In 2023, the Benicia Chamber of Commerce reached out to Skip Smith of Plan-It Interactive with a challenge — to help us create a new kind of community event that would bring families together and showcase the best of Benicia. We were combining two long-standing events into one and needed it to be bigger, more engaging, and more memorable than ever before. Skip immediately came to the table with energy, enthusiasm, and a vision that transformed our idea into something truly special.

From the very beginning, Skip’s motivation was not profit, but purpose. He wanted to give back to the community he calls home. Every detail he touched was focused on creating an unforgettable experience for attendees. Through his creativity and generosity, he helped us build an event that feels uniquely Benicia — full of heart, fun, and connection.

Each year since, Skip has brought that same passion and innovation to our event’s Kid Zone, turning it into one of the most beloved parts of the day. Thanks to his efforts, we are able to offer a free, family-friendly experience for children 12 and under — complete with train rides, inflatables, giant LEGOs, and countless other engaging activities. He ensures that families can come together, laugh, and make memories without financial barriers.
Skip’s background as a water ski performer at Marine World Africa USA shaped his lifelong love of creating joy and wonder for others. That same spirit lives on through his work today. Beyond Benicia, he has partnered with numerous nonprofits to help design and execute fundraising events that support their missions and strengthen communities.

At every event, you’ll find Skip working tirelessly — not behind the scenes, but right in the middle of the action — ensuring that every moment runs smoothly. And without fail, he adds an unexpected, delightful element that wasn’t even discussed in planning, simply because he knows it will make the experience better for everyone involved.

Benicia is incredibly fortunate to have Plan-It Interactive based here and even more fortunate to have Skip Smith as part of our community. His creativity, generosity, and dedication to creating meaningful experiences truly embody the Spirit of Solano. Through his work, he continues to bring people together, uplift local causes, and create memories that last long after the lights go out.

Tully Consulting Group is a local environmental engineering company. They provide Stormwater pollution prevention plans and water quality monitoring. They work on public and private projects throughout Northern California, including inspection on local roadway projects for Caltrans and Solano County to help contractors comply with environmental regulations. They employ 35 people, a majority of which live and work in Solano County.

 
Rick and Robin and their team are dedicated to giving back to the community. Their support has included Rick coaching JV football and JV and varsity softball for Dixon High in previous years.

 
Robin served on the Dixon Chamber of Commerce Board for 4 years and is a member of Kiwanis. They love to help provide support as well for Dixon Family Services, Kiwanis, community backpack drives, Toys for Tots and several youth sport teamsin Dixon.

The Dixon Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce Robin and Rick Tully of Tully Consulting Group as the Spirit of Solano Award Recipient for 2025.

For over fifteen years, Simms Auto Group and Ford Fairfield have been woven into the heart of Fairfield — a place where integrity, service, and family come together. Founded by Adam Simms, whose vision centers on people and purpose, the dealership has grown from a local business into a true community cornerstone.

Guided by a commitment of value, integrity, and trust, the Simms family has built a multi-generational team where families work and grow together. This sense of belonging extends beyond the showroom, creating an environment rooted in mentorship, loyalty, and pride.

Their ongoing partnerships with Rodriguez High School, the Fairfield High School Auto Shop Program, and organizations such as the Solano County Farm Bureau, Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce, Fairfield-Suisun Rotary, and the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce reflect their deep investment in Fairfield’s future. From supporting education to strengthening local business and agriculture, they continue to serve as active stewards of growth and opportunity across Solano County.

Today, Simms Auto Group and Ford Fairfield represent more than a dealership — they embody the enduring spirit of Fairfield: resilient, compassionate, and dedicated to making a lasting difference in the lives they touch.

ROOFMASTERS was founded in 1993 by brothers Aaron and David Weiss, who grew up working alongside their grandfather and uncles in the Bay Area throughout the 1980s and early 1990s. With years of hands-on experience and a shared passion for quality craftsmanship, they set out to build their own roofing company—one dedicated to excellence, integrity, and customer satisfaction. ROOFMASTERS is a 4th generation family owned and operated company that has been serving Solano, Napa, Yolo, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties for over 30 years. The parent company is located in Richmond California where it has been serving the East Bay area since 1949.

What began as a small, home-based business handling emergency repairs quickly grew into a trusted name in the industry. Over the years, ROOFMASTERS has become a valued part of Solano County and the surrounding areas, known for delivering top tier service and lasting results. Their success is built on the loyalty of their customers, many of whom return time and time again, recommending to family and friends. Their trust and satisfaction are at the heart of everything they do. They take great pride in continuing to serve the community with the same dedication that started it all.

As a certified installer with Owens Corning, GAF and Polyglass, ROOFMASTERS can offer extended, non-prorated warranties with most roofing products they are certified in. This includes a wide range of roofing services as well as installing attic insulation, bird abatement, solar panel installation, and they provide free estimates fast and without pressure. Customer service is their number one priority by having an onsite foreman at every roof installation to ensure that a new roof is installed exactly the way it should be. They take pride in being voted the best roofer and best solar company in the “Solano’s Best of Readers’ Choice” with the Daily Republic for 2025, as well as Best Roofer, Best Solar and Solano Counties Small Business of the Year, awarded by the Fairfield-Suisun Chamber of Commerce. Ranked A+ with the Better Business Bureau, they are a Diamond Certified Company for the 11th consecutive year.

Dennis Yen was raised in Vallejo and graduated from Vallejo Senior High School. He went on to earn both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from San Francisco State College, launching a career devoted to education and public service.

Dennis began his professional journey at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, serving as an Assistant Professor and counselor for the Upward Bound Program. He later returned home to manage his family’s beloved restaurant, The China Barn Café, before embarking on a distinguished 24-year career with the California Department of Corrections, where he served as a State Parole Agent Supervisor.

After retiring, Dennis found new purpose in the arts — working as an actor and voice-over talent whose projects have taken him from San Francisco to Paris, and even across the Caribbean aboard the Queen Mary 2.

But no matter where life has taken him, Dennis has always remained deeply rooted in service to his community. He has served as President of the Solano Community College Governing Board, helping bring an SCC campus back to Vallejo, and continues his volunteer work with the Vallejo-Suburban Kiwanis Club.
Today, Dennis leads as President of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Solano County, inspiring others through his commitment to education, leadership, and civic engagement.

Dennis is a man whose life reflects dedication, service, and community spirit — a true embodiment of what the Spirit of Solano Award stands for.
For his lifelong dedication to public service, education, and the enrichment of our community, we are proud to present the 2025 Spirit of Solano Award to — Mr. Dennis Yen!

Andrea Cross-Pearson is a seasoned professional with over 38 years in the restaurant and catering industries, having held positions ranging from hostess and server to Director of Catering. Originally from Southern California, she relocated to Solano County in 2014 to be nearer to family and continued to advance her catering career after earning a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Long Beach.

 
The pandemic in 2020 deeply affected her sector, leading Andrea to reassess her career, particularly as her mother, Linda, faced health challenges and the family chose to merge households for mutual support.

With encouragement from her sister and mother, Andrea began pursuing her dream of opening a restaurant in 2021. After exploring several locations, Rio Vista was selected for its friendly community spirit. Ben’s Friends of the Vine opened in July 2022, named after Andrea’s late dog, Benson (“Ben”), whose joyful nature inspired the restaurant’s welcoming environment. The restaurant’s motto, “Ben’s Friends is a place where friends meet and friends are made,” quickly became a reality as guests embraced the warm, inclusive atmosphere centered around friendship, food, wine, and a love of dogs.

Just before Ben’s Friends opened, Andrea met her husband, Douglas Pearson, a musician and artist. They married in November 2023, and Douglas now actively supports the business, contributing creative ideas and helping to introduce live music as a regular feature. Andrea credits Douglas’ steadfast support for helping bring her vision for the restaurant to life.

A highlight of their collaboration is the “Ben’s Friends Community Patio,” completed in Fall 2024 with help from local residents and civic leaders. This outdoor space invites guests to gather and enjoy Rio Vista’s vibrant atmosphere, and patrons are welcome to bring food from any local eatery, supporting other area businesses and reinforcing the restaurant’s role as a community hub.

Through their leadership and enthusiasm, Andrea and Douglas have become pillars of Rio Vista, inspiring others to join and celebrate the community’s unique spirit.

The Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce proudly honors Citlalli Flores Zepeda, Founder of Citlalli Brands and Creator of Solano Hispano, for her visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering the Hispanic community of Solano County.

Through Citlalli Brands, her bilingual branding and consulting agency, she helps organizations establish, consolidate, and expand their presence with professionalism and cultural authenticity. Her services integrate strategy, design, and promotional production, while her bilingual branding trainings equip leaders to connect confidently with English and Spanish speaking audiences.

As Past President of the Solano Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Citlalli advanced inclusion and collaboration across the region. She introduced the slogan “Hablamos Español” to position the Chamber as a trusted partner for government and community organizations and as a welcoming home for Hispanic entrepreneurs. Her outreach efforts connected all seven Solano cities, paving the way for future countywide collaborations, while strengthening partnerships with the SBDC and Workforce Development Board to expand business resources.

In 2024, Citlalli and her company received the Better Business Bureau Torch Award for Ethics, recognizing her integrity and transparency in business. Throughout her 20-year entrepreneurial journey, she has proven that leadership grounded in values creates lasting community impact.

Currently pursuing a Master’s in Organizational Leadership, Citlalli continues to grow as a servant leader. Her mission is to help the Spanish-speaking community in the U.S. become bilingual, self-sufficient, and thriving. She embodies the Spirit of Solano uplifting others, building bridges, and inspiring all to live her brand’s message: “You were born to shine… let’s shine together.”

Stems Florist was opened in 2010 by our very own Caryn Mikich. Caryn moved to Vacaville from Benicia in 1988 after marrying her husband, Mike. They have two children, Josh and Amanda, and 4 grandchildren who are the lights of their lives.

She spent many years at Raley’s in their floral department before striking out on her own in 2010. With the help of her daughter Amanda, and her close friend Tammy, she opened Stems in its original location on Merchant Street. In 2020, she scored the perfect location downtown, where Stems has been a staple ever since.

Fast forward, Caryn’s team of “girls” has grown to 12, including her sister-in-law, close friends, and work family. She is Vacaville’s go-to for all things floral! She has married her love of floristry with her unwavering commitment to her community. What better way to spread love than with beautiful flowers. Through this passion, she’s created many meaningful relationships with integral businesses in our community like Northbay Foundation, Bryan Braker Funeral Home, Vacaville Police Foundation, and The Vacaville Chamber of Commerce. Known for her ability to pull off large functions like Northbay’s Annual Gala, Opportunity House’s Festival of Trees, and Boys and Girls Club of Vacaville’s Chocolate Gala. Not to mention countless weddings, celebrations, holidays, and her ability to get guys out of trouble every Valentine’s Day.

Caryn is a quiet giver. Everything she does is done in the background, and doesn’t require recognition. She understands that sometimes a simple bouquet can brighten someone’s darkest day, or just uplift a neighbor. She’s known for her weekly deliveries to businesses like Main Grape and Journey Coffee Co. She’s known throughout Vacaville for her random deliveries to friends and colleagues, or her ability to brighten the day of our residents with her infamous “You’ve been Boo’ed” surprises on a front porch or two. She gives, unannounced, to The Firefighter’s Association, FFA, and to our local schools.

We are all grateful for the impact you make with compassion, creativity, and community spirit. Your hard work has sown seeds of joy, connection, and love throughout Vacaville and beyond, and we are all grateful for the beauty you bring into our lives.

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, and thank you for being the extraordinary, quiet giver that you are.

Toyota Vallejo began operations in 1968 and was purchased by Jack Wilson and Glenn Cornelius in 1979, who owned Wilson Cornelius Ford at the time.
Originally located on Georgia St., it was moved to Admiral Callaghan Lane in 1992 and then to their current location on Auto Mall Parkway in 2010.

Dave joined the dealership in 1993. Jeff joined two years later. Dave and Jeff became partners in the dealership in 1998 and both are operating the store today.
They are recipients of Toyota’s Presidents award for customer satisfaction 27 times, more than any other Toyota dealer in Northern California.

 
They support the community through giving to Vallejo Little League, IHART Felton Institute Health and Resource for the homeless, Times Herald Christmas Card (now defunct), Chip for Kids, as well as the Vallejo and Benicia Chambers, Vallejo Lions and Vallejo Rotary, and backpacks for kids in Vallejo. Youth is the main focus of their giving.

 
We are honored to choose Toyota Vallejo as our Spirit of Solano winner.