Recipients were named for prestigious awards presented by the Valley Industry Association at the VIA Monster BASH Ball on Friday at the Hyatt Regency Valencia.

In addition to an evening of entertainment, the organization celebrated the diversity and accomplishments of its members. Awards were given to members of distinction deserving in one of three categories.

The honorees:

* LBW Insurance and Financial Services was named VIA Business of the Year. A member since 2004 and annual corporate sponsor since 2008, LBW is a dedicated supporter of VIA’s programs and initiatives. They routinely provide flexibility to employees for active participation in VIA.

* Ed Masterson, SOS Entertainment, was awarded the Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year Award. Masterson serves as VIA’s Immediate Past Chairman. He previously served as Chairman of the Board in 2016 and 2017 and has chaired numerous committees during his membership.

VIA Volunteer of the Year: Ed Masterson accepts the Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year Award as Hillary Broadwater and Santa Clarita Mayor Pro-Tem Marsha McLean look on.

* Brian and Lindsay Schlick with SchlickArt received the VIA Rising Star Award. The husband-wife duo has established themselves as a powerhouse business photography and video company in the Santa Clarita business community.

VIA Rising Star: Brian and Lindsay Schlick with SchlickArt receive the VIA Rising Star Award from Hillary Broadwater, VIA BASH chairwoman.

* The William S. Hart Union High School District received the inaugural VIA Vision and Inspiration Award in recognition of the partnership and outstanding service to a shared vision. It is VIA and the VIA Education Foundation’s highest honor In recognition of the communication, collaboration, and collective efforts in furthering Connecting to Success.

VIA Vision and Inspiration Award: Congressman Steve Knight, Governing Board Member Dr. Cherise Moore, Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht, and Governing Board Member Bob Jensen accept the inaugural VIA Vision and Inspiration Award on behalf of the William S. Hart Union High School District.

Proceeds from the event will benefit the VIA Education Foundation, Connecting to Success program, a privately-funded half-day conference offering important workplace readiness skills to high school students. This signature program trains more than 2,500 high school juniors annually from all area high schools in the Hart District.

Sponsors for this year’s event included Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology as Title Sponsor; College of the Canyons as a Wizard sponsor. Goblin sponsors included Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, the City of Santa Clarita, Southern California Edison, FivePoint, Thrivent Financial, Wintrust Mortgage, ReMax of Santa Clairta, Santa Clarita Valley Relocation Services, Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., C.A. Rasmussen, Inc., KKAJ Certified Public Accountants, and SOS Entertainment. Media sponsors included The Signal, Santa Clarita Valley Business Journal, SCVTV, InsideSCV, and Point of View Communications.

For more information, contact the VIA office at admin@via.org or 661-294-8088.

About the Valley Industry Association
The Valley Industry Association of Santa Clarita represents business interests throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. VIA provides its members – industrial, commercial and service companies – the opportunity to collaborate on a broad range of business issues. In addition to being a legislative advocate, VIA serves as a one-stop shop for relevant business information, supports local educational initiatives, and provides networking opportunities. Visit www.via.org for more information.

All photos: Michael Asmar, Joie de Vivre Photographie