The 84th Annual Community Recognition Awards were given to a local slate of winners well known for their contributions to our community. Awards were presented November 12 at the Cocoanut Grove for outstanding service and achievement in building prosperity in the greater Santa Cruz community.
The 2004 Man of the Year is Ken Kannappan.
Citing a successful history of directing one of the market’s leading technology firms, the selection committee named Ken Kannappan Man of the Year. Mr. Kannappan is President & Chief Executive Officer of Plantronics. Headquartered in Santa Cruz, Plantronics developed and distributes lightweight headsets for telecommunications and is widely acknowledged as the industry leader in the field. Kannappan is credited with directing the company’s success through a highly volatile market cycle and propelling the company to its current level of success. Plantronics is among the county’s leading employers and Kannappan’s ability and motivation to retain Santa Cruz jobs was recognized by the committee. In addition to directing a highly successful international enterprise, the 2004 Man of the Year has co-chaired one of the most productive 2nd Harvest Food Drives and is an active member of the Santa Cruz Economic Development Council.
The 2004 Woman of the Year is Colleen Crosby.
Colleen Crosby owns and operates Santa Cruz Coffee Roasting Company. She introduced the concept of Fair Trade to Santa Cruz County and remains one of the leaders in the Fair Trade movement worldwide. One of the market’s first female coffee roastmasters, Ms. Crosby has earned an international reputation as an expert in the growing field. She has shared her expertise with the United States Congress and the United Nations and helped strengthen standards for imported coffee. Ms. Crosby’s community work ../includes serving as President of the Downtown Business Association of Santa Cruz and volunteering with Barrios Unidos.
The 2004 Organization of the Year is Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center.
Santa Cruz Community Counseling Center (SCCCC) provides vital services to over 6,000 Santa Cruz families and individuals annually through their service components: Head Start, Youth Services, Community Recovery Services, and Community Support Services. In 2004, SCCCC established a new adolescent alcohol diversion program; developed a representative Money Management Program for 300 Santa Cruz County mental health clients; opened Crossroads, a specialized residential program for foster youth; and partnered with Families in Transition to offer counseling services to children of families transitioning away from homelessness and addiction. Additionally, SCCCC earned the distinction as “Best Large Nonprofit Family Friendly Employer for 2004” by Success by Six of the United Way.
The 2004 Business of the Year is Comerica.
With a corporate culture that encourages employees to take active, meaningful roles in the community, Comerica quietly strengthens the quality of life in Santa Cruz. In addition to providing tailored financial services to 30% of the businesses in Santa Cruz, Comerica maintains a county-wide network of representatives operating out of branches in Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley, Capitola, Aptos and Watsonville. Comerica is known as a Santa Cruz leader in SBA lending and ranks third in SBA 7(a) lending in the nation. Comerica’s extensive community involvement was recognized by the committee. For the past eight years, Comerica has been the leading fundraising group in Santa Cruz County for the Alzheimer’s Memory Walk, raising over $75,000. Comerica is also the annual sponsor of the Chamber’s Women in Business Program, providing education, mentorship and networking opportunities for over 2,200 participants in the past two years. Comerica representatives serve extensively on local nonprofit boards that include United Way, Dominican Hospital Foundation, Rotary Club, Santa Cruz Alzheimer’s Association and the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce.
Awards were presented at the Chamber of Commerce’s 84th Annual Community Awards Dinner on Friday, November 12, at 6:00 in the Cocoanut Grove Ballroom. Dinner and a fundraising auction by Slawinski Auctions preceded the awards ceremonies.
Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce
611 Ocean Street, Ste 1
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
831.457.3713
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