REEDLEY – From the arts to healthcare and everything in between, the city of Reedley has no shortage of role models working to leave their mark on the community. And this weekend, they’re all getting their moment to take the stage.
Nominated by the community for their contributions to the city, these local businesses, organizations and model residents will be honored at the Business and Community Awards Gala this Saturday on Feb. 28, themed “Pretty in Pink.”
Dale Melville has been inducted into the Reedley Hall of Fame, who was honored last year for his leadership as chairperson of the Reedley Parkway. Kitzaly Sanchez-Villa was named Junior Citizen of the Year, and Mirian Aleman as the Community Hero of the year.
Aleman was unable to be reached before press time.
The Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce announced the 11 awardees of the 2026 Business and Community Awards on Feb. 2, with chamber President and CEO Erik Valencia spending the day surprising the winners with certificates, balloons and congratulations.
Citizen of the year
Dr. Mark Luzania is the 2026 Citizen of the Year, known by many for his work as Reedley’s “one stop shop” for dental needs, and for his various ties to community organizations. Luzania is a member of the board for the River City Theatre Company, is active with the Rotary Club and has held the mantle of Santa Claus for the city’s Christmas parade since they started, he said.
Luzania grew up in Reedley, and though he moved away for around 10 years when he got older, he came to Reedley to raise his kids in the same, supportive environment that he grew up with.
“It’s just a great place for kids to ride their bikes around town, play and it’s a great melting pot. They get exposed to many different cultures, and I just found the whole community support system fantastic,” Luzania said.
Valencia surprised him with the award during one of RCTC’s board meetings, and though it came as a shock, it also came with a sense of pride.
“It was all kind of hilarious to me, just the thought of me being citizen of the year, but it was very much an honor and I was very much surprised,” Luzania said.
Junior Citizen of the Year
Reedley High School student Kitzaly Sanchez-Villa is this year’s Junior Citizen of the Year, and given her extensive list of extracurricular activities and community involvement, it’s a well-deserved honor.
She currently works with River City Theatre Company, helping with cleanup and serving guests as needed. Her involvement with theatre also extends to her school life, as she’s worked in the technical crew at the school theatre since her freshman year.
Sanchez-Villa is also heavily involved with the Reedley High Marching Band, the Leo Club, the Mennonite Central Committee, the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program, the Junior Board for the Greater Reedley Chamber of Commerce and even more that she didn’t mention to “keep it short.”
Sanchez-Villa said that her main motivation to take on so many responsibilities is making her family proud, and making good on the hard work they’ve put in since immigrating from Mexico City. While she’s proud to see all of her achievements being recognized by her community, to Sanchez-Villa it means more than that.
“Obiously, it’s great to have the recognition, but to also know that I’ve done so much and I’ve helped so many people, that’s the part that means the most to me,” Sanchez-Villa said.
Entrepreneur of the Year
Vincent Martin is the CEO of Martin Energy Inc., and after working to build a reputation for quality service and customer experience, he has been named this year’s Entrepreneur of the Year.
For the last 10 years, Martin has been building up Martin Energy, specializing in home improvement, renewable energy and consulting. Martin said that the business places a special emphasis on the consulting aspect, ensuring that customers are not just being sold a product, but are building a relationship of trust.
“As more corporate companies start taking over this world, and get rid of the brick-and-mortar aspect of things, we start to lose value in customer service, customer retention and communication, and those are the things that I want to make sure with my company that we continue to maintain,” Martin said.
After years of work, Martin expressed gratitude to those who have supported his journey.
“I’m very blessed for folks to acknowledge my efforts to acknowledge my efforts in entrepreneurship, as well as the involvement I have in my community, so it was a very exciting, somber moment for me,” Martin said.
Sierra Kings Community Health Champion
Kathleen Omachi is this year’s Sierra Kings Community Health Champion, a fact that Omachi herself is overjoyed with, and nearly in disbelief of.
Omachi is the longest standing member of the Sierra Kings Healthcare District Board, serving as a standing board member in 2007, and board chair since 2009. Over the years, a significant portion of Omachi’s work has been aiding in the transition of Reedley’s hospital to Adventist Health, and the necessary restructuring to accompany it.
Though Omachi herself is the one receiving this year’s award, she gave a special mention to people like: Sandy Haskins, who she said stepped up as executive director during the challenging times; Michael Goldring, who was the attorney in the process; Teresa Jacques, the chief financial officer; and Merari Gutierrez, who Omachi said was “all around, a great staff person.”
“I’m just so proud of the team that pulled together to basically save the hospital, because it wasn’t just one person,” Omachi said.
“If it wasn’t for the community, the team and staff members over at the hospital, we couldn’t have done it,” she added.
Spirit of Reedley
Central Valley Teen Challenge has been given this year’s Spirit of Reedley award, being recognized for its faith-based drug and alcohol recovery efforts. The organization offers a one-year residential program to help adult men struggling with addiction, and has been doing so in Reedley for more than 10 years.
“We want people to know that Teen Challenge is a place where people with addiction can get help, and that we have hope for anyone that struggles with addiction,” said John Burns, director of CVTC.
According to Burns, the organization has served more than 2,300 men since opening its doors. He said that the facility has a capacity of around 170 beds, and is currently working with 120 residents.
Seeing the participation in events like the Walk for Recovery, and those who donate their time or money, Burns feels a deep appreciation for the people of Reedley.
“We are so grateful for the community in Reedley who have embraced us and helped support us since we came here,” Burns said. “The men feel treated very well, with respect and love, and we feel that Reedley is our home.”
Large Business of the Year
Youngstown Grape Distributor has been recognized for its longstanding history in the city of Reedley, and is the 2026 Large Business of the Year.
“We were excited to learn that we were being named Large Business of the Year, because it really reflects our resilience and relationships,” said Mike Forrest, president of Youngstown. “Agriculture isn’t easy, and every season has its challenges, but if you stay disciplined and honor your word, we can build something that lasts.”
Forrest said that the business has been owned by his family since 1983, purchased from the previous owner by his father and uncle. For five generations, the Forrest family has farmed stone fruit, and has since expanded to also offering fresh cut pomegranate arils and cold pressed juices.
Reflecting on what has kept the business strong over the years, Forrest thanked the employees of Youngstown and the returning seasonal growers that keep the operation running each season. In his eyes, being able to do business in Reedley is a “blessing.”
Medium Business of the Year
The Mid Valley Times has been named this year’s Medium Business of the Year, serving Fresno County readers since 2019 with roots tracing back even further.
MVT was created on July 4, 2019, combining the Reedley Exponent, Dinuba Sentinel and Sanger Herald into one publication. The paper and its operations were later sold to Mineral King Publishing, owned by Reggie and Bridget Ellis and Paul and Courtney Myers, in May 2023.
Next month will mark the 135th year in business for the paper and its predecessor, the Reedley Exponent.
“We were surprised and elated to find out we were receiving this honor,” Publisher Reggie Ellis said. “Reedley is a wonderful community and a great place to grow our company. It has served as an excellent location for our headquarters.”
MKP also owns The Sun-Gazette in Tulare County, as well as The Kerman News, Westside Advance and the Firebaugh-Mendota Journal in western Fresno County. The company also owns the only newspaper printing press between Manteca and Los Angeles, located in its Sanger production facility.
Since taking over in 2023, the new owners have doubled the number of reporters, relocated MVT to a newly renovated office at the corner of 11th and G streets, added additional locations to buy weekly print copies and launched a new website.
Reflecting a strong few years and a promising future, Executive Editor and Vice President Paul Myers said it is nice to be recognized by Reedley.
“Reedley is a close knit and thriving community, so to be honored here means a lot to us,” Myers said. “A lot of local papers are closing, but I think if a community supports local news there is no reason why papers have to go away.”
Small Business of the Year
River City Theatre Company is proud to call itself the Small Business of the Year, carrying on its mission of providing professional-level theatre to the community out of the historic Reedley Opera House.
RCTC Board President Stevie Barnett, who uses the pronouns they/them, recounted the experience of being surprised by Valencia at the same time as Luzania. They lightheartedly said that the board could only proceed with the meeting once the “shock wore off.”
In the span of 15 years with the theatre, Barnett shared that they have seen participants coming everywhere from Coarsegold down to Visalia. Recalling their own personal development that they’ve experienced while participating in RCTC productions, Barnett is happy to see that same kind of space being kept alive for creatives throughout the Valley.
“Being able to participate in theatre, meet new people, gain new skills, and just get more comfortable talking to people has been an amazing experience, and to be able to see that happen within our community is astounding,” Barnett said.
The past year has been a big one for RCTC, especially after the completed renovation of the opera house stage. The theatre’s recent production of “White Christmas” was the first to make use of the new stage, and audiences can look forward to another year of thrilling shows starting with “Guys and Dolls,” running from Feb. 27 – March 15.
Tickets can be purchased at www.rctcreedley.com.
Reedley Beautification Award
Kings Canyon Unified School District has received this year’s Reedley Beautification Award. In a statement, KCUSD Superintendent John Campbell expressed pride in the district’s facilities, and stressed the importance of beautiful grounds for student performance.
“At Kings Canyon Unified, we know that when students are proud of their school, they are more successful,” Campbell said in the statement. “That’s why, across every one of our campuses, you’ll see vibrant, colorful exteriors that reflect school spirit, beautifully maintained grounds, and welcoming spaces designed to make students and families feel valued.”
Campbell highlighted examples like the new Student Care Office at Washington Elementary, athletic facilities and general maintenance across all sites as ways that the district works to keep its students in an inspiring environment. In the statement, Campbell recognized the maintenance and grounds team for making it all possible.
“Beautiful schools don’t just serve students — they strengthen neighborhoods, inspire pride, and enhance the overall beauty of our community,” Campbell said.
