The board of directors of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County was named 2009 Mid-Sized Board of the Year by its national organization. The award is given to a board that shows excellence in the number of children served in mentoring relationships and the length of those matches, as well as in revenue, leadership and development.
Binod Tiwari, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at California State University, Fullerton, received the Distinguished Engineering Educator Award from the American Society of Civil Engineering, Orange County branch. He also received the Outstanding Engineering Educator Award from the Orange County Engineering Council.
The Irvine Public Schools Foundation and the Irvine Unified PTA Council awarded Steffanie Early the PTA Golden Oak Service Award. The award is given to a person who has contributed to the welfare of kids in Irvine schools and in the community.
Aquatics International, a publication that covers the commercial and public swimming pool industries, named Johnny Johnson, founder and president of Tustin-based Swim for Life Foundation and owner of Blue Buoy Swim School, a member of the Power 25 for his contributions to water safety.
Costa Mesa-based ArtsPR received an accolade at the annual Protos awards hosted by the Orange County Chapter of Public Relations Society of America. The award honors top public relations companies for excellent campaigns. ArtsPR represents clients that include The Laguna Playhouse, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra and Chance Theater, among others.
CoreLogic in Santa Ana, which provides real estate and other business data, was recognized as a 2010 Innovator by SourceMedia’s Bank Technology News. The annual listing recognizes 20 companies as innovators in the financial services industry.
Ernst & Young LLP named Robert Funari Entrepreneur of the Year for the Orange County/Desert Cities. Funari is chairman and chief executive of Crescent Healthcare Inc. in Anaheim, a provider of pharmacy and nursing services. The award honors entrepreneurs who have demonstrated a commitment to their business.
Costa Mesa’s Share Our Selves, a nonprofit that provides medical and dental care, counseling and food and clothing for the poor, was awarded the Community Partner of the Year Award from Santa Ana’s Public Law Center at its annual Volun-teers for Justice Awards. The ev-ent recognized Public Law Cen-ter’s pro bono volunteers.
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Santa Ana has named Jack Beckman and Evelyn Erives its Man & Woman of the Year. Beckman, a lymphoma survivor, is a professional race car driver. Erives is co-host at a morning radio show in the Inland Empire. Combined they have raised more than $100,000 for blood cancer research.
Orange County’s Pacific Symphony received the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers Adventurous Programming Award at the League of American Orchestras national conference. Pacific Symphony was one of the 27 American orchestras given the award, which is presented to orchestras of all sizes for programs that challenge the audience.
Habitat for Humanity of Orange County Vice President of Development Heather McKenzie-Densmore was named Outstand-ing Fundraising Professional by the Association of Fundraising Professionals. McKenzie-Denmore’s fundraising efforts have totaled more than $18 million in the past 19 years to benefit OC children and families.
Kathy Marvin, a science teacher at Sierra Vista Middle School in Irvine, was named Teacher of the Year by Wells Fargo & Co. Marvin is one of the 44 teachers recognized in 39 states. She has been teaching for more than 30 years.
Orange-based St. Joseph Health System’s Senior Vice President of Governance and Sponsorship, Suzanne Sassus, received the Sister Concilia Moran Award from the Catholic Health Association at its annual assembly. Sassus was recognized for developing St. Joseph’s Foundation and the Center for Ministry Leadership.
Irvine High School’s choral music teacher, Richard Messenger, received the John Alexander Outstanding Choral Educator Award. Messenger will retire this year after 40 years of teaching. The award was given by Santa Ana’s Pacific Chorale in recognition of educators who are making an impact.
