2019 February Colony Magazine

Chamber Recognizes Business Leaders, Board Members
Mike and Charlotte Byrne
Geoff & Kate
Glenn's Rental & Repair
Farron Walker
Gary Borjan
Farron Elizabeth, Glenn's Repair & Rental
celebrated as outstanding businesses
While Jeannie Malik
was the talk of the
town at the Atascadero
Chamber of Commerce Annual
Dinner in January as she
received the 2018 Citizen of the
Year award, her grace did not
overshadow five additional and
equally-deserving award winners.
Alongside Jeannie, Mike and
Charlotte Byrne, Gary Borjan,
Ray Johnson, Farron Walker, and
Geoff and Kate Auslen were invited
on stage to receive awards.
Mike and Charlotte Byrne
2018 Community
Service Award
Co-founders of the El Camino
Homeless Organization, or
ECHO as it is well-known, Mike
and Charlotte have made a significant
impact on Atascadero since
arriving in 1971.
Both teachers, they brought
compassion to their jobs and
that compassion carried on in
their retirements. Mike taught in
Special Education at Atascadero
High School, and Charlotte
taught Child Development at
Cuesta College. Before helping
By Nicholas Mattson
start ECHO, Mike and Charlotte
served as volunteers at
Loaves and Fishes Food Bank.
In 2018, Mike and Charlotte
stepped down from the board of
ECHO, but according to board
chair Eric Gobler their contributions
will leave a lasting impact
on the organization and
the community.
Additional
Awards Included:
• Gary Borjan, 2018 Ambassador
of the Year
• Ray Johnson, 2018 Lifetime
Member
• Glenn’s Rental & Repair, 2018
Business of the Year
• Farron Walker, owner of Farron
Elizabeth, 2018 Entrepreneur
of the Year
The event also served as the
2019 Installation Dinner for incoming
board members and outgoing
Board Chair John Donovan,
owner of John Donovan’s
State Farm Insurance and Financial
Services, recognized the
service of the outgoing members.
“John [Donovan] stepped in as
the board chairperson on January
1, 2018,” Kirk said, “and I don’t
think it is ever easy to step into
an organization with a brand new
CEO, but he did so fabulously.”
At 7’1”, Big John then dwarfed
the podium, but his sincere humility
and attitude of service put
the event in perspective.
“I would like to thank my board
of directors from last year for all
the hard work you did,” “Each one
of you showed up to the meetings,
volunteered your time and you
made the job of chair very, very
easy. Thank you.”
Donovan also thanked the
ambassadors, committee chairs,
council chairs, volunteers, Kirk
and the Chamber staff, and the
membership of the Atascadero
Chamber of Commerce.
“Without participation from
[the members] nothing happens,”
Donovan said.
Donovan then introduced
the outgoing chairpersons, Ray
Buban, Eric Gobler, Jessica Sohi,
Ryan McGaughey, and Tim Bauman.
“Thank you everybody for your
participation,” Donovan said. “We
are going to miss you.”
Then Donovan handed the baton
to incoming 2019 Chamber
Board Chair Angela Cisneros,
manager of K-Jon’s Fine Jewelers.
“Last year, I stood before you
and told you that Atascadero is on
the verge of breaking out,” Donovan
said. “I don’t think there is any
doubt that is indeed happening.
At this time I’d like to introduce
the chairwoman of the board of
the Atascadero Chamber of Commerce
for 2019, Angela Cisneros.”
“I’m very honored to be your
2019 chairperson,” Cisneros said.
“It’s great to be a part of a chamber
that is evolving. The chamber’s
vision is for business leaders and
our business community to succeed.”
Cisneros announced the 2019
board, with Tom Jones (PG&E)
serving as Chair eElect, Phil
Koziel (Atascadero State Hospital)
as Vice Chair of Finance,
Maria Kelly ( JUSTIN Vineyards
and Winery) as Vice Chair, Donovan
remaining on as Past Chair,
and rank and file members Terrie
Banish (City of Atascadero), Gary
Borjan (Pacific Premier Bank),
Jacque Fields (Wild Fields Brewhouse),
Mike Giancola (Chicago
Grade Landfill), Sabrina Harper
(CoastHills Credit Union), Don
Idler (Idler’s Home), Sean Kennedy
(Kennedy Club Fitness), Janet
Wallace (O’Leary Wallace LLP),
and Zoe Zappas (Z Villages
and La Plaza).
For information, go to
atascaderochamber.org.
Angela Cisneros
Tom Jones Phil Koziel Maria Kelly John Donovan
2019 Executive Board
Angela Cisneros, Board Chair
Tom Jones, Chair Elect
Phil Koziel, Vice Chair of Finance
Maria Kelly, Vice Chair
John Donovan, Past Chair
2019 Board Members
Terrie Banish • Gary Borjan
Jacque Fields • Mike Giancola
Sabrina Harper • Rich Johnson
Sean Kennedy • Janet Wallace
Zoe Zappas • Don Idler
18 | colonymagazine.com Colony Magazine, February 2019