Heroes of Vista Past Winners
For the past 14 years, we have honored our local heroes in Business, Community, and Education. See all of our past winners below!
Nominations are now open for the 2025 Heroes of Vista.
2024
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Jack Larimer, Vista Historical Society
Firefighter of the Year
Ian Wong-Welch
Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion
Adam Brooks, Alchemy Print
Veteran of the Year
Colonel (Ret.) Vincent J. Lostetter, Jr.
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Kyle Ambat & Deputy Justin Gillett
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Kingdom Kutz
Small Business of the Year
Allen Brothers Mortuary
Large Business of the Year
Chick-fil-A Vista
Businessperson of the Year
Lisa De Jesus, ADU Gurus
Non-Profit of the Year
Choices in Recovery
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Carol Jones, Mission Vista High School
Technology Educator of the Year
Rya Hege, T.H.E. Leadership Academy
Classified Person of the Year
Dave Shaputis, Bobier Elementary School
Administrator of the Year
Emyr Rich, Vista Magnet Middle School
Healthcare Person of the Year
Carol Oliver, Major General Raymond Murray High School
2023
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Trudy Bronner, Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Jorgen Pedersen & Deputy Frank Ramos
Firefighter of the Year
Michael Saldaña
Veteran of the Year
Master Sergeant Rudy Moreno, USAF (Ret.)
Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion
Terry Woods, North County Daily Star
Healthcare Hero
Steve Dietlin, CEO, Tri-City Medical Center
Healthcare Hero
Jenessa French
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
SVN Vanguard
Small Business of the Year
Sunny Days Sunshine Center
Large Business of the Year
EDCO
Businessperson of the Year
Denisse Barragan, J & R Auto Body and Paint
Non-Profit of the Year
Assistance League of North Coast
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
George Doyle, T.H.E. Leadership Academy
Technology Educator of the Year
Dewayne Cossey, District Office
Classified Person of the Year
Georginne Smith, Mission Vista High School
Administrator of the Year
Tracy Zachry, Casita Center
Healthcare Person of the Year
Holly Gruver, Roosevelt Middle School
2022
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Judy Ritter, Ex-City of Vista Mayor
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Elizabeth Curtis & Deputy Wesley Hatfiend
Firefighter of the Year
Joseph Denhalter
Veteran of the Year
George R. Monty, Jr.
Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion
David Zumaya
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Misadventure & Co.
Small Business of the Year
Direct Professional Cleaning Service
Businessperson of the Year
Julie Lowen, Children's Paradise Preschool
Non-Profit of the Year
Vista Elks Lodge
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Zachary Squibb, Madison Middle School
Technology Educator of the Year
Lauralee Juliano, Mission Vista High School
Classified Person of the Year
Veronica Edgar, Mission Meadows Elementary School
Administrator of the Year
Jeremy Walden, Mission Vista High School
Healthcare Person of the Year
Marie Bojorquez, Vista Academy of Visual and Performing Arts
2021
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
John & Carol Herrera
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Liah Ector
Firefighter of the Year
Justin Golden
Veteran of the Year
John Telles
Nick Ljubic Chamber Champion
Nick Ljubic
Healthcare Hero
Mark Yamanaka, MD
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
The Film Hub
Small Business of the Year
Cat & Craft Cafe
Large Business of the Year
North County Food Bank
Businessperson of the Year
Joey Pope, North County Janitorial
Non-Profit of the Year
Got Your Back San Diego
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Jen Corso
Technology Educator of the Year
Michael Eiban
Classified Person of the Year
Byron Diaz
Administrator of the Year
Rafael Olavide
Healthcare Person of the Year
Maria Al Shamma
2020
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Rita Geldert
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Fermin Gonzalez
Firefighter of the Year
Matt Kennedy
Veteran of the Year
Garry Garretson
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Raising Cane's
Small Business of the Year
Full Metal Burgers
Large Business of the Year
Vista Community Clinic
Businessperson of the Year
Doreen Quinn, New Haven
Non-Profit of the Year
Operation HOPE North County
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Eric Weirather
Technology Educator of the Year
Tonya Leslie
Classified Person of the Year
Lucia Rodriguez
Administrator of the Year
Cheree McKean
2019
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Barbara Mannino
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Rodrigo Aristizabal
Firefighter of the Year
Danielle Pearson
Veteran of the Year
Jay Parker
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Altitude Trampoline Park
Small Business of the Year
Cosmic Solar
Large Business of the Year
Shadowridge Golf Club
Businessperson of the Year
Elmer Heap, EDCO
Non-Profit of the Year
USO Camp Pendleton
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Chris Tomkins
Technology Educator of the Year
Melissa Wadsworth
Classified Person of the Year
John Wathen
Administrator of the Year
Donna Caperton
Educator of the Year
Jim Bennett
2018
Community Awards
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
George Chamberlain
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Cody Roberts
Firefighter of the Year
Derek Fried
Veteran of the Year
George Navadel
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Alchemy Print
Small Business of the Year
Sunrise Cafe
Large Business of the Year
Solatube International
Businessperson of the Year
Don Hein, Little Cakes Cupcake Kitchen
Non-Profit of the Year
New Haven Youth & Family Services
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Beverly Taylor
Technology Educator of the Year
Jennifer Manfredi
Classified Person of the Year
Stephen Soderback
Administrator of the Year
Kim Morton
Educator of the Year
Hank Hitt
2017
Lifetime Achievement Award
Kathy Brombacher
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Kai Bowman
Firefighter of the Year
Mike McFadden
Veteran of the Year
Robert Nobel
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Bear Roots Brewing
Small Business of the Year
Open Source Maker Lab
Large Business of the Year
Tri-City Medical Center
Businessperson of the Year
Mehdi Chitgari, Classic Chariots
Non-Profit of the Year
Boys & Girls Club of Vista
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Roger Royster
Technology Educator of the Year
Andrew Driffill Ramior Santana
Classified Person of the Year
Velia Huerta
Administrator of the Year
Laura Smith
2016
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Kathy Issa
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Kai Bowman
Firefighter of the Year
Miles Sweeney
Veteran of the Year
Haywood Bagley
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Small Business of the Year
Pass 'N Go Smog Center
Large Business of the Year
Watkins Wellness
Businessperson of the Year
Terry Woods, The Vista Press
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Kathy Olson
Technology Educator of the Year
David Ruiz
Administrator of the Year
Dr. Matt Doyle
Educator of the Year
Kelly McKinney
2015
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Chuck Rabel
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy John Lay
Firefighter of the Year
Eddie Jimenez
Veteran of the Year
Chuck Atkinson
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps
Small Business of the Year
TJ Crossman's Auto Repair
Large Business of the Year
Toyota of Escondido
Businessperson of the Year
Robert Westfall, Solatube
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Mark Scott
Technology Educator of the Year
Michelle Blaha
Administrator of the Year
Jeanie Luckey
Educator of the Year
Valerie Weethee
2014
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Mike Cavataio
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Zane Maltsberger
Firefighter of the Year
Andy Valenta
Veteran of the Year
Sandra Fichter
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Vista Gardens Memory Care
Small Business of the Year
Prohibition Brewing Company
Large Business of the Year
Children's Paradise Preschool
Businessperson of the Year
Jeff Ritchie, EDCO
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Carolyn Thom
Technology Educator of the Year
Ellen Crews
Administrator of the Year
Diane Lambert
Educator of the Year
Kerry Herington
2013
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Norm Halus
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy George Crysler
Firefighter of the Year
Craig Usher
Veteran of the Year
James Rutan
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Eco Building Products
Small Business of the Year
California Fruit Wine
Large Business of the Year
DEI Holdings
Businessperson of the Year
Larry Anderson, Tri-City Medical Center
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Kenneth Gammie
Technology Educator of the Year
Christopher McGregor
Administrator of the Year
Jose Villareal
Educator of the Year
Paul Ferrar
2012
Community Awards
Lifetime Achievement Award
Paul Eckert
Sheriff of the Year
Deputy Andy Julian
Firefighter of the Year
Kelcey Sass
Veteran of the Year
Tim Corrigan
Business Awards
New Business of the Year
Mother Earth Brew
Small Business of the Year
Logo Expressions
Large Business of the Year
Datron World
Businessperson of the Year
Chris Megison, Solutions for Change
Education Awards
Arts Educator of the Year
Anne Fennell
Technology Educator of the Year
Jorge Hirmas
Administrator of the Year
Dr. Joyce Bales
Educator of the Year
Cheryl Depies