Tempe Chamber Business Excellence Award Winners

Pictured: Tempe Chamber President & CEO Colin Diaz and Jeffrey Bernick, CEO, TCH. Photo by Jay Mark

The Tempe Chamber of Commerce held the 22nd Annual State of the Chamber and Business Excellence Awards, presented by Southwest Airlines, on June 30th at the Embassy Suites Hotel. The Tempe Chamber recognized outstanding Chamber members, celebrating those that demonstrate business excellence and go above and beyond to make Tempe a great place to work and live.

“There is a wide cross-section of businesses in our community that truly embodies our diverse economy,” said Chamber President and CEO Colin Diaz, ACE, IOM. “They also reflect the many complexities that rapid growth and expansion bring. We need to ensure that our environment continues to be feasible for both large and small business, old and new, as well as current and emerging industries. Over the past few years, our businesses have survived incredible odds. Now we celebrate our members and share our vision for the Tempe Chamber and the business community.”

The following awards were presented:

Small Business of the Year Award: Laura’s Gourmet Granola, LLC

Large Business of the Year Award: The Centers for Habilitation (TCH)

Spirit of Tempe Award: Marni Anbar with DISCOVERosityZone

Volunteer of the Year: Paul Quinn with R & K Staffing

Tempe Leadership Award: Tanya Gray with the ASU Alumni Association

Tempe Chamber Board Chair Raveen Arora, owner of The Dhaba restaurant, passed the gavel to Board Chair Elect Megan Martin, with Salt River Project. “This past year has been a test of our resilience, courage, togetherness and commitment. Our stars, including the Chamber staff, board, ambassadors and volunteers, shone brightly in the darkness of uncertainty and challenges to build a better chamber that serves as the face of the community,” said outgoing board chair, Raveen Arora

Martin will now oversee the board of directors through the 2022 – 2023 fiscal year. “It is an honor to serve as the Chair of the Tempe Chamber of Commerce Board this year. I look forward to a productive collaboration with fellow board members and chamber staff towards fulfilling the chamber’s mission. The Tempe Chamber is fortunate to count community-supporting businesses as members that have managed to grow in these unprecedented times, and that have made employee development a priority,” said Martin.