Jewels of Our Community

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE & LEADERSHIP AWARDS

North Orange County Chamber (NOCC) honored “Jewels of Our Community” including California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), St. Jude Medical Center, Polly’s Pies Restaurant, and Congressman Ed Royce at the Chamber’s annual “Business Excellence and Leadership Awards.” The dinner, themed “On The Move,” was held at the Holiday Inn, Buena Park on June 22, 2018.

Celebrating 50 years of changing lives while serving delicious desserts, Polly's Pies was honored at the Chamber's annual dinner. Founder Eddit Sheldrake (pictured left) shares a moment with outgoing Chair, Marty Burbank.

Award recipients, selected based on their outstanding long-time contributions to the business, professional and educational communities, each celebrate milestone anniversaries this year. California State University, Fullerton and St. Jude Medical Center each celebrating 60 years and Polly’s Pies commemorating 50 years of business leadership. In addition to outstanding businesses, Congressman Ed Royce was recognized for his 36 years of public service.

Kari Knutson Miller representing CSU Fullerton, accepts recognition from Congressman Ed Royce as Assemblywoman Sharon Quirk-Silva, and Fullerton Councilmember, Jesus Silva look on.

Since its founding in 1957, CSUF has graduated more than a quarter million students. The campus is ranked sixth in the nation in bachelor’s degrees awarded to minority students and the campus is nationally recognized for its outstanding academic programs. Kari Knutson Miller, CSUF’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs graciously accepted the award, while a video played highlighting the University’s achievements. Chamber President and CEO, Theresa Harvey, and Past Board Chair, Emily France representing The Gas Company,presented awards.

Brian Helleland (left) and his wife, Lisa, joined Dru-Ann Copping (second from right) and Morningside's Richard Nordsiek (right), at the celebration recognizing St. Jude Medical Center.

President and CEO, Brian Helleland, took to the stage to accept the award for St. Jude Medical Center, explaining how community fundraising played a key role in the early development of the hospital. “That’s the foundation on which St. Jude was built. On a generous community achieving the extraordinary, some might even say impossible. It is a foundation that has allowed St. Jude to offer something in return, a life changing ministry. In short, this is your hospital,” he explained. Exhibiting a strong commitment to exceptional care and service, St. Jude Medical Center highlighted its civic engagement through their support of the renovation of the Women’s Transitional Living Center and other community endeavors.

Other honorees included Congressman Ed Royce pictured receiving the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Spirit of Enterprise presented by Jennings Imel.

Polly’s Pies, founded by brothers Eddie and Don Sheldrake, opened its doors in 1958. The bakery continues to be family-owned operating 15 bakery locations throughout the south land. Known for their delicious pies, Polly’s Pies continuously gives back to their community by supporting non-profit organizations through their dine-in night fundraisers and donations of Pie of the Month programs. Founder Eddie Sheldrake accepted the honor commenting, “It is the company’s commitment to employees that makes a difference. People are our business and providing an opportunity to improve the lives of those who work for us is why we exist today.”

The evening also celebrated the Chamber's accomplishments under the leadership of outgoing Chair, Marty Burbank (left). Emily France and Theresa Harvey (right), shared duties as Masters of Ceremonies.

Theresa Harvey pauses to recognize those representing the evening's honorees including (left to right) Eddie Sheldrake, Founder Polly's Pies; Congressman Ed Royce; Kari Knutson Miller, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, CSU Fullerton; and Brian Helleland, President and CEO, St. Jude Medical Center.

The final honoree, Congressman Ed Royce, was first elected to the California State Senate in 1982. A public servant for 36 years, Royce has been an active voice in the business community through his stance on addressing our national debt, strengthening education for all students, and spurring job creation. In addition to being recognized by the NOCC, Jennings Imel, representing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, also took to the stage to present Royce with the Spirit of Enterprise Award.

The evening concluded with installation of the NOC Chamber's 2018-19 Board of Directors including (top row left to right) Kevin Pendergraft, Credit Union of Southern California; Carlos Salazar, the Salazar Associates; Ho-El Park, Law Offices of Ho-El Park; Alex Burrola, FSB Core Strategies; Marty Burbank, OC Elder Law; Stan Kwak, Voit Commercial Services; Michael Williams, Williams Insurance Brokers; and Javier Solis, Holiday Inn Buena Park. Other board members include (front right to left) Emily France, the Gas Co.; Dru Ann Copping, St. Jude Medical Center; Cherry Li-Bugg, North Orange County Community College District; Tami Bui, CSU Fullerton; Sueling Chen, Arborland Montessori Education Center; Helen Eligio, Farmers and Merchants Bank; and (second from left) Katie Wanamaker, The Source. Also pictured are (third from left) Mayor Virginia Vaughn, City of Buena Park and Theresa Harvey, NOCC.

“IT IS THE COMPANY’S COMMITMENT TO EMPLOYEES THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE ARE OUR BUSINESS AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO WORK FOR US IS WHY WE EXIST TODAY.”

- EDDIE SHELDRAKE, FOUNDER, POLLY’S PIES