One went to a man who quietly performs public service. Another was given to a service club with deep roots spread throughout the valley. The third went to a business that displays a strong commitment to the community.

The Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce handed out three awards Wednesday night during its 89th Annual Installation and Awards Dinner at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge.

John Everett accepted the Robert F. Grogan Award for Public Service; Santa Maria Elks Lodge #1538 received the Citizen of the Year Award; and Toyota of Santa Maria won the Business of the Year Award.

Everett has been active in multiple groups, including the chamber, Boy Scouts and

Orcutt Kiwanis Club.

“Every once in a while somebody comes to your attention who really provides a lot of public service,” said Bob Hatch, president/CEO of the chamber. “John is one of those guys. He never calls attention to himself.”

But Everett was part of the original Hispanic Business Committee and the Latino Business and Community Council.

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“He just does a lot of things. ... All of the things together really prove he deserves an award of this magnitude,” Hatch said.

Everett opened his Allstate Insurance Agency in Santa Maria 26 years ago, and has achieved Allstate Good Hands, Inner Circle, Chairman Circle, National Conference and Honor Ring awards through the years.

He and his wife of 26 years, Ernestina, have three grown children.

A service organization with hundreds of members in the Santa Maria Valley received the chamber's citizen of the year award.

The Elks Lodge, which puts on the annual rodeo, doles out thousands of dollars for scholarships and youth programs, supports veterans programs and does much more, has a proven record of selfless dedication, Hatch said.

“We thought it would certainly be appropriate to name, collectively, all the Elks that do so much in the community,” Hatch said.

It's not unprecedented for an organization to share the top citizen award, Hatch noted, adding the city of Santa Maria was chosen in 2004 for years of good work on behalf of the valley.

“I think the Elks is another good example of that,” he added. “A group that made so many noteworthy contributions, a group that reflects favorably on and affects the quality of life in the area.”

Top business, Toyota of Santa Maria, contributes in multiple ways. The dealership is Santa Maria city's top sales tax generator, chamber officials said.

“I think the economic impact is certainly noteworthy,” Hatch said.

The local Toyota dealership has been named the Number One New and Used Toyota Dealer in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties for 12 years since 1996.

Owners Mike Bouquet, Pat Cusack and Mike McNulty were spotlighted, but said the honor is shared by the more than 90 employees who make up Toyota of Santa Maria.

The auto dealer displays a commitment to improving the community. For instance, the dealership has helped St. Joseph High School's fundraising efforts, and supported alcohol- and drug-free events held by Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley.

“They're so active in the community we can't thank them enough for all that they do for our town,” said Rob Buchanan, the chamber's newly installed chairman of the board.

Additionally, the chamber recognized small businessman Corwin Deck as Ambassador of the Year.

During Wednesday's dinner, the chamber also bid farewell to Brooks Wise as the departing chairman of the board and welcomed Buchanan as his replacement.

Other officers are Cindy McKellar as chairman-elect/treasurer, Jason Diani as vice chairman, and Jim Bray as vice president.

Also on the board for 2008-09 are Trent Benedetti, Mark Fugate, George Majoue, Tim Rooney, Debi Testa, Mike Bouquet, John Everett, Peggy Greer, Kathy Simas, John Tunnel, Harrell Fletcher, Brian Kearns, Diane Alleman-Stevens, Leah West and Randy Wise.

Committee chairs for 2008-09 are Erika Milton, ambassadors; Majoue and Benedetti, business; Michael Madriaga, Hispanic business; David Beas, transportation; Christine Gerber, Santa Maria Visitor & Convention Bureau; and Stan Sandler, Leadership Santa Maria Valley.

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

August 14, 2008