When I volunteered to write columns on behalf of the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce four years ago, I accepted the role of writing the opinions of the chamber. This article takes a different perspective.
The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce started presenting Man of the Year awards in 1958. My first experience with the event was in 1981, when I attended the award ceremony honoring my future mother-in-law, Bonnie Simonsen—a woman I admired and loved.
Bonnie moved to Morgan Hill as a young girl, when her parents, Edwin and Meta Johnson, opened Johnson’s Funeral Home. She graduated from Live Oak, and by the time I met her was a retired schoolteacher and a powerhouse of volunteerism.
She was a founding Trustee of both Gavilan College and South Valley Intercommunity Hospital (now St. Louise). She volunteered with the Cancer Society and the Children’s Home Society. She made a significant impact on our town.
Bonnie was one of my role models. I was 18 in 1981, a few years removed from a high school counselor telling me I didn’t really need the Trig/Calc class and should focus on typing instead. Finding women in visible leadership positions wasn’t easy then and simply watching Bonnie—a founding Trustee of a college and a hospital—showed me what was possible.
The chamber has broadened its awardee categories over the years, honoring people who make highly public contributions to our community as well as volunteers who change it for the better under the radar.
Joe Mueller, one of the latter, has served on the town’s Planning Commission for nearly 40 years. As he put it, “Being named the 2025 Man of the Year was very surprising and humbling.”
Cherisse White and her salon were recognized as Small Business of the Year in 2010 and Volunteer of the Year in 2019.
“Winning Small Business of the Year was more than an award—it made us feel recognized, appreciated and truly a part of the community we’ve been so proud to serve,” Cherisse shared. “Receiving Volunteer of the Year years later was just as special, reminding me that being part of Morgan Hill isn’t just about volunteering, but about being an active and caring part of this community.”
Toray Advanced Composites won Large Business of the Year. Scott Unger, CEO, shared, “Being named Large Business of the Year for 2026 means the world to us. We’re deeply rooted in Morgan Hill, and it’s genuinely moving to be celebrated by those around us. It’s one thing to know you are doing good work, but another to have your neighbors and peers say so.”
I have nominated two people for the 2027 Morgan Hill Chamber Celebrate Awards and YOU can too! The categories are Woman of the Year, Man of the Year, Educator of the Year, Volunteer of the Year, Student of the Year, Business of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Non-Profit of the Year and the Legacy Award.
Who do you admire in Morgan Hill? Nominations are open now through Dec. 8; you don’t need to be a chamber member to submit one. Think of someone in Morgan Hill who has made a difference—then take a few minutes to tell us why.
The form is on the Chamber of Commerce’s Celebrate page or at tinyurl.com/48acpcvx.
Cheri Brown volunteers for the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce, she has called Morgan Hill home since 1977 and has an insurance office at 105 W. Main Ave. Contact her at 408.333.9274 for information on Medicare Supplements and Advantage Plans.
