Saratoga News Photograph by George Sakkestad Pat Andreson has been named Businessperson of the Year by the Saratoga Chamber of Commerce. Businessperson of the year a Quito Village imagemaker By Michelle Alaimo Pat Andreson received unexpected news while vacationing in Sydney, Australia in December. There it was in black-and-white on a fax from Front Window owner Kristen Davis--she had been named the 1998 Saratoga Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Business Person of the Year. "We had a big party to celebrate while we were there," Andreson, co-owner of the Backyard Pool Center, says. Even more interesting than how she received the news of her selection is the fact that now both she and her husband Fran have received the award, making them the first so-honored husband and wife team, Sheila Arthur, the Chamber's executive director says. Fran Andreson received the award in 1994. "They both really do and have done a lot for Saratoga," Arthur says. The only requirement for nomination is that the person must own a business in Saratoga. The nominee does not have to be a Saratoga resident. Nominees also must not have received the award in the past. A selection committee reviews the nominations and individual contributions to the community before picking a winner. Arthur says one of the reasons Andreson was chosen is because "she's been very, very involved with promoting business in Saratoga." Louise Simson, vice president of property management for Western Investment Management Company, nominated Andreson for this year's award. She says that Pat is very active in Quito Village and was a driving force behind the center's new image. When she saw a flyer in a Chamber newsletter asking for nominations, Simson says she immediately thought of Pat Andreson. Quito Village is her first love because that is where her business is located, Andreson says she is interested in business throughout Saratoga. In addition to planning and coordinating special events at Quito, Pat also works with the Saratoga Market Days committee, the signage committee, and Team Saratoga. She is a past president of the Chamber and was the co-chairwoman for Celebrate Saratoga! in 1998. After 42 years of marriage, four children and eight grandchildren (the ninth is due in February), Andreson says she is trying to step back a little from her various activities so she can retire. The family has owned the Backyard Pool Center for 14 years and before that, they owned a grocery business. The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce will honor Andreson at a dinner on Feb. 6 at Manhattans restaurant. Those interested in attending can call the Chamber of Commerce at 867-0753. [ Back to Contents Page | Saratoga News Home Page | Archives ] This article appeared in the Saratoga News, January 20, 1999. ©1999 Metro Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved.