A nonprofit agency, a winery, a teacher and several volunteers have one thing in common: a spice for Gilroy life. The annual Spice of Life awards given out by the Chamber of Commerce are a tribute to the people, community and businesses that make Gilroy great. While honorees’ vocations run the gamut, they all believe in paying it forward to the community where they volunteer, work and live. The Chamber will hold its awards dinner Saturday at San Juan Oaks Golf Course. Here’s a look at the recipients.
NONPROFIT OF THE YEAR
Community Solutions
Accomplishments: Founded as a teen drop-in center in 1972, the nonprofit evolved into a multi-office organization based in Gilroy with offices in Hollister, Morgan Hill and south San Jose. The organization provides services for victims of domestic violence, human trafficking and sexual assault, works with the mentally ill, places the chronically homeless and mentally ill in agency housing and helps youth with gang intervention and 24-7 crisis intervention programs. “Self reliance, independence and safety is the focus,” said Erin O’Brien, Community Solution’s President and CEO.
What they love about Gilroy: “It’s home,” said O’Brien. She also loves that, while Gilroy has its challenges in terms of crime and poverty, there’s a sense of community. “I think we really are part of a community that cares and that makes it a whole lot easier,” O’Brien said.
Insights about this organization: “They play a really integral role in the community – helping people transition, helping people cope,” said District I Santa Clara County Supervisor Mike Wasserman. “Without their work, without what they do, the community could be very different, and not good in a good way.”
Important mentors/inspiration: “I think it’s really our clients that inspire us because we tend to see clients when they are at their most vulnerable or challenged,” O’Brien said. “We see them when they are the most down but we also see them when they raise up.”
Personal motto: “Creating opportunities, changing lives,” said O’Brien, who adds that the organization believes that giving people opportunities can transform their lives.
LARGE BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Pinnacle Bank
Accomplishments: “Pinnacle Bank is headquartered in Gilroy,” noted Vice President of Marketing and Administration Brittany Casarez. “We opened our banking office in Gilroy in 2007 and subsequently purchased the building, installing the clock and the plaza.” In 2013, Pinnacle Bank’s staff logged more than 2,200 community service hours with more than 90 local organizations. Bank employees also collect between 80 and 100 toys each year, which are given out on Christmas to underprivileged Gilroy children.
Insights about Pinnacle Bank: “Pinnacle Bank’s board of directors and shareholders truly believe in the community minded bank they first visualized in 2005,” wrote Chamber CEO/Director Mark Turner. “It’s with their support that Pinnacle Bank has been able to grow to over $190 million in assets during one of the most challenging economic meltdowns of our time.”
What Pinnacle Bank staff love about Gilroy: “The people!” Casarez said.
A mentor for Pinnacle Bank staff: “We have enormous respect for all of the business owners and community leaders in town who are committed to making Gilroy so unique,” Casarez added.
Motto: “Develop a relationship and partner with a good community banker.”
WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Susan Valenta, 65, incoming district governor for the Rotary District, former Chamber of Commerce director of 24 years
Accomplishments: In September 2013, Susan retired as president of the Gilroy Chamber after 24 years of service. When reflecting on her work with the Chamber, she points out that her extensive list of accomplishments is not hers alone – but rather “the accomplishments of the community.” Under Susan’s direction, the Chamber spearheaded an effort to help create and develop different organizations into their own independent agencies, including the Gilroy Welcome Center, the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation, Leadership Gilroy and the Gilroy Business Political Action Committee. Susan started with the Chamber in 1989, when the annual sales tax revenue was roughly $3.9 million. In the 2012-2013 fiscal year, Gilroy garnered approximately $13.3 million. Valenta asserts this marked increase has to do with a long-standing collaboration between community members who asked what they could do to stimulate business. “To be at the table and be a part of that was so inspiring,” she said. “The result is you have a very strong economic vitality in our community. I credit the individuals who came to the table, put ideas together and were willing to volunteer and take leadership roles. Those things evolved into what we have today – full-blown agencies.”
Insights about Susan: She was “instrumental” in organizing the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation in 1996, according to EDC President Tammy Brownlow. “She was a very visionary leader for the community,” Brownlow added. “She’s a very focused individual with the mentality of an entrepreneur. She didn’t let obstacles stand in her way and she always had an end-goal in sight.”
What she loves about Gilroy: “There is no ‘I’ in our community; it’s always ‘we,’” she said. “We all work together with a common vision of Gilroy’s economic vitality.”
A mentor in Susan’s life: “Over those 24 years, we had the most wonderful boards of directors and board chairs,” she said. “Every one of those people stepped up to be a volunteer leader. Each one had a different way they approached things and I learned something from each one of them.” Susan said she’s always looked up to her father, Haig Sarkisian, who was a savvy Armenian-American businessman. He grew his business from a small shop in Campbell to a large company that employed 100 people, she said.
Personal motto: “I really don’t have a personal motto,” Susan said. “I read a lot from philosophers – great men and women – and every time I read one I like, I find one that I like even better.”
MAN OF THE YEAR
Don DeLorenzo, 55, PGA general manager at Gilroy Golf Course and Gavilan College Golf Course
Accomplishments: Don learned to golf when he was 8 at the Gilroy Golf Course. At the time, he never imagined he would one day be general manager of the same course. After college at San Jose State University, he began working at the Gavilan College Golf Course, later became manager of the Gilroy Golf Course and eventually manager of both golf courses. Don brought The First Tee – a national organization that teaches life skills to children ages 5 to 17 – to Gavilan Golf Course in 2010. He is also part of the Sportsmen Chefs, which raise money for “Fishability Day,” a fishing derby for more than 100 developmentally disabled South County residents. Don’s voice is familiar to many, as he has been an announcer at many Gilroy High School basketball, baseball and softball games. He has also coached Little League baseball and Parks and Recreation basketball; served on the board of the Gilroy Gators; and currently serves on the board of the Gilroy Welcome Center.
Insights about Don: “You couldn’t find a nicer man to work for – and as a friend,” said Bruce Woten, Don’s assistant at the golf course. Woten cited Don’s involvement with Sportsmen Chefs, his work at the two golf courses and his active presence at many high school sports games, where Don announces the games play by play.
What he loves about Gilroy: “I feel that even though it’s growing, it still has such a great homey, community feel to it.”
A mentor in Don’s life: “There’s been a few. My dad (Louie DeLorenzo) is always a role model. He was a businessman in town and always very outgoing. He had a lot of friends and showed me how important a relationship was.” As far as golf goes, Don looks up to Bob Ewing, a professional golfer at Gavilan who took junior golfers under his wing, Vern Brown, the professional who gave him lessons at the Gilroy Golf Course, and his college golf coach Jerry Vroom.
Personal motto: “You can sit back and complain all you want about things in life but if you don’t like something, get out there and do something. Don’t sit there and complain about it – do something.”
YOUTH LEADERSHIP AWARD
Paul Fox, 18, senior at Gilroy High and star wrestler
Accomplishments: Paul is the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the state and Central Coast sections. He is also undefeated this year, and won the Mid-Cals Invitational, Temecula Valley Invitational and the Doc Buchanan Invitational. In 2012, Paul was runner-up at the state tournament. Paul also volunteers with other wrestlers from Gilroy High School to pick up trash during the annual Garlic Festival. And he coaches youngsters who are new to wrestling, teaching them how to succeed on the mat. “I do it to give back to the community,” Paul said. “It’s not about just earning hours; I went above and beyond the limit because I wanted to give back. Right now, I’m at 163 hours (and the requirement is 80).”
Insights about Paul: “All the great things to say about Paul would fill all the ‘Lord of the Rings’ novels,” said Gilroy Wrestling Coach Greg Varela. “Every day since he was a kid, he’s stayed after practice for extra work. He’s a model student and he’s been a role model for other kids. He’s a coach’s dream and he’s got the perfect attitude.” Paul will graduate this year and move on to study and wrestle at Stanford University.
What he loves about Gilroy: “We have one of the best wrestling programs in the state,” he said. “We have one of the best coaches (Varela) and a very supportive community.”
A mentor in Paul’s life: His older brother Willie, 22, who is a sophomore at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Willie is currently wrestling for the Academy in the 149-pound class. By the time he graduated from Gilroy High School in 2012, Willie was a CCS and state champion wrestler. “Ever since I was young I’ve always looked up to him and always strived to be like him,” Paul said. “He’s always been a role model.”
Personal motto: “Don’t quit, try your hardest at all times and never complain.”
EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR
Joanne Carollo, Mt. Madonna Continuation High School Independent Studies teacher
Accomplishments: Joanne Carollo taught English at Gilroy High School for 19 years before moving to Mt. Madonna, where she taught English and U.S. History for 16 years. In 2010, she helped start an Independent Studies program to help the school’s most at-risk students achieve their goal of graduating from high school. Joanne frequently makes calls home to students to motivate them to continue, and meets regularly with staff to learn about the students and their needs so she can better serve them.
Insights about Joanne: “She’s completely committed to kids. It’s inspiring and impressive,” said Mt. Madonna Principal Jennifer Del Bono. “Joanne is fully aware that you have to meet a kid where they are.”
What she loves about Gilroy: “My job,” said Joanne, who has taught in the Gilroy Unified School District for more than 30 years. “I don’t live in Gilroy but I’ve worked here for all these years and I like my colleagues and the fact that they’re willing to make changes.”
A mentor in Joanne’s life: The English teachers at GHS were a source of inspiration when Joanne first started working at the school. “Everyone in the department was really helpful,” said Joanne. “It was different than other schools.” As a teacher at Mt. Madonna, she looked up to two of her fellow English teachers: Betty Cochiolo and Chuck Flagg (now retired and a religion columnist for this newspaper.). “They each had a different style but they each got good results so I think I learned from them how to deal with alternative students,” she said.
Personal motto: “I don’t know if this is a motto, but sometimes people say ‘what would you tell teachers or potential teachers and I would say, ‘you aren’t just teaching knowledge, you’re teaching the student how to learn … because you really want that person to be a lifelong learner,’” Joanne said.
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (WOMAN)
Lisa Cassara-Faria, 51, Realtor for Coldwell Banker
Accomplishments: Leading the Gilroy Chamber’s first Compassion Project, which raises money and collects food, clothing, toys, art supplies and toiletry items to distribute to local nonprofits including CanTree, St. Joseph’s Family Center, the Gilroy Compassion Center, Rebekah Children’s Services, the Salvation Army; assisting the Downtown Business Association with the 2013 Holiday Parade by decorating Santa’s Village and creating the third place float for the parade that represented the Compassion Project; helping raise funds for Habitat for Humanity through Coldwell Banker and participating in two builds.
Insights about Lisa: “The need to get things done is what drives Lisa to do so much,” said Chamber CEO/Director Mark Turner. “She finds great satisfaction in helping others and seeing a necessary change made. Lisa always has a smile on her face and her positive attitude is contagious.”
What Lisa loves about Gilroy: “The people are the bomb,” she said. “I totally dig the location because you can go anywhere and do anything.”
A mentor in Lisa’s life: John C. Maxwell, a leadership author and pastor. “I really enjoy what he has to say about life,” she added. “One of my favorite books of his is ‘The Road Back to Success.’ There are so many people with the Chamber who I admire, but I can’t name one without naming them all. I’ve observed a lot of incredible people while working with the community.”
Personal motto: “Never forget that you have a choice.”
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR (MAN)
Kai Lai, 76, planning commissioner, tutor for GHS students, former GUSD Board of Education trustee, retired Aerospace engineer
Accomplishments: Kai has volunteered his time as a planning commissioner for 14 years since 1990, served as a board member for the Gilroy Unified School District for 11 years between 1980 and 1991 and currently sits on the Planning Commission. At least three days a week, Kai spends his time tutoring students who are struggling in math or science courses at Mt. Madonna High, Gilroy High School and Gavilan College. “These students are the next generation and I thank them for wanting to come and talk to me,” Kai said. “They’re the ones who keep my brain moving and they are the ones who want to talk to me after school. I feel glad that they do that and that the schools allow me to talk to them. The most rewarding thing to me is after we discuss things is when their faces light up; that, to me, is the reward for the whole month.”
Insights about Kai: “He has been volunteering for years since he retired and I’ve known his children since they were young,” Mayor Don Gage said. He’s an outstanding individual. He’s good at math and he spends him time tutoring kids who have trouble because he was an aerospace engineer. He uses his skills to help kids who can’t afford to go to a tutor; he does it for free.”
What Kai loves about Gilroy: “The diversity of people I meet. I found that the community works together as a group better than most other places I have visited.”
Mentors in Kai’s life: Gilroy Mayor Don Gage, former mayors Mike Gilroy and Al Pinheiro.
Personal motto: “There are plenty of jobs for people who know how to solve problems, but you’ll end up working for people who know why (there is a problem) – the why is more important than the how.”
SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Fortino Winery
Accomplishments: In 1970, Ernie and Marie Fortino purchased vineyards in Gilroy because the surrounding land reminded them of Ernie’s hometown: Calabria, Italy. Their children, Gino and Teri, purchased the winery from their parents in 1987, eventually adding a Redwood Terrace where several hundred couples launched their own love stories by reciting their marriage vows. Now expanded to about 50 acres, the winery brought home the 2014 San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition’s Gold for its 2011 Merlot, and Silver for its 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon and a mixed blend, called Cask 140. The winery has been active in the community, often providing their facilities free of charge to such groups as Gavilan College, the Rotary, St. Joseph’s Family Center, the Gilroy Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and Relay for Life.
Insights about this business: “They are very involved in the community and they do a lot as far as giving back,” said Deanna Franklin, who is part of the Fortino Family wine club. “They’ve been here for generations and they’re just a really great business in the community.”
What they love about Gilroy: “We love the small town atmosphere,” said owner Gino Fortino, 47. His parents moved to Gilroy in the ’50s when the population was about 10,000, so the family knew Gilroy when it was “very small.”
Important mentors/inspiration: The decision to grow grapes was inspired by relatives of the Fortino family who were producing wine and grapes in the San Martin and Gilroy area even before Gino’s parents moved to Gilroy.
Personal motto: “I think mostly it’s to have fun while drinking wine,” said Gino. “We don’t try to be pretentious or anything in the wine business. We try to make wines that are easy drinking.”
