The Santa Clarita 2018 Man & Woman of the year nominees have been announced.

Male nominees:

Hunt Braly

Hunt Braly: a partner in the law firm of Poole & Shaffery, has been nominated by Bridge to Home and Home 4 Families. Through his work with Home 4 Families, formerly Habitat for Humanity, homes were provided to over 78 low-income veterans and their families, by using his legal expertise to help plan city processes, funding opportunities and community partnerships. Braly has also been a leader in the expansion of Santa Clarita’s Bridge to Home into the year round effective organization it is today. He is a member of many foundations and centers in the Santa Clarita Valley including the WISH Foundation and SCV Domestic Violence Center.

Steve Corn

Steve Corn: the president and CEO of Newhall Escrow has been nominated by College of the Canyons Foundation, which he was a member of for six years. During his time as a member of the foundation’s board Corn had a role in raising $100,000 for the Culinary Program and $500,000 for the First Year Program Campaign. The First Year Program gives students the opportunity to attend their first year at College of the Canyons for free. Corn has been in the real estate business for 25 years and in 2004 took over as owner of the Newhall Escrow Company, expanding it to the premier escrow company in Santa Clarita.

Jeremiah Dockray

Jeremiah Dockray: the owner and manager of SCV Adventure Play, was nominated by Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment (SCOPE), for which he is vice president. Dockray’s involvement in the community began in 2014 when he founded the Citizens for Chiquita Canyon Landfill Compliance advocating against the expansion of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill. As vice president of SCOPE Dockray manages the social media and keeps its members up to date through Facebook posts regarding local environmental events. Dockray and his wife currently own SCV Adventure Play, a space for children to have fun and experience nature.

Alan Ferdman

Alan Ferdman: a retired aerospace engineer, was nominated by Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, for which he is a board member and treasurer. Ferdman has been the chair of the planning committee for the Rubber Ducky Festival for the past three years. In those three years the festival raised over $220,000 towards low-income families health care costs. As a retired aerospace engineer Ferdman previously held senior positions at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. In Santa Clarita he has served on many committees, most notably as the CEO of the Santa Clarita Community Council and chair of the Canyon Country Advisory Committee for the past 16 years.

Neil Fitzgerald

Neil Fitzgerald: the pricing and revenue manager of Princess Cruises was nominated by JCI Santa Clarita (Jaycees). Fitzgerald moved to the Santa Clarita Valley just a few years ago and has jumped right in to community outreach. He is the president for Jaycees at local, state and national levels while also volunteering at the Brenda Mehling Cancer Fund. Fitzgerald has also served on the board for Single Mothers Outreach.

Michael E. Fox

Michael E. Fox: the attorney and owner of Law Firm of Michael E. Fox was nominated by Sebastian Velona Foundation which he founded with his wife to find a cure for Batten Disease CLN8 – a fatal childhood neurological disorder. Fox has taken over responsibility for almost every aspect of the organization including marketing and advertising, web development, social  media, accounting and fundraising including the Healing Hugs Festival in 2017. As an attorney, Fox has taken on a significant amount of pro-bono work.

Michael Keesler

Michael Keesler: the intern at Marriage and Family Therapy was nominated by Straightening Reins Foundation. As someone who lived with debilitating chronic pain, limiting his daily activities, Keesler has become an advocate for those in need, providing tools to help make life more enjoyable for those who also suffer with chronic pain. While working in the office Keesler helped create a bookkeeping and billing process to maximize funding for the organization. He also runs support groups up to three times a week as well as additional counseling. He is a member of the American Cancer Society and has helped plan the annual Relay For Life event.

Taylor Kellstrom

Taylor Kellstrom: the owner of SCV Book Exchange and agent with HomeSmart Realtor was nominated by Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Circle of Hope. Kellstrom served on the Circle of Hope board for four years before being appointed president. Most recently he helped secure COH’s move into a bigger facility named Hope’s Haven Cancer Wellness Center. Through an injury he sustained as an adolescent, Kellstrom found himself being treated at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, inspiring his desire to provide them with community support. Since 2012 Kellstrom has helped raised $10,000 for the hospital and will sometimes visit the patients himself, bringing with him dirtbike superstars.

Brian Koegle

Brian Koegle: a partner at Poole and Shaffery was nominated by HandsOn Santa Clarita and SCV Senior Center. Koegle has been a member of HandsOn Santa Clarita for 13 years and in that time helped bring awareness to the company’s message through financial donations and by sacrificing his time. He has also been a part of the SCV Senior Center for 11 years maintaining the success of its annual fundraiser, Celebrity Waiter.

Nick Lentini

Nick Lentini: the managing partner at Lentini Financial Advisory was nominated by Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley and SCV Child & Family Center. Lentini has been a member of the Rotary Club for 19 years and has served as president in the past. Through his financial contributions the Club has been able to serve projects that would benefit locally and globally and played a major role in gaining recognition from the Rotary District as a 100 percent. Lentini has supported SCV Child & Family Center for decades and served as chair of the Guardians of Hope Campaign in 2014, raising $117,000 for children in need of mental health services.

Jim Ventress

Jim Ventress: the retired CEO of Boys & Girls Club Santa Clarita was nominated by Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita. Ventress was a part of the Boys & Girls Club Santa Clarita for 31.5 years, 29 of which he was Chief Executive Officer 29 years. While he is most recognized for his work for the Boys & Girls Club, serving tens of thousands of youth, he has been a speaker at numerous events on leadership, volunteered with Big Brothers of Greater Los Angeles, United Way, is a founding member of the Anti-Gang Task Force, a board member for SCV Domestic Violence Center, and represented Santa Clarita as a board member for the L.A. Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs.

Ed Masterson

Ed Masterson: the manager and community liaison at SOS Entertainment was nominated by Carousel Ranch and WiSH Foundation. Masterson began his volunteer work with Carousel Ranch in 2000 and as an emcee had a big role in putting the organization on the map. Since then his role has grown as a volunteer and advocate working every year to perfect the lighting and sound during the organizations Heart of the West Event. Masterson is a founding board member of WiSH and continues to be contributing member. His knowledge of the community provides him with an understanding of what needs to be done to support Santa Clarita Valley Students.

John Musella

John Musella: the president of Musella Group was nominated by Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce. As chairman of the SCV chamber in 2017, John Musella led the chamber through
a relocation to new offices. He oversaw a reconstruction of the chamber’s finances which positively positioned the chamber for a brighter future and a possible increase in membership.  In 2016 he was named Castaic Man of the Year and received the SCV Chamber Chairman’s Award in 2014.

Stephen Youlios

Stephen Youlios: the owner of Jersey Mike’s Subs in Santa Clarita was nominated by Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation. As owner of Jersey Mike’s Subs Youlios initiated the “Mayo Monday” fundraiser which ran from June 2012-March 2014. Each month Jersey Mike’s donated 100% of their profits from the first Monday of the month to various service areas of the hospital. Following “Mayo Monday” Youlios partnered with the WISH Foundation with the “Discount Sub Club Card” Campaign. The aim of this campaign was to support the hospital while also educating student athletes by providing athletic trainers in schools.  

Female Nominees:

Julie Benson

Julie Benson: the retired Princess Cruises employee was nominated by Carousel Ranch. Benson worked at Princess Cruises for close to 30 years, and when the company became a sponsor to Carousel Ranch’s Heart of the West event in 2007, she became a friend to the organization. Her work that year resulted in $160,000 in donations and a total of $2.5 million since then. She has since joined the board and helps build the website as well as the Ready to Work vocational training program by mentoring a student herself.

Ann-Marie Bjorkman

Ann-Marie Bjorkman: the co-owner of HomeSmart Real Estate was nominated by The Boys and Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley. For the fourth year in a row Bjorkman is acting as chair of the Boys & Girls Club Auction. She is also the board president. In addition to the club, Ann-Marie volunteers with Legacy Christian Academy, Single Mother’s Outreach, 2020 Mom, and has been involved with the Chamber of Commerce.

Julie Creps

Julie Creps: the softball commissioner was nominated by William S. Hart Pony Baseball & Softball. Creps has been a key figure in the development and maintenance of the only organized girl’s softball program in the Santa Clarita Valley. Due to her unwavering commitment to the program local girls have found their love of softball and have gone off to play in high school and college. Having volunteered at Hart for over 20 years Creps coordinates their scholarship program. She is an advocate for girls in the community working endlessly to provide them a competitive softball environment.

Tami Edwards

Tami Edwards: the realtor for HomeSmart Real Estate was nominated by Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley.  Edwards began volunteering for Rotary service projects and committees as soon as she became a part of the organization. She has acted as cashier for both the Peach Cobbler event for the Cowboy Poetry Festival and at the Powwow at Hart Park. She is currently Community Service chair. In addition to her volunteering, Edwards has contributed financially to local Rotary service projects and to projects serving the global community. Her contributions played a major role in receiving recognition from the Rotary District as a 100% Paul Harris Club, and recognition for the 2017 Every Rotarian Every Year program.

Laurie Ender

Laurie Ender: the homemaker was nominated by Family Promise of Santa Clarita Valley. Enders joined the board of directors when the organization was first created 8 years ago and has been serving as president for six years. Through the organization she advocates for homeless students and their families in the community. As president she has led the Box City fundraiser the past six years. Ender has been dedicated to helping families for the past 20 years through her work including, creating a PTA program bringing art into elementary schools and building parks and programs with the Santa Clarita Valley YMCA.

Susan Hayward

Susan Hayward: the retired teacher was nominated by Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley.  Hayward has been an active member of Zonta for 23 years, holding many leadership positions, currently second vice president, and serving on many committees. In 1994, Hayward received the Carmen Sarro Award for her community involvement, the next year she joined Zonta and has been actively involved since that day. She created the Tuesday “coffee, walk, and talk” event two years ago that helps build relationships and interest in Zonta. She has served as the co-chair of the Life Forward workshops which provide education to single mothers. For the past three years Hayward has taken a leadership role in ‘Zonta Says No to Page 4 Violence Against Women,’ in conjunction with the United Nations campaign.

Pam Ingram

Pam Ingram: the realtor with RE/MAX of Santa Clarita was nominated by Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley and Sebastian Velona Foundation.Ingram has been awarded the Carmen Sarro Award by Zonta International in Santa Clarita in 2015. Ingram’s commitment to her community is what continues to inspire her to provide a helping hand whenever needed. As president of the Soroptimists International of Greater Santa Clarita Ingram chaired The Wine Affair, which was the largest fundraiser to date, raising $52,000. Ingram also brings that fundraising experience to the Sebastian Velona Foundation for which she is on the board. She helped organize the inaugural TPC Wine Gala and the Healing Hugs Festival.

Janine Jones

Janine Jones: the licensed cosmetologist was nominated by the American Cancer Society, Inc. and HMNMH Foundation. Jones uses her knowledge of cancer and her passion to help people, to spread awareness for the services the American Cancer Society provides. As a member of the Breast Cancer Awareness Committee at Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, Jones has organized various fundraisers, solicited auction items and has even acted as bingo caller at the annual Carole Hunt Bingo or Bust Festival. She donates auction goods and services for fundraisers, such as the pink hair extensions for the Pink Hair Fundraisers in October.

Laura Kirchhoff

Laura Kirchhoff: the development manager of the American Diabetes Association was nominated by Circle of Hope. For over 33 years, Kirchhoff has sacrificed numerous hours to her volunteer efforts and leadership in Santa Clarita. In her current position in the American Diabetes Association she brought the first Diabetes Prevention Program for children to Santa Clarita. As a member of the board of directors at Circle of Hope, Kirchhoff works on committees, fundraising events, the Afternoon Tea as part of the 31 Days of Hope campaign, and provides for the needs of the organization and clients.

Gloria Mercado-Fortine

Gloria Mercado-Fortine: the chief executive officer of Global Education Solutions was nominated by the Samuel Dixon Family Health Centers, Inc. Her leadership at Samuel Dixon Family Health Center, Inc. (SDFHC) includes being a board member for the past 5 years and current chair of the board for 3 years. With her guidance the organization achieved status as a Federally Qualified Health Center, achieved national recognition as a Patient Centered Medical Home, secured federal and local grants, established partnerships with local nonprofits, expanded patient access at the Newhall and Canyon Country locations, and expanded dental and mental health services. Fortine is determined to help the community she grew up in for as long as she can.

Susan Reynolds-Buckley

Susan Reynolds-Buckley: the career development counselor for the Hart High School District was nominated by Boy Scouts of America. Reynolds is the Den Founder and Den Mother for the Santa Clarita chapter of the Boy Scouts of America. As a sheriff conducting civilian searches for the Sheriff’s Department and State of California Office of Emergency Services she teaches the kids about Search & Rescue and then drives around at night looking for lost Alzheimer’s patients, or depressed or suicidal runaways. She now brings her career development skills to the Hart School District to assist youth in productively entering the workforce.

Susann Rizzo

Susann Rizzo: the retired community volunteer was nominated by the Santa Clarita Organization for Planning and the Environment (SCOPE). She has helped to organize many SCOPE events, including the 30th anniversary event late 2017. She donated countl