A Santa Maria Valley banker who uses his fundraising prowess to help numerous nonprofit groups get the money needed to complete projects was named Santa Maria Elks Lodge Citizen of the Year during a dinner Wednesday night.

Jim Glines was announced as the 2008 recipient during the event, which also spotlighted several valley high school students.

Hailing from a family of bankers, Glines and friend Bill Hares in 2001 co-founded Community Bank of Santa Maria. Glines serves as president and CEO of the financial institution that boasts “hometown banking.” He previously worked for Bank of Santa Maria prior to its sale to Mid-State Bank.

But Glines is known for spearheading many community projects, such as the remodeling of Allan Hancock College's gym floor and renaming after longtime coach Joe White.

Glines also assisted the late R.H. Tesene with a history book on Santa Maria-style barbecue, and leads Community Bank of Santa Maria's barbecue team. An auctioneer, he won 2001 State Champion Bid Caller for the California State Auctioneers Association, where he served on the board of directors for nine years.

He also is a former president of the Santa Maria Historical Society and Santa Barbara County Fair, has belonged to Rancheros Visitadores since 1974; and has been in the Elks for 37 years, 19 of which were helping on the rodeo queen committee.

His activities aren't tapering off - Glines recently helped create the Santa Maria Police Council.

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“It is doubtful that even Jim remembers all the fundraising projects he has been involved in,” Kim Newman, departing Elks exalted ruler, said in a prepared statement. “You will hear his clear rhythmic chant at many fundraising auctions and charitable events.”

The Santa Maria Valley native's banking career began after his Cal Poly graduation, when he became a management trainee with Wells Fargo Bank, working in the San Joaquin Valley for seven years before moving to the Santa Maria branch in 1973. It's a job familiar to the Glines family - a great-uncle and uncle both were local bankers.

Glines and his wife Kathy have four children and four grandchildren.

Wednesday night, the Elks also honored top students, who had been recognized with student-of-the-month honors earlier this school year.

The Students of the Year, Patrick J. Cruden and Kelsey G. Ellis, both attend St. Joseph High School.

Students of the Month recognized were: Alyson C. Fargher, Witney Ann Martin, Torey J. Perez, Mitchell R. Acampora, Rosio Marquez Ibarra and Taylor J. Breshears, all of Righetti High School; Alejandra Ceja and Belen Cruz of Santa Maria High; Trevor J. Jaeckels, Angela Dominguez and William M. Grogan along with Cruden and Ellis, all of St. Joseph High School; and James S. Berry of Valley Christian Academy.

Additionally, several students received Elks National Foundation honors. They are William M. Grogan, first place; Benjamin Penningroth, second place; Osaama Saifi, third place; Emma Perry, first place; Monique Sandoval, second place; and Jennifer Lane, third place.

Associate Editor Janene Scully can be reached at 739-2214 or janscully@santamariatimes.com.

May 8, 2008