madera Chamber of Commerce presents the Lifetime Achievement Awards. The following videos feature our 2026 honorees.
Sally Bomprezzi, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Glenn Chu, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Bobby Gran, Jr., 2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Liz Salas, 2026 Lifetime Achievement Honoree
Established in 2005, recipients are selected by the following criteria:
1) Individuals considered to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award must have significantly demonstrated a history of dedication to Madera, within three of the following areas: economic development, education, cultural enhancement, public policy, government relations, business and community relations, and quality of life.
2) Individuals must have exemplified these contributions by the following actions: actively work to advance civil and commercial endeavors, work towards positive change for community in government policy, promote and disseminate information for community awareness and advancement, participate in public or community service not related to career responsibilities and related to career areas, volunteered or provided extended effort for the betterment of our community and advocate on behalf of business.
3) During their time of service, each of these honorees will have possessed and displayed the following characteristics – knowledge, creativity, ability to bring people together, deal with adversity and diversity, innovativeness, ability to be a team player, willingness to lead, enthusiasm, compassion, ability to collaborate and create partnerships, ambition, and last but not least, respect.
LISTING OF PREVOUS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREES
2005 – Abe Alvarez, Dave Berry, Dennis Chezick, Gary Giersch, Noreen Lattanzio
2006 – Don Floyd, Les Hayes, Sunny Nishimoto, Betty Pia, Sam Price, and Memorial Honoree Nancy Clute
2007 – Bill Alessini, Mary Cruz Chairez, Anna & Lee DaSilva, Jack Perialas, Lyle Sindt, and Memorial Honoree Elmo DelBianco
2008 – Paula Baraldi, Maurice Cappelluti, Monte Pistoresi, Jake Robinson, Darwin Shebelut, and Memorial Honoree -William Cerioni
2009 – Sheryl Berry, Richard Kuckenbecker, Michael Purl, Dave Schoettler, Tom Schoettler, Ross Thornton, and Memorial Honoree- Kenny Taylor
2010 – Bill Dawson, Dr. Duane Furman, Elvan and Eleanor Newcomb, Dim and Don Sambueso,
Don and Cathi Warnock, and Memorial Honoree Jerry Venturi
2011– Twyla Denney, Bob Mariscotti, Gary Oberti, Lawrence Tesei, Dan Whistler, and
Memorial Honoree Ike Yocum
2012 – Jim Massetti, Don Nelson, Dr. James E. Walters, Bud Smith, Carl Wisener, and
Memorial Honoree Charles Clute
2013 – Ronn Dominici, Stephen L. Frazier, Aftab A. Naz, M.D., Marilyn Wibbenhorst, Dr. Lyle and Jan Zitek, and Memorial Honoree Bob Kahn, Sr.
2014 – Jon Basila, Stell Manfredi, Marge Medellin-Esquivel, Dave Minier, John & Shirley Sudduth, and Memorial Honoree Denny Green
2015 – Bob Cadenazzi, Julia O’Kane, Audrey Pool, Butch Ricketts, Memorial Honoree Ralph Stoetzl
2016 – Dr. Mohammad Arain, Pastor Roger Leach, Jim Taubert, Mike Westley, and Memorial Honoree Virginia Lee Rose
2017 – Dr. Mohammad Ashraf, Steve Copland, Dale Evans, Kay Rhoads, and
Memorial Honoree Sal Perlongo
2018 – Bill Coate, Margaret Diebert, Gordon Kennedy, David Lee, and Memorial Honoree Leon Emo
2019 – Barbara Basila, Baldwin Moy, Dr. Theodore Nassar, and Memorial Honoree Eddie Chapa
2022 – King Husein, Rebecca Martinez, J.W. “Jim” Myers, Dr. Kanwal Singh
2023 – Steve Mortimer, Dr. Ed LeTourneau, Dr. Tim Peffly, Lucy Salazar
2024 – Bob Bitter, Steve King, Jim Scheidt, Virginia Vick
2025 – Elaine Bethel-Fink, Gerry Desmond, Philp & Klina Oberti, Robert Poythress, and Memorial Honoree Tami Jo Nix