Businesses and volunteers were in the spotlight at last week's El Dorado Hills Chamber of Commerce's annual awards banquet.

Rich Downing was named Ambassador of the Year and shared the award for home-based business of the year with his wife, Gina.

The Downings are Juice Plus distributors, running their successful nutritional supplement business from home with the assistance of their three children: Kamran, 15; Makenna, 3; and Noah, 2.

"By helping their parents in the business, these three children are learning important new skills," explained Melissa Dozier, Realtor with ReMax Gold. "Because of the flexibility of their home-based business, the parents are able to spend more quality time with their kids."

In fact, Rich and Makenna have twice appeared on KCRA, Channel 3 demonstrating how to make Juice Plus Smoothies.

In addition to numerous awards, the couple has had the highest number of customers among more than 60,000 distributors nationwide. Both were ranked in the top 10 one month, the first time in Juice Plus Company's history that a husband and wife were in the top 10 in the same month.

Most notably, five of the team members they trained placed in the top 20 nationally last year.

Selected for the 2007 Small Business Award was Katrina Sawa of K. Sawa Marketing. This award recognizes a small business that demonstrates excellence in the areas of growth, marketing and management.

Once a retainer and fee based marketing consulting firm targeting very small business owners and entrepreneurs, Katrina Sawa has transformed the business into a globally recognized, info-product marketing and consulting firm.

Late last year, she re-launched the company as a Solopreneur Marketing Coach. She now offers one-on-one consulting, group brainstorming sessions and email marketing tips.

"She is not only known as a strong business entrepreneur, but also as a networking guru," said Michelle Van Horn, Realtor with ReMax Gold. "Katrina Sawa has created a business model that allows her much more flexibility in her schedule to allow her to travel, attend workshops, speak at more events and concentrate on marketing to and building her client base."

The Start Up Business of the Year award, given to a small business that has been in existence for less than three years, was presented to the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites.

Built by Intercontinental Hotel Group along the small lake in the El Dorado Hills Town Center, the hotel opened in October 2005. By the following year, occupancy was at 80.80 percent.

"The physical structure and amenities provided are leaders in the industry," noted Dr. David Lopes. "After one year of service, customer satisfaction at the hotel is ranked #16 among the 1,500-plus Holiday Inn Express properties nationwide."

Susan Johnson, owner of Tallent Johnson Consulting, was given the Community Services Business of the Year award.

A member of the Chamber of Commerce since moving to El Dorado Hills six years ago, she was named Ambassador of the Year in 2003 and served on the Board of Directors in 2004.

Community service projects include serving as an on call pro bono consultant for the Food Bank of El Dorado County as well as organizing several fundraisers for the agency. In addition, she donates 10 percent of the net proceeds of her business to non-profits.

Johnson provides business consulting and marketing time to brainstorm ideas, provide guidance and assistance with fundraising, event planning and marketing for The Gates Recovery Foundation.

She serves as treasurer for the Arthritis Foundation, sits on the board for El Dorado Hills Community Vision and supported the El Dorado Women's Center fundraiser by organizing a $1,000 table sponsor.

Named Citizen of the Year was John Knight, a member of the chamber for 12 years and its board president in 1999. Prior to being elected to the El Dorado Hills Fire Board, Knight was a volunteer firefighter for 19 years.

He serves on the Habitat for Humanity Board, including serving one year as president, and is a trustee for Marshall Medical Foundation.

An active member of Sun Hills Church in El Dorado Hills, Knight was recently appointed to the El Dorado County Planning Commission.

He has also dedicated eight years to coaching soccer - leading many El Dorado Hills teams to championship titles.

Previously he served on the American Red Cross' Board of Directors in Sacramento and San Diego and was a member of the Red Cross' statewide advisory board for six years.

El Dorado County Sheriff Jeff Neves conducted the installation ceremonies. T. Abraham of Marshall Hospital was inducted as chairman of the board.