SACRAMENTO — Assemblyman Frank Bigelow honored Madera Chamber of Commerce CEO Debi Bray as the Assembly District 5’s Woman of the Year for 2020.
Each year, the California Women’s Legislative Caucus sponsors and hosts the event in Sacramento to honor women from around the state for all they do in their communities. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the State Assembly was unable to hold the ceremony, but Thursday, the Assemblyman was able to give Bray the award she deserved.
“Everywhere you look in Madera, you can see Debi’s fingerprints,” said Assemblyman Bigelow. “Debi has brought Madera to life through her commitment to our community for more than 30 years. Businesses are surviving this pandemic. Children have access to a plethora of educational workforce programs. Families are proud to call Madera home because of Debi’s ability to think outside of the box and make her visions become reality.”
Bray has called Madera home since 1973. She began as an Administrative Assistant at the Madera Chamber of Commerce in 1986, prior to accepting the position of President/CEO in 1989. She is a graduate of Madera High School. She has two children; daughter, Marissa, who lives in Madera and son, Clint who resides in Lyon, France. Bray is the proud grandmother of, Sawyer, 6, and Briar, 4, who also call Madera home.
Bray’s community involvement over the years includes: President of the Madera Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Madera County Workforce Investment Board; Board Member of Madera County Workforce Development Board, Board Member of the Madera Linkage Foundation, Board Member of the Madera Downtown Association, Member of the Madera Business Alliance.
“Debi has been a dear friend and inspiration for years,” Bigelow said. “Her dedication to Madera has benefited those that call it home and those who come to visit. Madera is a better place because of Debi. It’s an honor to recognize Debi for her continued dedication to our community.”