Pearls of Excellence was the theme for 2025 Installation and Awards Gala presented by the Hemet-San Jacinto Valley Chamber of Commerce on June 27 at the Soboba Casino Resort Event Center. A room full of business and community leaders dressed in formal attire added to the elegance of the evening.
Executive Director Kevin Saunders welcomed everyone to the event and acknowledged the importance of support from all local businesses, especially those who are part of the “Circle of Influence” with their Platinum, Diamond and Gold sponsorships.
The celebration began with the passing of the gavel from 2024-2025 Chairwoman Patricia Scott to 2025-2026 Chairman Lakshman Koka. In Scott’s farewell speech, she said, “This year, our chamber didn’t just survive, we thrived. We hosted events that had people talking. We don’t just host events, but we build legacies, one business at a time.” She added that the real MVPs of the organization are the volunteers and board members that consistently devote their time and talent. “Let’s continue moving the chamber forward,” Scott said.
Koka expressed his desire to challenge the newly installed board of directors that included some returnees and a few new faces. “We are a not-for-profit organization, but we need to function like a for-profit business for our members,” he said. “This year I want to showcase our refreshed management and build on reconnecting with the cities. Something I’m passionate about is bringing the three Cs to the table: chamber, cities, collaboration. Each has different leaders, different strategies and different visions.”
There were 107 new members added to the Chamber in the past year and Koka is looking forward to increasing that and to providing high-quality service that will prove valuable to each one’s membership.
After guests enjoyed a bountiful buffet, the awards in 10 categories were announced. Tradition dictates that the winners of the award from the previous year present it to the current winners, who are chosen through membership voting. Nominations are also submitted by Chamber members.
Out of the Ashes was named Nonprofit of the Year and Founder/CEO Amber Royer accepted the award from last year’s winner Soboba Foundation, represented by President Dondi Silvas. Other nominees were Black Voices of the Valley, Cops 4 Kids & Communities, EXCEED—A Division of Valley Resource Center, Fuller Center for Housing, Golden Era Productions, My City Youth, Sheltered Pathways, Soroptimist International of San Jacinto/Hemet, The Rose of Sharon 7 and Trauma Intervention Programs (TIP).
Restaurant of the Year honors went to Rocking K Ranch, presented by Raising Cane’s. Those also nominated were J&M Family Restaurant, La Huasteca Cocina, MegaBites Pizza Hemet and Tipsy Tacos.
Tim Moran Auto Group received the Large Business of the Year award from Pedro Vidales of Soboba Casino Resort. Other nominees were Eastern Municipal Water District, LCA Metal Components Inc. Showroom, Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto Campus and Southern California Gas.
Morning Glory Coffee was selected as Small Business of the Year and Glory Valencia happily accepted her award. Other nominees were 11 Exhale Studio, Colt Boot and Western Wear, Cynthia’s Sweet Treats, Go Further Group, Law Offices of William Van Order, LCA Metal Components Inc. Showroom, Michael William Salon, Perris Flowers #4, Rapid Tire and Automotive, SJ Medical/Dr. Koka, Sylvan Learning Center, Tatis Tots 247 Care and Tipsy Tacos.
This year’s Business Leader of the Year, Male is Ben Sandoval from the City of Hemet. Richard Perry from VIP Autos was last year’s winner. Also nominated were Dennis Arguello of Go Further Group, Carlos Michel of Colt Boots & Western Wear, Kevin Spier and Soboba Tribal Council Chairman Isaiah Vivanco.
“One year and four months ago I took a leap of faith,” City of Hemet Economic Development Manager Sandoval said. “It is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life.”
Cyndi Lemke of Legacy Bank happily accepted the Business Leader of the Year, Female from last year’s winner Sonia Ramos of Boxing for Christ. Also nominated were Stephanie Bruce from Black Voices of the Valley, Leylen Gonzalez with Riverside County Workforce Development Agency, Linda Greilich from Golden Era Productions, DeAnna Jones with I-9 Sports, Soboba Tribal Council Vice Chairwoman Geneva Mojado, Cynthia Rodriguez from Cynthia’s Sweet Treats and Janna Thezier of Rendezvous Coffee Co.
State Farm Insurance Agent Valerie Drummer was excited to receive the Hemet Beautification award from Rocking K Ranch. Other nominees were Airtopia Adventure Park, City of Hemet, Golden Village Palms RV Resort, Hemet Police Department Substation, Shooters Sports Bar & Grill and Tim Moran Auto Group.
Drummer said it took her 38 years before deciding to move her Hemet business from State St. and Latham Ave. to Harvard St. and Kimball Ave. “It’s my second home; we’ve filled it with love,” she said of the converted house. “I made this a place of gathering and out of love for our valley. This house has had a lot of good neighbors in it.”
The Soboba Casino Resort won the San Jacinto Beautification award and accepted it from last year’s winner, San Jacinto Unified School District. Also nominated were City of San Jacinto’s Fitness Court, LCA Metal Components Inc. Showroom and Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto Campus.
Entrepreneur of the Year nominees covered a wide variety of businesses and Cynthia Rodriguez of Cynthia’s Sweet Treats took home the top honor, presented by Carlos Michel of Colt Boot & Western Wear. Also in the running were Dennis Arguello of Go Further Group, Deirdra Hampton with Living Hope Development Foundation, Trish McClure of Sheltered Pathways, Alex Tapia from StylePhotography, Glory Valencia of Morning Glory Coffee and Caleb Wilson with Rapid Auto Glass, Tint and Wrap.
Of the eight entries for New Member of the Year, the award went to Rendezvous Coffee Co, presented by Dennis Arguello from Go Further Group. Others who were nominated were 11 Exhale Studio, LCA Metal Components Inc. Showroom, Morning Glory Coffee, Palm Valley Mobil Mart, Perris Flowers #4, Tatis Tots 247 Care and Tim Moran Auto Group.
“I’m in shock,” said Janna Thezier from Rendezvous Coffee Company who has been in business for one year.
For more information, www.hsjvc.com.
