Darrell Monda Named Most Valuable Professional of the Year

Los Gatos resident Darrell Monda, founder of the Campbell-based Recon Group, has been selected as the's Most Valuable Professional of the Year.

Monda will be recognized along with two other entrepreneurs Wednesday during the chamber's annual dinner and awards presentation at 5:30 p.m. at 

Monda is being lauded not for his successful work in helping residential and commercial real estate companies with photography and Internet marketing needs, but because of his contributions to the town, according to Ronee Nassi, Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce executive director.

"He does a lot of volunteer work for the town and throughout Santa Clara County," Nassi said, adding that Monda is past president and an active member of the

In 2005, he created the Los Gatos Morning Rotary fundraiser, “Claw for a Cause,” an all-you-can eat “Lobster Block Party,” held each year on the first Saturday after Labor Day.

Monda also serves on the board of directors of the Los Gatos Community Foundation and is this year's co-chairman of the seventh-annual “CATillion Gala," a Nov. 5 fundraiser for the organization's scholarships and grants.

Monda also volunteers on the board of the Theatre Improvement Project, which hopes to raise an additional $2 million to complete the build-out of the high school's theatre.

"He's being singled out for his kindness and generosity to the community," Nassi said. 

About 100 people are expected to attend Wednesday night's recognition, which has honored outstanding local entrepreneurs since 2003.

The speakers are Peggy and Mike Gibbs, founders of Camp BizSmart, which helps youth from ages 11-15 develop their business skills through mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and executives from leading companies like Apple, Google and Cisco.

Other honorees includewho's receiving the Los Gatos Business Person of the Year, and Huber Business Group's Jeana Moore, who will be awarded the Los Gatos Ambassador of the Year honor.

About the honorees, Nassi said, "They're very deserving individuals. All of them have really shown their commitment to our community and to the organizations and individuals they serve ... We're very happy to be able to honor them."