Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber honors local businesses and names Anthony “Joe” Gioan Citizen of the Year

The Palos Verdes Peninsula Chamber of Commerce presented its annual Salute to Business awards at Trump National Golf Club, honoring businesses, nonprofits and volunteers from across the peninsula and naming Anthony “Joe” Gioan of Martin Chevrolet its 2025 Citizen of the Year.

Julia Parton, a chamber board member and last year’s citizen of the year, introduced several award presentations and invited honorees to describe their work. Laura Shenazi, representing Torrance Memorial Medical Center, noted the hospital’s 100-year centennial and said Torrance Memorial serves the South Bay community across more than 40 locations and about 610 beds. “We are proud and humbled to be the recipient of the chamber’s excellence in business award for Rancho Palos Verdes,” Shenazi said, adding the hospital recently broke ground on a two‑story emergency department expansion that will double capacity.

Catalina View Gardens owner Jim York described the vineyard’s south‑facing microclimate and the peninsula’s 2021 recognition as an American Viticultural Area, which he said has helped local wine producers market estate wines. “We support the Beacon House, the Boys and Girls Club of the Harbor and other local charities,” York said, citing the property’s event‑garden use for community fundraising.

Gaitano’s owner Vince Giuliano told the room his family has run the restaurant for three decades and emphasized handmade recipes and community ties; he also announced a new pizza-and‑pasta takeout location in Rancho Palos Verdes. Peninsula Point by CoI’s executive director Julius Asorio, accepting best new business honors, said the assisted living and memory care community opened in April 2024 and stressed a model focused on dignity, activities and family engagement.

Nonprofit honorees included the South Coast Botanic Garden, recognized for its 65‑year history and an under‑development $16 million Marilyn and John Long children-and-family garden project; The Circle for its 50 years of fundraising for the Palos Verdes Art Center; the Rotary Club of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, which the chamber noted helped collect and distribute funds after the July 2023 Pearree Lane landslide; and Vistas for Children, described by presenters as an all‑volunteer philanthropic organization that has granted funds to local nonprofits serving children.

Robert Meadow presented Anthony “Joe” Gioan as citizen of the year, praising Gioan’s longtime local philanthropy and business leadership. Gioan spoke briefly about community giving and local nonprofits he supports, and closed with an affectionate, applause‑receiving line: “Buy a Chevy.”

Organizers noted that nominations came from chamber members and were selected by a committee and the chamber board. The evening also included recognition of former citizens of the year, a silent auction and short video interviews with honorees to be aired on RPVTV and the chamber’s channels. The event concluded with photo opportunities and acknowledgments of sponsors and volunteers.