The nominee list for the 52nd Annual Fernando Award has been shortened to five people. These five people were among the nominees honored June 18 at the Fernando Award Foundation Nomination Luncheon. A winner will be chosen from among these honorees: Lois Curran-Klein, owner and president of LCK Enterprises, specializing in business promotion, fundraising and executive management services. She is currently serving on the board of directors of the Valley Cultural Center; and has chaired their annual fundraiser, the “Food Wine & Micro Brew Fest”. Lois has served on the board of the Valley/Ventura Wellness Community; the Woodland Hills Tarzana Chamber of Commerce, and has been active with the Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council. Rafer Johnson has been active in the Southern California Special Olympics for 52 years, serving on the International Board of Directors, as National Head Coach, and on the California Special Olympics Board of Directors. He has been active in fundraising and on the Board of Directors for the New Directions for Youth, an agency that provides direct services and programs to at-risk youth and families. Rafer has also participated with the group “Ready, Set Gold!” – a Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games –and has been active with the Fair Housing Council, CATS – Center for Assault Treatment Services, and Kids in Sports. Ed Rose is the co-founder of MEND – Meet Each Need with Dignity – and has been involved since 1971 in the largest multi-faceted non-profit social service agency in the northeast Valley. He has been involved with Pacoima Partners, is a member of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Cesar Chavez Commemorative Committee, Lockheed Management Club Student Motivation Program, Van Nuys Community Service Center; and, Center of Community Promotion sponsored by the Lutheran Church. Joel Simon is an attorney who has been practicing law in the San Fernando Valley for thirty years. He is an Executive Committee member and Past President of the Encino Chamber of Commerce, CFO of the United Chambers of Commerce, and has been active with the Economic Alliance. He has been active since 1980 for Para Los Ninos, an organization that provides day care programs and family support services for children. Gary Thomas has spearheaded the growth of the Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley for more than 12 years. He has served on the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Valley Economic Alliance, as President of the United Chambers of Commerce, and has been active with the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce, Valley Business Corps, The Wellness Community, and other non-profit organizations in the San Fernando Valley. The Fernando Award winner will be announced on Sept. 24.
