Compiled by Kelly Ryan
Mike Harrah of Caribou Industries Inc. in Santa Ana received the Making a Difference Award at the Bright Futures Ball. The ball is held annually by the Child Abuse Prevention Center to raise funds for in-home prevention programs. Harrah was honored for his commitment to the children of Santa Ana and for his role in the development of the Orange County High School of the Arts. He secured old office buildings on Main Street and transformed them into a campus for the school.
Saint Joseph Ballet received the Educator of the Year award from the OC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The chamber presents the award to an individual or organization that has demonstrated commitment to the Hispanic community. Saint Joseph Ballet is a nonprofit, after-school program that helps at-risk youth by offering dance, academic and family programs.
Irvine-based Taylor Woodrow Homes Inc. won four categories at the 32nd annual Major Achievement in Marketing Excellence 2006 Awards. Las Colinas in Irvine was named Detached Community of the Year, Best Single Family Detached Home and Best Model Complex Landscape.
Irvine-based WNC & Associates Inc. was ranked 21st in the nation on the 2007 National Multi Housing Council list of 50 largest U.S. apartment owners. This year WNC increased its national portfolio by 10% to 44,644 total apartments in 42 states and the District of Columbia. The survey represents properties owned by both public and private companies.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Santa Ana district awarded Ding-Jo Currie with the District Director’s Award for her diligent support of minority small business owners. Currie is Coastline Community College president and is on the board of the National Institute for Leadership Development for Women.
A UCI Medical Center building was renamed Edward Shanbrom M.D. Hall in honor of Edward and Helen Shanbrom. Shanbrom was recognized for his pioneering research on hemophilia and the use of products to clean transfused blood. He helped develop the first clinical treatment for hemophilia 35 years ago. Shanbrom and his wife have been longtime financial supporters of the University of California, Irvine.
Southern California Contractors Associa-tion selected John Casperson to receive its 2007 Albert H. Atwood Safety Award. Casperson is a 21-year veteran of Santa Ana-based Sukut Construction Inc. He is one of the first individuals to receive this award, as it typically is given to a company. The award recognizes his leadership in construction safety.
Fisher & Phillips LLP won first place at the 2007 Your Honor Awards for Best Single Advertisement. Irvine’s RiechesBaird created the ad to highlight Fisher & Phillips’ experience in defending wrongful termination cases. Fisher & Phillips represents companies in labor and employment law matters.
Julie Green Rom-mel of Irvine received a Volunteer Leave Award from Wells Fargo & Co. She will begin a six-week project at Santa Ana Education Foundation while still receiving her Wells Fargo pay and benefits. Green Rommel is president of the foundation, which awards scholarships to poor, graduating seniors in the Santa Ana Unified School District.
California Pools Inc. recognized Rancho Santa Margarita-based California Equity & Loan with its Special Recognition Award. The award is presented to the business that provides California Pools with exemplary service. California Equity & Loan has worked exclusively with California Pools since 1986. The company helps California Pools customers finance their pool construction.
Irvine-based Prudential Overall Supply celebrated its 75th anniversary. The company serves employee uniform needs for 40,000 customers. Prudential has 34 industrial laundries and cleanroom garment processing and distribution centers.
The OC Tourism Council recognized Carrianne Menna at the Service Excellence Awards for creating positive experiences for visitors to Orange County. Menna is office manager and concierge at the Laguna Beach Visitors & Conference Bureau. Her service to visitors ranges from searching for lodgings to arranging babysitting services.
Phil and Robin Meckley of Orange County won Top Producer by Region and Top Producer Overall at the American Leak Detection Convention 2007. The convention allowed American Leak Detection owners and operators to share information on successful strategies to solving large and small scale leak problems. American Leak Detection specializes in non-invasive leak detection and repair with proprietary methods and technology.
