People

Spotlight on achievers

Vic Zuniga

Art teacher, Tustin Unified School District

The Orange County Hispanic Education Fund gave Zuniga, an instructor at C.E. Utt Middle School, an “Apple of Gold” award and named him the Hispanic Teacher of the Year for middle schools.

The Latino group-- established in 1992 to promote education, community service and leadership--honored Zuniga for his 35 years as a teacher in the Tustin Unified School District.

For years, Zuniga was the only Latino teacher in the district, and he has become a role model for Spanish-speaking students who have found creative inspiration in Utt’s art classes.

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Robert Larsen

Executive, Fountain Valley

Larsen, associate vice president for medical affairs at FHP Health Care, was chosen as executive of the year by The American College of Medical Staff Development and the National Institute of Physician’s Recruitment and Retention.

Larsen was honored for his successful recruiting of more than 900 staff physicians and 70 medical managers for FHP since 1987.

He joined FHP in 1985 as chief of staff of the company’s first acute-care hospital in Fountain Valley.

Larsen has developed companywide physician orientation and continuing education programs.

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David Eisenman

Executive, Irvine

The United Way of Orange County honored Eisenman, executive director of the Mardan Center for Educational Therapy, with the Alexis de Tocqueville Humanitarian Award.

Thirty years ago, Eisenman founded Irvine’s Mardan Center, a school for students with learning disabilities and emotional problems.

The Alexis de Tocqueville Society is a group of community leaders who donate $10,000 or more annually through the United Way campaign.

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Janet Burkett

Customer service manager, San Juan Capistrano

Burkett, customer service manager for Dimension Cable Services, was named president of the the International Customer Service Assn.

She was one of the founding members and past presidents of the Southern California chapter of the International Customer Service Assn.

Burkett, of San Juan Capistrano, worked in management positions in manufacturing, service and retail for 16 years before joining Dimension Cable Services in May, 1994.

--COMPILED BY LESLEY WRIGHT, WITH JEFF BEAN, DEBRA CANO, BERT ELJERA AND ALAN EYERLY