Annual Awards
For more than seven decades, the business community has come together each year to honor and recognize some of their peers who, in one way or another, have stood out, excelled, or demonstrated some trait of excellence that they feel deserves acknowledgement. Over the years, the format of the program has changed, the number of awards has varied, but through it all, what has been consistent has been that desire to recognize that which is good and great in our community.
Small, Medium, Large, and Non-Profit of the Year honors go to local organizations that have made significant contributions to the community or have served Visalia in exceptional ways over a number of years. Man & Woman of the Year honors local individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the community or have served Visalia in important ways over a number of years.
The Visalia Chamber of Commerce is proud to honor the businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders who make Visalia an extraordinary place to live and work. Each year, the Annual Awards celebrate excellence, innovation, service, and leadership across our community.
2026 Man & Woman of the Year
Mark Perry
Merritt Wiseman
2026 Non-Profit of the Year: The Source LGBT+
2026 Small Business of the Year: Pacific Employers
2026 Medium Business of the Year: The Naxon Group
2026 Large Business of the Year: Visalia Ceramic Tile
Thank you to all of our amazing sponsors!
2026 Annual Awards
Past Recipients
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2026 - Mark Perry
2025 – Greg Collins
2024 – Armando Apodaca
2023 – Marty Zeeb
2022 – Bob Link
2019 – William Martin
2018 – Sam Logan
2017 – Terry Ommen
2016 – Tom Johnson
2015 – Donn Ritter
2014 – Bob Line
2013 – Steve Salomon
2012 – Tom Link
2011 – Phillip Hornburg
2010 – Alan George
2009 – Allan Fisher
2008 – William Nash
2007 – Randy Zeeb
2006 – Dr. Don Goodyear
2005 – Frank Serpa
2004 – Andy Mangano
2003 – Bob Felts
2002 – David Hyde
2001 – Bruce McDermott
2000 – Tony Salierno
1999 – Cal Bennett
1998 – Pete Giotta
1997 – Harry Wood
1996 – Eugene V. Ross
1995 – Stan Simpson
1994 – George Tiss, M.D.
1993 – Bob Marshall
1992 – Berkley Johnson
1991 – John Castiglione, M.D.
1990 – Andrew Balerud
1989 – Reinold Peterson
1988 – Bill Wittman
1987 – Manuel Hernandez
1986 – J.H. Brady, M.D.
1985 – J. Pierce Gannon
1984 – Dick Shannon
1983 – James Mathews
1982 – John Gates, M.D.
1981 – Bob McLain
1980 – Albert Pearson
1979 – Bob Harrell
1978 – Harry Tow
1977 – Dudley R. Hadley
1976 – John Brackett
1975 – Bennett D. O’Dell
1974 – Ben E. Russell
1973 - G. R. Ruddell
1972 – Edmund L. Vollmer
1971 – Dana L. Clancy
1970 – Maynard Faught
1969 – Edmund Hurlbutt
1968 – N. Elson Gaebe
1967 – Wayne G. Shelley
1966 – Lawrence J. Williams
1965 – John Copley
1964 – Allen Grant
1963 – H. WM. Shenck
1962 – Edward Mollan
1961 – George Tschumy
1960 – Wes Kottmeir, Sr.
1959 – L.R. Quinby
1958 – Ira J. Chrisman
1957 – Jack L. Davis
1956 – J. Thomas Crowe
1955 – Stary Gange
1954 – Roy McLain
1953 – C.T. Buckman -
2026- Merritt Wiseman
2025 – Susan Gambini
2024 – Sharon Allison-Crook
2023 – Sarah Ashoori
2022 – Jody Line Gilman
2019 – Susan Mathews
2018 – Dena Cochran
2017 – Kathleen Remillard
2016 – Rita Crandall
2015 – Barbara Mayeda
2014 – Marie Morrison
2013 – Nina Clancy
2012 – Lynn Myrviss
2011 – Barbra Hood
2010 – Marilynn Mitchell
2009 – Sherry Tietjens
2008 – Karen Cooper
2007 – Carolyn Rose
2006 – Marilyn Barr
2005 – Vicki Stasch
2004 – Dru Quesnoy
2003 – Jo Ann Ross
2002 – Mary Salierno
2001 – G. A. Gindick
2000 – Mary T. Hill
1999 – Kay Truesdale
1998 – Rita Hill
1997 – Marsh Peltzer
1996 – Senaida Garcia
1995 – Laurie Isham
1994 – Pat Felts
1993 – Sister Kenneth Quinn
1992 – Betty Anthony
1991 – Emily Johns
1990 – Janet Sanford-Amandes
1989 – Betty McLain
1988 – Jane Bryant
1987 – Katharine Nelson
1986 – Mary Louise Vivier
1985 – Mickie Robertson
1984 – Sister Ursula Petemell
1983 – Eunice E. Riso
1982 – Nita Matthews
1981 – Louise Wyeth
1980 – Margaret Foley
1979 – Juanita A. Hurlbutt
1978 – Joyce Pearson
1977 – Lillian Lewis
1976 – Cleo B. Kertels
1975 – Sylvia K. Johns
1974 – Annie R. Mitchell -
2019 – Shelley Ellis & Zach Green
2018 – Cody Stephens
2017 – Brett Taylor
2016 – JR Shannon
2015 – Matt Seals
2014 – Matt Graham, Jennifer Pendergraft, July Hong
Past Business of the Year Recipients
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Large Business: Visalia Ceramic Tile
Medium: The Naxon Group
Small: Pacific Employers
Non-Profit: The Source LGBT+
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Large Business: ServiceMaster by Benevento
Medium: Echelon Security Group Inc.
Small: McKellar Ranch Company, Inc.
Non-Profit: ProYouth
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Large Business: Ace Hardware Distribution Center
Medium: Valley Strong Credit Union
Small: Visalia Cyclery
Non-Profit: Able
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Large – California Water Service
Medium – QK
Small – Topograph
Non-Profit- Salt + Light Works
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Large – American Ambulance
Medium – Elite Medica
Small – Ashoori & Co. Jewelers
Non-Profit- Assistance League of Visalia
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Large – Wyndham Visali
Medium – 4Creeks, Inc.
Small – Momentum Broadcasting
Non-Profit – CSET
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Large – Tucoemas Federal Credit Union
Medium – Best Buy Market IGA Visalia
Small – Zeeb Commercial Real Estate
Non-Profit – Happy Trails Riding Academy
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Large – Buckman-Mitchell, Inc.
Medium – Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group
Small – The Planing Mill Artisan Pizzeria
Non-Profit – Central Valley Recovery Services
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Large – KRC Safety
Medium – Giant Chevrolet Cadillac
Small – El Rosal
Non-Profit – Bethlehem Center
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Large – Jo-Ann Fabric & Craft Stores West Coast Distribution
Medium – Seals/Biehle, Inc.
Small – Companion Animal Medical Ctr.
Non-Profit – Family Services of Tulare County
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Large – Visalia Medical Clinic
Medium – ServiceMaster by Benevento
Small – Zylstra Automotive
Non-Profit – CASA of Tulare County
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Large – Valley Business Bank
Medium – Visalia Rawhide Baseball Club
Small – Gerald Schneider, DDS
Agri – Koetsier Dairies
Non-Profit – Visalia Rescue Mission
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Large – Walmart
Medium – Delta Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Small – Accelerated Receivables Group
Agri – J.C. Landsdowne
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Large – Visalia Community Bank
Medium – Central Valley Business Forms
Small – Franks’ Appliances
Agri – Lagomarsino Group
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Large – Costco Wholesale
Medium – American Ambulance of Visalia
Small – Ashoori & Co. Jewelers
Agri – CRS Farming
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Large – CIGNA Healthcare
Medium – A& W Restaurants
Small – K-Tip AM 1450
Agri – World Wide Sires
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Large – Family HealthCare Network
Medium – Peninsula Messenger Service
Small – Pacific Employers
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Large – Jostens Printing
Medium – Pine, Pedroncelli & Aguilar, Inc.
Small – TPG Consulting
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Large – Kawneer
Small – Armstrong Property Management
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Large – Groppetti Automotive
Small – Star S. Publishing
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Large – Kaweah Delta Health Care District
Small – Total Office Products
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Large – Visalia Times Delta
Small – Williams, Jordan & Brodersen
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Large – Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center
Small – Sue Sa’s Creative Catering
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Large – Access Capital Services, Inc.
Small – Details Party Rental & Sales
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Large – The Allen Group
Small – Troy Korsgaden Insurance Agency
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Large – Kraft Foods
Small – ServiceMaster by Benevento
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Large – Serpa Automotive Group, Inc
Small – Premier Color Graphics Inc.
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Large – All Estate Realtors
Small – Sharp Insurance & Bonding
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Large – San Joaquin Valley College
Small – Mangini & Associates
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Large – Taycal Press
Small – KSEQ
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Artis, Pine Berg & Scott, Inc.
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Sequoia Beverage
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Lewis & Associates
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Provident Mortgage Company
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The Vintage Press Restaurante
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Medallion Supply, Inc.
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Cal Bennett’s Office Supplies
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Buckman-Mitchell Insurance Inc.
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Real Fresh Inc.
