Good Morning Santa Paula brings information to attendees

January 25, 2008
Santa Paula News

An employee who handles the complicated finances of the city’s Public Works Department and an entrepreneur devoted to the community were honored at the January Good Morning Santa Paula.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesAn employee who handles the complicated finances of the city’s Public Works Department and an entrepreneur devoted to the community were honored at the January Good Morning Santa Paula. Limoneira Co. hosted the Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event held at Logsdon’s at the Santa Paula Airport.Senior Management Analyst Scott Powers - honored as the Public Employee of the Quarter - fills a position created to handle “an aspect of us that you might not be familiar with,” said Interim Public Works Director Jon Turner.“When I first came to the city two years ago, Public Works did not have the staff to smoothly operate the financial aspect” of the department, and Public Works Director Cliff Finley and Turner launched a search for a senior analyst to oversee utility invoices and “movement of money for the department.” Turner noted that “We were lucky enough to cull through all the applications” and select Powers.“The reason we’re here today is that without Scott we’d be in serious trouble. He’s a huge asset who provides efficient movement of goods and services” in a timely manner, as well as assisting with special projects.Powers and his wife are Ventura County natives and have a 2-year-old daughter. A graduate of Cal State Hayward, before joining the city Powers worked as a senior financial analyst for the Livermore Laboratory and Lockheed-Martin. “Since he agreed to come on board he’s done great things,” leading to his recognition as Public Employee of the Quarter.Powers said that in his approximately 18 months with the city he has enjoyed working in a “different arena of finance, especially seeing the fruits of our labor go to public projects” that benefit the community.
Chamber President Connie Tushla said that Member of the Month Sam Hishmeh “could very easily be the member of the year,” due to his dedication to the Chamber and community. The owner of more than a dozen Domino’s Pizza franchises, with more planned for Ventura and Santa Barbara County, Hishmeh is “not just a success story of one man, but a whole family” that closely resembles the saga of the founders of the famous pizza chain that now boasts 8,000 locations in 55 countries.A native of Jordan, Hishmeh and his brother were working for Domino’s when they had the opportunity to purchase a “failing store in Santa Paula,” where they alternately worked as store manager and delivery driver. Tushla noted, “Success led to the arrival of other family members; all have roles in Hishmeh Enterprises,” which employs more than 300 people at the company’s varied businesses.The Hishmeh business model is to give back to organizations that helped make them successful, and “Sam and his family give, and give and give.” A member of the Domino’s Los Angeles Board of Directors, Hishmeh also serves many nonprofit boards.“In reference of Moonlight at the Ranch,” which the Chamber staged to raise funds for the Santa Paula Police Department and Santa Paula Fire Department, “when we started the concept we needed sponsors, and Sam was the first to raise his hand. He’s a man who not only talks the talk, but walks the walk” 24/7, noted Tushla. As the incoming 2009 Chamber president, Hishmeh is a “respected, admired man of integrity who has made giving a separate but integral part of his business.”“When I joined the Chamber and wanted to get involved in a networking opportunity, I did not know I would wind up with so many friends,” said Hishmeh.John Macik/Santa Paula Chevrolet provides the monthly Chamber award plaques.



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