17 Nominated for Fernando Award

The Fernando Award Foundation on Wednesday announced 17 nominees for this year’s Fernando Award.  “This is one of the largest and most diverse group of nominees in Fernando’s history,” said Fernando Award Foundation co-chairs Mark Levinson and Pegi Matsuda. “This shows that despite the challenges everyone has faced in the past many months, community volunteerism and engagement is more important than ever. The group of nominees this year represents a broad cross-section of our Valley.”The award has been given since 1958, usually to one person who exemplifies outstanding service to the community. The award was not given last year because of the pandemic.From the 17 nominees, five finalists will be announced in late August. The award recipient will be announced during the annual gala Nov. 5 at the Skirball Cultural Center.The 17 nominees:Paula Bahamon of Mission Valley Bank, nominated by MEND (Meet Each Need With Dignity) and Janet Marinaccio.Cindy Chernow of Chernow Consulting, nominated by April Lindh and Alejandra Hernandez.Timothy Gaspar of Gaspar Insurance Services Inc., nominated by West Valley-Warner Center Chamber of Commerce and West Valley YMCA.Kim Guard of Express Employment Professionals, nominated by Ascencia and the Campbell Center.Tamara Gurney of Mission Valley Bank, nominated by Charles Crumpley and Marianne Haver Hill.Carol Loweree of North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, nominated by Nancy Cartwright and North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce.Jeri Dye Lynch of Conor Lynch Foundation, nominated by Greater San Fernando Valley Chamber of Commerce and Nicola Khan.Louise Oliver of Goodwill Southern California, nominated by the Valley Economic Alliance and San Fernando Community Health Center.Kashmira Omar of Unique Individuals, nominated by Moses T. Olamiti and Patricia Khayyam.Jorge Rabaso of Office of Jorge Rabaso, nominated by New Economics for Women and Alex Guerrero.Diana Sanchez of Los Angeles World Airports-Van Nuys, nominated by Encino Chamber of Commerce and Mid-Valley YMCA.Tammy Scher of Forgotten Treasurez, nominated by Sherman Oaks Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis Club/Entertainment Industry Group.Kathleen Sterling of Valley News Group, nominated by Sherry Keowen and Gail Brow.Shannon Sullivan of Daniel Pearl Magnet High School, nominated by Martina Torres and Leah Pevar.Irene Tovar of Latin American Civic Association, nominated by California State University – Northridge and Richard McMillan.David Tuckman of the Department of Homeland Security, nominated by Ali Tuckman and Jeremy Sonenschein.Gustavo Valdespino of Valley Presbyterian Hospital, nominated by ONEgeneration and Tori McNees.“This is an impressive group of nominees,” said Fred Gaines, chair of the Valley Economic Alliance and former mayor of Calabasas, who is one of the members of the community committee formed to select five finalists from the group of nominees.“This will be an exciting and challenging decision process due to the number of nominees and their many and varied accomplishments as community volunteers.”The Fernando Award is considered the highest recognition for community volunteerism in the San Fernando Valley area. Besides recognizing a noteworthy volunteer, the Fernando award organization also gives scholarships to students who have been leaders of volunteerism in their schools.The 2021 Fernando board, aside from Levinson and Matsuda,  includes Paul Davis, David Honda, Marian Jocz, Bruce Miller, Walter Mosher, Mike Quiroga, Thor Steingraber, Dale Surowitz and Mark Villasenor.