Santee Chamber Hosts Annual Business Awards Night

Media Contact
Kristen Dare

619-449-1515

info@santeechamber.com

March 22, 2023
 

Santee Chamber Hosts Annual Business Awards Night

EL CAJON – The Santee Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Business Awards Night last Thursday at Sycuan Casino Resort, where they were also the proud title sponsor of the event. Santee Chamber President/CEO, Kristen Dare, alongside past Board Chair, Eddie Vandiver, co-hosted onstage as the organization welcomed over 200 guests. Starting out with celebrating the top contributors to the Chamber of 2022, this elite group of businesses represents the chamber's strategic partners who have made a significant annual financial investment in support of the Chamber’s initiatives, programs and events. These members are Alison Construction, Allegiance Heating & Air, California Coast Credit Union, Carlton Oaks Golf, City of Santee, Cox Communications, Excell Security, Expressions Dance & Movement Center, FURology Pet SPaw, Goodman Orthodontics, Jimmy’s Family Restaurant, Lloyd’s Collision & Paint Center, Mission Realty Group, Raceway Electric & Solar, Santee Family Optometry, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve, Santee School District, Staump Music School, Sycuan Casino Resort, TDT Construction, The UPS Store Santee, Walmart - Santee, Waste Management, and Whissel Realty. 

Some other mentionable honorees were Daniel Buksa of Mission Realty Group for the Chairman’s Award given by 2022 Chair of the Board for the Santee Chamber, Melissa Dombo, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve  for receiving the 2022 Community Impact Award, and most notably, Expressions Dance & Movement Center for receiving the 2022 Business of the Year award. Owner of Expressions Dance & Movement Center, Darcy Fagerwold, accepted and stated, “I can’t express enough how much it means to us to be a part of this community of Santee. The fact that we were able to bounce back to have 700 kids dancing at the studio, I think that is a representation of the resilience of our community… our community was eager to rise again.” Continuing, Fagerwold also noted, “It’s because of the chamber that I’m able to connect, to have relationships… We work together to partner to support the kids in our community. If your businesses are thriving, your community is thriving. I don’t do this alone; I have 30 employees that are committed to our vision, our just cause, which is to create a world where all kids are seen and valued and supported in developing their unique talents and gifts.” 

Continuing into the next portion of the program, the Chamber announced the winners of the Santee’s Favorites. Santee’s Favorites is a two-round voting process which allows Chamber member businesses and organizations to be voted as the “Favorite” in their category by clients, Santee residents, friends, family and more. This annual tradition has become popular among members as they each encourage votes for the thrill of being surprised with the winner being announced the night of the event. 

Winners of Santee’s Favorites of 2022 are:

Automotive - Lloyd's Collision & Paint Center

Beauty & Salon Service - Raymond's Barbershop

Brewing & Distilling - BNS Brewing & Distilling Co.

Business Resources - East County Magazine

Contract - Artisan - Allegiance Heating & Air Conditioning Inc.

Contract - General - TDT Construction

Dental & Orthodontic Services - Gechoff Orthodontics

Education - Expressions Dance & Movement Center

Financial Services - San Diego County Credit Union

Government & Utilities - Santee Sheriff's Department

Health & Wellness - Barker Chiropractic Professional Corporation

Hospitality & Recreation - Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve

Insurance Services - Farmers Insurance - Mike & Marla Clinkenbeard

Manufacturing & Production - RCP Block & Brick, Inc.

Medical Services - Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Center - Santee

Professional Service - The UPS Store - Santee

Property Management & Living - Lantern Crest Senior Living

Real Estate - Mission Realty Group

Restaurants - Full Service - Broken Yolk

Restaurants - Quick Service - Chick-fil-A Santee

Retail - Al's Sport Shop

Special Promotions & Advertising - TCB Embroidery

Specialty Food & Beverage - Coffee Corner

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