Sunday, July 13, 2025

Rep. Judy Chu Honors San Gabriel Valley Leaders at Annual Awards Ceremony

Congresswoman Judy Chu recognized a slate of community leaders and organizations Saturday during the annual Congressional Leadership of the Year Awards Ceremony at the Arcadia Community Center, commending their service and impact across the San Gabriel Valley.

The July 12 event drew attendees from across California’s 28th Congressional District to celebrate honorees nominated by local residents. Nominations closed June 22, according to the Arcadia Chamber of Commerce. The awards spanned fields including government, education, activism and nonprofit service.

Recipients included:

• Building Bridges Award: Nic Arnzen, vice chair of the Altadena Town Council and chair of its Communications Committee, is also a commissioner on Los Angeles County’s first LGBTQ+ Commission. Arnzen, who was first elected in 2020 and is now serving his third term, lost his home during the January 2025 Eaton Fire, which destroyed nearly 90 percent of the census tract he represents.
• Businesspersons of the Year: Jason Kim and Johanna Quach, developer and store manager of Paris Baguette San Gabriel, were honored for leadership in local entrepreneurship. Background information on these recipients was provided through event materials.
• Community Activists of the Year: Pastor Jon DeCuir, lead pastor of Victory Bible Church in Pasadena, oversaw post-fire relief efforts that distributed over $1 million in aid to more than 700 families impacted by the Eaton Fire. He has more than 20 years of ministry experience and holds a Master of Divinity and a master’s degree in organizational leadership. DeCuir described the fire’s impact as “riveting,” adding, “There are at least twelve pastors whose homes have been burned down. There are another ten churches that have been burned to the ground.” Tzi Ma, a 62-year-old Hong Kong-American actor and longtime Pasadena resident, was honored for his advocacy for Asian-American representation. He publicly recounted being racially profiled during the COVID-19 pandemic outside a Pasadena Whole Foods. Ma is known for roles in Rush Hour, Mulan, The Farewell, Interior Chinatown and Tigertail.
• Courageous Service Award: Edgar McGregor, a 24-year-old climate activist and meteorology student at San Jose State University, was honored for issuing early fire warnings credited with saving lives during the January 2025 Eaton Fire. He is also an intern at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and has completed more than 2,000 consecutive days of environmental cleanup at Eaton Canyon. McGregor received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Chu earlier this year. “I know that if it weren’t for Edgar, many more people would have died that night,” Chu said. “So, Edgar McGregor is a true hero of our community.”
• Educator of the Year: Wendy Sinette, superintendent of the La Canada Unified School District, was recognized for her leadership in education. No additional verified biographical details were included in source materials.
• Nonprofits of the Year: San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity, founded in 1990, has served more than 375 families and maintains a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for 14 consecutive years. Its service area covers 400 square miles and includes 31 communities, including Altadena. The National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), based in Los Angeles and founded in 2001, was honored for advocacy on behalf of immigrant workers. The coalition has expanded from 12 original member organizations to 60 nationwide.
• Volunteer of the Year: Rev. Gene Boutilier, a longtime activist affiliated with Pilgrim Place in Claremont and president of Housing Claremont, was recognized for his contributions to housing justice and civic engagement. His background was provided through ceremony information.

Chu’s annual awards ceremony continued her tradition of spotlighting grassroots leadership in Pasadena, Arcadia, Altadena, San Gabriel and neighboring communities.

The Arcadia Community Center is located at 365 Campus Drive.