Annandale Chamber Honors Local Individuals and Businesses

Several Annandale residents, volunteers and businesses received honors at the Annandale Chamber of Commerce's 65th annual awards ceremony and luncheon on Thursday, Jun. 9 at the Horticultural Center in Green Spring Gardens.

Chamber President Gavin Dock offered remarks for each of the recipients and presented winners with their certificates along with Chamber Vice President Carol Zach-Reuss.

Attendees, which included Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Sharon Bulova, Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross, Sharon Starke from Congressman Gerry Connolly’s office, and Mason District Station Commander Capt. Gun Lee among others, mingled and enjoyed lunch catered by A Bit More Catering before the ceremony.

The Chamber presented four groups of awards that recognized: Chamber and community members for their work and support in and on behalf of Annandale, police and fire department achievement awards, academic achievement awards for students and special recognition awards for citizens.

Jeffrey Levine of Levine Studios received the Lossie Tucker Meritorious Service award for his work with the Annandale Chamber and service to the community, including developing visualizations of a revitalized Annandale.

Eileen Garnett received the Annandale Citizen of the Year award for her longstanding volunteer and activist efforts in the community. Garnett founded the Annandale Central Business District Planning Committee more than 25 years ago and has since worked to improve the landscape and more here in Annandale.

Master Apparatus Joseph Laun was chosen as Firefighter of the Year for his dedication to the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department and service to the Annandale area.

Detective Robert LeBlanc received the award for Police Officer of the Year for his investigative work with the Fairfax County Police Department. LeBlanc has been with the Mason District Station for over 10 years.

Three students received awards from the Chamber for their academic and community achievements.

student Raquel Ruiz Velasquez received the Sami Kalifa Academic Award due to her outstanding academic standing and commitment to community service. Velasquez has been tutoring two young boys from Bolivia since her 10th grade through her local church. Velasquez will attend in the fall.

Falls Church High School student Patrick Cusumano also received a student academic achievement award for his work with his school's Distributive Education Club (DECA), promotion of Jaguar Joe, the school’s signature coffee and more. Cusumano will attend James Madison University in the fall.

Jacqueline Park received the NVCC 2011 Academic Achievement Award. The Chamber chose Park for academic work at and activities which include co-founding the Korean Student Association and serving as president of the NVCC Student Government Association.

The Special Recognition Awards went to Roy Eppard of Beatty Management and the Virginia Defense Force for his contributions to the Annandale Chamber and the Annandale community. The A Company, 23rd Battalion of the Virginia Defense Force also received a special recognition award. The A Company trains at the Mason District Government Center and served as marshals for last year's annual Annandale Parade.

Annandale Patch received the Business of the Year award for coverage of the Annandale community since launching in September 2010.