Sam Perrotti and Carol Tanner were honored by the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau earlier this week at Abigaile in Hermosa Beach. The Chamber Board of Directors were also reinstated during the ceremony.
Perrotti was chosen to be the 2013 Man of the Year because of his 18 years serving on the Planning Commission and his passion for the arts. Tanner has worked for a multitude of non-profit groups and civic organizations.
Perotti moved to the South Bay in 1969 and has helped with major development projects in the city, including the Beach House Hotel and parking garage, the refurbishment of Pier Plaza, the Sunrise Senior center and several hotels on Pacific Coast Highway.
“It’s really an honor,” Perrotti said during Tuesday’s ceremony. “I was really surprised and still kinda shocked. The people on this list have really contributed to the city.”
Perrotti spent three years as Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Real Estate where he advised the Commissioner of subdivision issues. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College and has a Law degree from the College of William and Mary. After law school he served as for two years as a Captain in the U.S Army.
One of Perotti’s greatest passions is encouraging artists and musicians in the area. He served as Treasure and Board Member for the Hermosa Beach Art Walk for the past 10 years. He is also a board member for the Hermosa Beach Arts Foundation as well as being a member of the Arts For All Committee of the Hermosa Beach School district.
“I feel arts are instrumental,” Perrotti said.
Tanner, a native of Chicago, moved to Hermosa Beach in 1958 and has two sons, Scott and Dan Funk. She has served as a North School PTA member, a Cub Scout Den Mother and a board member for the Hermosa Garden Club. She has also been a member of the Hermosa Beach Historical Society, Hermosa Five-O as well as being a member of the Woman’s Club of Hermosa Beach.
She received a Letter of Commendation along with Joanne Purpus, in 1970 for their work on Hermosa Nueva, the City Hall billboard displays and the Vetter Windmill Preservation relocation. She also helped start the “Arts and Crafts show,” which eventually became “Fiesta Hermosa,” while she served as Hermosa Beach Improvement Commissioner from 1968-1977.
While juggling other organizations, she also had time to be a founding member of the Hermosa Beach Friends of the Library and worked at the Hermosa library for 30 years. She loves to read and also enjoys gardening and tennis. She loves Hermosa Beach for being a friendly, small beach community.
“Everything I’ve done in Hermosa Beach has been really great,” Tanner said at the Tuesday ceremony. “Thank you very much.”
