The Lake Havasu Area Chamber of Commerce honored several businesses, organizations and individuals Friday evening during its Annual Meeting and Celebration of Business – “Man of Mystery, A Black-Tie Affair.”

The sold-out event at the Convention Center at London Bridge Resort had Concierge Health as the Presenting Sponsor.

Brendha Sandez won the Ambassador of the Year Award. Sandez is an agent at Farmer’s at Interweb Insurance Company. She was selected by the members of the Ambassador Committee based on her participation, attitude and willingness to volunteer for every chamber event over the past 12 months.

The Community Enhancement Award was presented to Havasu Riviera Marina in recognition of how the development provides additional launching opportunities for boaters on the lake and the improvement of real property. Jeremy Hendrick, the Marina’s General Manager, accepted the award.

Sponsored by the Lake Havasu City Rotary Club, the Ethics in Business Award was presented to Republic Services for their efforts in keeping the community clean, and their partnership and collaboration with the community for lake and desert cleanup programs.

The recipient of the Bridge to Business Award went to Allison Paoli, with MIII Leadership Enterprises and Destination Havasu Realty. Paoli was honored for her desire to train and educate leaders of all ages including high school students in the Chamber Foundation’s internship program.

Local jet ski enthusiast Chris Hagest received the Spirit of Hospitality Award. Hagest was honored for his passion in keeping jet skiing top of mind in Lake Havasu City with his work over the years with IJSBA; and his part in bringing the Pro Watercross International Cup to Lake Havasu City this fall; the jet ski and Nedra Atwood monuments on the Island; and creating a Jet Ski Museum at his place of business.

The Rising Star award, sponsored by the Better Business Bureau was presented to Taylor Harrison of Mohave Mist and Spa. A graduate of ASU @ Lake Havasu, Harrison has become involved in several leadership positions in the community with the Chamber, the Chamber Foundation, and Lake Havasu City Rotary.

Rick Riegler and the Lake Havasu Marine Association received the Elevating Havasu Award. Riegler and the Marine Association have grown the organization into a key stakeholder when it comes to making the lake accessible for recreation, but also programs that deal with the lake’s environmental health. The Association is also involved in many community outreach programs including the city wide clean up and Kids on the Colorado River. Riegler is a mortgage specialist at Mohave Mortgage.

The Whelan Leadership Award honored Austin Ruffner of Mortgage West Financial. Ruffner has used the skills and knowledge learned in Leadership Lake Havasu to assist the current and future leadership cohorts. He has been a voice of reason, and a champion to the Lake Havasu Chamber Foundation for Education and Leadership, the award’s sponsor, in its programs, projects and fundraising efforts.

The Chamber Volunteer award went to Steve Clark of Tri-State Rentals. Clark currently is a chamber board member who has been a true asset to the chamber this year. He and his company were key players in chamber fundraising events this year, creating new entertainment options and lending/operating equipment to improve the events overall. Additionally, he was a member of the new CEO selection team and he is the Vice Chair Elect. This award is sponsored by Bidwell Law Office.

Mortgage West Financial was the recipient of the Pinnacle, or Chamber Business of the Year Award. The award is sponsored by eXp Realty – Angie Saltzman. Mortgage West participates in all Chamber programs and fundraising events, has membership on the Ambassador Committee and heavily supports the Leadership Lake Havasu Program and the Career Explorations Internship Program.

The Citizen of the Year Award, sponsored by College Street Brewery, was presented to Aymie Spitzer of the Partnership for Economic Development and Nomadic (co-work center). Spitzer’s innovative and creative approach has enriched the community. She began the original co-work center, F106, and started Creative Comrades and First Friday. She was also instrumental in the opening of Nomadic, a co-work space and incubator for entrepreneurs, free-lancers and remote workers.

For more information on the award program or any other Chamber program, call Lisa Krueger at 928-855-4115 or email lisak@havasuchamber.com.