2023 Spice of Life
Man of the Year : Mark Turner
For a multitude of reasons , Mark Turner is a worthy choice for this year ’ s Man of the Year award . His positive impact on the Gilroy community began over 20 years ago as a volunteer and Associate Pastor at South Valley Community Church ( SVCC ). He became CEO of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce in 2013 , building upon the great legacy created by his predecessor , Susan Valenta . Under Mark ’ s leadership the Chamber grew in stature and influence on the local , regional , and state levels . His positioning of the Chamber as an important and capable partner to economic , political , business , and community groups is a testament to his professionalism and collaborative , solutions-based leadership .
While at SVCC , Mark brought youth flag football , basketball , and cheerleading through the Upward Sports program to Gilroy . The league served over 150 families each year and provided scholarships to more than half the participating families . In partnership with a local grocery store , his “ Bread of Life ” initiative provided and delivered much needed food resources to South County residents . He created “ Adopt-A- Block ” in collaboration with five local churches to provide food , clothing , school supplies , and home repairs to several neighborhoods , and continued the program as the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce .
Mark is a founding member and past president of the Gilroy Police Foundation . He brought Wreaths Across America to the South County in 2014 , raising over $ 18,000 each year to provide a Christmas wreath on more than 1,200 veterans ’ graves located in Gilroy and Morgan Hill . He led the 2019 effort to bring the Gilroy Economic Development Corporation ( GEDC ) back under the umbrella of the Chamber of Commerce when the City of Gilroy voted to end its funding .
In 2020 , he co-founded the Gilroy Economic Development Partnership ( GEDP ) with Jane Howard of Visit Gilroy . The eight-agency partnership ’ s initiatives included bringing the San Jose Shark ’ s Ice facility to Gilroy and promotion of Gilroy as a recreation destination – adopted by resolution of the Gilroy City Council .
In partnership with the Gilroy Unified School District , he reestablished the Chamber ’ s Business and Education Committee , and implemented the annual Rock-the-Mock program to help Gilroy and Christopher High School students learn how to prepare for job interviews . The program has helped open the door for hundreds of students to secure part time jobs .
He created the Gilroy Workforce Development Initiative to “ identify , educate , train , and create pathway options for
a diverse workforce ” in partnership with Gavilan College , Gilroy Unified School District , the City of Gilroy , and other organizations to connect the workforce and employers .
President of the Gilroy Rotary Club in 2019-2020 , Mark has performed as an auctioneer for local and international nonprofits for several years , raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for groups such as Operation Freedom Paws , DreamPower Horsemanship , Informed Choices , YMCA , Salvation Army , and the Ronald McDonald House to name a few .
Mark was one of several community members who ran headlong into the fray at the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival . He and others helped hundreds of Festival attendees by attending to the injured and guiding others to safety . In the days and weeks following the event , Mark led several community vigils helping to bring recovery and healing to a community in mourning . In 2020 he was named “ Chamber Executive of the Year ” by the Western Association of Chamber Executives .
In November of 2022 , Mark was elected Mayor of Morgan Hill , where he and his wife , Sue , have resided for over 30 years . The Turners are parents to three daughters ( Jodi , Jenny , and Lindsay ), two sons-in-law , and three grandchildren .
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