It was an evening of transportation, observation, fabrication, dedication and of course, donuts, as The San Gabriel Valley Economic Partnership (SGVEP) held its annual awards Gala Saturday evening at the Skyrose Chapel in Whittier.
The evening was hosted by SGVEP president and CEO Cynthia Kurtz and SGVEP Board Chairman David Reyno, playing host to over 300 guests. Pasadena Now was an official media sponsor of the evening.
The Partnership honored Sharon Neely retired deputy executive director of Strategy, Policy and Public Affairs for SCAG for her work in speahearding numerous local transportation projects in Southern California, including the Los Angeles- Pasadena Gold Line.
Dr. John Mulchaey, director of the Carnegie Observatories, accepted the Science and Innovation Award, and Stephen Gill, President/CEO, accepted the Business of the Year Award for his company, Gill Industries.
The Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority was also honored with the Building Better Communities Award, with Chair Doug Tessitor and Vice Chair Sam Pedroza accepting the award.
But the biggest hit of the evening was the affable Jim Nakano, owner of the legendary Donut Man of Glendora. The popular 24-hour donut shop has been lauded numerous times for its gargantuan and gorge-worthy strawberry and peach donuts, which create long lines day and night.
Guess what dessert was?
And if you missed it, here’s what it all looked like.