Business women are honored

BRAVO FOR BUSINESS WOMEN—NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) Education Advocate of the Year Patti McNamara, a teacher at Thousand Oaks High School, receives awards from Thousand Oaks City Councilmember Jacqui Irwin, left, and Ventura County Supervisor Linda Parks. The 2009 Bravo Awards Luncheon was held at Moorpark County Club last Friday. JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers A group of Ventura County women were honored by the National Association of Women Business Owners for their business prowess and commitment to their local communities.

NAWBO-Ventura County hosted its annual BRAVO Awards luncheon last Friday at the Moorpark Country Club.

Patti McNamara was named the Education Advocate of the Year for her work developing the new entrepreneurship program, EthOS, at Thousand Oaks High School. McNamara was honored for being an outstanding role model, especially for women, who want to study in areas of computer science or math.

Julie Ferman's Cupid's Coach dating service now has firms in Westlake Village, Brentwood and Orange County, earning her the title of Trailblazer of the Year.

Hillary Jiler, the Emerging Business Owner of the Year, is the founder and publisher of Green Home & Family magazine, which is printed on recycled paper with soy ink. She also started a green networking group called Green Drinks in Thousand Oaks.

"I'm very lucky that I get to go to work with people I like, doing something I really like," Jiler said.

Nancy Mayerson, owner of Mayerson Marketing and PR, is the Community Advocate of the Year. She has partnered with many nonprofit organizations— including the Camarillo Library, California Lutheran University and the Wellness Community Valley/Ventura—to help them build impact.

Kerry Jiroch was named the Youth Advocate of the Year for her work with kids in her ATA Martial Arts and Leadership Academy.

Cmdr. Valerie Overstreet was named Military Woman of the Year, a new award for NAWBO.

Amgen received the Corporate Leader of the Year award.

And Debbie Gregory of Thousand Oaks won Business Owner of the Year for her website, MilitaryConnection .com.

Local politicians on hand to congratulate the winners included Assemblymember Audra Strickland (R-Thousand Oaks), Simi Valley Mayor Paul Miller and Thousand Oaks City Councilmember Jacqui Irwin.

NAWBO represents the more than 10 million women-owned businesses in the United States.

"We've helped women evolve in their businesses and provided a voice for them," said Sonia Cohen, president of NAWBOVentura County. "NAWBO's strength comes from the diversity of its membership."