Last night was a big night in Carlsbadistan business and though we were graciously invited (thanks, Angela) we sadly didn’t make it. It’s hard to go undercover when all the heavy hitters are in the room. What did we miss? The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce Annual Business Awards Dinner at The Four Season’s Aviara. And our favorite Carlsbad-based life sciences company CEO Life’s Greg Lucier was the big winner. Here’s how it went:
• Businessperson of the Year – Greg Lucier, CEO of Life Technologies Corp.
• Small Business of the Year (1-15 employees) – E-World Recyclers.
• Medium Business of the Year (16-99 employees) – AKT, LLP.
• Large Business of the Year (100 or more employees) – Legoland California.
• Lifetime Achievement in Business – Jim Smith, owner of Jim Smith Realty.
• Entrepreneur of the Year – Brett Hanley, president and CEO of SeaShell Awnings USA Inc.
• Community Leadership – Julie Nygaard.
In addition, two special awards of recognition also were given out:
• Green Technology Advocate – Aptera Motors.
• Environmental Spirit – Wyland.
The winners got engraved crystal awards (which we don’t have pictures of) and everyone got to check out the new Aptera Motors car and watch famous whale painter Wyland paint whales on a wall. Let’s put it this way: we’re not going to miss this event next year.
Carlsbad Chamber awards businesses in bloom
The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce celebrated new growth and new hope at its Annual Business Awards Dinner Feb. 20 at the Four Seasons Resort Aviara in Carlsbad.
The green event honored the accomplishments of business and community leaders whose sustainable practices have stimulated healthy growth and cultivated a thriving business climate in North County. World renowned marine life artist Wyland, who is a leading advocate for marine resource conservation, was the featured guest.
During the evening, the chamber presented awards in the following seven categories:
• Businessperson of the Year – Greg Lucier, CEO of Life Technologies Corp.
• Small Business of the Year (1-15 employees) – E-World Recyclers.
• Medium Business of the Year (16-99 employees) – AKT, LLP.
• Large Business of the Year (100 or more employees) – Legoland California.
• Lifetime Achievement in Business – Jim Smith, owner of Jim Smith Realty.
• Entrepreneur of the Year – Brett Hanley, president and CEO of SeaShell Awnings USA Inc.
• Community Leadership – Julie Nygaard.
In addition, two special awards of recognition also were given out:
• Green Technology Advocate – Aptera Motors.
• Environmental Spirit – Wyland.
The winners were presented with engraved crystal awards etched with the signature Wyland whale tail provided by San Dieguito Trophy. All of the award finalists departed with a beautiful Wyland sculpture that captures the spiritual quality and inner light of life under the sea.
“All of the award winners serve as a model for how businesses can succeed in a difficult economy. Some started small and have emerged into bigger and better companies, but all are examples of how companies can endure through difficult times,” said Ted Owen, president and CEO of the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce.
Wyland, who was hailed a “Marine Michelangelo” by USA Today, painted on-site during the event and guests were able to purchase the one-of-a-kind, original works of art.
Attendees also got a sneak peak at Aptera Motors’ eco-friendly, ultra-high mileage car, which graced the cover of the November issue of Popular Mechanics as one of 20 inventions that will change the world. This event marked the first time the vehicle was publicly on display.
Also during the evening, the chamber recognized the achievements of the 2008 board of directors and inaugurated its 2009 board members. The chamber also recognized five Marines who are recipients of the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in combat. Carlsbad Mayor Bud Lewis presented each warrior with a special award in honor of their sacrifice.
More than 500 people, including prominent and high-profile business leaders, elected officials and community members, attended the awards dinner, which featured a cocktail reception and exquisite cuisine at a world renowned resort.
The event was presented by Poseidon Resources Corp. The other sponsors included AT&T, Four Seasons Resort Aviara, Grand Pacific Resorts, Jet Source Inc., Life Technologies Corp., Modern Postcard, Morrow Development Inc., NRG West, Solatube Global Marketing Inc., Tri-City Medical Center and Westfield.
For more information, call (760) 931-8400 or visit www.carlsbad.org.
About the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
“Speaking for Business, Listening to the Community,” the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is proud to be the voice for North County businesses. With more than 1,600 members, the Carlsbad Chamber is the second largest chamber in the county and the 10th largest in the state. For further information about the chamber, please contact (760) 931-8400, or visit the Web site at HYPERLINK “http://www.carlsbad.org” www.carlsbad.org.
Here’s a little more about the winners
Small Business of the Year – E-World Recyclers
E-World Recyclers is committed to providing safe and environmentally friendly recycling of electronic waste. The Vista-based company works diligently to ensure nothing it processes ever ends up in a landfill. E-World Recyclers has donated a significant number of computer systems to the Boys and Girls Club of Vista and recently received a special recognition award for outstanding community efforts from the San Diego North Economic Development Council.
Medium Business of the Year – AKT, LLP
AKT, LLP helps organizations and individuals achieve their goals by offering an integrated business and financial consulting service delivered by a team of knowledgeable experts who are personally committed to their clients and communities. AKT provides focused expertise from specialists in specific industries. They support their clients’ international interests with offices, principals and resources worldwide.
Large Business of the Year – Legoland California
Legoland California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children. With more than 50 rides, hands-on attractions and shows, Legoland provides education, adventure and fun in the first park of its kind in the United States. With the debut of attractions, such as Land of Adventure, Miniland Las Vegas and the internationally acclaimed Sea Life Aquarium, Legoland has enhanced its ability to draw vacationers to the park for more than one day. Legoland awarded the first Partners in Learning grant for $20,000 to Children’s Discovery Museum of North County.
Entrepreneur of the Year – Brett Hanley, CEO of SeaShell Awnings USA Inc.
Born in Australia, Brett Hanley moved to the United States in 1992 with the original partners of Solatube International Inc. Hanley joined Solatube Global Marketing Inc. during its formation in 1998 and became president in 2006. He also is the president and CEO of Vista-based SeaShell Awnings USA Inc., which create shaded outdoor living areas that reduce heating and cooling energy costs, peak demand and greenhouse gas emissions for residents and businesses. Hanley currently serves on the board of directors for several San Diego area businesses, is on the Carlsbad Chamber’s Sustainability Committee and was nominated for the 2008 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
Businessperson of the Year – Greg Lucier, CEO of Life Technologies Corp.
Greg Lucier is the CEO of Life Technologies Corporation and is chairman of the company’s board of directors. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Invitrogen Corporation, which merged with Applied Biosystems in November of 2008 to form Life Technologies Corp. The Carlsbad-based company is one of the largest providers of systems, biological reagents and services, supplying scientists around the world in every way that life science technologies are applied. Lucier also serves on the BIO board of directors, the board of the Burnham Institute of Medical Research and is actively involved at San Diego State University as a distinguished lecturer.
Lifetime Achievement in Business – Jim Smith, Owner of Jim Smith Realty
At 12 years old, Jim Smith became an entrepreneur by selling magazines door to door. As an adult, he worked his way up the corporate ladder at a food company where over the years he grew from a clerk to an executive. After 20 years, he went to work at General Telephone and Electronics where he received a Hall of Fame Award before retiring. In the mid-80s, Smith moved to Carlsbad and opened Jim Smith Realty, which has helped more than 400 families find homes in Carlsbad. His lifelong dedication of service to people and communities is exemplified by his 60-year involvement with Rotary International. Smith is a co-founder of the Carlsbad Senior Citizens Commission, founder of the Carlsbad Golf Association, former Carlsbad Planning Commissioner and has served on numerous other civic and community minded boards and committees.
Community Leadership – Julie Nygaard
Former Carlsbad City Council Member Julie Nygaard was named the 1999 State Assembly Woman of the Year and the Women’s Transportation San Diego Chapter 2000 Woman of the Year. She has served on a number of regional government boards and committees, including the North County Transit District board of directors, the San Diego County Social Services Advisory Board and the League of California Cities Executive Committee. The former elementary school teacher is a past member of the North County Homeless Task Force, member of the League of Women Voters and past member of the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Task Force, to name only a few of the groups she has been involved in.
Green Technology Advocate – Aptera Motors
Aptera Motors’ line of eco-friendly, three-wheeled, ultra-high mileage vehicles feature many recyclable materials, including seats made out of used plastic water bottles. One of the Carlsbad-based company’s cars graced the cover of the November 2008 issue of Popular Mechanics as one of 20 inventions that will change the world. The more than 300 mile per gallon cars are among the most fuel efficient vehicles in the world.
Environmental Spirit – Wyland
Internationally acclaimed marine life artist Wyland is one of America’s most unique creative influences, and a leading advocate for marine resource conservation. An accomplished painter, sculptor, photographer, writer and SCUBA diver, he has traveled the farthest reaches of the globe for more than 25 years, capturing the raw power and beauty of the undersea universe. The artist’s efforts have been recognized by the United Nations, Sierra Club, the Underwater Academy of Arts and Sciences and private and public institutions throughout the world. His nonprofit Wyland Foundation is dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving the world’s oceans, waterways and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through education programs, life-size public arts projects and community events.
RSS Feed-Posts
{ 0 comments… add one now }