Charise McHugh
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Tallia Hart (San Rafael CA)
(left) last year’s recipient,
presents the 2007 Hammond
Award to Charise McHugh
(Half Moon Bay CA) |
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This award is
presented as a tribute to William E. Hammond and
in recognition of his outstanding work in
chamber management. William E. Hammond, a
regional manager for the U.S. Chamber of
Commerce, established the Western Institute
format, as we know it today. This scholarship
award is presented to a full-time chamber
executive for accomplishments during his or her
early years in the profession or organization
management.
Charise McHugh, president & CEO of the Half Moon
Bay/Coastside
CA Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau is the
recipient of this year’s Hammond Award.
She was hired as the chamber's executive
director in 1996, and over that period of time
has increased the chamber's revenue by 300%, and
membership has gone from 330 members to 720.
Being very active in her community is an
understatement. Charise cites as one of her
accomplishments elevating the chamber to a
position of respect and importance in the
community. The chamber is always invited
to the table by city and county officials on any
subject relating to the Coastside.
She also prides herself in
getting the county to establish bus service to
her area. The chamber covers 250 square miles of
rural roads and a public bus service has been a
tremendous asset to the quality of life on the
coast. Charise stated, "We no longer have
mothers walking with small children along
Highway 1, and many school children can use the
bus to get to and from after school sports.
Also, residents can get into town to shop and
patronize our businesses."
Charise is also proud of getting CalTrans to
allow the chamber to put plants in the Highway 1
median. "This doesn't sound very difficult
or important, but it has been an eleven year
project," according to Charise. "CalTrans
does not plant medians any longer. People
come to Half Moon Bay everyday, not realizing
there is a Main Street. I often hear, 'Well,
Highway 1 looked so awful, we didn't bother to
turn off.' It now looks beautiful and inviting
and will be of benefit to all businesses on the
Coastside."
Hammond Award Application
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