The Fernando Award Foundation has announced the finalists for the 2019 Fernando Award.
The annual award is given out to a person who exemplifies the best in volunteerism and service to the communities of the San Fernando Valley.
Finalist Steve Fazio is the head of Fazio Enterprises which owns the Fazio Cleaners chain that has several outlets in the greater Los Angeles area. He has served as a Los Angeles Police Department Reserve Officer and as a member of the Los Angeles City Fire Commission. Fazio was the founding president of Sierra Canyon School, an independent private school in Chatsworth that serves students from early kindergarten through 12th grade. He has had extensive involvement in business education serving in leadership positions for three local Young Presidents Organization Chapters (YPO) as well as being on the Pepperdine University Business School Board and a Senior Fellow at the Pepperdine School of Public Policy. He has been a member of several local Chambers of Commerce, ran for the State Senate in 2016 and is on the board of governors for Providence Tarzana Medical Center.
Jeff Friedman has been involved in several organizations for the past several decades many of them involving senior issues including the Alzheimer’s Association—San Fernando Valley and California Southland Chapter where since 1993 he has helped the organization raise millions of dollars. In leadership positions over the past several years, he has helped ONEgeneration-San Fernando Valley meet the growing needs of seniors in the community. He is a founder of SFV MAPS—Marketing and Admissions Professionals for Seniors which is dedicated to raising public awareness and support for senior care and housing in the San Fernando Valley. Jeff has been involved in several other organizations such as the ALS Association, Parkinson’s Association and Stroke Association as well as the West Valley Jewish Community Center.
Mike Quiroga is the founder of Mike’s Roofing and Building Service which he started after emigrating from Bolivia at the age of 23. Through the years his business has offered advanced training programs to his employees to build leadership skills and further their education. He has also devoted countless hours volunteering and serving on the boards of directors of several local non-profits including Valley Village, Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind, Mid Valley YMCA, Tierra Del Sol and Mid Valley American Heart Association. He has been an active member of several local Chambers of Commerce and has been on the Los Angeles Valley College Foundation board for several years. Additionally, Mike has donated money resources and time to several other organizations such as ONEgeneration, Van Nuys Rotary, Friends of Van Nuys Airport, New Horizons, Jeopardy and El Centro de Amistad.
Scott Silverstein has been a volunteer and Board member at the Child Development Institute for more than 16 years where he has provided critical support that enabled CDI to create its Early Learning Center. This effort galvanized organizations and business to prioritize the needs of underserved children and families. In partnership with other stakeholders, Scott also helped develop the Reseda Community Network. He was also a critical source in creating the Child Development Center at the Providence Tarzana campus. He also plays a vital role as Chairperson of the Board of El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills and provided crucial leadership at a challenging time for the school. He has also been involved in the Special Olympics, Woodland Hills-Warner Center Neighborhood Council, Chaminade College Preparatory High School and Cri-Help Inc. and worked on the Warner Center Specific Plan, Promenade 2035 Plan and Reimagine Ventura Plan.
Jane Skeeter is CEO and Founder of UltraGlas Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer of designed architectural and high-performance glass and glass tile. She has been an active supporter of the West Valley Boys and Girls Club serving in many capacities including its Governance and Executives Committees. She has been a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners, Los Angeles, representing the area several times in Washington D.C. advocating for small businesses. Jane has also been a member of the Valley Economic Alliance, VICA and West Hills Hospital Board of Trustees. She has been a supporter of our local schools doing work at Woodland Hills Elementary and serving on boards and committees at Pierce College, Chatsworth High School and Woodbury University.
The Recipient of the Fernando Award will be announced during the 61st Annual Fernando Award Dinner Friday, September 27, 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles.
For event tickets and sponsorship information, go to fernandoawards.org.
