The Valley Industry Association has unveiled the list of nominees for 2019 awards to be presented at VIA’s Black & White BASH at the Hyatt Regency Valencia on Saturday, October 19.

Awards are given to those individuals and members of distinction deserving in one of three categories: VIA Business of the Year, VIA Rising Star, and the Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year.

The Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year Award is awarded to an individual affiliated with VIA for a minimum of two years and has demonstrated strong support of the organization through committee involvement or chairmanship, member recruitment, fundraising and/or the creation of increased visibility for the organization.

The VIA Rising Star Award is awarded to a member who has been with the organization no less than 12 months and has shown substantial new growth and visibility through the development and launch of a new product or service, significant increases in job creation and/or building expansion.

The VIA Business of the Year Award is awarded to a cornerstone VIA member business affiliated with the organization no less than five years and who has demonstrated consistent support not only for the organization but to the business community and the Santa Clarita Valley as a whole.

Nominees for the Connie Worden-Roberts Volunteer of the Year Award:

— Ed Masterson, SOS Entertainment

— Mariella Masuda, Hyatt Regency Valencia

— Fabienne McGeever, Simpatico Systems

— Kim Thomson, SCV Relocation Services

— Sue Tweddell, Primerica

— Steve Youlios, Jersey Mike’s

Nominees for the VIA Rising Star Award:

— KKAJ, Certified Public Accountants

— SCV Senior Center (Bella Vida)

— Thrivent Financial | Jeff & Melanie Meyer

Nominees for VIA Business of the Year:

— Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology

— Hyatt Regency Valencia

— Jersey Mike’s Subs

— Mission Valley Bank

— The Signal/Signal Multimedia

In addition, the VIA Vision and Inspiration Award will be given to a school within the William S. Hart Union High School District in recognition of active involvement in the Connecting to Success program, a privately funded half-day conference offering important workplace readiness skills to high school students.

The award is VIA and the VIA Education Foundation’s highest honor in recognition of the communication, collaboration, and collective efforts in furthering Connecting to Success.

Starting in spring 2020, the curriculum will be available to every sophomore class student in area high schools and teaches young people the necessary skills to bridge from student life to work life, and to be successful once they enter the workforce.

The program connects business leaders to a future employment pool that will be ready for the demands of a job. There is an unlimited number of $20 Little Black Book sponsorship opportunities available, which sends one high school student to VIA’s workplace-readiness Connecting to Success program.

“The VIA BASH has become one of the must-attend business events in the Santa Clarita Valley,” said Teresa Todd, Chairwoman of the Board. “This year, the signature gala transforms into a ‘Night to Remember’ inspired by Truman Capote’s infamous social event of 1966.”

Capote aspired to create an occasion that brought together a diversity of guests from his little black book to create visual unity using the most severe of color palettes: black and white attire.

Guests at VIA’s Black & White BASH will enjoy themed décor while dancing to the high-energy sounds of Crowd Theory Entertainment, a cover band offering a unique and memorable alternative to the conventional live music experience. Black or white attire is encouraged.

Proceeds from the event benefit the VIA Education Foundation’s Connecting to Success program.

VIA is grateful for the support of its generous sponsors including Title Sponsor Nola Aronson’s Advanced Audiology and VIP Room Sponsor Tweddell & Associates representing Primerica.

Black Tie sponsors include College of the Canyons, Thrivent Financial, Santa Clarita Magazine, Elite Magazine, InsideSCV Magazine, SCVTV, and The Signal.

White Glove sponsors include Back to Health Chiropratic, Burrtec Waste Industries, Inc., City of Santa Clarita, Comfort Keepers In-Home Care, Courier Messenger, Inc., Fivepoint, Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, Mission Valley Bank, Mission View Public School, Norona Insurance, QM Design Group, Point of View Communications, ReMax of Santa Clarita, Southern California Edison and SOS Entertainment.

For tickets, visit www.via.org/via-bash or contact the VIA office at admin@via.org or 661-294-8088.

The Hyatt Regency Valencia is located at 24500 Town Center Drive, Valencia 91355.

About VIA
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 info.