Each year, the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce takes a moment to do something important.
We invite our community to nominate the businesses, organizations, and individuals who pour their hearts into making San Pedro a great place to live, work, and visit.
This year’s honorees are no exception. The 2026 San Pedro Chamber Annual Business Awards & Board Installation will be held on Thursday, June 18, at 11:30 a.m. at the Dalmatian-American Club. If the list of recipients is any indication, it will be a celebration worth attending. Let’s meet this year’s distinguished honorees:
SoCalGas (Business of the Year) – As the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility, SoCalGas has maintained a 108-year partnership with the San Pedro Chamber, a testament to its longevity. But longevity alone doesn’t earn this kind of recognition. What sets SoCalGas apart is how they show up in a crisis. During the recent wildfires and the land movement affecting Palos Verdes, their team responded with urgency and compassion, putting public safety first while keeping residents and stakeholders informed. They invest in numerous nonprofits in the community to help strengthen services and educational programs for our small businesses and residents.
Harbor Area BusinessSource Center (Small Business of the Year) – With a special focus on Latino-owned and -managed businesses, the Center delivers culturally responsive programming, technical assistance, and access to capital that makes a real difference for San Pedro entrepreneurs. Their client list reads like a tour of some of our favorite local spots: Maria’s Mexican Food, Siren’s Java & Tea, Salsa Chingona, Brite Spot, and more. This is community-building at its finest.
Dalmatian-American Club (Nonprofit of the Year) – The DAC is celebrating its 100th anniversary, along with nearly 90 consecutive years of Chamber membership. For generations, the Club has been where San Pedro gathers: for weddings, quinceañeras, scholarship ceremonies, and countless Chamber events. The Club has produced more Honorary Mayors of San Pedro and raised more funds for local charities in partnership with the Chamber than any other organization in our history. One hundred years of that kind of commitment deserves to be celebrated loudly.
Kris Ursich-Pielago (Leadership Award) – When thieves stripped 23 of the 27 bronze plaques from the Fishing Industry Memorial in 2023, Kris Ursich-Pielago refused to let that loss stand. She threw herself into fundraising, grant writing, and historical research, working tirelessly to coordinate with fishing families to restore every name to its rightful place. Her dedication ceremony on April 25 brought the community and fishing families together to witness the memorial’s restoration. This moment was about history, memory, and love for this community, and it wouldn’t have happened without Kris Ursich-Pielago’s dedication.
Sandwich Saloon (Restaurant of the Year) – Since 1986, John Philipopoulos and the Skrumbis family have built more than a menu; they’ve built a beloved tradition. Great food and exceptional service have kept customers coming back for years, but what truly sets Sandwich Saloon apart is its generous spirit. This neighborhood restaurant shows up for local nonprofits and community initiatives time and again.
Harbor Community Health Centers (HCHC) (Bold Vision Award) – HCHC has quietly and consistently transformed access to healthcare for underserved families in the Harbor Area for more than 55 years. In 2025, HCHC served nearly 8,000 patients across a full spectrum of services, from pediatrics and women’s health to behavioral health and addiction medicine. They’re not slowing down! A new 8,000-square-foot facility in Long Beach will extend that trusted care even further across the Harbor Area and the South Bay.
These honorees embody the heart and soul of San Pedro, and the San Pedro Chamber is honored to celebrate them for helping make our community so special.
In addition to recognizing our honorees, the Chamber will celebrate 120 years of service to the San Pedro community and install our board of directors. To RSVP or for more information, call the Chamber at (310) 832-7272 or visit sanpedrochamber.com. spt
Share Your Comments