Karen Clendenen Honored by Chamber of Commerce

Directors, back row left to right: Ralph Mittman, Manzanita Press; Bryan Woods, Ramona Pharmacy; Jeff Uran, Earthegg; Jason Bowser, Union Bank of CA; middle row left to right: Dan Vengler, Daniel’s Liquor & Deli, Daniel’s West; Patrick Meskell, Edward Jones; Charlotte Jensen, Charlotte’s Antiques; Karen Clendenen, Century 21; Patricia Hansen, Ramona Sentinel; Chuck DeMund, DeMund Foundation; Officers, front row left to right: Vince Franano, Main Street Auto Care; Jo Fox, Prudential; Jeff Ruland, Ramona Sears; Sharon Davis, Sharon Davis Interior Design; Bill Jenkin, Farmers Insurance/Jenkin Agency, Ramona Vintners Cellars. PHOTO BY Jeanne Wood (Jeanne Wood Photography)

By Ruth Lepper

Dan Vengler and Bryan Wood present Karen Clendenen as the new 2004 Ramona Citizen of the Year. PHOTO BY CArol Kinney

Outgoing president Karen Clendenen was named Citizen of the Year for 2004 by the Ramona Chamber of Commerce.

She was praised for her success in the past two years as leader of the 352-member organization and for her work with the fire-relief centers for victims of the disastrous Cedar fire.

The announcement was made at the installation dinner Jan. 14 when Clendenen stepped down as president, passing the gavel on to Jeff Ruland.

Clendenen, a real estate broker with Century 21, will stay on the board as a director, co-chairing the Ramona Country Fair.

While chamber president, Clendenen received a call from county Supervisor Dianne Jacob asking for help with setting up a relief center for victims who lost their homes in the Cedar fire.

Clendenen immediately started recruiting volunteers and was able to staff the center where more than 300 people were served meals every day for two weeks.

She also organized donations of household items and furniture, keeping track of what came in and where it was sent. She offered the chamber office as a point of contact for local groups helping out, along with a team from the American Red Cross.

Clendenen is credited with putting the day-to-day operations of the chamber back on an even keel.

Along with vice president Chuck DeMund, Clendenen ran the office until new personnel was hired. In addition, she updated office procedures and replaced worn-out equipment.

DeMund also is staying on the board of directors this year.

Clendenen received additional honors with plaques and certificates from U.S. Rep. Duncan Hunter, state Sen. Dennis Hollingsworth, state Assemblyman Jay La Seur and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

Jacob installed the officers at the annual ceremony. In addition to Clendenen, Ruland and DeMund, the directors are Dan Vengler, Jo Fox, Patrick Meskell, Charlotte Jensen, Bill Jenkin, Bryan Woods, Sharon Davis, Vince Franano, Jason Bowser, Tricia Hanson, Ralph Mittman and Jeff Uran.

County tax collector Gregg Smith was the keynote speaker for the evening, enlightening the attendees with statistics from his department. More than 40 percent of marriages performed in San Diego County are done in his office, he said.