No. 21: Sandy Sanchez

Sandy Sanchez has been a welcoming community presence for FivePoint, which is planning and developing the future of the west side of the Santa Clarita Valley. Her longtime community involvement is comforting to see in a company so important to our area’s outlook.

No. 20: Cheri Fleming

Cheri Fleming gives constantly of herself to the community’s local nonprofits, which she’s been able to do as a longtime successful business owner of Valencia Acura, along with her husband, Don. Our leaders who care are what makes the Santa Clarita Valley so special.

No 19: Christy Smith

Assemblywoman Christy Smith seems to be learning her way around Sacramento very quickly, as evidenced by some of the work she’s already been able to accomplish on behalf of Santa Clarita Valley residents. We look forward to her building on a successful first year in office.

No. 18: Don Fleming

As a leader for an industry that makes up one of the city’s largest economic drivers, Don Fleming of Valencia Acura has been a longtime supporter of Santa Clarita Valley businesses, using his influence to try and make his community a better place to work and live

No. 17: Matt Stone

“The jury’s out: The merger of the various water districts in the Santa Clarita Valley has been a huge success, thanks to legislative work and water board leadership. A big congratulations for that goes to SCV Water Agency General Manager Matt Stone.”

No. 16: John Musella

John Musella of Evolve Business Strategies is someone who’s helped build a network of support for Santa Clarita Valley businesses when one almost didn’t exist, and then turned it into something stronger than ever, which is one of the many reasons why he belongs on this list.

No. 15: Katie Hill

In a very short time, Congresswoman Katie Hill has made a national name for herself, and able to position herself in several high-profile roles in Congress, which continues to bring national attention to the 25th Congressional District.

No. 14: Capt. Robert Lewis

“Faced with one of the most difficult jobs in the Santa Clarita Valley — keeping an entire community safe, Capt. Robert Lewis of the SCV Sheriff’s Station regularly makes sure we live in one of the safest communities in the entire country.”

No. 13: Hunt Braly

“Hunt Braly has long been a respected dealmaker in the Santa Clarita Valley, who’s been responsible for helping a number of developments along, as well as being a noted figure in political circles. For decades, he’s also used his influence to support a number of causes.”

No. 12: Vicki Engbrecht

Superintendent Vicki Engbrecht has been a real asset for the William S. Hart Union High School District as school leaders have navigated through the challenges of opening a state-of-the-art high school from scrat in Castaic.

No. 11: Laurene Weste

“Santa Clarita City Councilwoman Laurene Weste has been an advocate for keeping the Santa Clarita Valley’s natural setting as pristine as possible, while also balancing the needs of the business community, and Santa Clarita residents are better off for her work on their behalf.”

No. 10: Cameron Smyth

Cameron Smyth is a second-generation leader here in the Santa Clarita Valley who understands the importance of keeping Santa Clarita one of the best places to raise a family that there is, and he’s demonstrated a dedication to keeping it that way for decades.

No. 9: Steve Sturgeon

“Steve Sturgeon has been a longtime supporter of Santa Clarita Valley schools, as well as a successful entrepreneur in our community. His support of the nonprofit community is also part of what makes this community so great.

No. 8: Bob Kellar

It would be harder to find someone who’s worked harder than Bob Kellar on behalf of city of Santa Clarita for things like veterans support, public safety and small businesses, among other issues, over the last 20 years.

No. 7: Dr. Dianne Van Hook

“College of the Canyons Chancellor Dianne Van Hook is a leader’s leader in the Santa Clarita Valley, and someone whose lasting power and continual ability to deliver top-notch results for COC makes her work there an invaluable asset for our community.”

No. 6: Don Kimball

Newhall Land, and its successor agency, FivePoint, will be guiding factors in the Santa Clarita Valley’s future for some time to come — and we look forward to Don Kimball, as community president for the developer, to continue to create sustainable homes for the SCV.”

No. 5: Larry Rasmussen

Larry Rasmussen of Spirit Properties never seeks out credit or attention for community service, but he’s someone who’s always willing to help out and give back to an area he’s helped develop from the ground up, like many of the Santa Clarita Valley’s best developments.

No. 4: Kathryn Barger

County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is the type of leader the Santa Clarita Valley needs, who’s unafraid to be a lone voice on L.A. County’s Board of Supervisors if that’s what it takes to represent the best interests of the residents in our community.

No. 3: Ken Striplin

Santa Clarita City Manager Ken Striplin manages an incredible staff and an amazing number of resources, and his nonstop work on behalf of city residents everyday at the top of our local government has made this community a better place to live for the last seven years.

No. 2: Scott Wilk

State Sen. Scott Wilk has shown time again and again to be an individual who has the patience, dedication and leadership ability to serve the people of the Santa Clarita Valley. His character understanding and care for his hometown make him an example for public office.