Announcing the 32 Finalists for the 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards gala event!

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif., October 4, 2025 -- The Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship (RLCE) at Cal State San Bernardino and Premier Sponsor U.S. Bank announced the finalists for the 23rd annual celebration of the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards program. 32 entrepreneurs were selected from a pool of over 300 nominees, 125 applications and 53 semifinalists which represented accomplished firms and emerging ventures with exceptional promise, making the evaluators’ task highly competitive. The 53 semifinalists participated in a reception on October 3, sponsored by McKell Partners, where they interacted with the event judges and their peer entrepreneurs. Immediately following the reception, the judges convened for several hours of deliberation, leading to the selection of 32 finalists.

What’s next

The finalists for the event will compete for the Spirit of the Entrepreneur award in seven (7) different categories at the black-tie gala on November 18th at the Riverside Convention Center in Riverside. Winners will be announced at the event.

Meet the 2025 finalists:

DESIGN, ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION ENTREPRENEUR

• High-Light Electric Inc - Erwin Mendoza - Colton
• K.A.R. Construction Inc. - Kurt & Peggy Rothweiler - Ontario
• RSVC Company - Mark Aldaco - Riverside
• Shell Roofing Solutions Group - Rudy Gutierrez - Chino
• Urban Habitat - Brett Brennan - Palm Desert

EMERGING INNOVATOR

• BluCore Minerals LLC - Raymond Moorehead Jr. and Jacob Estrada - San Bernardino
• From The Land - Gina Oliver - Yucaipa
• Stored Power Technology Inc. - Jenny Zhang - Riverside
• Super Foam Corp - Zef Neemuchwala - Riverside

FOOD/HOSPITALITY/ENTERTAINMENT ENTREPRENEUR

• Adventure RV California - Marisol Hill - San Bernardino
• Coffeecito House - Brittnee Chavarria - Riverside
• TKB Bakery and Deli - Melina Maza - Indio

GENERAL ENTREPRENEUR

• Affordable Avionics Inc. DBA Araina Aviation - Deepun Desai - Chino
• Complete Coach Works - Kallie Arevalo - Riverside
• Inland Leaders Charter Schools - Mike Gordon - Yucaipa
• Oak Tree Learning Center - Jennifer Carter - San Bernardino
• Ridgeway Vison, Inc DBA Idyllwild Realty - Shane Stewart - Idyllwild
• Threshold Aviation Group - Mark DiLullo - Chino

HEALTHCARE ENTREPRENEUR

• 360 Human Services - Harry Jackson - Apple Valley
• Cedar House Life Change Center - Jamie Lamb - Bloomington
• Visionaire Optometry Spa - Sana Shakil-Ansaro - Riverside
• Visitinghome LLC - Dyiana Donaldson Comeau - Corona

MANUFACTURING ENTREPRENEUR

• A19 Artisan Lighting - Cinnamon Alvarez - Ontario
• Ecko Ice Products - Eric Rogers - Ontario
• Metroll - Ashneel Chand & Diorem Marchan - Fontana
• Plastics Plus Technology - Kathy L. Bodor - Redlands
  
  SERVICE-BASED ENTREPRENEUR
  
  • Arrowhead United Way - Dr. Gwen Dowdy Rodgers - San Bernardino
  • CMAX Commercial Maintenance Inc - Frank Gutierrez - Ontario
  • District & Charter Patrol - Zuriah McKnight - Ontario
  • HR Direct Services Inc. - Gabriela Mendoza - Ontario
  • Oili - Colton Telford - Temecula
  • Post and Jam - Warren Burley - Temecula
  
  

  TICKETING

  Attendees can BOOK TICKETS ONLINE HERE Starting October 10 with direct seat selection for the 2025 Spirit of the Entrepreneur Awards gala event. Ticket prices for the black-tie event range from $165 to $235 each + fees.

  Spirit Awards Event Features

  Commencing at 5:00 p.m. on November 18th, attendees will experience either a Gala, Preview or VIP reception, stellar event entertainment, awards presentations, and an exclusive after party! Ticket are on sale starting October 10!

  The Best of the Best Award. Sponsored by Best, Best & Krieger, LLP
  The top entrepreneur from among the evenings award recipients that best exemplifies the entrepreneurial spirit will take home the 2025 Best of the Best award.

  The Garner Holt Student Fast Pitch Competition

  Witness 90-second business pitches from competing student finalists. Audience members cast their votes for the best business idea through a live voting poll to determine which students will walk away with the top cash prizes.

  The Mary Anne Fox Top Female Entrepreneur Award

  The top female entrepreneur from among the finalists that demonstrates exceptional leadership, vision and risk taking to create a unique business.

  Entertainment
  Upcoming entertainment guest stars are always an anticipated reveal during the gala. Past events have included topflight entertainment such as: Rock Legend Eddie Money, Ekenah Claudin-Transcending Box, and Gregory Adamson- Facing the Music Performance Artistry.

  VIP Reception Sponsored by U.S. Bank

  A portion of the proceeds from the Spirit of the Entrepreneur event benefit the Spirit of the Entrepreneur Scholarship established by Dr. Mike Stull, Director of Randall W. Lewis Center for Entrepreneurship at California State University, San Bernardino. The scholarship is awarded to vetted and deserving entrepreneurship students in order to assist them in achieving their degree. Since inception, the fund has provided over $280,000 in scholarship support.

  • EVENT SPONSORS

    The Spirit of the Entrepreneur event is presented by the Randall W. Lewis for Entrepreneurship (RLCE) at California State University San Bernardino and U.S. Bank, and sponsored by a wide range of local organizations including:

  • PLATINUM SPONSORS Best Best & Krieger LLP, U.S. Bank, Southern California News Group, and Inland Empire Magazine
  • GOLD SPONSORS Varner & Brandt LLP, Riverside County Office of Economic Development, San Bernardino County Economic Development, JP Morgan Chase, Desmond & Louis, City of Riverside and PNC Bank
  • SILVER SPONSORS AmPac Business Capital, Columbia Bank, and Pepsico
  • JUDGING RECEPTION SPONSOR McKell Partners Wealth Management
  • VIP RECEPTION SPONSOR - U.S. Bank
  • WELCOM EXPERIENCE SPONSOR - Bank of America
  • GALA RECEPTION HOST Farmers & Merchants Bank
  • AFTER PARTY SPONSOR Customers Bank
  • WINE SPONSOR RP&B CPAs, Inc.