Joey Harkrider of Green Guy Recycling, winner of the 2025 Education Partner of the Year, with Randolph Goodman of Gary Job Corps.
SAN MARCOS AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce announced their 2025 award winners at the 122nd Annual Award Dinner & Gala on Thursday. These honors celebrate exceptional businesses, organizations and individuals in the San Marcos area.
The event, held at the San Marcos Conference Center, recognizes dedication, innovation and community spirit.
The 2025 award winners are: - Citizen of the Year: Eric Willis, La Cima - Business of the Year – Large: Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) - Business of the Year – Small: RiverCity Screenprinting & Embroidery
2025 Citizen of the Year Eric Willis, La Cima, accepts the award from last year’s COY, Texas State University President Kelly Damphousse. DAILY RECORD PHOTO BY JOHN CLARK
- Emerging Business of the Year: The San Market - Green Business of the Year: Pioneer Water Tanks - Education Partner of the Year: Joey Harkrider, Green Guy Recycling - Non-Profit of the Year: Mission Able - Ambassador of the Year: Jesse Ramos, Sunflower Bank The gala highlighted the chamber’s ongoing commitment to those who make a difference in San Marcos. From businesses that champion sustainability and innovation to individuals devoted to education, service and leadership, each recipient reflects the chamber’s mission to foster growth and connection across the region.
“This event is a celebration of the people and organizations that drive progress in our community,” said Page Michel, President and CEO of the San Marcos Area Chamber of Commerce. “Each award recipient represents the best of San Marcos — their vision, hard work and heart for service are what make this city such an extraordinary place to live and do business.”
The evening also marked a change in chamber leadership, as Outgoing Board Chair Cassidy Berenato of Texas Aviation Partners passed the gavel to Incoming Chair Brooke Damron of The Damron Group. Both leaders reflected on the chamber’s accomplishments and shared their excitement for the year ahead.
For more information about the benefits of Chamber membership and how your business can get involved, call the San Marcos Area Chamber at 512-393-5900 or visit SanMarcos-Texas.com.
Lower Colorado River Authority General Manager Phil Wilson accepts the award for Business of the Year – Large.Luke Sanders, CEO of RiverCity Screenprinting & Embroidery, winners of the Chamber’s Small Business of the Year award.Kelly Bara and Janice Hardaway of San Market, winners of the Emerging Business of the Year.From left: past Chamber Board Chair Cassidy Berenato with Chamber team members Joanne Ortega, Tiffany Quibodeaux, Marisol Gomez Mendoza and Page Michel. Current Board Chair Brooke Damron is on the right.
The staff of Mission Able, winners of the Non-Profit of the Year award.
Pioneer Water Tanks won the 2025 Chamber award for Green Business of the Year.
2024 Ambassador of the Year winner Sheila Beck of AirOne Rescue presents the award to 2025 winner Jesse Ramos of Sunflower Bank.The Shining Stars Under 40: from left: Jose Lozano, Cude Engineers; Allison Hardy, Divided Sky Roofing & Solar; Richard Lopez, RiverCity Screenprinting; Josie Falletta, Downtown San Marcos; Kristan Machado, KnD’s Boutique; and Justin Pearson, San Marcos BBQ; with award presenter Justin PayneJosie Falletta, Downtown San Marcos, was named one of the Chambers’ Shining Stars Under 40.Former Chamber Chair Justin Payne and Immediate Past Chamber Board Chair Cassidy Berenato.Immediate Past Chamber Board Chair Cassidy Berenato passes on the Gavel Award to new Board Chair Brooke Damron.From left: Elva Zdeb, Gary Job Corps; former Chamber Chair Justin Payne; Alfonso Sifuentes, Republic Services; and Immediate Past Chamber Board Chair Cassidy Berenato.From left: Bethany Lewis, Holly Prather, Melissa Jewett, Daryl O’Neal, Jeff Jewett, Lauren Olson, Brian Olson, Kathy Prather and Jude Prather at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.The Gary Job Corps table at the Chamber Gala: Eva and Randolph Goodman (Community Relations Coordinator), Barbara Sewell (Purchasing Manager), Stacy Kerns (Finance and Administration Director), Susanne (Career Technical Training Manager), and Donnie Ritter. Photo courtesy Randolph Goodman.Jill Rosales, Travis County EMS, and husband Andres at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.Lea Ann and Joe Kenworthy, Sage Capital Bank, at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.From left: Teacher Reuse members Wanda Murphy, Nancy Turner and Karen Snyder at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.Mandy Casarez, San Marcos BBQ, Kelly Layne, Sage Capital Bank and Cristina Tristan, Sage Capital Bank, at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.From left: Sheila Beck, AirOne Rescue; Marisa Coon, RBFCU; Marissa Garcia, RBFCU; and Alana McCloskey, Texas State University; at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.From left: Kirsten Barbee, Lauren Saldaña, Taylor Garcia, Linda Bennett and Amanda Benavides of the A+ Credit Union at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.From left: JoAnn Pantano, Texas Regional Bank; Tisha Guzman, Corridor Title; and Tricia Padgett, Brookfield Residential Homes; at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.From left: .Diana and Lucio Montoya with Faith and Robert Perez at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.San Marcos Mayor Jane Hughson with Jim and Margie Wimberly, Texas Aviation Partners, at the San Marcos Chamber Gala. Melissa and Craig Wilson, Cobb Fendley Engineering, at the San Marcos Chamber Gala.
