Compiled by Kelly Ryan
Bob and Janet Spidell each received honorary doctorate degrees from California State University, Long Beach. The degrees honor the couple for their commitment to improving the school, where they are members of the alumni association and funded a library technology center. Bob Spidell, a Cal State Long Beach graduate, was an accountant who published books and newsletters and did seminars on California taxes. Janet Spidell worked as a nurse in Long Beach and Orange County. The couple now is retired and lives in San Clemente and volunteers at Mission San Juan Capistrano.
Irvine-based Toyota Material Handling USA Inc., the North American forklift arm of Toyota Motor Corp., took the silver medal in Plant Engineering magazine’s annual Product of the Year ranking. Toyota’s forklifts also were named No. 1 in quality and value in an annual survey published by Modern Materials Handling magazine.
Newport Beach-based John Laing Homes earned 11 Gold Awards at the International Builders’ Show. Among the awards were Masterplanned Community of the Year and Suburban Attached Community of the Year. John Laing also won four marketing awards for Best Radio Commercial, Best Overall Ad Campaign and Best Color Ad for a Single Project.
Irvine-based Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP was ranked as a top intellectual property law firm by Euromoney’s Managing Intellectual Property magazine.
The Dana Point Chamber of Commerce named the Ocean Institute Business of the Year. The Ocean Institute is the first nonprofit to receive the award.
Several partners at Rutan & Tucker LLP in Costa Mesa were named Super Lawyers for Southern California by Law & Politics magazine: James Morris, Jeffrey Oderman, Ronald Oines, Penelope Parmes, Mark Payne, Ira Rivin, Michael Rubin, Thomas Salinger, Martin Taylor and Duke Wahlquist.
Anaheim White House Chef Onesimo “David” Lorenzo was named 2008 Pastry Chef of the Year by the Southern California Restaurant Writers. Lorenzo previously won Restaurateur of the Year, Sommelier of the Year and Chef of the Year. Anaheim White House won a Golden Bacchus for Wine List Excellence and Golden Sceptors for Italian Dining and Sunday Champagne Brunch.
The city of Irvine Animal Care Center received the 2007 Shelter of the Year award. The shelter took on 90 pets from wildfire evacuees in San Diego, San Bernardino and Orange counties. Staff and volunteers worked extra hours to provide blankets, beds and toys for the animals.
Tustin-based Big Brothers Big Sisters of OC received the Estrella Community Service of the Year Award. The Orange County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce selected the nonprofit for its role in matching adult mentors with children in need.
Coastline Community College was honored with the Progress in Diversity Award. The Association of California Community College Administrators recognized Coastline for offering educational programs that promote diversity. Most notable is the development of programs for members of the military and those with brain injuries.
Norman E. Vinn was honored at South County Senior Services’ Annual Captain’s Ball Gala in Laguna Niguel. Vinn is an osteopathic family physician from San Clemente. He was recognized for creating a clinical model to coordinate healthcare for seniors.
California State University, Fullerton Associate Dean of Students Esiquio Uballe was given the KinderCaminata Corazon Award. The American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education honored two Cal State Fullerton staffers. Associate Vice President Silas H. Abrego received the Alfred G. de los Santos Jr. Distinguished Leadership in Higher Education Award. Assistant Professor Patricia A. Perez took home the Outstanding Dissertation Award.
The Fullerton Chamber of Commerce named Shirley Thiele Chamber Member of the Year. She is a lifetime ambassador, past president and board member of the chamber. Crittenton Services for Children and Families received the Quality of Life Award.
