After being delayed for two years by the COVID-19 pandemic, the winners of the 54th annual Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year Awards were finally announced on Friday.
Local leaders Brian Koegle and Julie Sturgeon have been named as the recipients of the 2020 Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year for their service to our community and spirit of volunteerism.
The two-year hiatus caused the 2020 recipients to be named Friday, instead of through a virtual or socially-distanced format at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The purpose of the Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year Recognition is to honor men and women who have given outstanding volunteer service to the Santa Clarita Valley area.
- Individual volunteer services must be given to a group or organization that is a designated 501(c)(3), community service organization.
- Volunteer service is defined by long-time community commitment (not work related).
- Volunteer service includes, but is not limited to, the years of volunteer service, the type of service, and the impact of the service that was provided to multiple local organizations.
Brian Koegle – Attorney, Former Partner Poole, Shaffery & Koegle, LLP, Now a Partner at Greenspoon Marder
Nominating Organizations: College of the Canyons, Foundation SCV Senior Center SCV Chamber of Commerce
Non Profit Organizations
College of the Canyons Foundation, Years of Service: 12, Positions Held: • Board Chair (2018-present) • Board Member (2008-present) – Executive Committee (2016-present) Finance Committee (2017-present) • Vice Chair of the Board (2016-2017) • Silver Spur Award Committee, Member (2014-2019) – Silver Spur Award Committee, Co-Chair (2017-2018) • Silver Spur Event Master of Ceremonies (2017-2019) – Alumni Hall of Fame, Inductee (2015) • College of the Canyons (Santa Clarita Community College District), Years of Service: 12 • Positions Held: Measure “E” Co-Chairman (2016) – Measure “M” Citizens’ Oversight Committee (2007-2011) • HandsOn Santa Clarita (formerly Santa Clarita Valley Volunteer Resource Center), Years of Service: 14, Positions Held: Chairman of the Board (2011-15) – Board of Directors (2005-2019) – Various committees and events chair (2010-2019) • Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, Years of Service: 5, Positions Held: Celebrity Waiter Committee, Chairman (2016) – Celebrity Waiter Committee, Member and Master of Ceremonies (2017-2020) – Celebrity Waiter “Stanley Award” Recipient (2007, 2009) • Santa Clarita Valley Youth Project, Years of Service: 8, Positions Held: Board of Directors (2007-2015) – Executive Committee – Secretary (2008-2010) • Junior Chamber International (Santa Clarita Valley Chapter), Years of Service: 7, Positions Held: Member (2005-2012) – Director of Government Affairs (2007) – Chair, “SCV Politics 101” Program (2007) – Vice-President of Marketing (2006)
Koegle’s Impact On SCV Organizations
COC
As an alumnus, Foundation board member and volunteer within the College of the Canyons Foundation, Brian Koegle’s leadership has been nothing short of revolutionary. Brian’s influence within the Foundation has resulted in an unprecedented level of impact for our students and the community. Through his many leadership roles within the Foundation, currently as Board Chair, Brian has been able to inspire others, solve institutional challenges and raise funds.
Under Brian’s leadership as board chair, the Foundation achieved an aggressive $500,000 goal to fund the innovative First-Year Promise scholarship program. Through his meticulous talent as an attorney, Brian has also directed the board to make significant improvements in policy and procedure. Most of all, Brian cares about the mission and the work of the Foundation to empower others.
Senior Center
Brian Koegle has been a driving force throughout a multiple number of organizations within the Santa Clarita Valley, consisting of youth and senior services, educational growth, professional and business development, to name a few. His passion and commitment for creating a community dedicated to its residents, businesses and visitors is unparalleled. Within the last few years, Brian has helped to raise the visibility of the SCV Senior Center in the community and continues to ensure the success of our largest fundraiser, Celebrity Waiter. There is no question that Brian’s commitment to promote quality of life, not just for seniors but also for all residents of the Santa Clarita Valley, makes him the perfect candidate for Man of the Year.
SCV Chamber of Commerce
Brian has volunteered some of his professional services to the SCV Chamber on several critical issues as the Chamber was rebuilt over the last 3 years. It was vital to have solid legal counsel to ensure the organization is successful and on solid footing.
Other Contributions
Brian has consistently given of his time, treasure and immense talent to further the mission of the COC Foundation. Brian has donated his time as a keynote speaker, served as a committee member and volunteer at multiple Foundation golf tournaments, mentored students and young professionals and served as co-chair of the Silver Spur Award Committee.
Brian’s philanthropic history and volunteer record within Santa Clarita serves as an example that all volunteers and nonprofits can emulate. As COC celebrates 50 Years of service, Brian’s leadership and involvement has paved the way to providing support to our community for decades to come. We believe choosing Brian Koegle as the 2020 SCV Man of the Year, sends a positive message—simply put, volunteerism, philanthropy and community spirit is valued in the SCV.
Biography
Brian Koegle was a former partner in the employment and labor law department of Poole Shaffery & Koegle, LLP. He recently became a partner at Greenspoon Marder.
After attending College of the Canyons from 1992 to 1994, he transferred to The Ohio State University, where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with a minor in Economics. He returned to Southern California realizing how much he really hates Midwestern winters to attend law school at Southwestern University School of Law where he participated in the widely acclaimed SCALE program, the nation’s only fully accredited two-year legal education program.
After passing the California State Bar Examination in 2001, Brian opened his own law firm, focusing on employment law and business litigation, until 2004 when he joined Poole & Shaffery, LLP. With a focus on labor and employment law, Mr. Koegle provides counsel to employers across various industries regarding hiring practices, employment contracts, wage and hour issues, compensation, discipline and termination matters. He represents employers in mediation, arbitration, litigation, and various administrative hearings, defending a wide range of employment discrimination and fair employment practice cases.
He also assists employers in the design, drafting, modification and implementation of personnel policies, procedures and employee handbooks and conducts personnel policy audits. Mr. Koegle guides employers with respect to all aspects of wage and hour compliance, including overtime calculations, meal and rest period requirements, and statutory penalties arising from non-compliant policies and procedures. Brian also has written several published articles on labor and employment-related matters and is a frequent speaker on these issues, including COC Foundation Chancellors Circle events.
Brian is a member of the Labor and Employment Sections of the California State Bar and the Los Angeles County Bar Association. He has been recognized as a Rising Star by SuperLawyers/Los Angeles Magazine in 2010 – 2015 and as a Super Lawyer in 2016-2020. Brian has also been recognized as one of the “40 Under Forty” by both the San Fernando Valley Business Journal (2005) and the Santa Clarita Valley Business Journal (2009). He was also a graduate of the inaugural Leadership Santa Clarita Valley Program, presented by the COC Employee Training Institute.
Brian has served on several non-profit boards throughout the community, including the College of the Canyons Foundation, HandsOn Santa Clarita and the SCV Youth Project. Brian also worked tirelessly on the Measure M campaign, and later served on the Measure M Citizens Oversight Committee until he completed his term in 2011.
Julie Sturgeon – President, Julie M. Sturgeon, CPA
Nominating Organizations: SCV Senior Center Rotary Club of Santa Clarita Valley
Non Profit Organizations
College of the Canyons Foundation Years of Service: 10+ years Position Held: Board Member, Audit Committee Member, Executive Committee Member, Finance Committee Member, Co-chair Wine Studies Room, Member of ICUE Capital Campaign • Child and Family Center Years of Service: 8+ years Position Held: Committee Member, Sponsor & Co-chair of Taste of the Town, Audit Committee • Santa Clarita Valley Committee on Aging Years of Service: 7 years Position Held: Board Member, Vice-President and Past Treasurer, Executive Committee Member and Finance Committee Member, and Co-chairing the Celebrity Waiter Dinner 2019 and 2020 • Rotary International Years of Service: 4 years Position Held: District Conference Women’s luncheon Chair • AYSO Years of Service: 7 years Position Held: Coached, Treasurer • Sulphur Springs School Years of Service: 6 years Position Held: Room Mom, Auditor, Room Mom Coordinator, PTA President (2 years), and Reflections Chair • La Mesa Junior High School Years of Service: 3 Years Position Held: VP PAC Organization: Canyon High School Years of Service: 3 Years Position Held: Secretary of PAC • Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Years of Service: 2 Years Position Held: Ambassador • Michael Hoefflin Foundation Years of Service: 9 Years Position Held: Board Member and Treasurer, Co-chaired Evening Under the Stars twice • SCV Theatre Group Years of Ser- vice: 3+ Years Position Held: Advisory Board Member • Betty Ferguson Foundation Years of Service: 5+ Years Position Held: Board Member, Treasurer and Chaired Woman of Honor dinner twice • Soroptimist International of Greater Santa Clarita Valley Years of Service: 10 years Position Held: Board member, Chair Women’s Opportunity Award, Sponsored Fashion Show
Sturgeon’s Impact On SCV Organizations
Julie has had a major impact on the SCV Committee on Aging (Senior Center). She has taken a variety of leadership roles since joining the Senior Center seven years ago.
As current Vice-President, past Treasurer and an active member of the Executive Committee, she has helped guide the organization through unprecedented growth. She makes sure the organization is staying true to its mission of supporting seniors.
Other Contributions
Julie has had a long relationship with the Santa Clarita Valley. She started her volunteerism at a young age with Girl Scouts of America and Rotary International; she later jumped into the SCV with two feet assisting AYSO soccer and Sulphur Springs Elementary School. She continued contributing to the school system at La Mesa Junior High and then Canyon High School.
Simultaneously, Julie took on an active role in both the Canyon Country Chamber of Commerce and the Santa Clarita Chamber of Commerce. When the two chambers joined forces, she was an active Ambassador and commenced her work with the Michael Hoefflin Foundation. She continues to provide her expertise in the area of finance, business acumen and pro-bono assistance to non-profits. She believes it to be important to give back to the community that you reside in. Julie has contributed over 75 years of service to SCV Community Organizations.
Biography
Julie Sturgeon is President of Julie M. Sturgeon, CPA. She has practiced in the SCV since 1990. Her focus has been tax preparation and tax planning for both individuals and businesses. Julie has clients in varying industries – restaurants, medical and entertainment. She has assisted families dealing with business succession in the sudden passing of principals, which has occurred too frequently in the last few years.
She has designed reports using a variety of software products for owners to use. She has also helped her clients with staffing accounting departments and training of accounting staff. Julie Sturgeon has also co-owned Confidential Data Destruction Company with her husband Steve.
Julie played an active role in the sale of Confidential Data Destruction Company in 2019. Julie is a 40-year resident of the Santa Clarita Valley, where she lives with her husband Steve. They have raised two children and who each have two gorgeous children – her precious grandchildren – Kayli, Addison, Hudson and Holland. Now, the cycle begins again – soccer and dance!
Do you have a news tip? Call us at (661) 298-1220, or send an email to [email protected]. Don’t miss a thing. Get breaking KHTS Santa Clarita News Alerts delivered right to your inbox. Report a typo or error, email [email protected]
KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Comments are closed.