People

* Spotlight on achievers

Dr. George Cheng

Retired ophthalmologist, Newport Beach

Cheng received the 1995 Excellence 2000 award for community service from the United States Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

The award is presented annually to Asian Americans who have made major contributions to American society.

Cheng, a Newport Beach resident, is a philanthropist who volunteers at free Orange County medical clinics that serve the poor.

A former missionary doctor in Penang, Malaysia, Cheng began a private practice in Newport Beach in 1956.

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Michael D. Swan

Vice president, NBS/Lowry in Irvine

Swan was honored with the Outstanding Engineering Merit Award from the Orange County Engineering Council.

The vice president and regional manager of the Irvine civil engineering firm was recognized for his 23 years of experience and contributions to the improvement of public works in Southern California.

He was also honored for serving as an engineer for the Los Angeles Fire Safety Assessment District, where he helped acquire $98 million in bonds to retrofit high-rise office buildings with fire sprinklers.

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Chester H. Panique

Police lieutenant, Brea

Panique completed his 25th year with the Brea Police Department at the same time that he earned a master’s degree from the California Law Enforcement College.

The program, sponsored by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, builds skills in leadership, budget management and long-term planning, encouraging officers to think toward the future of law enforcement.

Panique’s thesis focused on ways to apply aerospace technology to law enforcement.

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Karin Schnell,Resident, San Juan Capistrano

Schnell has been appointed supervisor of the Orange County Fair’s art exhibit.

She will oversee entries, judging and displays in the fair’s visual arts building. The exhibits will include photographs, paintings, drawings and sculpture that will be on display during the Orange County Fair, July 7 to 23.

Schnell is director of docent training at the Newport Harbor Art Museum in Newport Beach. She has also worked as a part-time art instructor at Cal State Fullerton.

--COMPILED BY LESLEY WRIGHT WITH HOPE HAMASHIGE, RUSS LOAR AND DEBORAH SULLIVAN