10th annual event celebrates El Centro’s entrepreneurial spirit
A true dynamism emerged in El Centro since early 20th century pioneers settled and continues to flourish in its expanding merchant community, now over 2,400 businesses, which was acclaimed at the Imagine Awards on Thursday evening.
The 10th annual awards whose theme, “Imagine … Then and Now” fit perfectly with the venue, The Crest Event Center, which was part of the old Main Street commercial district which is now revitalized and thriving.
“We’re honoring business success in El Centro,” said Marcela Piedra, interim city manager. “And many of these businesses are very supportive of our nonprofits benefiting youth and athletic programs that lift the quality of life.” Mayor Alex Cardenas praised the city council for listening to business recommendations when adopting policy that ultimately enhances the city.
“El Centro created the right infrastructure for business to be successful,” said Cardenas. “We’ll have a significant augmentation of downtown lighting, a $1 million project to be completed in July that will improve safety. And we’re employing a security staff at our transit center that will maintain the highest standard of safety for our residents. I especially thank our city staff and sponsors for choosing this venue, a great example of the city’s revitalization.”
IMAGINE is an abbreviation for innovation, motivation, architect of change, genius, industrious, noble and entrepreneur. These are assets original settlers exhibited, who developed an isolated outpost into the prosperous county seat.
Jason Jackson, city councilman and master of ceremonies, noted 2017 is a time of exceptional opportunity and the event, a special evening devoted to the recognition of the value of honoring business that the city is committed to ensuring their continued success.
“The abundant spirit of El Centro lives in its residents and merchants and what sets it apart is the love of family and friends as the last 10 years has witnessed so many improvements,” he said.
Opening the Shaolin Kung Five Animals-Martial Arts with his wife, Brian Walker received the Innovator Award. Walker remarked he is trying to work with foster and continuation school students.
“It’s up to us business owners to guide them in the right direction,” he said. “We accept this honor in the name of our students whom we wouldn’t be here without them.”
Fidel Gonzalez, president and chief operating officer of First Imperial Credit Union, recipient of the Motivator Award, noted his nonprofit is different from banks in that all business decisions put its members first. “A key component is we can charge less for loans,” he said. “It’s a great team effort. The board sets the vision but the employees do a lot of the hard work.”
Architect of change went to Dr. Seung Gwon, president and chief executive officer of Vein Clinic, Inc. that does laparoscopic surgery and related services, relishes the climate here. “I came from Chicago and really appreciate the welcome the community gave us,” she said. “I’ve met my husband here, made my practice here and this is my home.”
A pillar of the community for the last 75 years, Horton, Knox, Carter & Foote, LLP has a reputation of knowing the area’s history yet an up-to-date approach to the legal profession. Accepting the genius award for senior partner Lanny Foote was Mercedes Wheeler, also senior partner. “Lanny graduate from Stanford University and could have gone anywhere but chose Imperial Valley,” she said. “It’s an honor to accept and on behalf of the entire firm, the way Lanny would want.”
In business since 1955 Grasso’s Italian Restaurant was acquired from original owners by Ed and Mary Baron which was bought by Hank Baron and his wife in 2003, won the industrious award. He called Grasso’s the epitome of small business success. “Our rock solid customer base got us through good and lean times,” he said. “The mom and pop business is the heart of the city’s businesses and drive our community here.”
Accepting the noble award was Kirk Hems, owner of Hems Brothers Mortuary, who remarked that since the business was launched by his grandfather in 1916, customer service is number one. “Losing a loved one is very hard, so I take care of the general public the way I’d want to be taken care of,” said Hems.
Jim Reiters Locksmith & Safe owner Carol Reiters accepted the entrepreneur award. She noted one of the best pieces of advice came from a customer, have two keys for everything, it saves lots of agony. “It’s our 30th year and everybody asks how much longer you’re going to work but what else am I going to do, she said. “Since I started in hardware stores in Nebraska, if I wasn’t cutting keys I was doing the bookkeeping.”