Irvine-based SmartLabs Inc.’s Insteon wireless home control technology won the American Electronics Association Orange County Council’s Innovative Technology of the Year award. SmartLabs makes electronic home improvement and automation products.
Edward A. Torres, a senior financial adviser with Ameriprise Financial in Orange, was inducted into the financial planning company’s Hall of Fame.
The Public Law Center honored the following companies and people at its annual Volunteers for Justice Dinner: Crowell & Moring LLP received the Law Firm of the Year award; attorney Cynthia Holton was honored with the Attorney of the Year award; Wells Fargo & Co. received the Corporate Partner of the Year award; law firm Buchalter Nemer received the Founder Award; and AIDS Services Foundation OC was honored with Community Partner of the Year award.
Nancy L. Segal, a psychology professor at California State University, Fullerton, received a Making a Difference award from Multiple Births Canada, a national support group for multiple-birth families and individuals. Segal’s “Indivisible by Two: Lives of Extraordinary Twins” and “Entwined Lives: Twins and What They Tell Us About Human Behavior,” were recognized as important books in the multiple-birth community.
Merrill Lynch financial adviser Cristina Hernandez was named to the first Latino OC 100 List. The list honors the contributions made by the most influential 100 people and groups in the Latino community of OC. Hernandez was chosen for her involvement as a volunteer adviser for the YMCA Youth and Government program, where she teaches Saddleback High School students in Santa Ana about state government.
The Costa Mesa office of Perkowitz & Ruth Architects received the Grand award for Best Rehab/Commercial Industrial Project for its work on Bella Terra in Huntington Beach. The annual awards, given by the Pacific Coast Builders Conference and Builder Magazine, recognize excellence in building design.
Irvine-based Toyota Material Handling USA Inc. was ranked the No. 1 lift truck supplier, according to Plant Services magazine’s Readers Choice Awards. The annual survey polls 40,000 readers, including technicians, supervisors, engineers and plant managers, and asks them to name the lift truck supplier that offers the best value.
Laila Marshall-Pence of the Newport Beach office of Linsco/Private Ledger Corp. was named to the company’s Executive Counsel. The status is reserved for less than 1% of all advisers and based on production ranking of all registered advisers at the company for 2005. Marshall-Pence was recognized for her performance and commitment to client service at a conference hosted by Linsco/Private Ledger.
Reem Khalil, a Sawdust Art Festival exhibitor since 2002, won Best Fashion Design at the Indian Wells Arts Festival. Khalil designs hand-dyed silks for women and children.
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Ernst & Young Honors Entrepreneurs
Patrick Fuscoe, founder and president of Irvine-based Fuscoe Engineering Inc., was among those awarded an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year 2006 Regional award.
The honor is given to entrepreneurs who demonstrate success in innovation, financial performance and show personal commitment to their companies, employees and communities.
Other Ernst & Young winners were: Robert Henry, Arbonne International LLC; Craig Jackson, Barrett-Jackson Auction Co.; Larry Broughton, Broughton Hospitality Group Inc.; Philip Harding, Multi-Fineline Electronix Inc.; Steven Bray, Power Plus; and Nick Yocca of Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth.
Fuscoe also is a 2006 winner of a Business Journal Excellence in Entrepreneurship award.
