Chamber Honors 3 Business Leaders

Daily Pilot Publisher Tom Johnson, El Ranchito restaurant owner Maria Elena Avila and Balboa Instruments President and Chief Executive Officer Dave Cline on Friday were named Man, Woman and Business Person of the year, respectively, by the Chamber of Commerce.

Johnson, who has been with the paper for six years, was lauded for reviving advertising sales and participating in community events.

Avila was recognized for her contributions as a founder of the Latino Business Council, for efforts with the Hispanic Education Endowment Fund and for volunteer efforts to help young people achieve success.

Cline developed an internship program that allows high school students to work in various departments at Balboa Instruments, which made $32 million last year manufacturing electronic equipment for spas.