Chamber Brings in the New Year

On Jan. 22, the Moreno Valley Chamber of Commerce Officers and Directors presented the 2016 Installation and Awards Banquet. The banquet was held at the March Air Museum. The event is held annually to recognize citizens and businesses in Moreno Valley whom show exceptionalism. The event is also a celebration of the member of the community who is recognized as the "Citizen of the Year" by the Board of Directors. This year the board recognized Brigadier General Russell A. Muncy. "It means the world to me," Brig. Gen. Muncy said, “What I have worked hard to do is to try and bring the base more into the community. So I think this is one more step in establishing a very positive relationship between the March Air Reserve Base, Moreno Valley, and Riverside communities.” Muncy's goals this year is to spread more public awareness and outreach between the community and March AFB. "For a military base sometimes we operate behind closed walls and people are not able to see what goes on inside. I love getting out and being able to tell people what we do, as well as, to communicate what goes on inside. In addition, we like to reach out to the school districts and try to provide some mentorship opportunities. We want to provide a positive image to our school children." Brig. Gen. Muncy is the commander, 452nd Air Mobility Wing, Air Force Reserve Command at March AFB. As commander of the Air Reserve's largest wing, with more than 4,000 personnel, 9 C-17As and 14 KC-135Rs, he directs the support of worldwide airlift and air refueling options. Furthermore, he is responsible for the daily operations of March AFB. Brig. Gen. Muncy came to March Air Reserve Base in 2013, and he and his family now reside in Moreno Valley. Assistant County Executive Officer of the Economic Development Agency County of Riverside, Robert Field, was the Master of Ceremonies. The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by Col. Dana Hessheimer, followed by an invocation led by Dr. Judy D. White, Ed. D, the 2014 Citizen of the year. Dr. Sandra Mayo, Ed. D, the 2015 Chair, gave outgoing remarks. In her remarks she recognized Donna Bennett, for the Chairmen’s award. Mayo cited Bennett’s hard work, dedication, and leadership in working with the Master Planning Commission and the Chamber for this previous year and upcoming years. Outgoing Board members Roxanne Robert and Janet Epstein were recognized for their time, dedication, and work in their tenure with the board of directors. 31st District Senator Richard Roth, recognized Dr. Mayo for her volunteerism and commitment to her community by presenting her with resolutions and recognitions from himself, his colleague Assemblymember Jose Medina, speaker, assembly pro-tem of the California State Senate. “For the last 3 to 4 years, she has led one of the finest community colleges in this state and in a period that has been challenged educationally and in point of lives, she has certainly helped in a very large way to drive up college going and college graduation rates. We need to be thankful to her. In addition to all that she has done in her day job she has certainly demonstrated her commitment to volunteerism, we can see that in all that she has done with this chamber and with this city. She is one of the great people doing extraordinary things that make this community in our region great,” Roth said. Additionally, Dr. Mayo was recognized by Marion Ashley, Mayor Gutierrez, and by the committee chairs represented by Oscar Valdepeña. Commander 4th Air Force, Major General John Flournoy led the induction of the board of directors. The 2016 Board Members include: Executive Board • Dr. Sandra Mayo, Ed.D. Moreno Valley College the 2015 Chair • Corey Seale, Kaiser Permanente, Chair Elect • Bill Chamberlain, Raceway Ford, Treasurer • Shanna Palau, City of Moreno Valley, Director at Large Directors • Rod Balance, Bud’s Tire Pros, 2014 Past Chair • Donna Bennett, Riverside University Health System • Tina Covington, Altura Credit Union • Jamil Dada, Provident Bank • Greg Donahue, Moss Bros. Auto Group • Jeremy Garzon, State Farm Insurance • Howard Saner, Riverside Physician Network • David Slawson, Eastern Municipal Water District • Robert Then, Realtor, Tarbell Realtors • Jason Ward, Aryes Hotel & Spa • Karyn Young-Lowe, LightHouse Social Service Center Staff • Oscar Valdepeña, President/CEO • Beverly Dulaney, Office Manager Business of the Year Awards were presented by Dr. Mayo and President/CEO Oscar Valdepeña. Recipients included: • Robert Then, Tarbell Realtors, Small Business Award • Steer ‘N Stein, Medium Business Award • Riverside Medical Clinic, Large Business Award The Citizen of the Year award was presented by Valdepeña. Brig. Gen. Muncy received the award for his actions to be active in community issues, regularly attending government and chamber meetings, in addition to reaching out to the schools and youth events. “It is an honor to have him move close to my community,” Valdepeña said in his speech introducing Muncy. “It’s not just that he moved here and worked at the base. He gets involved. I believe he is one of the first generals to really actively spend time at city hall and talk to our council members, discussing how we can work together. So all that put together under the most important part in recognizing Citizen of the Year, it’s not just doing his job, but doing what you are not supposed to, but doing it anyway for the community.” In addition to the award, Brig. Gen. Muncy was recognized with a certificate and Proclamation from Mayor Gutierrez. Senator Roth as presented Brig. Gen. Muncy with a California State Senate Resolution. Riverside County 5th District, Board of Supervisors, Marion Ashley presented Brig. Gen. Muncy with a proclamation. “It is an honor, a pleasure, and I am humbled. This is not about me, this is about a relationship that was established 98 years ago between the citizens of Riverside and then March Field,” Muncy said.