El Camino College Foundation to Honor Outstanding Alumni and Community Leaders at 2026 Distinguished Alumni & Gratitude Awards Dinner
The El Camino College Foundation will host its annual Distinguished Alumni & Gratitude Awards Dinner on Friday, March 6, 2026, at 6 p.m., at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Torrance, celebrating exceptional alumni and valued partners whose achievements, leadership, and generosity reflect the transformative power of education and community collaboration.
The signature event brings together civic leaders, business professionals, alumni, faculty, and supporters to recognize individuals and organizations whose commitment to El Camino College strengthens student success and enriches the South Bay community. Proceeds from the evening support scholarships, academic programs, and critical student success initiatives.
“We look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of former El Camino College students at the 2024 Distinguished Alumni & Gratitude Awards event,” said El Camino College President Brenda Thames, PhD. “Our outstanding alumni have made a positive impact on their communities and beyond and continue to inspire current students to succeed. We are also pleased to recognize our supporters with the Gratitude Awards, honoring their invaluable community support.”
This year’s honorees include Ashley Danial, Senior Director, Office of Space Sector CTO at Northrop Grumman; Bill Kim, Founder, Kizan International; Jerry Marcil, President and CEO of Palos Verdes Investments; John Sweeney, Principal Attorney, The Sweeney Firm; and Mark Waronek, owner and President/CEO of M&M Consulting Group. Corporate Gratitude Awards will be presented to Honda and the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce.
The keynote speaker for the evening will be Dr. Melanie Lundquist, LHD, a Giving Pledge philanthropist known for her fearless leadership and transformative
impact. Alongside her husband, Richard, they have pledged more than $450 million over
the past decade and have appeared five times on The Philanthropy 50, the list of America’s 50 most generous philanthropists. They are signatories to the
Giving Pledge, a group of philanthropists that have pledged to donate much of their
wealth during their lifetimes. In 2019, she was named Philanthropist of the Year by the Los Angeles Business Journal. The Lundquists’ “big bet” philanthropic investments include: the largest single
donor contribution to a non-teaching/training hospital in the United States ($162
million, Torrance Memorial Medical Center); the largest investment ever made by individuals
to improve K-12 public education in Los Angeles ($85 million, Partnership for Los
Angeles Schools); and one of the largest biomedical research-related investments ever
made in California ($70 million, The Lundquist Institute). “Building Our Grove” is
the topic of Lundquist’s keynote remarks.
Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients
Ashley Danial
Ashley serves as Senior Director, Office of Space Sector CTO at Northrop Grumman,
bringing more than 27 years of aerospace industry experience and over two decades
with the company. A trailblazer in engineering, she has led innovative teams and advanced
critical technologies shaping the future of flight and defense. A passionate advocate
for STEM education, Ashley and her husband, Albert, are longtime supporters of the
El Camino College Foundation, supporting STEM programs, the Student Emergency Fund,
and the President’s Circle.
Bill Kim
An entrepreneur, philanthropist, and cultural advocate, Bill S. Kim immigrated from
South Korea in 1964 and began his American education at El Camino College. He later
founded Kizan International, Inc., growing it into a leading men’s apparel company
before selling it in 2019. Bill’s philanthropy spans education, cultural preservation,
and global humanitarian efforts. In 2022, he pledged $1 million over ten years to
fund scholarships for immigrant students at El Camino College—already benefiting more
than 250 students.
Jerry Marcil
A lifelong South Bay resident, Jerry Marcil began his academic journey at El Camino
College before earning his business degree from the University of Southern California.
As President and CEO of Palos Verdes Investments, he has overseen more than $1 billion
in real estate development and management projects. Jerry and his wife, Carol, are
deeply committed philanthropists supporting nearly 100 organizations, including the
El Camino College Foundation and the YMCA.
John Sweeney
A 1969–1971 alumnus of El Camino College, John Sweeney is one of California’s most
accomplished trial attorneys. His groundbreaking career includes rare not guilty verdicts
in death penalty cases and landmark civil rights and catastrophic injury verdicts.
A recipient of numerous top legal honors including the 2025 Cal-ABOTA Trial Lawyer
of the Year – the highest honor a California trial lawyer can receive -- John credits
El Camino College as the foundation that ignited his lifelong passion for learning
and excellence. He often reflects that his education at El Camino College provided
“the springboard” for his career achievements that followed at the University of Southern
California (B.A., History, 1973) and California College of Law (J.D., 1979).
Mark Waronek
Mark A. Waronek, owner and President/CEO of M&M Consulting Group, has devoted more
than 26 years to public service, government relations, and community advocacy. His
dedication to education, civic engagement, and philanthropy embodies the spirit of
gratitude and service. His commitment to local governance and regional collaboration
is demonstrated through his active participation in several key organizations throughout
California. Throughout his career, Mark has worked closely with a broad spectrum of
Los Angeles County’s 88 cities, building trusted relationships and delivering impactful
advocacy. Currently serving as a Councilmember for the City of Lomita, Mark is also
a longtime leader within the El Camino College Foundation, having served nine years
on its Board of Directors, including two as president.
Gratitude Award Recipients
Honda
The El Camino College Foundation proudly honors Honda for its many years of generous support benefiting multiple College programs. Honda’s
sustained investment has expanded educational opportunities, strengthened workforce
pathways, and helped ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed,
reflecting the company’s deep commitment to education and community advancement.
Torrance Chamber of Commerce
The Torrance Chamber of Commerce is recognized for its longstanding partnership and collaborative leadership in the
South Bay community and beyond. Through advocacy, engagement, and strategic collaboration
with El Camino College, the Chamber has played a vital role in strengthening connections
between education, business, and economic development.
The evening will include dinner, tributes, and reflections celebrating the honorees’ lasting impact on El Camino College and the broader community.
This year’s sponsors include Continental Development Corporation, Honda, County of Los Angeles Second District Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Marcil Family Foundation, Northrop Grumman, Torrance Refining Company, Atkinson, Andelson, Loya, Ruud & Romo, Boys & Girls Club of LA Harbor, CSU Dominguez Hills, Graystone Consulting, Green Hills, and Skechers; and table sponsors include City of Torrance, Bill Kim Family, Kiwanis Club of Torrance, Murakawa Communications, the Roadium Open Air Market, South Bay Workforce Investment Board, and Torrance Memorial Medical Center. For sponsorship opportunities or additional event information, please contact the El Camino College Foundation at www.elcaminocollegefoundation.org or 310-660-6040.
About the El Camino College Foundation
The El Camino College Foundation supports student success by funding scholarships,
academic programs, and essential resources that empower students to achieve their
educational and career goals.
About El Camino College
El Camino College (ECC) is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) as a two-year college that has educated the brightest minds of the South Bay since 1947. About 32,000 students are taught by nearly 1,000 award-winning instructors in 2,500 classes in over 200 programs. Approximately 3,800 degrees and certificates were awarded in 2024. For more information visit www.elcamino.edu.