The 2025 Chamber of Commerce Poinsettia Awards, hosted by the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, honored outstanding businesses, non-profits, and community leaders. Winners were recognized in categories such as Small, Mid-Size, and Large Business of the Year, Innovation, Young Professional, and more, highlighting those making a meaningful impact on the Ventura community through their accomplishments. More information is available at venturaChamber.com.
Chamber Awards:
- Large Business of the Year: McCarthy Companies (Sarah McCarthty)
- Midsize Business of the Year: Easy Home Cleaning (Elva Correa)
- Small Business of the Year: Ventura Breeze (Mark Brown)
- Non-Profit of the Year: Ventura College Foundation (Anne Paul King)
- Jewel Key: OFI Property and Fortuna Group Ventura (Emily DeArlkand)
- Innovation Award: Ventura County Community College District (Chancellor Rick MacLennan)
- Young Professional of the Year: Meghan Palmquist (The Solopreneur COO)
- Citizen of the Year: John Hofer (Hofer Properties)
- Volunteer of the Year: Jamely Newton (Ventura County Balloons)
- Ambassador of the Year: Shannon Riley (Truly Force Free Animal Training)
- Shining Star of the Year: Sommer Frisk (Cumulus Media)
- Hometown Hero: Ventura Housing (Jeffrey Lambert)
City Awards:
- Paramedic of the Year: Derrick Bean
- Police Officer of the Year: Peter Young
- City Leadership Award: Miles Hogan
- Rising Star Award: Lauren Chumbley
VUSD Awards:
- Educator of the Year: Rogelio Ramirez
- Secondary Student of the Year: Emilie Sagrero
- Elementary Student of the Year: Jonathan Martinez
