Last week, a packed room of Coronado residents, business owners, and community leaders gathered at Feast & Fareway for the Chamber’s Annual Celebrate Coronado Dinner and Awards. The evening recognized Chamber member milestones and honored some of Coronado’s finest first responders and City employees, as well as the recipient of the Lewis R. Hardy Memorial Award.
Each honoree was recognized for excellence, tenacity, intelligence, leadership, and a commitment to leading by example.
A heartfelt congratulations to each of this year’s award recipients:
Kelli Maples — City Manager’s Employee of the Year
Police Service Officer Jose Sandoval — Police Department Employee of the Year
Corporal Kevin Engelke — Police Department Employee of the Year
Coby James — Lifeguard Employee of the Year
Trent Cresap — Firefighter Employee of the Year
Bill Sandke — 2025–2026 Lewis R. Hardy Memorial Award recipient
Rena Clancy, Kerri Dowling, and Cathy Brown deserve an award of their own for the tremendous work and dedication they bring to the Coronado Chamber of Commerce. Their commitment to supporting our local businesses, City, and community is evident in all they do.
I was delighted to be there to celebrate these outstanding individuals and especially proud to have the opportunity to recognize the Lewis R. Hardy Memorial Award recipients, past and present. Seeing community leaders Ruth Ann Fisher, Cathy Brown, Dave Landon, Mike Woiwode, Bill Gise, Suzanne Popp, Doug St. Denis, and Dean Eckenroth Jr. welcome Bill Sandke into this prestigious group of award recipients was a particularly special moment.
Congratulations to Bill and to all of this year’s honorees – and thank you to the Coronado Chamber of Commerce for another wonderful evening celebrating the people who make our community so special!
Bravo!
VOL. 116, NO. 39 – Sept. 30, 2026