Coming off one of the most active membership years in the last decade, two Sacramento Metro Chamber staff members and three programs were recognized for professional excellence by fellow chamber executives from 14 western states. The 720-member Western Association of Chamber Executives recognized Metro Chamber President & CEO Matthew Mahood as Executive of the Year, Senior Vice President for Public Policy and Economic Development Michael Faust as the Hathaway Staff Person of the Year, the annual Business Walks for helping support the local economy, the Power Lunches for excellence in business-to-business networking and the Metro Business Quarterly publication for communications excellence

Mayor Kevin Johnson has been at the helm of the city for one full year.   Johnson made remarks to reporters Tuesday about his past year in office, saying that his volunteer program and a drop in crime are among his accomplishments, and that the city’s business climate and City Council disagreements are some of his shortfalls. His one-year anniversary as mayor was Dec. 2. “I’ve been in office 365 days,” Johnson said at his Tuesday meeting with reporters. “And I’m just as excited today as when I got elected.” Johnson cited the city’s falling homicide rate and federal stimulus funding for police as achievements. The city was awarded more than $12 million in federal stimulus funds for police