March 6, 2007

Celebrating Excellence

Pat Hagmann selected as Campbell’s 2006 Citizen of the Year and Campbell
Optometric Group selected as 2006 Business of the Year

By Julie Davis Berry
Executive Editor

The joint was jumping on Feb. 24th as the Campbell Chamber of Commerce celebrated their annual Citizen and Business of the Year dinner at Villa Ragusa in downtown Campbell.

Pat Hagmann was “thrilled” to be honored as Campbell’s 2006 Citizen of the Year. Photos by Alan Fletcher

Chamber Executive Director Betty Deal said it was a great evening and well attended despite a busy week of Campbell events including the Early Settler’s Day, a city council meeting, the Chamber monthly luncheon, a dinner celebrating Jeanette Watson’s retirement and an Oscar party at Sonoma Chicken Coop benefiting the search for a cure for Autism.

Pat Hagmann was honored as Citizen of the Year for her various volunteer efforts over the years. She is currently serving her second term as president of the Campbell Museum and Ainsley House Foundation and in that capacity was responsible for the successful “Raise the Roof” campaign.

Deal said Hagmann can always be relied upon to volunteer her time for chamber events such as Boogie-on-the-Bayou, the Okto-berfest and the Annual Toy program. She is also a longtime member of the Country Woman’s Club and has participated in providing help to the local battered women’s shelter.

“I was so surprised,” said Hagmann whose husband, four children and their families were all in attendance. “I always thought you had to do a lot to get an honor like this. I always just did what needed to be done. It was such a special evening and I was really thrilled to be honored.”

Perhaps Hagmann learned her giving spirit from her mother who said delivered food to the homebound for Meals on Wheels until she was 90 years old. “I just enjoy helping people,” said Hagmann. “It keeps you busy and you meet some really nice people.”

The Campbell Optometric Group was named Campbell’s 2006 Business of the Year. The COG has been in Campbell for 30 years and the optometrists, Dr. Art Low and Dr. Rodney Lum are very involved members of the Campbell community. Dr. Robert Jazzman was the first optometrist in Campbell and Dr. Cliff Leong bought his practice when he retired. Low came on board as Leong’s partner in 1978. Lum took Leong’s place five years ago.

Dr. Rodney Lum and Dr. Art Low, owners of Campbell Optometric Group, were honored with a plaque proclaiming their business as Campbell’s 2006 Business of the Year.

Dr. Low has served as president of the Campbell Chamber of Commerce and the local Lions Club. For many years he has collected eyeglasses which the Lions Club then distributes to people in need. He has been with the COG for 29 years. “I appreciate all the support from all of my patient’s,” said Dr. Low. “I’ve watched some of them grow up—I’ve had a few of them since the 70s!”

He said he especially enjoyed the skit “Three Blind Mice” performed by Deal, Barbara Conant and Pat Laufman. Dr. Low’s son Evan, a newly elected Campbell City Councilmember, was especially proud of his father’s outreach to those less fortunate. “My dad and Dr. Lum have participated in the traveling doctor’s program in Mexico and they have always been involved in community service.”

Dr. Low said that although he moved to Sunnyvale five years ago he still returns to Campbell to eat because of the wide array of restaurants. “It’s a nice little town with a lot of restaurants and great events,” said Dr. Low.

Dr. Lum is currently serving as president of the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project which helps promote and preserve Chinese American Culture. He often volunteers his time at downtown Campbell events when he is not busy with his other volunteer pursuits. Because Dr. Lum is fairly new to the COG he said it was particularly “nice to be along for the ride. It was a lovely evening and I really felt a sense of being a part of the Campbell community.”

Others receiving honors that night included Marvin Bamburg who received the award for Rotary Club of Campbell-San Jose West 2007 Outstanding Community Service Club member; Ken Kawamoto received the Kiwanis Club of Campbell honoree of the year award; and Jan McClure who was honored by the West San Jose/Campbell Lions Club.