The Sacramento Metro Chamber has named its 2026 business award recipients, a slate that runs from a Buzz Oates executive to a Health Education Council staffer. The formal recognition is still ahead, at a January dinner.
The chamber's 132nd Annual Dinner & Business Awards is scheduled for Friday evening, Jan. 22, 2027, at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, which is also presenting the night. Mountain Democrat published the recipient list.
Who Was Named
Larry Allbaugh of Buzz Oates is Businessman of the Year. Margaret Wong of McWong International is Businesswoman of the Year. Randle Communications is Small Business of the Year, and Downey Brand is the Business Hall of Fame recipient.
Christi Black-Davis of Black-Davis Group is Sacramentan of the Year. Roxana Garcia-Ochoa of Health Education Council is Metro EDGE Young Professional of the Year. Michael Lynch and Michael Casper of Improve Your Tomorrow share the Al Geiger Memorial Award, and Alexis Fitzpatrick of SAFE Credit Union is Volunteer of the Year.
The dinner honors regional leaders for leadership, innovation and impact. Business leaders, community stakeholders and members gather each year to recognize board leadership, changemakers and businesses.
The January Dinner
Tickets are on sale. Robert Heidt, the chamber's president and CEO, called the 132nd an inspiring night for leaders and companies that lead with purpose and strengthen the business community, and said the ceremony is more than 130 years strong.
The Annual Dinner & Business Awards began in 1895 and is the chamber's longest-running event. The chamber itself was established that same year. An earlier Mountain Democrat item had put the 131st dinner on the calendar for Friday evening, Jan. 23, 2026, at the same convention center, with Heidt then expecting more than 1,000 attendees.
A Different 2026 List
That earlier Mountain Democrat account attached a different set of names to 2026 honors for the 131st dinner. It listed James Beckwith of Five Star Bank as Sacramentan of the Year and Stan Van Vleck of Van Vleck Ranch as Businessman of the Year.
Nicole Montna Van Vleck of Montna Farms was Businesswoman of the Year in that account. Oobli Inc. was Small Business of the Year, Ramco Enterprises Inc. was the Business Hall of Fame inductee, and Anthony Uribe of the Office of Congressman Ami Bera was Metro EDGE Young Professional of the Year.
Both published lists use 2026, and they do not match. One is tied to the 131st dinner scheduled for January 2026; the Nov. 11 announcement is tied to the 132nd, set for January 2027.
Six Counties, One Closed Nomination Window
The chamber represents members and workforces in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo and Yuba counties. Its release describes it as the largest and most prominent established voice for business, and says it offers programs, services and advocacy aimed at vibrant communities, a ready workforce, a connected region and a strong business community.
Nominations for the 132nd closed Sept. 30. In an August call for names, Heidt said, "We encourage the community to submit nominations for amazing individuals who are helping to shape the future of the region," according to Sacramento Press.
That window is shut. What remains on the public calendar is the Jan. 22, 2027 dinner, with tickets on sale and SAFE Credit Union presenting.
