The City of Carlsbad’s Citizen of the Year is an annual award recognizing residents who have provided outstanding service to their community.

The Citizen of the Year program is more than 50 years old and honors community members who have given their time and energy toward the civic improvement, beautification and betterment of the City of Carlsbad.

Honorees are selected by a five-person committee of Carlsbad residents and recognized during a ceremony at Carlsbad City Hall.

Nominees must be Carlsbad residents but can be nominated by someone who is not a resident.

Committee 

Citizens of the Year are selected by a volunteer committee convened by the Mayor. Current committee members are:

John Davis
Lorette Perkins
Luann Engstrom
Samantha Fletcher

Honorees

Honorees are recognized the year following their official award year. For example, we are recognizing the 2024 honorees in 2025. 

2024: Bonnie and Gunnar Biggs and Maureen Simons
2023: Ron Baker and Socorro Rodriguez-Anderson
2022: Brad and Beth Thorp and Jill Uhley Rogul
2021: Lisa Cannon-Rodman and Jeff Segall
2020: Jimmy Ukegawa
2019: Don Whisnant and Tina Schmidt
2018: Scott White and Yvonne Murchison Finocchiaro
2017: Bob Nielsen and Susan & German Gutierrez
2016: Bill & Bonnie Dominguez and Mike McMahon
2015: Phil Urbina and Zona Murray
2014: Taffy Cannon and Frank Whitton
2013: David Kulchin and Naomi & Alan Marblestone
2012: Knox Williams and Peggy Savary
2011: Stephen "Hap" L'Heureux and Gina McBride
2010: Jim Smith and Hope Wrisley
2009: Bud & Beverly Lewis and Doris Lee Ritchie
2008: Bobbie Hoder and Jim & Pat Hansen
2007: Jeanne McFadden and Carlton & Sandy Lund
2006: Julie Baker and Ed Scarpelli
2005: Ursula Monaco-Sweeney and Arthur Wood
2004: Joni Miringoff and Rev. Gordon Baker
2003: Ann L’Heureux and Bob Richards
2002: Ruth Lewis and John Haedrich
2001: Sally Lyons and Bob Beard
2000: Margie & Mario Monroy and Bailey Noble
1999: Belynn Gonzales and Don Dewhurst
1998: Barbara Ladwig and John Jones
1997: Pearl Tade and Peder Norby
1996: Kathleen Dunn Wellman and William Donovan
1995: Ofelia Escobedo & Connie Trejo and Alan & Joan Kindle
1994: Thelma Hayes and Paul Swirsky
1993: David Martinez
1992: Margaret Brownley
1991: Greg Nelson
1990: Roy Sanchez
1989: Dr. Al J. Freiburger
1988: Kay Christiansen
1987: Eileen M. Olson
1986: Lewis Chase
1985: Muriel Roston
1984: Glenn E. McComas
1983: Raymond C. Ede
1982: Marje Howard Jones
1981: Manuel Castorena
1980: Chick Mensching
1979: Allan O. Kelly
1978: James Gaiser
1977: Jayce McClellan
1976: R.P. “Pal” Jones
1975: Molly Acuna
1974: “Chris” Christiansen
1973: Jerry L. Rombotis
1972: Betty Wollrich
1971: Nick Papoutsis
1970: Tony Howard Jones
1967: General W.W. Rogers
1967: Phyllis E. Norman
1967: Frank B. Kirk

Resolution No. 2022-042