Member Awards
The 2024 Leadership Awards were presented at the Annual Membership Meeting held on December 4, 2024 at Margaritaville Beach South Padre Island.
Directors' Award
Lonnie Gillihan - S.O.S. Services
received the 2024 Director's Award. What can be said about Lonnie. He is active in the Port Isabel Rotary, where you may see him up early (not to his liking) placing flags at residents and businesses on significant holidays. Lonnie has been an active supporter of the Chamber for 15 years, and served on the Board of Directors for 7 years.
Ambassadors' Award
Jim Enholm has served as the Member-at-Large on the Chamber Board of Director for the past two years, is active on the Island Ambassadors Committee, and most recently Co-Chaired the SPI Chamber's new Event FUN-raising Committee. Jim is a huge advocate of the Chamber which is evident in continuous involvement and support.
Community Partner Award
Karla's Katering earn the Community Partner Award for her continuous, unfailing support and many contributions to the SPI Chamber. She provides pasties each month for Coffee and Conversation, provides catering services at LKT, as well as being a sponsor. Karla has been a longtime member of the Island Ambassadors and the annual Gala Committee. Karla has also recruited several new members over the years. Karla is a true Community Partner to the SPI Chamber and many others in our community.
2023 - 2024 Committee Chairs
Cristin Howard - Island Ambassadors
Wendy Knight - Government Affairs
Jim Enholm and Scott Allex - Event Fun-Raising
Kukui Award
Rene Valdez - Holiday Inn Beach Resort
Rene Valdez is a great advocate for the Chamber and an asset to our community. He attends Chamber functions and is active on the Events - FUNraising Committee. He is at many chamber functions and is very active in the community. Always quick to respond and very instrumental in our inaugural Queen of Hearts Contest.
Outstanding New Business Member Award
Our Chamber believes it is important to recognize new members who fully utilize the benefits of their Chamber membership and who are committed to creating a strong and positive community presence. This year we are honoring two businesses that are proof hard work, dedication and community involvement can make a strong impact on a community.
Jae Garcia, the proud owner of Laguna Madre Laser Works, joined the Chamber in September 2023 after turning a longtime hobby into a full-time business. He came by the office to join and learn more about his benefits, and was smart when he brought samples of his work for us to see and presents, which of course will get brownie points every time. Staff immediately started thinking of ways to utilize this new service, and have now worked with him several times. He has taken advantage of Island Showcase, was an LKT sponsor and vendor, and I believe has done several other jobs because of members seeing the work he does when they received an award at the Annual Meeting last year, won a trophy at LKT this year or purchased something from his vendor booth during LKT. It was also really difficult this year to figure out what to do on this award since the recipient did the awards again this year. This one is certainly not as beautiful as the ones he did, but it is the thought that counts.
Outstanding New Business Member Award
What can be said about Camille Trichie at SeaSide Sammies ... she is a dynamo! Camille apparently likes to work, even on her days off, because the SPI Chamber seems to have meetings when we need sandwiches on her days off, but she is always ready to take care of the order. Camille and her family opened SeaSide Sammies with a bang and continue to do what is needed to take care of their customers. Camille has been great at taking advantage of her benefits through networking and getting her name out there in many ways, but especially ones the Chamber can help her with. Congratulations, and thank you, Camille!
