For its 60th anniversary of celebrating all that’s good in Morgan Hill, the local chamber of commerce announced eighth recipients of its annual community awards.
Brian Sullivan, an active board member with the Charter School of Morgan Hill, was named Man of the Year; Kathy Sullivan was named Woman of the Year; Jim Green, athletic director, teacher and basketball coach at Britton Middle School, was named Educator of the Year; and Sandra McNeal was named Volunteer of the Year.
Additionally, Ponzini Community Garage and Towing was named Small Business of the Year; Learning and Loving Center was named Non-Profit of the Year; and CommonWealth Central Credit Union was named Large Business of the Year.
The community is invited to celebrate these award-winners March 3 at a “Back to Prom” themed banquet dinner inside the Britton gymnasium (80 W. Central Ave) from 6 to 10pm. The cost of $105 per person or $1,000 for a table for 10 includes the event, appetizers, dinner, dessert and beverages (water, soda, beer and wine).
For more information about the March 3 awards ceremony, visit the chamber’s website at morganhill.org.
Man of the Year
Brian “Sully” Sullivan was selected for his constant and selfless drive for the enrichment of the Morgan Hill community schools, businesses and underprivileged, according to chamber staff. Sullivan has served as Chairman of the Board for the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce and President of the Board for the Charter School of Morgan Hill.
Sully’s volunteer and service commitments can be found within the Silicon Valley Association of Health Underwriters; Nor Cal Associated Builders and Contractors; March Vision Care Policy Review Board; Aquatics Center Review Committee and more.
As a Morgan Hill Rotarian, he works on many community service projects. Sullivan is an unwavering presence at the Friday Night Music Series and Taste of Morgan Hill, and is also an avid supporter of Air for Paws, Community Solutions, The Edward Boss Prado Foundation and the Morgan Hill Police Department.
Woman of the year
Kathy Sullivan, who moved to Morgan Hill in 2000, began her involvement with the South Valley Quilt Association and helped to organize the Taste of Morgan Hill’s Annual Quilt Show. Around 2005, she joined American Association of University Women and ever since has managed areas for their annual Wildflower Run that raises scholarship funds for girls and women.
Kathy Sullivan volunteered as a docent for the Morgan Hill Historical Society, a position which later evolved into her role as President of its Board of Directors. The Society owns the 1884 Morgan Hill House at Villa Mira Monte, a National Historical Landmark and repository of the history that defines Morgan Hill. Kathy’s position as President requires extensive work in overseeing the business of collecting funds to preserve, maintain and operate the landmark while at the same time working with an inspiring team of all-volunteers to provide educational and recreational programs for the community.
Sullivan (who is married to Man of the Year Brian Sullivan) was a member of Friends of the American Institute of Mathematics and their effort to move the International Mathematical Union headquarters to Morgan Hill; a member of the Parks & Recreation Stakeholder’s Group; and worked on the last School Board election campaign.
Student of the Year
Ariana Berumen is a student at Live Oak High School, where she is the Associated Student Body Vice President as well as the Vice President of Community Service for the Future Business Leaders of America—all while maintaining a 4.34 GPA.
Ariana was instrumental in re-establishing the Migrant Education Consortium for Higher Achievement (MEChA) Club at LOHS, acting as the Club’s President for two years. Her dedication to school clubs and education is an equal match to her community service contributions, according to chamber staff. Ariana is a key organizer of the FBLA Holiday Canned Food Drive and the George Flores Conference. Her work on educating low-income families on educational opportunities and community resources has resulted in her role as a trusted advocate for this population.
Small Business of the Year
Ponzini Community Garage and Towing, which has been in business in for 66 years, has serviced vehicles for thousands of South County residents with an honest, professional and affordable approach from owner Gary Ponzini and staff.
Charitable contributions can been seen in the company’s devotion to the Edward Boss Prado Foundation, the nonprofit created and operated by Gary’s wife, Cecelia Ponzini. Their support expands into the Morgan Hill Police Department HOPE Program, El Toro Youth Center and Morgan Hill’s homeless and disadvantaged communities.
The company received an award from AAA for providing over 50 years of service and Gary was acknowledged as a Community Foundation Philanthropy Honoree in 2017. Ponzini Community Garage and Towing emphasizes professional service, support for local business needs and belief in the Morgan Hill community, according to chamber staff.
Nonprofit of the year
Learning and Loving Center, which was founded in 1994 and originally housed in the old St. Catherine’s Parish Hall, has helped more than 3,000 women increase their literacy, lifestyle skills and employment opportunities. In addition, over 1,000 immigrant children have been tutored in the English language and preschool skills to better prepare them for entry into Kindergarten, according to chamber staff.
Today, the Center offers a variety of 90-minute classes throughout the week, covering the topics of English, Mathematics, Composition and Computer skills. Enrichment Classes including sewing, knitting and art provide another dimension of learning.
Friendship between the women and the volunteer teachers aids in boosting self-esteem and confidence, according to chamber staff. Currently, 150 immigrant women from a wide range of countries utilize these services with an average of 10 to 12 women graduating from the program with a high school degree every year. The selfless work done by the Center has resulted in immigrant women and children becoming better people, better citizens and contributing members to society, according to chamber staff.
Volunteer of the year
Much of the work within the Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce’s programs and activities is primarily conducted and supported by community volunteers. Sandra McNeal epitomizes how volunteers bring their unique skills, experiences and passion to enhance a chamber program in an area of their personal interest, according to staff. Sandra’s particular efforts have been focused around chamber youth initiatives, most significantly through her multi-year leadership of the Rock the Mock Program which specializes in interview skills training at MHUSD high schools.
McNeal founded and operates her own professional business, Ivey League Consulting, where she specializes in strategic planning, problem solving, business transformation and heightening individual self-awareness. Her extensive professional background in human resources and as a Professional Certified Coach has made her well qualified to lead a group of fellow volunteers in the training of high school students on how to best represent themselves.
The Rock the Mock program, which started as an informal organization has under McNeal’s leadership, ripened into a well-documented system, operated efficiently and effectively.
Educator of the year
Jim Green has been an educator with the Morgan Hill Unified School District for the past 39 years. During that time, he has been involved in ASB Leadership, as a PE instructor, athletic coach and athletic director. He founded South County Basketball Academy, where he focused on teaching athletic skills and sportsmanship to young players through a year-round basketball program and summer camp for boys and girls. Before moving to Morgan Hill, Green was a coach for Barry Bonds, Mike Nolan and many other Giants’ and 49ers’ children. Jim Green is well known and respected throughout the community and across the generations in Morgan Hill, according to chamber staff.
Large Business of the year
Thirty years ago, Commonwealth Central Credit Union opened their first branch in Morgan Hill and have been a fixture in the community ever since. Their support and exceptional volunteers are consistently visible during the Taste of Morgan Hill, Fourth of July Parade, Holiday Light Parade, Rock the Mock, Friday Night Music Series, Career Days and Read Across America.
Community contributions include volunteer hours at Cecelia’s Closet, the awarding of Charitable Cause Grants, volunteer hours with Re-Building Together Silicon Valley, support of the Morgan Hill Community Foundation and bestowing of Santa Clara County Educational Scholarships.
