STOCKTON -- San Joaquín Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is gearing up for its 37th annual installation and awards dinner, which will honor late business leader John Aguilar as the namesake of one of the awards.
Aguilar, founder, president and chief executive officer of Vernon Transportation Co., died in July 2008 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 49.
The chamber's first John Aguilar Spirit Award will be presented to the University of the Pacific's first provost, Phil Gilbertson.
"John Aguilar was extremely committed to the Latino community, youth and education," said Mark Martínez, chief executive officer of the chamber. "Provost Phil Gilbertson has made a significant commitment to the community of Stockton and San Joaquín County. He has done a significant job on outreach, making sure the University of Pacific is extremely accessible."
The event will begin with no-host cocktails at 6 p.m. July 10.+- Dinner will be served at 6:45 p.m., and the program will follow. Business attire is recommended.
Five other "unsung heroes" also will receive awards: the owner of the El Grullense Restaurant chain, the director of the Port of Stockton, an accounting professional from Tax Express, a government relations representative from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. and Kaiser Permanente.
"They're people who do so much in our community," Martínez said. "It's important for our community to know who our members are and the importance of patronizing their business, the role they play in our community, and what they do for our economy."
Those to be recognized are:
Philip Gilbertson, provost at University of the Pacific, John Aguilar Spirit Award
Gilbertson has served as provost of the university since 1996. He is its first provost.
Ramón Guerrero, owner of El Grullense Restaurant, Business of the Year
Guerrero, a Galt resident, purchased his first taco truck in 1984. After four years of selling tacos in north Stockton, he purchased three more taco trucks.
In 1994, Guerrero opened the first El Grullense Restaurant at South El Dorado and Charter Way. In 1996, he opened a second restaurant in Lodi. Five years later, he opened his third restaurant on Waterloo Road in Stockton.
Richard Aschieris, director of the Port of Stockton, Executive of the Year
Aschieris, a Stockton resident, was appointed chief executive officer by the Stockton Port Commission in 2000.
Alma Piedra, payroll administrator at Tax Express, Volunteer of the Year
Piedra, of Stockton, regularly volunteers with the San Joaquín County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She helps coordinate the chamber's annual Latina luncheons, monthly mixers, annual golf tournaments and annual installation awards dinners.
In her regular job at Tax Express, Piedra works directly with the general managers orand business owners directly on their bookkeeping and payroll needs.
Emily Barnett, area manager of government relations at Pacific Gas and Electric Co., Business Advocate of the Year
Barnett, a Stockton resident, has represented public and private companies in governmental relations for more than 10 years. She also has worked for the state Senate.
Kaiser Permanente, Corporation of the Year
Kaiser Permanente, a health care provider with offices throughout San Joaquín County and the nation, supports several area organizations and charitable programs.
Kaiser, which servesServing more than eight million members, Kaiser allocated more than $54.5 million in Ccommunity Hhealth Iinitiatives and related programs in 2007.