Fullerton Chmaber of Commerce

Chamber of Commerce Announces Business Achievement Award Recipients

Corporations and individuals which have made outstanding contributions to the business, professional, and educational communities will be recognized by the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce at the Annual President’s Business Achievement Awards Dinner on Friday, March 14, 2008. Master of Ceremonies for the celebration will be State Senator Dick Ackerman.

“Each year, the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce solicits nominations from its membership for companies and individuals to be recognized for outstanding accomplishments in the areas of business and community involvement,” noted Chamber Past President and current Board Member Linda Hawkins, of Winkelmann Realty. “This year we are pleased to announce the following recipients of the Business Achievement Awards. They will be honored at the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce President’s Business Achievement Awards Gala on March 14 at the Summit House Restaurant.”

Being honored as Small Business of the Year is Avonmore, a company owned by Fullerton resident, Doris Muschek, which markets Bridge products to card players world wide. Café Hidalgo, owned and operated by Mike Oates, Jr., is being recognized as Medium Business of the Year. Fullerton Community Bank will be honored as Large Business of the Year. Rounding out the awards, Crittenton Services for Children & Families will be presented with the Quality of Life Award, recognizing community contributions of a non-profit organization, while Shirley Thiele, owner of D’Ann Interiors, will be recognized as Chamber Member of the Year.

For nearly 17 years, Avonmore has developed a thriving micro-business based upon customer demand. Muschek, the woman behind Avonmore, is the creator of Smart Color playing cards, and reusable bridge tally sheets. During the nomination process, reviews about her products arrived from Rome, Italy to St. Louis Missouri, from Pismo Beach to New York. To date, orders for her products have been sent to 46 states, Canada, and the West Indies. Customers rave about the innovations of this Fullerton-based business.

Although the business has grown to have clients in many countries, Avonmore is very dedicated to the Orange County community. This company has contributed a large percentage of its profits to organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Fullerton, Crittenton Services for Children & Families, FIES, Ebell Club, Leon Owens Foundation, YMCA, Orange Empire Chorus, Rosary High School, St. Jude Medical Center, and a host of other organizations outside of Fullerton. As many small businesses are, this company is family-owned and operated. This owner has also bridged a recreational game to a new league of players beyond Fullerton.

Café Hidalgo has been a Fullerton staple for more than ten years. One of the first things noticed by customers entering this downtown business is the Chamber of Commerce’s plaque; always prominently displayed for his regular and new patrons who frequent his establishment. Oates’ community involvement with Café Hidalgo spans over 20 organizations and school-affiliated programs. Recipients include All the Arts for All the Kids, numerous schools in Fullerton, the Boys & Girls Club, Fullerton Civic Light Opera, St. Jude Hospital and let us not forget our own police department.

Café Hidalgo was previously recognized as Small Business of the Year in 2000, having then fewer than 10 employees, now growing and competing in the mid-sized business category recognizing businesses with up to 50 employees!

Founded in Fullerton in 1927, Fullerton Community Bank has grown from humble beginnings to be known as early as 1989 as one of the five largest capitalized thrifts in the US in its size bracket. The bank first earned notice by the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce in 1989 when it was recognized as Medium Business of the Year -- today, the business no longer qualifies in that category due to its outstanding growth over the last 20 years. Various events converged on Southern California during the late 80s, which threw the region into a recession and real estate depression. After a dip in the early 1990s, the management team at Fullerton Community Bank devoted its resources and energies towards asset recovery, paving the way for renewed profitability commencing in 1994. Today, this Large Business of the Year has eight divisions in North Orange County, and employs more than 170 people.

Customers from throughout Southern California rave about Fullerton Community Bank’s professionalism and top notch customer service, and overall growth of the organization. The business is also actively involved in giving back to the community where it lives. The North Orange County YMCA, Fullerton Rotary, and Boys and Girls Club all benefit from the time commitment and support from individuals within the business. Their President, Tom Meyer, calls it their "Community Advantage". A long time supporter of the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce, this company’s east branch manager, Gizi Clemmer, currently serves on the Chamber’s Board of Directors as an active voice for the community.

Celebrating 40 years of service to Fullerton and Orange County, Crittenton Services for Children & Families provides service to children and families in crisis. Their clients are assessed as needing intensive therapy, socialization skills, independent living skills, and a lot of "tender loving care" in a structured setting. Working with a staff of more than 200 professionals, this organization cares for children as young as six, providing individual counseling, group therapy, and many additional services. Each child's needs are assessed upon admission and reassessed regularly thereafter so that a treatment plan can be developed unique to each child. The care is so individualized that staff within this organization are required to attend a minimum of 64 hours of professional training each year. With this dedication preserving humanity at large, they respond to the evolving world around them by adopting new programs and reinventing old ones, since their beginnings nationally 125 years ago.

Individuals within the organization are also highly visible in the Fullerton community, serving as volunteers, members and officers in Rotary, Soroptomist International, and the Chamber of Commerce. Volunteers for this organization have been recognized regionally at National Philanthropy Day. Crittenton Services for Children & Families continues to grow and invest time and care to the Fullerton community and beyond.

Shirley Thiele: Chamber Member of the Year, Lifetime Ambassador, Past President and Board Member, all describe this actively dedicated woman. Thiele has been involved in the Chamber since the 1980s serving in various leadership roles and continuously involving herself in the business that makes the Chamber what it is. One of the greatest qualities that she possesses is the positive attitude exuded by them each day. Staff has said that the testimonials expressed by this member has helped increase and maintain memberships.

In addition to running a small business -- one which was recognized as Small Business of the Year in 1999 -- Thiele has been a loyal spouse for more than 50 years, mother, grandmother and friend. Past President Hawkins, describes Shirley as "a great friend and mentor to me – encouraging me to serve on the Chamber Board of Directors and always supporting me as I served on the Executive Committee and as President of the Chamber.”

Kevin Pendergraft, President of Pacific Community Credit Union, on whose board Thiele also serves says that, "Every once in a while you run across an person that is so full of life, energy and enthusiasm for their work, community and those around them that you feel blessed to simply have know them. Shirley Thiele is such a person. She is the quintessential Chamber member."

For more information about the Fullerton Chamber of Commerce and its program, or to make reservations for the upcoming Awards Dinner, please contact the Chamber at 714-871-3100.