Glendale Latino Association Presents 2012 Honorees

 In Honorees, News, Past Events, Photos

GLA Honorees 2012Congratulations to the Glendale Latino Association 2012 Honorees! On February 23th, 2012, at La Canada Flintridge Country Club, GLA presented the 2012 Community Awards to the following members:

Woman of the Year: Denise Miller
Director of Live Well Senior Program
Glendale Adventist Medical Center

Denise is the Director of the Live Well (55+) Senior Program at Glendale Adventist Medical Center (GAMC). She is responsible for effectively navigating seniors and their families toward easier access to healthcare information, resources and wellness and prevention programs both within the hospital and in the community. Prior to 2011, Denise was Manager of Physician Relations at GAMC. She was responsible for cultivating, building and strengthening relationships with individual physicians, clinics, physician groups and their staffs. Denise received her B.A. in Occupational Therapy and Psychology from St. Catherine University (St. Paul, MN) in 1989, the largest Catholic women’s college in the United States. She also holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from La Sierra University in Riverside, CA (2006).
Denise experienced first-hand how an academic scholarship can change a person’s life dramatically and she is dedicated to providing continued support to the mission of the Glendale Latino Association. She lives and works in Glendale and is humbled, honored and grateful to receive this award and acknowledgement in a community that she cares so much about.

Man of the Year: Gary Montecuollo
Chief of Police
Glendale Community College

Gary has had a long and distinguished career in the City of Glendale. Gary served with Glendale Police Department for 30 years working, criminal investigations, tactical investigations, and personnel administration, as well as a number of community-based assignments. Gary was hired by Glendale Community College in September 2011 as its new Chief. Since his arrival, he has actively worked with the faculty and staff on campus issues. He organized committee task forces to address emergency preparedness and at-risk/difficult students. He updated the mass notification system and coordinated active shooter training as well as other advanced training for all of his staff. Gary continues to teach as an adjunct faculty member in the Administration of Justice Program. In one of his favorite classes, Community Relations, Gary encourages his students to volunteer in the community, just as he does, for programs such as the Downtown Dash, Derby Day, and the Relay for Life.

Organization of the Year: Sadd-Velazquez-Higashi-Shammaa, LLP
Certified Public Accountants & Advisors

John Sadd and Mike Velazquez merged their two firms to form SADD-VELAZQUEZ-HIGASHI SHAMMAA, LLP (SVHS) over 2 years ago, and they believed in the POWER OF ONE: Only ONE firm for Tax, Financial and Retirement Planning for business owners, professionals and real estate investors. “We are very pleased to receive this recognition again from our community for the work we do”. We all are business owners and live in Glendale, as well as long-time friends, Sadd & Velazquez draw strength and validation from this award. “It is humbling to be recognized for something we enjoy to do”. SVHS focus is to help clients understand and execute their opportunities in this very confusing landscape of tax and financial complexity”. In order to provide creative and responsive solutions, the firm integrates several disciplines, and uses state-of-the-art technology to deliver on that promise. With John and Mike’s leadership and commitment to volunteerism, SVHS are very involved in City life and the fabric of our community organizations: Kiwanis Club of Glendale, Community Foundation of the Verdugos, Glendale Educational Foundation, GAR, Glendale Youth Alliance, Glendale Arts and Glendale Latino Association among others.

Contact Us

We're not around right now. But you can send us an email and we'll get back to you, asap.