2026 IVRCC Annual Awards Dinner Honors Leaders Shaping the Imperial Valley's Future

The Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce brought together business leaders, elected officials and community members on September 23, 2026, for its 5th Annual Awards Dinner, themed "Business Without Borders," held at The Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse in El Centro.

An evening like this is only possible because of the businesses who invest in it. IVRCC extends its gratitude to Gold Sponsor BHE Renewables; Award Sponsors SoCalGas, Imperial Printers, Sun Community FCU and Legacy MD Medical Group; and Bronze Sponsors Yuma and IV Wealth Management and Controlled Thermal Resources. Thank you as well to The Eye of Ariel for capturing the evening as our Photography Sponsor, and to Juanita Rebollar and Sher Cowie for donating the live auction items that made the night's fundraising possible.

Guests were welcomed with a cocktail hour set to live music from the Imperial Valley Symphony, who performed as attendees arrived and mingled ahead of the evening's program.

The evening then opened with a presentation of colors by the Naval Air Facility El Centro Color Guard, National Anthem by Emmie Bonesi, and invocation by Sara Griffen before moving into an evening honoring nine individuals and organizations whose leadership, service and generosity have left a mark across the region this year, spanning healthcare, hospitality, agriculture, advocacy and nonprofit work.

Special Recognition: Divine Designs

The evening also included a special recognition for Divine Designs, thanked for its continued support of IVRCC ribbon cutting ceremonies, consistently showing up to help business members celebrate their grand openings across the Imperial Valley.

Duflock Award: Dr. Jeffrey Chan

The Duflock Award, honoring service that creates opportunity for others, went to Dr. Jeffrey Chan. A healthcare professional, educator and entrepreneur, Chan founded Honor Health Sciences to give local students a path into nursing and healthcare careers without leaving the Valley. His investment in the community also includes the revitalization of Chan Plaza in El Centro and the 2025 purchase and restoration of a historic event center, The Old Eucalyptus Schoolhouse, alongside service on the City of El Centro Planning Commission and the IVRCC Board.

Patricia Gotti Award: Jorge Clue of United Toyota

Jorge Clue, general manager of United Toyota Imperial received the Patricia Gotti Award for treating community involvement as core to doing business. Since arriving in the Imperial Valley, Clue has supported youth sports programs, opened his business to Alzheimer's awareness fundraising, and dedicated time to teen suicide prevention awareness.

Legislative Champion Award: Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz

Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz was recognized with the Legislative Champion Award for turning federal advocacy into tangible investment in the region. His work has helped secure funding for the Calexico Intermodal Transportation Center, Imperial's Corridor Safety Improvement Project, El Centro's Imperial Avenue Extension, county bridge rehabilitation projects and Imperial Irrigation District infrastructure, along with continued attention to the Salton Sea and New River.

Betty Young Award: Gina Young Dockstader

The Betty Young Award, named for a woman whose life was defined by service to Imperial Valley agriculture, youth and healthcare, was presented to her granddaughter, Gina Young Dockstader. A fourth-generation Valley resident, Dockstader became only the third woman in the Imperial Irrigation District's century-plus history to serve as Board Chairwoman, and continues her family's legacy through her work on agriculture, water rights and Salton Sea restoration.

Ambassador of the Year: Jaymee Chan

Jaymee Chan earned Ambassador of the Year for consistently showing up wherever the Chamber needed help, from ribbon cuttings to event setup and breakdown, despite her own demanding career in healthcare, business and education.

Business of the Year: Imperial Valley Food Bank

The Imperial Valley Food Bank received Business of the Year after a year that tested its resilience as much as it celebrated its impact. In 2024, the organization distributed more than 7 million pounds of food, served over 34,000 Imperial County residents, and provided weekend food assistance to more than 1,300 local students weekly. Despite losing roughly 21 percent of its food distribution to federal funding cuts in 2025, the Food Bank adapted its sourcing and partnerships to keep serving the estimated 25,000 people who rely on it each month.

Small Business of the Year: The Original Town Pump Steakhouse

Gabriel and Juanita Rebollar business owners of The Original Town Pump Steakhouse were named Small Business of the Year for their impact on Westmorland, a town of roughly 2,000 people. Beyond serving as a community gathering place, the restaurant supports local culinary students, IVRCC Teacher Appreciation Week, and the Westmorland Honey Festival.

Chamber Champion of the Year: Los Vigilantes

Los Vigilantes, founded in 1945 out of the Imperial Valley Roundup, received the Chamber Champion of the Year Award for more than 80 years of partnership with the community — and consistent support of IVRCC initiatives including the Honey Festival, the Celebrate America Drone Show, the Margarita Challenge and the El Centro Christmas Parade.

Honorary Chamber Ambassadors: Pauline Picazo, Tina Richardson Garcia and Mary Helen Sanchez

The evening also recognized three volunteers who have become fixtures

behind the scenes at Chamber events: Pauline Picazo, Tina Richardson Garcia and Mary Helen Sanchez, honored as Honorary Chamber Ambassadors for their consistent willingness to show up, staff events and support the Chamber whenever called upon.

A New Chapter for the IVRCC Board

The evening also marked a transition for IVRCC's Board of Directors. IVRCC thanked outgoing directors Terri Rogers (Executive Board), Sean Wilcock, Audrey Camacho, Michelle Hollinger, Edgar Jaimes and Nancy Salcedo for their service during the 2025-2026 term, and welcomed incoming directors Tara Malcomb, Shirley Escobedo and Jaysel Mendoza to the 2026-2027 Board.

Save the Date: El Centro Christmas Parade Theme Revealed

Guests also got a first look at this year's El Centro Christmas Parade theme, revealed during the dinner. Stay tuned to IVRCC's social media platforms for the official announcement, along with details on parade entries and vendor opportunities.

A Live Auction With a Cause

The evening closed on a note of giving back. Each table's centerpiece was put up for a live auction, with proceeds benefiting the Humane Society of Imperial County, the region's largest independent animal shelter. Operating without supplemental government funding, the Humane Society takes in more than 1,300 animals a year through municipal contracts, provides low-cost spay and neuter services to roughly 2,000 animals annually, and maintains a no-kill facility with a live-outcome rate of 90 percent or higher. The organization is also in the middle of a $3 million capital campaign to replace its current shelter, built in 1970 and now home to more than double the animals it was designed to hold.

Thanks to the generosity of guests, the centerpiece auction raised $3,250 for the Humane Society of Imperial County. Learn more about their work at imperialcountyhumane.org.

Celebrating the People Who Move the Imperial Valley Forward

The Annual Awards Dinner remains one of IVRCC's signature opportunities to recognize the people and organizations investing in the region's future, from healthcare and economic development to agriculture, advocacy and community service.

Congratulations to all of this year's honorees, welcome to our incoming Board, and thank you to everyone who joined us in celebrating a memorable evening!