You are invited to honor your fellow Chamber members and community leaders at the 105th Annual Awards Luncheon. The luncheon, presented by Taylor Farms, will be held Thursday, April 9th, from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm at Sherwood Hall. The afternoon begins with a vibrant “Networking Power Hour” commencing at 10:00 am, presented by Bay Federal Credit Union.  With an attendance of nearly 500, the Annual Awards Luncheon is the single largest gathering of businesspeople in our area. 

“The Annual Awards Luncheon is one of the Chamber’s most meaningful traditions,” said Colleen Bailey, President and CEO of the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce. “For 105 years, this event has celebrated the people and organizations that go above and beyond to support our local economy and community.”

The following individuals and organizations are being recognized for their significant contributions to our community: 

Outstanding Small Business of the Year: Salad Shoppe  
Salad Shoppe has been a cornerstone of healthy dining and community support in the Salinas Valley for nearly 40 years, offering fresh salads, soups, wraps, and sandwiches alongside the largest self-serve salad bar in Monterey County. Celebrated locally for its quality, friendly service, and commitment to nutrition, Salad Shoppe has earned a strong reputation with consistently high customer ratings.

The business was originally opened in 1986 by a daughter of the iconic Antle produce-growing family, one of the pioneering agricultural families of the Salinas Valley. What began as an open-air produce market that offered fresh salads as an option quickly evolved into a beloved destination for wholesome meals built around the region’s abundant fresh produce.

Today, owners and operators since 2010 — Chuck Hague, Josh Gentle, and Dave Bigham — continue that tradition. Gentle, who began working at Salad Shoppe as a teenager and now serves as Partner and day-to-day Shoppe Manager, reflects a deep personal and professional commitment to the business and its role in the community.

Salad Shoppe’s impact extends well beyond its menu. The business has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to supporting local schools, youth activities, and arts programs, while also contributing to community initiatives through organizations such as the Gen Giammanco Foundation, Relay For Life of the Salinas Valley, and numerous other nonprofit efforts. These contributions reflect a sustained dedication to strengthening the well-being and cultural vitality of the Salinas Valley.

As Salad Shoppe approaches four decades of service, it continues to represent the very best of what a local small business can be — rooted in the agricultural heritage of the Salinas Valley, committed to fresh and healthy food, and deeply invested in the well-being of the community it serves. 

Outstanding Large Business of the Year: K&D Landscaping  
Founded in 1986 as a humble, small family operation, K&D Landscaping has grown into a $20 million regional leader without losing its core values. Driven by deep local roots, K&D launched its Community Beautification Projects in 2016 to give back to the region that built them. Since then, they have beautified over 35 nonprofits, investing more than $200,000 last year alone to ensure the community thrives. K&D is also championing water conservation efforts through their Annual Central Coast Water Summit since 2022.

Today, K&D is redefining the industry with California's first Level 5 autonomous commercial fleet and 100% electric handheld tools. Even amidst this rapid technological advancement, they fiercely protect a supportive, people-first company culture. This unwavering commitment to employee well-being allows K&D to proudly sustain an 85% employee retention rate in an industry historically plagued by turnover. 

Looking ahead, they are expanding toward the Bay Area and San Luis Obispo County with a vision to become a $1 billion company by 2035. As they build a path to a $100,000 minimum salary for their team, the ultimate mission of K&D remains clear: to raise the bar in the landscaping.  

Businesswoman of the Year: Chris Morello, Monterey Regional Airport 
Chris Morello is an accomplished aviation executive with 18 years of experience in airport management and strategic leadership at Monterey Regional Airport, where she has served since 2008. She was appointed as Executive Director following a nationwide search, becoming the first woman to lead the airport in its 84-year history. Chris previously served as Deputy Executive Director of Planning and Marketing, guiding critical initiatives across planning, operations, maintenance, marketing, environmental sustainability and external communications. 

Throughout her tenure, Chris has directed master planning efforts; overseen environmental, design, and numerous complex major construction programs; and managed diverse airport departments including planning, aviation operations, property management, multimedia, permitting, police, fire, and maintenance.  

A key leader in the Airport’s long term modernization, Chris played a central role in securing approval for the Airport Master Plan and spearheading the multiphase Safety Enhancement Program, which has delivered a new General Aviation Ramp and facilities, Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting facility, Commercial Apron, and is advancing the construction of a new replacement terminal building along with the associated passenger circulation and parking facilities. 

In addition to her operational and planning leadership, Chris oversees marketing, public relations, and external communications, guiding cohesive media strategy, community outreach, and interagency coordination.

Chris currently serves on the Board of the See Monterey and Visit Carmel as an advisory member. Prior to her career in Aviation, Chris worked in education managing a comprehensive Extended Learning Program for a school district. This work encompassed coordinating educational strategies that increased instruction time beyond the traditional school day, targeting improved student outcomes specific to disadvantaged students. Her work included securing funding for before/after-school activities, summer sessions, and community-based learning, that were designed to provide enrichment, academic support, and increased student engagement.

 Agricultural Leadership: Brian Church, Church Brothers Farms 

Church Brothers Farms is a family-owned grower-shipper of fresh vegetables rooted in the Salinas Valley. Founded in 1999 by brothers Tom and Steve Church, the company was built on generations of farming experience and a commitment to innovation, quality, and integrity in agriculture. Over the last 26 years, Church Brothers Farms has grown into a vertically integrated company producing a wide range of fresh vegetables and value-added products for retail and foodservice customers throughout North America. 

In 2017, Tom’s son Brian assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer, continuing the family’s legacy while guiding the company into its next phase of growth. While many agricultural leaders build their reputation in boardrooms, Brian is best known for his expertise in the field, particularly the harvesting side of the business.  

Early in his career, Brian recognized that controlling harvest operations would be critical to improving product quality and operational efficiency. He led the development of Church Brothers’ in-house harvesting program, a move that transformed the company into a fully integrated operation creating greater control from the soil to the customer. That decision has since become a cornerstone of the company’s operational strategy.  

Brian also led the expansion of the company’s agricultural operations into Central and Northern Mexico, and most recently finalized the acquisition of Mann Packing’s key assets and operations from Fresh Del Monte Produce, marking a major expansion of Church Brothers’ retail and value-added capabilities.  

Giving back has long been an important part of the Church Brothers culture. The company actively supports agricultural education, youth leadership and sports programs, and workforce development initiatives that are helping to grow the next generation of agricultural professionals. Through scholarships, partnerships with local organizations, and community engagement, Church Brothers Farms is committed to creating opportunities for young men and women pursuing careers in agriculture. 

Citizen of the Year: Monica Tovar, TMD Creative 
Monica Tovar is the President and CEO of TMD Creative, a full-service marketing firm she acquired in 2022. Under her leadership, TMD empowers businesses, nonprofits, and public organizations to enhance their mission and connect their community through high-impact visual storytelling and strategic communications. 

As an advocate for Monterey County, Monica has served on multiple boards, including the Salinas Valley Health Foundation, the Monterey County Rape Crisis Center, and the Big Sur Land Trust. She currently serves as Board Chair for the United Way of Monterey County as well as Vice Chair of CASA of Monterey County. Monica received the 2023 Perry Flicker Nonprofit Ally Award by the Nonprofit Alliance of Monterey County in recognition of her outstanding partnership and advocacy within the nonprofit sector. Monica has been dedicated to cultivating the next generation of leaders—a mission she has championed since 2011 as a mentor for Hartnell College’s Women’s Education & Leadership Institute. 

At home, Monica celebrates nearly 30 years of marriage to her husband, William, and takes greatest pride in their three children: Xavier, Yasmin, and Isaac. 

Spirit of the Community: Food Bank for Monterey County   
The Food Bank for Monterey County (FBMC) is a critical lifeline, serving 1 in 3 children, 1 in 3 seniors, and 1 in 4 residents each month. Across 3,700 square miles, FBMC supplies the food to over 160 nonprofit partners and have over 100 Food Bank monthly distribution sites, delivering more than 30 million pounds of food annually. Half of this is fresh, locally sourced produce—made possible through local produce purchases and ag partner donations that would otherwise go to waste. FBMC’s commitment to nutrition and sustainability has made the organization a trailblazer; no other California food bank rivals FBMC’s level of fresh produce distribution. 

FBMC doesn’t just fill empty plates—they transform lives by addressing the root causes of hunger. FBMC’s diverse programs, outlined below, recognize that hunger is often intertwined with broader socioeconomic challenges, and they offer holistic solutions to address these challenges. Examples of their innovative programs include FBMC’s Pediatric Diabetes Program, Maternal Health Program, and Medically Tailored Grocery Program, have made significant inroads into reducing the risk and incidence of Type 2 diabetes in our most vulnerable populations. 

FBMC emphasizes culturally appropriate foods and traditional recipes in the foods they provide through their distributions and nutrition education classes and in the hot meals they serve from our Food Truck and Produce truck. 

 Ambassador of the Year: Manny Escarcega, West Coast Community Bank 
Manny has proudly served as a Chamber Ambassador for over four years, representing the organizations he’s been part of with professionalism and heart. With over 20 years in banking, currently with West Coast Community Bank as a Treasury Management Advisor and previously a Branch Manager with Bay Federal Credit Union, Manny brings strong financial expertise and a relationship-focused approach to his role.

He is a consistent presence at mixers, ribbon cuttings, signature events, and volunteer initiatives, always stepping up to support members and Chamber efforts. Most notably, Manny recently served as Co-Chair of the Chamber Foundation’s Children’s Shopping Tour, helping lead one of SVCC Foundation’s most impactful community programs. His leadership, organization, and dedication were instrumental in creating a meaningful experience for local children and families. Manny also serves as Treasurer for Leadership Monterey County.

Manny also supports his family’s restaurant, Tacos Al Fuego, reflecting his passion for small business and local entrepreneurship. A Salinas Valley native and Palma High School alumnus, he remains deeply connected to the community he calls home.

A devoted family man, Manny is a proud father of four children, ages 4, 10, 11, and 25, and shares his life with his fiancée, Evelyn. Family remains at the center of his motivation to serve, lead, and give back to his community.

Manny exemplifies the spirit of ambassadorship, engaged, dependable, and always willing to serve and step forward.

Anniversaries in 2025: Member Businesses celebrating 10, 25, and 50 years of Chamber membership will also be honored for their continued support.  

We are honored to extend a warm “THANK YOU!” to our sponsors, whose support make this event possible (as of the publication deadline):  
Presenting Sponsor: Taylor Farms

Networking Power Hour: Bay Federal Credit Union

Platinum Sponsor: Church Brothers Farms

Gold Sponsors: City of Salinas, Kaiser Permanente, Mag One Media, and Salinas Valley Health

Silver Sponsors: Alliant Insurance Services, Aspire Health, California Water Service 
Chevron, Fifth Third Bank, Granite Construction, Milla Legal Document Services 
Natividad Medical Foundation, Pinnacle Bank, The OG Companies, SSB Construction, and West Coast Community Bank

Bronze Sponsors: 
Ausonio Incorporated, D’ARRIGO CALIFORNIA, Fenton and Keller, Innovative Cleaning Solutions, Monterey County Bank, Monterey Regional Airport, Ottone & Leach LLP, The Don Chapin Co., Inc. 

Media Sponsors: iHeartMedia and KION-TV

Artwork & Design Sponsor: TMD Creative

In-Kind Sponsor: Mission Linen 
Plaque Sponsor: Pinnacle Bank  
Décor Sponsor: Galaxy Party Supply

Catering: The Valley Restaurant and Catering  

For more information, call the Chamber Office at (831) 751-7725 or visit SalinasChamber.com.