VCCDC Hosts 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony Recognizing Regional Leaders
On October 12, we hosted our 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony - Leading People Home at Spanish Hills Club in Camarillo in celebration of VCCDC's 22nd year of leading people home and in recognition of five regional leaders. Together with our friends and supporters, we enjoyed an evening of delicious food, live music, heart-warming stories and inspirational award presentations. We were honored to have California Community Builders Chief Executive Offer, Adam Briones as a special guest speaker and CalHFA Executive Director, Tiena Johnson Hall as our Keynote Speaker. Also joining us for the festivities was our emcee David Cruz, a longtime TV and radio host, and we listened intently to our client testimonial presented by new homeowner, Yolanda Marquez, who was accompanied by her family. The crowd gathered included many VCCDC sponsors, our five award recipients, and their friends and family.
We honored five important leaders who have inspired our work and five award winners who are making significant contributions in our community. Our Leading People Home awards honor Rodney Fernandez, Michael McGuire, Ernest Baskette Jr., Lynn L. Jacobs and Carmen Ramirez for their exceptional contributions that have made a lasting impact in the affordable housing field and beyond. We were delighted to present the five awards to four individuals and one organization who have committed countless hours to improving the lives of families and individuals through investment of time, resources, and advocacy, thereby underscoring important community engagement, visionary leadership, and lifetime of excellence. This year we had the honor of presenting a new award honoring the late Carmen Ramirez for advocating solutions-based initiatives to provide affordable housing for low-to moderate income households, and championing social, health, and environmental programs to deliver a better quality of life for all.
The VCCDC Leading People Home Awards and the respective reicipients are:
Rodney Fernandez Founder’s Award for Excellence in Visionary Leadership presented to Bruce Stenslie, CEO of Economic Development Collaborative
Michael McGuire Award for Excellence in Community Partnership presented to People’s Self-Help Housing of San Luis Obispo
Ernest Baskette, Jr. Award for Excellence in Community Support presented to Jack Hinojosa, CEO, CDR (Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Inc.)
Lynn L. Jacobs Award for Excellence in Lifetime Leadership presented to Rashi Kallur, retired Citi Vice President for Community Relations
Carmen Ramirez Award for Excellence in Advocacy and Community Impact presented to Barbara Macri Ortiz, Attorney and Housing Advocate
Congratulations to the honorees of the 2023 Leading People Home Awards!
Thank you to U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo Bank, Presenting Sponsors of the 3rd Annual Awards Ceremony and additional sponsors Premier America Credit Union, California Bank & Trust, Citizens Business Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, BMO, Comerica Bank, CBC Federal Credit Union, City National Bank, Insperity, Child Development Resources of Ventura County, City of Oxnard - Housing Division, County of Ventura, HOME, Mechanics Bank, Montecito Bank & Trust, The Port of Hueneme/Oxnard Harbor District, and Ventura County Credit Union.
