WVCBA Convenes for 2023 Annual Meeting

Leaders from all around Ventura County convened at Spanish Hills Club for the WVCBA's Annual Meeting & Installation of Directors on Friday, January 20. It was a celebratory affair highlighting WVCBA accomplishments in 2022, congratulating outgoing Chair Dawn Simmons, and welcoming 2023 Chair Dona Lacayo. It also served to honor recipients of the Chairperson's Awards of Excellence, the Ken Cunningham Award winner and the Ambassador of the Year.

View the WVCBA 2022 Annual Report

“Thank you, Dawn Simmons, for your wonderful leadership through a challenging year. 2022 offered us many changes to adapt to, but we had a great leader in you to lead us through them," said Lacayo, Chief Commercial Affairs Officer for the Port of Hueneme. "Dawn Simmons is a champion for small businesses and she visited many of our members to highlight their work in our community.”

The luncheon also represents an opportunity to meet the WVCBA’s Board of Directors, celebrate its successes from 2022, and understand its priorities for 2023.

​“This year, in my new role as the Chair, I look forward to supporting the Alliance’s mission as the local champion for a stronger economy for all, the convener of leaders and influencers and the catalyst for business growth.”

Congratulations to all those honored at the Annual Meeting!

These individuals were recognized for their dedication and commitment, and contributing to the WVCBA's successes in 2022:

David Wellik, Business Financial Center Manager for Citizens Business Bank, was named the recipient of the Ken Cunningham Award, which is presented to the WVCBA Board member who best exemplifies the attributes of Mr. Cunningham: multi-talented, resourceful, energetic, motivated, intelligent and a tireless Alliance volunteer.

Doug Riffenburgh, Profit Recovery Consultant with Business Group Resources, was named Ambassador of the Year for his leadership of the Alliance Ambassadors committee.

​Past Chair and Director Stacy Miller was honored for her years of service to the organization. She reached her term limits for the Board.

The five recipients of the Chairperson’s Awards of Excellence are:
Steve Buenger, President and CEO of Buenger Commercial Real Estate
Tom Cady, Owner of TKC Enterprises
Bruce Holley, Event CEO for Kirby Kia Auto Group 
Anthony Mireles, Business Manager for LIUNA Local 585
Don Simmons, Video Creator and Editor Extraordinaire 

Thank you to everyone for attending!