2007 Napa Valley Community Awards Winners Announced

April 23, 2007 - The Napa Chamber Foundation and The Mechanics Bank announce the winners and finalists in the 2007 Napa Valley Community Awards “Celebrating Community” event. This program, to be held May 23 at The Meritage Resort at Napa , recognizes local community leaders, individuals and businesses for their outstanding leadership, contributions and achievements toward the betterment of the communities of Napa Valley .

In the category of Outstanding Community Booster of the Year, the winner is Jim Roberts. Cited for his unwavering focus to the children of Napa Valley , Roberts leads trips and outings for special needs children, participants in Special Olympics and students of Chamberlain and school. He also reads weekly with elementary grade English learners. Through his work with the Kiwanis, he has helped build over 40 playgrounds.

Outstanding Healthcare Professional is Tiara Ellisen, RN, at the Queen of the Valley Medical Center . Ellisen is an advocate for patients in an emotionally challenging period in their lives, as well as for medical center staff and her co-workers. An active member of the Ethics Council, she is also a mentor to new staff.

Outstanding Public Safety Person is Officer Aaron Michael Medina of the Napa Police Department. Officer Medina was instrumental in researching and organizing the soon-to-be-installed WI-FI Mesh Network, which will allow greater transmission speeds for data from patrol cars and other City departments as well as providing citizens and visitors with high-speed wireless Internet access from any outdoor location in the city.

Outstanding Napa Valley College Student of the Year was a tie between James Carter and Rachel Salas. Carter has a 4.0 GPA and is president of the Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) club. Under his leadership, the group raised over $3,000 for Katrina victims. He also organized students to clean up after the Napa flood. He plans to study food toxicology at UC Davis so he can join the Peace Corps and help local people develop better food growing and storage practices. Salas joined the Americorps program to help underachieving children. At NVC, she works in the Puente program, founded and was elected president of the Puente Club and organized students to help rebuild homes after the Napa flood. She is a peer support mentor, peer tutor, vice president of publication in the honor society, a member of the community service clubs La Comunidad Unida and Club Hispano Americano and volunteers for the Migrant Education program. She will attend St. Mary’s College and plans to become a first grade teacher.

Outstanding Hospitality/Tourism award goes to Laurie Gordon. Born and raised in Napa , Gordon has spent 30 years in the hospitality industry. She is a member of Les Chefs d’Or, an exclusive association of professional hotel concierges, and has traveled worldwide and is the “go to” person for any Napa Valley related requests by hotel concierges.

Outstanding Nonprofit Employee is Kealoha Keliikoa, the regional director of Catholic Charities who manages three programs, Rainbow House, Home Base and Hale Nalu as well as being a tireless advocate for the homeless, emancipated foster youth, at-risk young adults and young mothers as they develop life skills, pursue education and employment. Although Kealoha recently retired, her many years as an employee garnered her several nominations and the nod from the selection panel.

The final category in the Napa Valley Community Awards is the Outstanding Nonprofit Organization of the Year. The winner of this award will be announced at the luncheon May 23 at the Meritage Resort.

The finalists in the Outstanding Nonprofit category are The Eagle Cycling Club, which teaches cycling skills and donates bicycles to Grad Night, the Trike Cycling class at NVC, fire departments and to families who have had a bicycle related casualty; The Volunteer Center of Napa Valley, which is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of volunteers in Napa Valley by coordinating volunteers, innovative programs and training; The Table, which serves free, safe, hot, nutritious means on weekday afternoons to seniors, low-income workers, the homeless, mentally and physically disabled individuals through volunteers from 22 community and faith-related groups. Additional finalists are Cope Family Center, which offers a full range of parent education and family support services; COPIA: The American Center for Wine, Food & the Arts, which offers wine and food tasting programs, art exhibitions, organic edible gardens, films and concerts; Hospice of Napa Valley, a complete system of care and support for people facing the end of life and their loved ones; and Napa Emergency Women’s Services, which serves women and children who are victims of domestic violence.