Bay Breeze

Beth Valdez, President

President’s Message – July

There’s been lots of talk about this year’s Achievement Awards in our Chapter.  That day finally came, and what a night to remember! Our recent Achievement Awards Banquet and Presentation was a true celebration of excellence, partnership, and the strong sense of community we’re all so proud of. From the beautiful room setup to the inspiring contractor projects we had the honor of recognizing, the evening really reflected the passion and pride that runs deep in our industry.

A great time was had by all, and the projects submitted this year were nothing short of incredible. The creativity, attention to detail, and craftsmanship truly set the bar. Congratulations to all of our award recipients—your work continues to push our profession forward in the best way.

Green Perspectives

Landscape Awards Sweepstakes

Dinsmore Landscape Company

Landscape Management Sweepstakes Award

Tamura Designs, Inc.

Residential Sweepstakes Award

Behind the scenes, Laura Leuer went above and beyond—working late into the night organizing every entry, carefully reviewing each one, and building a presentation that truly brought the projects to life. She pulled the best images for every entry and made sure each one had its moment to shine. It wouldn’t have come together the same way without her.

One of the most special moments of the evening was recognizing Barry and Mary Cohen. Their lasting impact on our community is something we all feel, and being able to celebrate them among friends and peers was truly meaningful.

A huge thank-you goes to Dominic Bryan and Jackie Marsey, who handled so much of the heavy lifting and made an awesome team. They transformed the space into something warm, welcoming, and really beautiful. Their attention to detail helped set the tone for the whole night.

We were also proud to welcome our partners for success, who joined us in presenting these prestigious awards. It was a great way to highlight the strong collaboration and mutual respect that define our work together.

And of course, we couldn’t have done it without our amazing judges—Calvin Craig and Richard Plaxco—who gave their time and expertise to carefully evaluate each and every entry.

A big thanks as well to the Embassy Suites for hosting us. The venue was just right, and we’re already planning to return next year!

And finally—to all of our incredible volunteers—thank you. Your behind-the-scenes efforts made this event smooth, fun, and truly memorable. You brought the energy, helped everything run seamlessly, and made sure everyone had a great time.

Here’s to a breakout year of achievement—and to all of you who help make moments like this possible. Let’s keep the momentum going and get ready for 2026!

But first, let’s continue the fun.  Mark your calendars for the next event. The return of a day at Excite BallPark. When our San Jose Giants take on the Modesto Nuts.

Saturday, July 19th
Gates Open at 4:00pm
First Pitch 5:00pm
Excite Ballpark
San Jose

To our amazing members, dedicated Board of Directors, and to each of you who have supported me along the way—thank you. I’m so grateful for all the goodness that has come into my life through this community, and I truly believe the best is still ahead. With so much heart, talent, and positivity around us, I can’t wait to see what we’ll create together next. Here’s to continued connection, growth, and abundance—for all of us.

Aloha,

Beth Valdez
The Davey Tree Expert Company
Davey Business Development Team