Chamber of Commerce Honors New Leadership and Citizens Making a Difference

More than 125 people were dressed to the nines at the Thursday night, to celebrate the installation of the 's 2011 board members and people who make a difference in the community.

Awards were given for Citizen of the Year, Business Person of the Year, Charitable Organization of the Year and Educator of the Year.

Danville's mayor, Karen Stepper, swore in the 2011 board members.

Recognition was also given to the Chamber's 2010 Chairman, Joe Combs. Former CEO and President, Melony Newman, who recently resigned after eight years in that post due to a heart condition, was also honored.

Stepper praised the Chamber for helping the community through difficult economic times.

"We count on you doing it right and making a difference in our town," said Stepper, of the chamber that represents approximately 550 businesses. "We are trying so hard to make Danville an economically viable entity."

Kim Lindeberg was installed as Chairman of the Board and shared her enthusiasm for her new role with the audience.

"I look forward to bringing more collaborative ideas into the folds of our community," said Lindeberg, President of the Lindeberg Group, a firm that sells telecommunications products. "My theme this year is to embrace opportunities and those opportunities are all around us."

Before the awards kicked off, 2003 grad and professionally trained singer, , gave two performances in Italian. Komsky is a UCLA trained Opera singer who has performed worldwide.

His performance was particularly significant to his former music teacher, Bruce Koliha, who sat next to him during the event. Koliha was recognized as the Chamber's Educator of the Year Thursday night.

Koliha has taught choral music for 34 years, with 29 of them at Monte Vista. He has also directed the choir at St. Mary's College in Moraga. His singers have performed on 10 international concert tours, including at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican and Carnegie Hall in New York City.

"I have never won a Grammy before but I bet it feels like this," said Koliha, as he accepted the award. "I have had a lot of wonderful students. For me it's the students that sustain me. It never grows old for me."

Other award recipients were:

Paulina Pulliam McGill, a Realtor in Contra Costa County since 1961, was honored as Citizen of the Year. McGill was recognized as a life member of the One Hundred Club which provides benefits for families of fallen police officers and fire fighters. She has also volunteered at the San Ramon Regional Medical Center since 1998.

Gordon Clarke, has owned in downtown Danville since 2007 and was honored as Business Person of the Year. Clarke was recognized for his contributions to local schools and the organization STAND! For Families Free of Violence.

, was honored as Charitable Organization of the Year. The nonprofit group, based in Danville, was honored for 12 years of service to adults and children with Down Syndrome. It was also recognized as the only organization in the Bay Area dedicated to serving children and adults with the genetic condition.