Spirit of Marin Honors Business Leaders

Hundreds of people braved the scorching heat today, Sept. 23, to honor recipients of the 18th annual Spirit of Marin Awards Luncheon at the historic St. Vincent’s School for Boys in San Rafael, hosted by .

The awards ceremony, inspired by Dr. Jim Dawson, an orthodontist and member of Bank of Marin's board, honors one business or person from each of the 11 participating chambers of commerce. David Coon, Superintendent and President of College of Marin, and Dr. Mary Marcy, President of Dominican University, both gave encouraging speeches. Recipients were introduced by a lively Joan Capurro and Russel Colombo, both of Bank of Marin.

Honorees this year ranged from , a small family plumbing, heating and cooling business that has operated since 1932, to Mike Ghilotti, of Ghilotti Brothers Contracting Company, a third-generation, multi-million dollar company operating all over Northern California.

Congratulations to the 2011 Marin County Chambers of Commerce Honorees:

Tom Malvino
Louis Thomas
Business Citizen of the Year, Corte Madera Chamber of Commerce

Suzanne Schneider
Schneider Insurance Services
Business Citizen of the Year, Fairfax Chamber of Commerce

Douglas Mundo
Canal Welcome Center
Business Citizen of the Year, Hispanic Business Chamber of Marin

Mi Pueblo Food Center
Juvenal Chavez, CEO
Business of the Year, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Marin

Cheryl Popp
Popp Inc.
Business Citizen of the Year, Sausalito Chamber of Commerce

Peter Riopel
Trustmont Group
Business Citizen of the Year, Larkspur Chamber of Commerce

Mill Valley Market
Doug and David Canepa
Business of the Year, Mill Valley Chamber of Commerce

BioMarin
Mark Wood, VP of Human Resources/Corp. Affairs
Business of the Year, Novato Chamber of Commerce

Ongaro & Sons
Dean, Mitch, Paul & Ernie Ongaro
Business of the Year, San Anselmo Chamber of Commerce

Unicorn Group
Mark Schmidt
Small Business of the Year, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce

Ghilotti Bros.
Mike & Dante Ghilotti
Large Business of the Year, San Rafael Chamber of Commerce

Georgia Kirchmaier
Tiburon Chamber of Commerce
Business Citizen of the Year, Tiburon Chamber of Commerce

Jack Kramer
Point Reyes Nation
Volunteer of the Year, West Marin Chamber of Commerce