South Coast Business & Technology Awards Celebrate Local Innovators

Santa Barbara, CA — Eight standout organizations and individuals received 2020-2021 South Coast Business & Technology Awards during a virtual ceremony on June 17. Now in their 27^th year, the awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and success in the area’s business and technology sectors. Proceeds from the event benefit the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara.

“We were forced to cancel the 2020 ceremony, so thought it only right that we recognize those honorees this year. As a direct result of sponsorships this year and last, we were able to award $325,000 in scholarships to area students,” said Barbara Robertson, president and CEO of the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara. “We are very grateful for such generous support from our local business and technology community.”

To date, the event has generated almost $2.5 million in scholarships for students countywide.

Serving as event co-chairs this year were Janet Garufis, chairman and CEO of Montecito Bank & Trust, and Kirsten McLaughlin, market vice president at Cox Communications.

The 2020-2021 honorees were Direct Relief (Excellence in Service), James Rogers of Apeel Sciences (Entrepreneur of the Year), Patricia Bragg Holdings (Company of the Year), Sherry Villanueva of Acme Hospitality (Executive of the Year), William Parrish of Seek Thermal (Pioneer Award), and Final Company, Nomad, and Well Health (Rising Stars).

The Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara is the nation’s largest community-based provider of college scholarships, having cumulatively awarded more than $135 million to over 55,000 county students since its founding in 1962. A nonprofit organization, the Scholarship Foundation also provides free financial aid advising services. For additional information, visit www.sbscholarship.org.