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Originally presented in memory of Russell E. Pettit, a longtime Chamber leader known for his high professional standards and unselfish dedication to his fellow executives, this award honors a chamber executive with a long record of advancing professionalism and encouraging others to pursue chamber careers. 

Unlike other awards, this award is not based on one year of performance but rather on sustained contributions to the profession through industry leadership, professional/peer mentorship, and for advancing the professionalism of the chamber business.

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2025 Recipient:  Jeremy Harris, ACE
Long Beach Area (CA) Chamber

WACE Board Past Chair Kami Welch and Board Chair John Brewer present award to Jeremy Harris, ACE, President & CEO of the Long Beach Area (CA) Chamber

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Previous Recipients (*still in chamber work)

1971 - Sam Porter, CCE
1972 - Frank King
1973 - Stanley Lowry
1974 - J. Walker Owens, CCE
1975 - Frank M Reid, CCE
1976 - William E. Dauer, CCE
1977 - Wesley D. Bush
1978 - Joseph M. Good, CCE
1979 - Leslie L. Riddell, CCE
1980 - John T. Hay
1981 - E.B. "Al" Cooper
1982 - William G. Duflock, CCE
1983 - Aulden O. Schlatter, CCE
1984 - D. David Smith
1985 - L. O. "Les" Dabritz
1986 - Albert A. Correia
1987 - Bruce Ackerman
1988 - Jerry Vorpahl

1989 - Dave Kilby
1990 - Steve Rubenstein
1991 - Keith Woods
1992 - Wilda Parks
1993 - Harry York
1994 - Steen J. Tedesco
1995 - David Garth
1996 - Ken Moore, CCE
1997 - Steve Snyder
1998 - Paula McCloskey
1999 - John C Camper, CCE
2000 - Randy Gordon, ACE
2001 - Joan Warner
2002 - Scott Raty, ACE
2003 - Jan Sobel
2004 - Wayne Griffin
2005 - Kate King
​2006 - Mike McLaran

2007 - Dave Maurer
2008 - Leron Gubler
2009 - Mike Hauser
2010 - Diane Schwenke
2011 - Nancy Hoffman Vanyek, ACE*
2012 - Steve Rose
2012 - Cindy Roth, ACE
2013 - Ken Oplinger, ACE
2014 - Betty Nokes Capestany
2015 - No Award Given
2016 - No Award Given
2017 - Marianne Virgili, CCE
2018 - Tom Pierson, ACE
2019 - Pat Patrick, ACE
2020 - Todd Sanders*
2021 - Chris Romer, ACE*
2022 - Glenn Morris, ACE*
2023 - No Award Given
2024 - Bob Linscheid*

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Award Overview & Criteria

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