The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual “Chamber Gala Awards” ceremony Friday, May 17, when 16 awards were distributed to businesses, organizations and individuals for their achievements over the past year within the Fountain Hills community.

Several thousand residents participated in the voting process prior to the event to help identify the CGA honorees this year. The full list of the evening’s winners is as follows:

• Business Person of the Year: the late Mike Jones, Discount Air Care
• Customer Service of the Year: Steffnie Beck, Fountain Hills Middle School
• New Entrepreneur of the Year: Lisa Berry, Chill Boutique
• Community Volunteer of the Year: Todd Harris and Gina Waldo
• Young Professional of the Year: Casey and Caleb Badder, Fountain Hills Physical Therapy
• Tourism Award (Chosen and presented by the Town of Fountain Hills): Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce
• Educator of the Year: Dr. Cain Jagodzinski, Fountain Hills Unified School District Superintendent
• Chamber Ambassadors of the Year: Dan Kuchan
• Health Services of the Year: Debbie Romano, Fountain Hills Healthy Heartbeats
• Non-Profit of the Year: Fearless Kitty Rescue
• Restaurant of the Year: Saddle Bronc Grill
• Finance and Insurance Professional of the Year: Michael Pameditis, Edward Jones
• Retailer of the Year: Sami Fine Jewelry
• Chamber Volunteer of the Year: Gil Gifford
• Mayor’s Award: Dr. Cain Jagodzinski, Fountain Hills Unified School District Superintendent

The annual Chamber Gala was held at We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort. The event featured professional photography by Mark Trembley Photography, entertainment by DJ Jason O’Neill and balloon artistry by Celia Sanabria-Aguilar from Top Balloon Creations.

Following tradition, the Chamber Gala had a fun theme and encouraged attendees to dress up, a press release read.

This year, “Studio 74” was the selected theme in honor of the Fountain Hills Chamber’s 50th Anniversary and attendees were invited to dress in their best 1974 studio attire.

The best-dressed awards were given to Evelyn Cutting from Unbridled Beauty and Obediah Carranza of Zero Reasons.

Another tradition continued at this year’s Gala: a champagne toast in recognition of all the nominees and winners, sponsored by Carolyn Berry of Clean Colonic.

The Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce thanked all who supported the event and the evening’s nominees and winners, the release said.

To view photos of the event and the winners, visit the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce Facebook page at Facebook.com/fountainhillschamber.