The award honors individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership through their community service, significantly improving the quality of life for individuals and/or significantly helping organizations or local governments while meeting the changing circumstances or challenges in the Antelope Valley region.

• Dave and Kathy Gomez — IBEW/NECA/LMCC — Business Development. The two have been longtime members and leaders for IBEW/NECA/LMCC of Los Angeles County, where their professional roles focused on regional business development. The two have been instrumental in creating strategic branding and partnerships throughout the region. Their combined efforts have resulted in strategic workforce agreements with key regional stakeholders.

Until Dave’s passing in late 2024, his contributions extended beyond his professional career. He served on the Palmdale Water District Board of Directors, Palmdale Planning Commission and Los Angeles Community College District Bond Oversight Committee; was commissioner of Antelope Valley State Water Contractors Association; and was deputy mayor of Economic Development for the City of Lancaster.

Kathy continues to play an instrumental role with IBEW/NECA/LMCC. She has served as an active board member for several nonprofit organizations, including the Palmdale Water District and the AV Fair and Event Center.

• Harbour, president of BizFed Institute, is a business professional with more than 30 years of experience as a senior executive in the information technology and communications industries with Fortune 100 companies like Xerox, HP and Verizon as well as serving in the past as the UCLA alumni director of corporate strategic partnerships. He leads the effort to provide a platform for impactful discussions and programming that leads to collaboration among private and public sector leadership in areas and industries that impact the regional economy, including workforce development, aerospace manufacturing, energy, construction, water resiliency, education, transportation/goods movement, finance, broadband access, environment, health care/life science, emerging tech/AI, education, public policy and public safety.

• Jacobs is a lifelong resident of Antelope Valley. He has served as CEO of the Antelope Valley Fair and Event Center since 1995, guiding the organization through decades of growth and transformation. He has a bachelor of science degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an MBA from California State University, Bakersfield.

He has served as a board member for several regional organizations such as the Western Fairs Association, California Fairs Services Authority, California Authority of Racing Fairs and Destination Lancaster. He served about four years on the Lancaster Planning Commission. He has also contributed to his community as an adjunct lecturer at California State University, Bakersfield, in the School of Business and Public Administration.

Other nominees included Sandra Iskandar — Sandra Iskandar’s Collection; Felix Menedez — Salva; Anthony and Linda Myers — Safe Haven Kids League of California City; Sonia Sondra — MAMAS; Sam Schmitz — co-owner of Lucky Luke; and· Dr. Dechane Yusef — E & E Love Foundation.

“Every person nominated demonstrates an unbridled passion for our community,” AV EDGE Board President Marvin Tompkins said. “Their dedication and commitment to improving the quality of life for the Antelope Valley is to be commended. Our top three finalists are all exemplary leaders who constantly challenge the status quo and take the initiative to work outside traditional norms.”

This year’s Spring Summit will host keynote speaker Air Force retired Col. Nicole Malachowski, a jet fighter pilot and combat veteran, and the first woman on the Thunderbirds Air Demonstration Squadron, acclaimed economist Dr. Robert Eyler, president of Economic Forensics and Analytics, specializing in public policy analysis, in-depth regional economic updates and more.

“The final nominees all have a history of overcoming obstacles with an unwavering commitment to the community and improving the quality of life for the region’s residents,” AV EDGE Executive Director Drew Mercy said.

 “Our selection committee certainly has another difficult assignment in selecting the 2025 recipient. In addition to announcing the Navigating Change recipient, this year’s event promises to be inspiring and informative, thanks to the hard work of our partners and committee members. This is the region’s economic event of the year, and I encourage everyone to purchase tickets in advance.”

Individual event tickets start at $125 for AV EDGE members and $150 for non-members. Interested 2025 Spring Business Summit attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets early, as seating is limited.

For event details, including sponsorship opportunities and detailed ticket information, visit avedgeca.org.