Fundraising gala set for Nov. 6
VISTA – The Vista Chamber of Commerce has announced its honorees for the 15th annual Heroes of Vista awards banquet. Headlining the 2026 class is Matt Doyle, superintendent of the Vista Unified School District, who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.
A total of 16 honorees will be recognized at a Nov. 6 fundraising banquet at the Vista Optimist Club. In addition to Doyle, the following are also being acknowledged:
Community, City & Public Safety
- Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion – Bill Hornung, Humble Pie Communications
- Military Veteran of the Year – CMSgt Holly Kress-Hall, United States Air Force Reserve (Ret.)
- Firefighter of the Year – Firefighter/Paramedic Conor Frasher, Vista Fire Rescue
- Sheriff of the Year – Deputy Michael Rodriguez, San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, Vista Station
- Excellence in Public Service Award – Jennifer Edwards, Theatre Technical Coordinator, City of Vista
Education
- Art Educator of the Year – Jessica O’Donnell Macias, Visual Arts Teacher, Mission Vista High School
- Technology Educator of the Year – Daniel Guerzon, Explore/Video Productions/Artful Learning Coordinator, Roosevelt Middle School
- Administrator of the Year – Myrna Gonzalez, Assistant Principal, Foothill Oak Elementary School
- Healthcare Professional of the Year – Blanca Rodriguez, Counselor/Community School Site Lead, Maryland Elementary School
- Classified Employee of the Year – Stephanie Ross, Cafeteria Lead, T.H.E. Leadership Academy
In the business categories, finalists were named for each category – with the winners to be announced at the banquet:
Businessperson of the Year
- Donnell Hilliard, Kingdom Kutz
- Christine Hubbard, LYFF
- Frank Pierce, North County Ford
Small Business of the Year
- Burtech Family Vineyard
- Lightweight Debris Removal
- Prohibition Brewing Co.
Large Business of the Year
- Dr. Bronner’s
- Frazier Farms
- Raising Cane’s
New Business of the Years
- Gather Catering
- Seven Seas Bar and Grill
- vend/r
Nonprofit of the Year
- Boys & Girls Club of Vista
- Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank
- Solutions for Change
Proceeds from the event will benefit two Vista-based nonprofits: The Vista Education Foundation and the Vista Chamber Foundation. The Education Foundation provides college scholarships to promising Vista students and also supports various endeavors and programs in the schools.
The Chamber Foundation underwrites the Rising Star of the Month scholarships and the Velocity Summer Internship Program, which places Vista students into internships with local businesses.
Tickets and more information are available at www.vistachamber.org/heroes/.
