Image Gallery: Packed Palace hall greets Lemoore Chamber Gala and honorees

For most of the chamber's history, the selection of an annual citizen of the year has always been a secret until the final moments. Still, on Friday night, there were no such restrictions as the evening ended with former West Hills College District Chancellor Frank Gornick accepting this year's award as the 2020 Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

Photos by Gary Feinstein, Feinsteinfotos

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The 2028 Citizen of the Year, Ernie Smith, introduced this year's recipient whom he referred to as a visionary. "He was very forward-looking," said the former West Hills administrator. "It's an honor for me to introduce the 2020 Citizen of the Year, Dr. Frank Gornick."

Gornick, a West Hills College alum, spent 23 years with the district and, during his tenure, transformed the single Coalinga campus and one-room Lemoore facility to one of the most respected community college districts in the state. While chancellor, he turned what was once just a single college district into a multi-college system with full-fledged campuses in Coalinga and Lemoore, as well as a center in Firebaugh.

"This is quite an honor for my family and me," said Gornick. "This is quite a humbling experience when you think of the people who have earned this award."

He referred to the district's growth, particularly in Lemoore, as an investment in the future. "I just want to thank you for the opportunity."

Another significant presence Friday night was the announcement of the 2020 Public Safety Individual of the Year, a recently established award that went to recently retired Lemoore Police Chief Darrell Smith. It was just one week ago that Smith celebrated his retirement with friends, family, and supports at a retirement gathering in the Lemoore Civic Auditorium.

Smith humbly accepted the award learning that his department offices and employees nominated him. "I would rather be up here recognizing one of our own," he said. "The Lemoore Police Department is second to none if the state of California. Our mission is to keep everybody safe."

Chamber officials created a new "Chairman's Award," and this year's honor went to previous Lemoore Chamber of Commerce Chairman William Parry, a local attorney. "I really appreciate it," said Parry. "I'm deeply honored to receive this award. It's meaningful to get it from the board."

This year's Business of the Year went to Lemoore's Surf Ranch. Blake Hess, an official with the company, accepted the award for the company that many say have put Lemoore on the world's stage thanks to the visionary surfer and entrepreneur Kelly Slater who created the human-made wave facility on the outskirts of Lemoore.

Aimee Dexheimer, the manager of the Navy-Marine Corp's Relief Society, accepted the chamber's Organization of the Year honors. The organization provides financial assistance and education, as well as other programs and services to members of the United States Navy and Marine Corps, their family members, widows, and survivors.