Carlsbad Chamber Of Commerce Announces CBAD Award Winners

CARLSBAD, CA — The Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce recently honored winners of the Carlsbad Business Achievement and Distinction Awards, recognizing businesses, educators and community members for their contributions to the city.

Known as the CBADs, the awards "highlight the resilience, innovation and dedication of Carlsbad's business community, showcasing their contributions to the economic growth and vibrancy of the region," according to the chamber.

The CBAD Award Luncheon was held March 13 at The Westin Carlsbad and celebrated winners across several categories. The chamber honored six businesses, one nonprofit, three teachers, an administrator, two business professionals, a police officer and more than a dozen long-term chamber members.

These are the 2026 CBAD winners:

Business Awards:

• Small Business of the Year: 2000 Paces Photo
• Best Place to Work: Aldrich
• Business Professional of the Year: Melanie Robertson, Melanie Robertson Photography
• Community Impact: The Repair Tech
• New Business of the Year: The French Door Café
• Young Professional of the Year: Erin Hardin, Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation

Education Awards:

• Elementary School: Mallory Gladden, Park Dale Lane Elementary
• Middle School: Aaron Sottile, Calavera Hills Middle School
• High School: Shannon Alberts, Sage Creek High School
• Principal of the Year: Dr. Josh Way, Sage Creek High School

Community Awards:

• Nonprofit of the Year: VANC
• Police Officer of the Year: Detective Page Haar, Carlsbad Police Department
• Kind Company Inspiration Award: The Woman's Club of Carlsbad
• People’s Choice Award: NAMM's Museum of Making Music

Long-Term Carlsbad Chamber Member Honorees:

Celebrating 25 Years with the Carlsbad Chamber:

• Adrich
• Carlsbad Self Storage
• Dea Huston New Village Arts Theatre
• Ecke YMCA

Celebrating 30 Years with the Carlsbad Chamber:

• AT&T
• California Bank & Trust
• Carlsbad Educational Foundation
• Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club & Spa
• Visit Carlsbad

Celebrating 35 Years with the Carlsbad Chamber:

• KingBenefits Insurance Solutions, Inc.

Celebrating 40 Years with the Carlsbad Chamber:

• Army and Navy Academy
• Jazzercise, Inc.
• Kennedy Faires, Inc.
• San Diego Gas and Electric
• Women's Resource Center
• ZUZA, LLC