Person of the Year Recipients
A long standing Hermosa tradition, the Chamber has been recognizing extraordinary citizens in Hermosa for many decades. This award goes to residents who go above and beyond for their Hermosa community—a Lifetime Achievement award. Someone who volunteers their time and talent to make the Hermosa Beach community an outstanding place to live, play and work. The following are the criteria:
- Contributes significant time, energy and spirit in fields outside his or her professional life, without regard to personal gain.
- Civic and community service goes beyond “normal” responsibilities.
- Creates a lasting and beneficial impact for all Hermosa Beach residents.
- Actively participates in service, community, church or other organizations.
- Living, reside or have a business in the Hermosa Beach area and possess excellent personal character.
- Previous recipients are not eligible. Job-related tasks or duties for which nominees are paid do not qualify.
2026 Person of the Year Recipient — Jani Lange
The following is the excerpt from the congratulatory speech given by President/CEO Michelle Crispin at the Best of Hermosa Awards 2026:
"This year’s honoree is a Hermosa native who’s always volunteering and jumping in wherever help is needed. This person embodies the punk rock spirit woven into Hermosa’s identity and has been a steady force in our community for years.
He served three terms as a Parks and Rec Commissioner, and has served on a variety of Boards, including Leadership Hermosa, South Bay Boardriders, and the Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce. He’s helped power community events like the Surfers Walk of Fame and Concerts on the Beach. Honestly, that list still doesn’t capture how much he gives to this town.
And somehow, on top of all of that, he’s also a husband, a dad to four, and a coach of basically every sport.
I first met him while interviewing him for our documentary Jazz v. Punk, and his enthusiasm for this city and our arts community was unstoppable. He even brought his son along to talk about the roots and legacy of Hermosa.
Jani, we’re lucky to have you."
1959 - Current
| YEAR | WOMAN OF THE YEAR | MAN OF THE YEAR |
| 1959 | Alice Barnard | (none honored) |
| 1960 | Mary Stonier | Barney Lettenich |
| 1961 | Patricia A. Gazin | James Boston |
| 1962 | Alice Barnard | John T. Hales |
| 1968 | Katharine Bergstrom | Tom Fredricks |
| 1969 | Mary Edgerton | William Stidham |
| 1970 | Betty Ryan | Jack C. Dunn |
| 1971 | Gerry Hudson | Joe Noble |
| 1972 | Dee Strange | Harry Smith |
| 1973 | Jane Turner | Joe Diaz |
| 1974 | Mary Tyson | Al Valdez |
| 1975 | Jacqueline Wofford | Eric Rafter |
| 1976 | Edwina McKenzie | Charles McCann |
| 1977 | Selma Zavislan | Martin DeMott |
| 1978 | Evelyn Belasco | Eugene Palmer |
| 1979 | (none honored) | (none honored) |
| 1980 | Delma Perry | George Schmeltzer |
| 1981 | Betty Evans | James Fucile |
| 1982 | Violette Isgreen | Mike Frandzel |
| 1983 | Wilma Burt | Tony Molino |
| 1984 | Etta Simpson | Grant Isgreen |
| 1985 | Rachel Wilkings | Joe Cascio |
| 1986 | Anna Belchee | Jack Wood |
| 1987 | Edie Webber | John Haddon |
| 1988 | Leona Ayers | John Workman |
| 1990 | Ellen Goetz | Warren Barr, OD |
| 1991 | Catherine Murray | Jerry Compton |
| 1992 | Marie Diaz | Mick Felder |
| 1993 | Gloria Anderson | Dallas Yost |
| 1994 | Leslie Newton | Rick Learned |
| 1995 | Julie Feys | Gary Wayland |
| 1996 | Missy Sheldon | Chuck Sheldon |
| 1997 | Thelma Greenwald | Richard Greenwald |
| 1998 | Cathy McCurdy | Paul Amarillas |
| 1999 | Jean Lombardo | Dave Garrett |
| 2000 | Yvonne Amarillas | Richard McCurdy |
| 2001 | Eleanor Lynn | Earl Feys |
| 2002 | Kathy Dunbabin | Rick Hankus |
| 2003 | Elaine Doerfling | Richard Koenig |
| 2004 | Susan Blaco | Dean Nota |
| 2005 | Dorothy Yost | Robert McEachen |
| 2006 | Jean Cuellen | J.R. Reviczky |
| 2007 | Kelly Kovac-Reedy | Michael Flaherty |
| 2008 | Barbara Clark | J. Travers Devine |
| 2009 | Pat Love | Peter Tucker |
| 2010 | Vicki Garcia | Kenneth Hartley |
| 2011 | Corinne Ybarra | Steve Collins |
| 2012 | Carol Tanner | Sam Perrotti |
| 2013 | Joline Blais | Ron Newman |
| 2014 | Janice Brittain | Mike Lacey |
| 2015 | Alice Villalobos | Lt. Tom Thompson |
| 2016 | Jackie Flaherty | Ryan Nowicki |
| 2017 | Maureen Ferguson Lewis | Peter Hoffman |
| 2018 | Adrienne Slaughter | George Barks |
| 2019 | Merna Marshall | John Horger |
| 2021 | (none honored) | (none honored) |
| 2022 | Annie Seawright-Newton | |
| 2023 | Rafael McMaster | |
| 2024 | Kevin Sousa | |
| 2025 | Liz Tyndorf | |
| 2026 | Jani Lange | |
Note: From 1959 to 2019, the community selected both a man and woman each year. In 2022 the tradition changed to a singular person.