Photo Caption: Dustin Runyon (right) and Andrew Oxley (left) of APX Development Group won the Community Enhancement award at Chamber of Commerce’s Meeting and Annual celebration at Nautical Beachfront Resort. (photo courtesy of APX Realtor Kody Weitzel)
LAKE HAVASU — This June, familiar Lake Havasu leaders were celebrated for their personalized abundance of spirited endeavors to the community. Organized by the Chamber of Commerce, this year’s 2025 Annual Meeting, was a themed award ceremony promoting Art in Entrepreneurship which took place on Friday June 20 from 5pm to 8pm at The Nautical Beachfront Resort.
Twelve awards were handed out by our chamber team to individuals and businesses who stood out in their own unique ways this year.
Two of the many honorees went to owners of Michael Alan Furnishings Chris Cooley and her daughter Caily Breigh Patton. The furniture and decor retailers earned an Ethics in Business title for their ongoing relationship with our community’s health center. The store provides an annual twenty-four-hour fundraiser for breast cancer along with an onsite mobile mammography van for year round screenings.
Owners of Michael Alan Furnishings Chris Cooley (left) and her daughter Caily Breigh Patton (right) won Ethics in Business award at Chamber of Commerce’s Meeting and Annual celebration at Nautical Beachfront Resort. (photo courtesy of Caily Breigh Patton)
The new Citizen of the Year honoree went to Clothes Closet nonprofit owner Christine Watson Buttemeyer. The clothing charity has provided much service to people in Havasu in need of showers, counseling, employment, and free clothes.
Watson Buttemeyer’s award also earned her the Grand Marshall role for the London Bridge Days Parade set for this October.
Even local educators were appreciated. This year’s lineup celebrated Lake Havasu High School’s mentor for student success Anthony Mallinger who won the Bridge to Business category for his leadership in teaching students tech education. While the CFEL Distinguished Alumni trophy was handed to Founder and Superintendent of Telesis Center Charter school, Doctor Sandy Breece.
Breece was also spotlighted not only for her position at the charter school, but additionally on writing a book about educational leadership.
Real estate developers APX Development Group took the Community Enhancement win for their assistance in creating a place for families and businesses to thrive with buildings of luxury neighborhoods, storage complexes, and their affordable housing project.
Our Chamber of Commerce gave some much deserved honors to some of their own members such as their Chair of the Chamber Foundation for Education’s Becky Goldberg winning the Chamber Volunteer of the Year award for continuously going above and beyond expectations to make our city a better place. Cassie O’ Hara Ambassador of the chamber, was also recognized for her commitments to some of Havasu’s most popular events like Winterfest and Desert Bash. O’Hara obtained Ambassador of the Year for cleaning up events, being vocal about what needs to be done with a smile, and positive presence.
Business owner of Sunshine Indoor Play Kate Deparini got this year’s Rising Star reward for her efforts in advocating for families looking to escape the escalating temperatures of summer. The business provides a safe space to stay cool and enjoy games in a welcoming environment.
Lake Havasu’s beautifully scenic Ironwood Golf Country Club were the proud honorees this year’s Spirit in Hospitality Award for their dedication and going the extra mile in tourism. When it comes to diligent support of Havasu entrepreneurs, Partnership of Economic Development achieved the Elevating Havasu award for supporting businesses like Nomadic Coworking Space and Main Street Commons.
Attendees also had the chance to see former Lake Havasu Mayor Bob Whelan along with his spouse Judy, who were spotlighted in remembrance of giving favorable impacts in the workplace with their Leadership Development Program. The awesome impression of the program earned them 2025’s Whelan Leadership accolade. Speaking of Mayor’s, current Mayor Cal Sheehy made an appearance to present the most prominent sponsor for many events that take place in the city.
Anderson Auto Group placed in the highest recognition reward of the ceremony, which would be the Pinnacle Award. The dealership’s name has been spotted on almost all of our well-known annual activities like the Drive Through Toy Extravaganza, the free Christmas community dinners, Special Olympics of Arizona fundraisers, and many more.
With the collaboration of innovation and dreams that filled this season’s occasion, it made the evening quite the inspiring night for the upcoming honorees to be awarded the following year.
