The City Employee of the Year Award, presented to Redondo Waterfront and Economic Development director Jim Allen, was the highlight of the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner last Friday at the Portofino Hotel. Allen has been instrumental in managing the harbor’s leases and capital improvements, including the recently redesigned Seaside Lagoon. He is also helping to oversee the CenterCal proposal to redevelop the waterfront.
Last fall, Allen was diagnosed with ALS, also known Lou Gehrig’s Disease, but continues to work.
“As Lou Gehrig said in 1939, ‘There’s a lot to live for,’ Allen said on accepting the award.
The most humorous moment of the night came when 2014 Man of the Year Ernie O’Dell described the 2015 honoree as a 6-foot-4 inch Torrance native. Redondo Beach School Superintendent Steven Keller promptly bounded on stage, unbidden. While looking over O’Dell’s shoulder, Keller variously yawned, tapped his watch and waved for O’Dell to speed it up.
Keller was praised for characteristics not commonly found in a chamber honoree, including his progressive philosophy and propensity for challenging the status quo. Under his leadership Redondo school facilities, academics and athletics have undergone transformational improvements.
The Woman of the Year award was presented to Dinah Lary, or “Dynamite,” as she was introduced by 2014 honoree Judith Opdahl.
Lary gave up work as actor Antonio Banderas’ personal assistant to stay closer to her family and devote her organizational skills to help community projects, including the chamber’s annual Lobster Festival, the Redondo Round Table and the Citizen Police Academy, founded by retired police chief Mel Nichols. Lary also led the fundraising effort for the lifesize Bob and Bill Meistrell bronze statues unveiled last June at Seaside Lagoon.
The Chamber Ambassador of the Year award was presented by last year’s honoree Mary McKenrick to Lisa Rodriquez, who, while raising two children finds time to encourage chamber membership and campaign for chamber issues.
Rodriquez was active in the 2013 campaign to defeat Measure A, which would have rezoned the AES power plant as open space, and last month’s city council campaign to elect Christian Horvath.
‘Thank God for Christians,” Mayor Steve Aspel quipped when Horvath was introduced at the awards dinner.
The Volunteer of the Year Award was presented by Chamber CEO Myrna Smeltzer to Don Ford, a management expert with a doctorate in education.
“I’ve been fortunate in my career and feel a duty to give back,” Ford said in explaining his volunteer work on the city’s Economic Development Council and the chambers’ Business Leaders for a Day program. ER
