David Honda won the coveted Fernando Award on Sept. 11 during the 51st annual Finalists Recognition Dinner at the Warner Center Marriott. The Fernando is the top award for volunteerism given in the San Fernando Valley and is presented each year to a person who has given of themselves for years to organizations that make the region a better place. Honda is president of D.S. Honda Construction Inc., which specializes in building high-rise business and medical offices. He has held leadership positions and been active in numerous non-profit, community, political and charitable organizations including the Valley Economic Development Center, North Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce, United Chambers of Commerce, Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley, Rotary Club, Rebuild L.A., Cal State Northridge Foundation, and Tierra Del Sol Foundation. He lives in Northridge. The other four finalists for the award were Stanley E. Bryant, Fred Gaines, Joel Simon and Pauline Tallent. While a student at San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge) Honda began his career in construction and design. He became a space planner and draftsperson for SLS Environetics which led to building his reputation in the Los Angeles construction and design business. Those in his industry say Honda is known for his innovation. As a board member of the Sunshine Canyon Landfill Local Enforcement Agency, Honda pushes to make the landfill an energy asset through such revolutionary methods as carbon sequestration and refuse-decomposition based energy production. Honda also has served as chairman, Greater L.A. Council on Deafness (GLAD), past president of the Fernando Award Foundation, chairman of Northridge Hospital, member of the board of directors of People’s Bank of California, board of directors of Ameritel Corp. and co-chairman/founder of the Valley Economic Alliance. Also to his non-profit credits are serving on the City of Los Angeles Disabled Access Appeals, California Council on Criminal Justice, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, New Directions for Youth, Boys Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of America, the San Fernando Valley Fair. Encino Chamber Honors Armand Arabian Leaders The Encino Chamber of Commerce presented the 10th Anniversary of the “Justice Armand Arabian Leaders in Public Service Awards” on September 24th. The event honored six leaders in public service who have gone above and beyond what’s expected in order to serve their community. The 2009 honorees include: James Darren, recording artist, actor and director; Dr. George Fischbeck, longtime weatherman and teacher; Arthur G. Herriford, SFV Pearl Harbor Association national president; Catherine Mulholland, historian and author; the honorable Brad Sherman, Congressman 27th District; and Dean Kenneth W. Starr of Pepperdine University School of Law. Two students also received scholarships including: Hannah Mitchell, 2009 Justice Armand Arabian Scholarship Recipient; and Lorena Pena, 2009 Bill Littlefield Scholarship Recipient. Two Valley Properties Receive TOBY Award The Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Greater Los Angeles recently hosted the 24th Annual TOBY Awards, and two Valley properties took home honors. TOBY stands for “The Outstanding Building of the Year.” Harman International Business Campus in Northridge won in the 100,000-249,999 square foot category. The development, located at 8550 Balboa Blvd, is a multi-tenant professional office building located on a 44-acre business park. CB Richard Ellis is the management company; it’s owned by Northridge Business Centre LLC; and Madai de la Fuente is the property manager. 400-500 N. Brand in Glendale won in the 250,000-499,000 square foot category. The development offers 420,453 square feet of Class A office in two 9-story buildings. It features an exquisitely designed courtyard, landscaping, seating areas and a water fountain. Cushman & Wakefield of California, Inc. is the management company; Metropolitan Life Insurance Company is the property owner; and Lilian Lainez is the property manager.
