The Santee Chamber of Commerce has presented Bob Grande, founder and CEO of Santee-based Qualify Controlled Manufacturing, Inc. (QCMI) with its 2012 Person of the Year award. Santee Chamber president/CEO John Olsen said Grande was honored for his commitment to the citizens of Santee.
Grande started QCMI was founded in October 1978 in his 1,000-square-foot garage in Santee. Today, the company employs 95 employees who work at three facilities, including the 65,000-square-foot headquarters on Abraham Way in Santee, a 27,000-square-foot facility in Lakeside and 6,000-square-foot facility in El Cajon. QCMI celebrated its 34th anniversary on Oct. 19, 2012. Last year, the Santee Chamber honored Grande with its Business Leadership Award.
Grande’s award was among several presented by the Santee Chamber at its recent annual meeting awards night ceremony held at Barona Casino. Other awards included: Chairman’s Award, Sandy Pugliese, Sharp Grossmont Hospital; Chairman’s Award, Robert Lloyd, Lloyd’s Collision Center in Santee; Deputy of the Year, Albert “Anthony” Abutin of the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department; Firefighter of the Year, Cpt. David Leask, Santee Fire Department; Rotarian of the Year, William Pommering, Padre Dam Municipal Water District; Kiwanis Volunteer of the Year, Mark Budke; Teacher of the Year, Joey Sutera, Carlton Oaks School; Les Hart Memorial Scholarship, Timothy Seaboch, a student at San Diego State University; Heavy Hauler Espirit de Corps Award, Corporal Diatoine Austin, U.S. Marine Corps; Heavy Hauler Motivation Award, Sgt. Josiah Mellentine, U.S. Marine Corps; Wendell Cutting Humanitarian Award, Lisa Hopewell, Santee Food Bank.
In addition, the Santee Chamber presented 16 awards in the “Santee’s Favorite Business” category. Winners were determined based on more than 20,000 votes that were cast on the chamber’s website. Winners included: Santee’s Favorite Automotive, Lloyd’s Collision & Paint Center; Santee’s Favorite Casino, Barona Resort & Casino; Santee’s Favorite Construction or Contractor, McWire Electric; Santee’s Favorite Bank or Credit Union, California Coast Credit Union; Santee’s Favorite Financial Service, Ronn Hall Insurance & Notary; Santee’s Favorite Full-Service Restaurant, Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Company; Santee’s Favorite General Service, Santee Patch; Santee’s Favorite Health & Beauty, Hot Rodz & Betties Hair Garage; Santee’s Favorite Manufacturer, Manzanita Brewing Company; Santee’s Favorite Medical Service, Sharp Grossmont Hospital; Santee’s Favorite Professional Service, Pure FloWater Company; Santee’s Favorite Quick Service Restaurant, The Coffee Corner; Santee’s Favorite Recreation, Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve; Santee’s Favorite Retailer, Costco; Santee’s Favorite Specialty Food, Starry Lane Bakery; Santee’s Favorite Utilities, Padre Dam.
