The Fernando Award Foundation has announced the five finalists for the 2023 Fernando Award. The announcement was made Sept. 20 at a reception hosted by Galpin Motors.
The finalists are Steve Fazio, president and owner of Fazio Cleaners and Laundry; Armida Colmenares-Stafford, a first vice president and senior relationship manager with Pacific Premier Bank; Kevin Tamaki, a principal with Tamaki Consulting; Sharon Udkoff, a past award recipient who is self-employed; and Mel Wilson, a realtor and a real estate asset manager with Mel Wilson & Associates.
The award winner will be announced on Nov. 3 at the 65th Annual Fernando Gala Dinner and Program. Three individuals will also be given the Valley Hero Award. It is presented by community-based organizations where they have volunteered.
The Valley Hero Award winners are Jan Masena, a board member of the Tierra del Sol Foundation; Nicolas Montano, a past president of Chatsworth Kiwanis, who has led many fundraising activities for the group; and Adrian Stern, the incoming board chair for the Child Care Resource Center.