CNC Shining Star
The CNC Shining Star Program recognizes members that have gone above and beyond to support the organization. The BOD will nominate individuals to be recognized as the CNC Shining Star of the month.
Recipients comprising the Shining Star Hall of Fame
Siiri Makela - January 2024
Siiri is one of the hardest working people that I know and is always there to help whether it’s coming in early to help with a meeting or even with FantaSea. She is not only important to this organization but also to our industry as a whole. Siiri continuously steps up for vendors, clients, customers and guests and always goes above and beyond for everyone she comes in contact with. She has a truly great heart, a wonderful personality and is just a joy to be around. We are lucky to have her as a board member for CNC but I am also extremely fortunate to have her as a business partner! Congratulations Siiri!!!
Lexi Edge - December 2023
CONGRATULATIONS to Alexia Edge! Lexi is Dawns right had woman for CNC and has the hardest task of keeping Dawn in check. Lexi plans and organizes all of the meetings with locations and speakers. She fills in for Jon as photographer and Dawn as Chair when they are unavailable. She always bails us out if we get in trouble with last minute meeting locations or needs for Board meetings and Membership meetings. She is very gracious with tickets for the membership if we need them as well. Lexi is not only a wonderful CNC member and board member but she is also a wonderful person, fun to be around and we love her very much!!
Tammy Stone - May 2023
Tammy always goes above and beyond and is always the first one to volunteer and offer to help. Just a few examples: She collected all the bags for FantaSea in 2022, she stays in constant contact with her category members and she donates her meeting space for our board meeting every month (and even feeds us!). She is not only one of the hardest working woman that I know but she is also truly a wonderful person! We are so happy that she is not only a member but also on our board as the Accommodations Rep. Congratulations Tammy!!!
Susan Koch - October 2021
Susan is the hardest working, most giving and one of the most dedicated members we have! She does so much for this organization and our community even though she is super busy with her own job. She stepped up big time when we lost some board members and picked up the pieces for our meeting locations and speakers and getting everything reorganized. She's also taken the lead working with vendors to get food for FantaSea. She is always going above and beyond! We are so happy she is a member and are so proud of her and thankful for her and we love her dearly! Congratulations Susan!!!
Lisa Saguto - April 2020
Lisa works for the MBACVB and she truly deserves the Shining Star Award! Lisa is at the membership meetings early to help with check-in, collecting door prizes, selling 50/50 raffle tickets and whatever else there is to do. Lisa you are a "Shining Star", thank you so much for all of your help!! We love you!
Wendy Sissell- December 2019
Wendy was chosen as our December 2019 Shining Star Recipient because of all of her help with FantaSea Festival. We had many, many volunteers and Wendy's assistance with that committee was above and beyond her paid job. Thank you Wendy for being such and amazing part of CNC and giving your Best Foot Forward.
Amanda Mateo - December 2018
We caught Amanda as she was making final arrangements for their move. Amanda has been a huge part of CNC and our lives in general. She has done an amazing job as Vice Chair with everything from planning the meetings to seeking out locations, stepping up at meetings when we needed her to, presenting new ideas and a huge huge benefit for us at FantaSea these past few years. Amanda has been a great asset and will be sorely missed. Amanda is moving to TX to be closer to family and although we will greatly miss her we are so excited for her and her future endeavors! Thank you Amanda!
Betsy Hannan - October 2018
What can we say about Betsy…she is amazing, an incredible partner to Myrtle Beach and CNC, she constantly goes out of her way and never hesitates to participate in any way she can. She is the partner that is the furthest away and still participates in things like the NY reception CNC hosted in April. Betsy and her team did a fantastic job on the last CNC FAM…not only did they plan every aspect but also sponsored it all AND she drives well over an hour to and from her office just to come to these meetings once a month. Betsy Hannan, with the Florence CVB, is a pretty special person and I am so happy that she is a part of this organization and that we can all call her friend. Congratulations Betsy!!
Jan Dobr - June 2018
Jan is a breath of fresh air. He always has a positive outlook and willing to lend a helping hand not just to our organization but in the Myrtle Beach Community as well. He always has a smile on his face and constantly posts inspirational messages on forums such as Facebook like "Learn about trust and your life will change for the better, Guaranteed" or "The tough decisions we make are easier when we follow strong values" and "The lessons learned today will be useful tomorrow, remember them well". Jan mans our registration table every month and has given us our newest and youngest member of CNC...and CNC would not be the same without him. Congratulations Jan!
Amanda Mateo - December 2017
Amanda Mateo has been a wonderful addition to the board. She keeps us in check on a daily basis and has done a great job jumping in and filling some big shoes left by her predecessor. Amanda really stepped up and saved us at FantaSea, we definitely could not have made that production run smooth without her. She’s always willing to run errands, shift things around and do whatever is needed for this organization. She has an amazing personality and is just an overall wonderful person that embodies everything that we love about the hospitality industry. We are very thankful for her…congratulations Amanda!
Donna Rebello - April 2017
Donna Rebello has actually been given this award before but she plays such a huge role in this
industry and is constantly stepping up to the plate. She is always taking on new projects and
harassing people to become members:). She's always bringing ideas to the table as well. Not only is
Donna a huge part of CNC but she's an amazing person overall. She's been a huge part of my
support system in as I transitioned through jobs and stepped up in a huge way for Sandy and the
Myrtle Beach team at ABA. You just cannot say enough about her. She's the epitome of what the
industry is about...an amazing person, friend and cohort.
industry and is constantly stepping up to the plate. She is always taking on new projects and
harassing people to become members:). She's always bringing ideas to the table as well. Not only is
Donna a huge part of CNC but she's an amazing person overall. She's been a huge part of my
support system in as I transitioned through jobs and stepped up in a huge way for Sandy and the
Myrtle Beach team at ABA. You just cannot say enough about her. She's the epitome of what the
industry is about...an amazing person, friend and cohort.
Sandy Haines - February 2016
Sandy Haines is an absolutely amazing person in every way! We can not say enough about her. She is works extremely hard and does an excellent job. She will take you under her wing and continue to support you in any way possible. She is an incredible mentor, associate, partner and friend. There is no one that works harder or goes more above and beyond than anyone else in this entire industry. And as the "mama" she has to put up with and babysit everyone most of us in the hospitality industry. Congratulations Sandy Haines!!
Donna Rebello - October 2015
Donna Rebello is very special to us and close to our hearts. She is always one of the first ones to jump up to help and the answer is always yes no matter what. She is always prepared and ready for anything and everything. This says a lot as to who she is as a person. Not only in a business sense but in a personal sense as well. She is amazing at her job and a wonderful friend and business partner to us all individually and to CNC. Thank you for everything…we love you!
Charles Janosick - August 2015
Charles has a shining star since the day he first visited CNC. He always goes a step above and is willing to help all members any way he can. He has been gracious enough to donate an amazing basket every month for the 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to the Scholarship Fund. Thank you for everything!
Sara Roland - June 2014
Sara has been a breath of fresh air and lots of smiles for CNC. She has generously stepped up to support the BOD as well as take the helm for organizing the Holiday FantaSea and Scholarship Walk volunteers. Her generous heart and positive attitude are contagious. You just can’t help but smile when she’s around. We appreciate all you do!
Nora Mason - December 2013
Nora has been a lifesaver for CNC. She generously supports our meetings and events. Costco is always eager to provide gracious donations in our time of need. We recognize all you do for CNC and we appreciate it immensely.
Jan Dobr - November 2013
Jan has eagerly stepped forward for any needed task . . . And is a great Santa for our Holiday FantaSea! He is an advocate of CNC and understands the importance of networking and cooperative efforts in order to gain group business. He has served on the CNC Board of Directors for the past three years and is always up for a challenge or willing to donate generously in our time of need. We recognize and appreciate all you contribute to CNC!
Dawn Formo - June 2013
Dawn has been vital to CNC through her work on the board of directors as the Theatre Representative, Chair of the Holiday FantaSea and her work with the Marketing committee. Her positive attitude and willingness to help is cherished by CNC. We recognize all you provide to CNC and we appreciate it immensely!
Lori Lampo - June 2012
Lori really went the extra mile to help with the Scholarship Walk. She was responsible for pulling things together at the end and coordinating details with Broadway at the Beach. Lori was a real life-saver with her behind-the-scenes work to make the walk come off without a hitch. We appreciate your generosity and hard work!
Jon Mathers - April 2012
Jon has generously given his time to the BOD and worked diligently on organizing the Sales Blitz - and unfortunately dealing with the cancellation of plans due to the closing of Direct Air. You bring out the smiles in everyone as our dedicated photographer. We appreciate your service to the board and your generosity!
Diane Loscalzo - February 2012
Diane has gone to great lengths to accommodate the CNC Board of Directors meeting each month. Even in her absence she made last minute arrangements - including breakfast - for the meeting. Diane and the staff at Uncle John's Restaurant have provided top notch service month after month. We appreciate your service to the board and your generosity!
Toni Powell - January 2012
Toni Powell is our inaugural Shining Star recipient. At the end of our December meeting – thanks to the generosity of the members - we had an enormous amount of gifts to transport to Help4Kids. Without hesitation, Toni immediately volunteered to go home, pick up her van, load up the gifts and deliver everything to Help4Kids for CNC. We thank you for your generosity and time!