The Irwindale Chamber of Commerce’s Business of the Year Award is known as the “Joe DiShanni Business of the Year Award”. Joseph DiShanni is credited with founding the Irwindale Chamber of Commerce in 1980 and played a key role in the Industrial and Business Development of Irwindale. Mr DiShanni passed away in October 2003 at age 94. The Business of the Year is chosen based on Excellence in Business, Service to the Chamber and Community, and initiative and creativity.

Joe DiShanni Business of the Year: City of Hope

Founded in 1913, City of Hope is a research, treatment, and education center dedicated to the prevention, treatment and cure of cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Their mission is to shorten the time from initial research idea to new treatment to quickly bring cures to patients.

Excellence in Business:
• In 2011, U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals rankings, 17th among cancer hospitals
• A pioneer in bone marrow transplantation, last year they conducted their 10,000th marrow and stem transplant, and operate one of the largest, most successful programs of its kind in the world.
• Numerous breakthrough cancer drugs are based on technology pioneered by City of Hope.

Service to community:
• City of Hope has a long history of contributions to the field of diabetes research. Millions of people with diabetes worldwide benefit from synthetic human insulin developed through research conducted at City of Hope.
• City of Hope is the largest provider of bone marrow transplants services for Medi-Cal patients in Southern California.
• City of Hope provides health education programs throughout the San Gabriel Valley through their annual Health Fair, Ask the Experts monthly lectures, and support services conducted at the Sheri & Les Biller Patient and family resource center.

Service to chamber:
• City of Hope sponsors the Irwindale Young Citizen of the Year competition, which fosters public speaking skill building.
• City of Hope sponsors the annual Irwindale Educational Foundation BBQ at MillerCoors to fund scholarships for residents and members in the community.
• City of Hope hosts the annual Environmental Awards luncheon, recognizing “green” business leaders in the San Gabriel Valley

For these reasons and more City of Hope was selected as our 2012 Joe DiShanni Business of the Year

Employee of the Year: Brenda Reuter, Athens Services

Brenda Reuter has been (and continues to be) a loyal employee of Athens Services for more than a decade. As the head of the “special waste sales division”, the company relies on her particular knowledge of its regulations, policies and unique procedures in handling customer needs. “When it comes to customer service, Brenda goes above and beyond for her customers and the company. Her upbeat, cheerful attitude is a major asset” stated Matt Martinez

Brenda has been recognized previously for outstanding community service as well as Ambassador of the Year. She gives 100% in all she does be it for work, family, friends or volunteering. Today we are pleased to recognize her as Employee of the Year!

Business Person of the Year: Jan Quackenbush, Jan's Towing

Jan’s Towing, Inc., was started 30 years ago by a young man, living in Glendora and wanting to realize his dream of owning a business. He started out with one wheel lift truck and his mother was doing the dispatching out of their home. Since that time, Jan has made a name for himself in not only the San Gabriel Valley, but all of Southern California and surrounding areas.

For 20 years Jan’s Towing has offered residents of the San Gabriel Valley a free ride home, NO charge and NO questions asked, for both them and their vehicle if they have had too much to drink. This is available 365 days a year. Jan has always been an active supporter for service clubs and community groups. From use of his vehicles in parades, to donations of cash and raffle items Jan is well known for his generosity.

Ambassador of the Year: Sarah Parker, K&S Snaks

Sarah Parker has been steadfast in her dedication to serve the Chamber as an Ambassador since 2007. She not only provides the Chamber with countless hours of assistance at Chamber-sponsored functions, she always has a door prize or two, and she is always be first in line to give her services to the Chamber.

Sarah is a dependable team player, whose warm and caring manner makes her a pleasure to interact with. Her participation has helped to improve communication within the business community, which in turn strengthens the image of the Chamber.

Citizen of the Year Award:Elizabeth Rodriguez

Elizabeth Rodriguez was born and raised in the City of Irwindale. Elizabeth serves as a strong, positive role model for the young girls in our community With Elizabeth’s dedication as coach to the Irwindale Competition Cheer Squad, the preteen girls have received numerous 1st place awards.

Another of Elizabeth’s benefactors is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Irwindale. She has assisted with the Children’s Mass and Elizabeth and her family assist with the church’s annual fiesta where she is responsible for the Wheel of Fortune Game booth.

In addition to the community services listed above, Elizabeth was a founding member of the Soroptimist of the City of Irwindale, she is also a member of the Irwindale City Employees Association having served as Secretary and President. She graduated from Cal Poly Pomona, receiving a B.S. in Communication with an Emphasis in Public Relations.

Athens Services is a family-owned and operated company providing waste collection and recycling service in Southern California for over 50 years. Their state-of-the-art services include: automated waste and recycling collection, greenwaste recycling programs, organic waste composting, special waste transportation, transfer and materials recovery and street / parking lot sweeping service in many areas of Southern California.

Athens believes in giving back to the communities they serve. Within Irwindale alone, Athens has donated services as well as monetary donations to the Irwindale Education Foundation, Cory’s Kitchen, Irwindale Public Library Foundation as well as other organizations throughout their service area.

Athens is heavily involved with the Chamber and continually gives back to the Irwindale Community. Athens is a member of Cornerstone Club, Gary Clifford serves on the Board of Directors, and Brenda Reuter has been on Ambassador Team for three years and was Ambassador of the Year in 2009.