Man of the Year : Charles Weston
2023 Celebrate Morgan Hill
Charles Weston is a Registered Architect and the principal designer at Weston
Miles Architects ( WMA ) in Morgan Hill . Founded in 1985 , WMA has designed numerous award-winning buildings throughout the State , including the Granary in Morgan Hill — which he also built as a licensed contractor . The Granary was just the 25th LEED Gold building in the world , combining professional , commercial , and retail spaces in a sustainable , thriving , and bright environment .
Weston is a former Boy Scout and Eagle Scout . He was drafted into the Army at the young age of 18 . He advanced to the rank of Sergeant , serving nearly three years , including over a year in Vietnam . During his military career , he earned both the Soldier ’ s Medal and the Carnegie Medal for bravery . Post-military , he attended Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he studied architecture . His decades-long community involvement includes serving on several city committees , a term as planning commissioner , and as a board member and past president of the Freedom Fest .
Weston is an avid runner . Since 2002 , he has chaired the annual Freedom ( Fest ) Run . In 2007 , he added Children ’ s Run . In 2017 , he launched the annual Veteran ’ s Day Run . His contributions to community and country are noble . His passions , pursuits , and productivity are evidence of purpose and meaning . His is a life well lived .
Volunteer of the Year : Kathy Chavez Napoli
Kathy Chavez Napoli is a tour de force . From her humble beginnings as the eldest of eight siblings growing up in the Sal Si Puedes neighborhood of East San Jose , she was inspired by Cesar Chavez , the civil rights activist — and neighbor — who admonished the youth of her generation to “ get an education ,” she told La Oferta Newspaper in 1994 . In the same interview , Napoli shared that Chavez was someone who never gave up , and an example that one person can make a difference .
Napoli heeded Chavez ’ s words , becoming an elementary school teacher after earning her bachelor ’ s degree in education from San Jose State University . A successful business owner for over 40 years with her husband Bill , she has been a constant voice for justice and fairness , a champion for education , and an advocate for those underrepresented by the political process . In 1994 and 1998 she ran for Mayor of San Jose on a platform of fiscal responsibility and government accountability . In 2000 she ran for San Jose City Council District 2 , receiving 26 % of the vote . In 2004 she ran for the California 23rd District Assembly Seat , garnering 31 % of the vote .
Napoli ’ s contributions to Morgan Hill include helping to organize the AAUW ’ s annual Wildflower Run . She is a member of the Kiwanis Club , and a Trustee of the Gavilan Community College Board . She is a board member and grant writer for the Morgan Hill Historical Society , and in 2019 transformed the rose garden at the historic Villa Mira Monte into a local Native Garden to share the history of the Amuh Mutsun band of Native Americans . As a member of the Susanville tribe of Maidu Native Americans , she feels it important to include the voices of all people who helped shape the area .
Upon being presented with her award earlier this year , Napoli thanked all those who helped along the way , stating “ No one is successful alone , no one .” On the importance of volunteering , she noted , “ If you change one life , you change hundreds of lives .” In the spirit of Cesar Chavez , Napoli is another example that one person can make a difference . Si Se Puedes .
In 2020 , her story was published in the University of Arizona Press book “ Activist Leaders of San Jose , En Sus Propias Voces ”
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