SANTEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL AWARDS, SANTEE’S FAVORITES

East County News Service

March 5, 2018 (Santee) – The Santee Chamber of Commerce, currently celebrating its 63rd anniversary, recently announced recipients of its 2017 annual awards. Honorees included community members and local businesses. Recipient of community awards included: Dustin Trotter, owner, TDT Construction, 2017 Person of the Year; Santee Young Professionals, Special Chairman’s Award; Robert “Bob” Lloyd, Sr., owner, Lloyds Collision & Paint Center, Chairman’s Award; Kathryn Ducharme, Santee School District, Educator of the Year; Elana Levens-Craig, Santee-Lakeside Rotary Club, Rotarian of the Year; Paul Stevens, Kiwanis Club of Santee, Kiwanian of the Year; William Chisum, Rancho Santee Lions, Lion of the Year; Deputy Daniel Psomas, San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Deputy of the Year; Captain Chris Thompson, Santee Fire Department, Firefighter of the Year.

Trotter was nominated for the Person of the Year award by Rob McNelis, branch manager, Movement Mortgage. Trotter is an active member of the Santee Santa’s program, Santee Food Bank, Guardian Angels Church, Santee Parks and Recreation Committee, an appointed member of the Community Oriented Policing Committee and a founding and current member of Santee Chamber’s Santee Young Professionals committee. McNelis, who also serves on the Santee City Council, said, “Through Dustin’s personal efforts, many Santee families have received school supplies, food, and assistance to make their homes safe and functional. He has also spear-headed multiple community efforts to better the lives of Seniors and needy families by bringing others to work on and contribute to the food drives, back pack supply drive and bikes and balls dive.”

Also at the Chamber’s awards event, Mike Clinkenbeard, outgoing Chamber board chairman, was honored with certificates and proclamations from local politicians. In addition, Military Recognition Awards were presented to two groups that have been adopted by the City of Santee: United States Marine Corps (USMC) 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines Regiment, 1st Marine Division, based at Camp Pendleton which is currently on deployment and USMC Helicopter Squadron 462, also known as the “Heavy Haulers,” stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. Staff Sergeant Tyler R. Wilde was recognized for his outstanding performance while serving as a Quality Assurance Representative and Maintenance Controller for Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 throughout 2017.

The Chamber also presented its “Santee’s Favorite” businesses awards with winners determined by more than 5,000 votes that were cast online through the chamber’s website, said Chamber officials. Twenty-two awards were presented. Recipients of Santee’s Favorites awards included (categories appear in parenthesis): Lloyd’s Collision & Paint Center (Automotive); San Diego County Credit Union (Banking Institutions); Hot Rodz & Betties Hair Garage (Beauty & Salon Services); BNS Brewing and Distilling (Brewing & Distilling); Allegiance Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. (Construction and Contracting); Santee School District (Education and Business Resources); Off Broadway Live (Entertainment and Media); City of Santee (Government and Utilities); CKO Kickboxing (Health and Fitness); Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve (Hospitality and Recreation); Farmers Insurance, Mike & Marla Clinkenbeard (Insurance and Financial Services); Pure Flo Water Company (Manufacturing); Sharp Grossmont Hospital (Medical Services); Boys and Girls Clubs of East County (Large Non-Profit); Santee Food Bank (Small Non-Profit); The UPS Store #4287 (Professional Services); Whissel Realty (Property Management and Real Estate); Eastbound Bar & Grill (Full-service Restaurant); Santee Chick-fil-A restaurant (Quick-service Restaurant); Al’s Sport Shop (Retail); Mary’s Donuts (Specialty Food); Elite Gymnastics Academy (Youth Activities). It was the fifth year the Santee Chamber’s “Santee’s Favorites” awards were presented. More than 250 people attended the awards program held February 22nd at Barona Resort & Casino Golf Events Center in Lakeside.