Janine Montoya, owner of Tri County Aire/Valley Aire Heating and Air Conditioning in Simi Valley, and other small business executives were honored recently with the California Chamber of Commerce 2006 Small Business Advocate of the Year award.

The honorees were recognized for their advocacy efforts on behalf of small businesses and presented their awards at a luncheon before 700 attendees at the California Chamber's Business Legislative Summit in Sacramento.

"Small business growth is crucial to California's jobs climate," said Allan Zaremberg, president of California Chamber of Commerce. "All of the small business advocate winners have demonstrated leadership abilities not only in running their own businesses, which is a major accomplishment, but also in working to promote policies that will help other small businesses thrive."

The awards presentation was sponsored by the California Chamber. Honorees were nominated by

local Chambers and selected by a task force composed of members of the California Chamber's Small Business Committee. The criteria used in the selection process included taking leadership roles in or working on federal, state or local ballot measures, testifying before the state legislature, and representing a local Chamber of Commerce before local government.

Montoya was co-nominated by Leigh Nixon, president and CEO of the Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce and Daryl Kleintob, chair of the Chamber's board.

"Janine Monyoya is very involved in small business issues. She has taken time out of her busy life. . . to find a way to involve herself in advocating the rights for and fighting the wrongdoings to the small business owner."

Montoya represents both small business and women business owners. She visits legislators, writes letters and op-ed

pieces and travels to Sacramento and Washington, D.C. on behalf of small business concerns. Montoya serves on the legislative committee for the National Association of Women Business Owners and has been involved in crafting and pushing a small business bill through the legislature.

She was also named Woman of the Year for the 19th Senate District in 2004.