February 4, 2016

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On January 28, nearly 1,000 local businesses, community leaders and elected officials gathered to celebrate the San Diego Chamber’s 145 years of business advocacy. To report the past year’s accomplishments, the Chamber enlisted the help of local journalists, including ABC 10News’s Itica Milanes, who served as the evening’s co-host.

Included among the event’s distinguished attendees was Mayor Kevin Faulconer, who delivered a keynote address and led the induction of the Chamber’s 2016 Board of Directors. A moment was also reserved for Jerry Rebel, Past Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer for Jack in the Box, Inc. to pass the torch the Chamber’s 2016 Chairman, John Reilly, Park President of SeaWorld San Diego.

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The event was not only an opportunity to celebrate past advocacy wins, but also look forward to new goals for 2016. Some of the Chamber’s goals for the year include a comprehensive Regional Jobs Strategy for all chambers, the preclearance/joint inspection facility at Otay Mesa, affordable housing for veterans, and, of course, supporting business-friendly policies and candidates.

The Chamber also presented awards to five local leaders and businesses who have made a difference in the community and represent what makes San Diego truly unique.

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  The Cravory received the “Small Business of the Year” award for showing that a great idea, plus passion and determination, can yield a world-wide business success.

• Ballast Point received the “Business of the Year” award for helping to put the San Diego craft brewing industry on the map and the company’s overall success that recently resulted in the sale of the company for $1 billion.
• Kyocera International received the “Binational Business of the Year” award for pioneering the “borderless” business and creating innovative products and services in the technology sector.
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  Dr. Constance Carroll, Chancellor of the San Diego Community College District, received the “Moving San Diego Forward” award for transforming San Diego’s community colleges with a $1.6 billion construction project and driving increased levels of student success.

• Nikki Clay, founder of The Clay Company and Carpi and Clay, received the “Herb Klein Spirit of San Diego” award for her tireless leadership and commitment to San Diego’s civic organizations and community causes.

A special thank you goes to everyone who contributed in making this event a huge success, in particular our title sponsors: Jack in the Box, Kaiser Permanente, SDG&E, and SeaWorld.

For more photos of the event, visit our album on Facebook.