The Aptos Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual Awards Dinner and Auction Nov. 13 at Seascape Resort.
This year, Lisa Cardoza was named Woman of the Year.
“[She] is one of those remarkable people who seems to be involved in just about every nonprofit, community organization, and charitable cause in the Aptos area,” said John Hibble of the Aptos Chamber. “She is a passionate supporter of local businesses and the entire community.”
She is on the advisory board and a camp volunteer for Ride a Wave, an organization dedicated to creating opportunities and memorable beach experiences for children with disabilities, among other roles.
Kendel White is Man of the Year. For 40 years, he has run K&D Landscaping Inc., which he co-founded with Dawn White and is headquartered in the Pajaro Valley.
The Farm Bakery, Cafe & Gifts is the Business of the Year. The business has been operating for more than 40 years in Aptos, offering indoor and outdoor seating and a lengthy list of homemade baked goods, among other menu items.
Event of the Year is the Seascape Golf Club Centennial. The event celebrates 100 years of the golf course and the original clubhouse building of the Rio Del Mar Country Club development. The yearlong celebration began with a New Year’s Eve party.
Ride a Wave was tapped as Organization of the Year. Over the years, the organization has helped more than 2,500 children get in the water.
The Community Recognition Award went to Dave Lompa, who began his banking career in 2005 and joined the Aptos Chamber of Commerce to support local businesses and strengthen the community through volunteerism and leadership. In 2011, after joining U.S. Bank, Lompa joined the chamber’s board of directors. He served as treasurer and then as president from 2024 to 2025.
Kaiser Permanente earned the Outstanding Achievement Award for its efforts to help shape the future of health care in the area and beyond.
The Community Heroes of 2026 are Mariann and Mark Eichhorn for “working as a team for the youth in our community,” Hibble said. “They teach and coach students to build their confidence through the skills of baseball, piano and voice lessons, and their Cotillion classes of dining etiquette and social courtesies with ballroom dancing for teens and tweens.”
For reservations, call 831-688-1467. The event starts at 5pm.
