Stay Interested.
That was the primary message from guest speaker Steve Lavin, famed basketball coach from Marin, when he held court before about 550 people at the Spirit of Marin Awards luncheon at the St. Vincent's School for Boys in Marinwood.
Lavin, the former Sir Francis Drake High School state champion, circa 1982, who went on to coach at UCLA before taking over the St. John's University program in New York City, said the best advice he got about his career came from famed sportscaster Brent Musburger, who told him that staying interested resulted in staying relevant and kept inspiring him to contribute to society. Lavin, a prostate cancer survivor, praised the Spirit of Marin award winners for doing just that.
The 19th annual awards celebrated local business leaders for their community and philanthropic involvement. “We are proud to celebrate this year’s honorees for their outstanding contributions to the community,” said Bank of Marin President and CEO Russell A. Colombo. “We are grateful for their generous philanthropic spirit and volunteer support that continues to make Marin County a great place to live and work.”
The 2012 Marin County Chambers of Commerce Honorees were:
Josh Kalkhorst
The Village at Corte Madera
Business Citizen of the Year, Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce
Morgan Hall
Morgan Hall, Architect
Business Citizen of the Year, Fairfax Chamber of Commerce
Paulette Cass
Paulette Cass, D.C.
Business Citizen of the Year, Hispanic Business Chamber of Marin
Dana King
KPIX - Channel 5
Business Citizen of the Year, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin
Larry Chu
Larkspur City Councilmember
Business Citizen of the Year, Larkspur Chamber of Commerce
Kenneth Brooks
GreenHome 5
Business Citizen of the Year, Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce
Hennessy Funds
Neil Hennessy, Portfolio Manager & Chief Investment Officer
Small Business of the Year, Novato Chamber of Commerce
Circle Bank
Kim Kaselionis, President & CEO
Large Business of the Year, Novato Chamber of Commerce
Connie Pelissero, MS Ed.
Cedars of Marin
Business Citizen of the Year, San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce
Rayner Landscaping
Eric Rayner
Small Business of the Year, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
San Rafael Joe’s
The Farina Family & The Bornia Family
Large Business of the Year, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce
Cathy Stierhoff
Cathy Stierhoff, CPA
Business Citizen of the Year, Sausalito Chamber of Commerce
Harvey Rogers
Volunteer of the Year, Tiburon Chamber of Commerce
Gary Ireland
Volunteer of the Year, West Marin Chamber of Commerce
The Spirit of Marin award was inspired by the life of Dr. Jim Dawson, a Bank of Marin organizer and director. After his death in 1992, his wife discovered a copy of George Bernard Shaw’s A Splendid Torch in his belongings, which was his philosophy for life. Learn more about the awards here.
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