Julie Ann Lozano is a seriously committed community volunteer in Monterey County. She was raised by her father who modeled civic awareness for her. When he was diagnosed with ALS, Julie Ann personally cared for and gently saw him through his end of life, three years later. Julie Ann is an (almost) life-long resident of the Monterey Peninsula. Her father served in the US Army, where they were stationed in Berlin, Germany for six years before his reassignment to Fort Ord. She also lived in Southern California for a few years, before moving back with her son Matthew. As Matthew started school on the Monterey Peninsula, you could find her actively involved in PTA activities, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and her son’s baseball teams.
Julie Ann has a successful career in sales and marketing, working in the areas of media, retail and hospitality. In addition, in the past she has been a small business owner. She is the proud mother of Matthew, who is a graduate of Clark University in Dubuque, Iowa.
Says Kathie Kandler of her friend and colleague, “I have personally worked side by side with Julie Ann as Meals on Wheels Board member for nearly 20 years. I never cease to be amazed at how she juggles two jobs, school, motherhood, and countless meetings and boards. Her drive and dedication are always directed towards the betterment of her community. Her selfless service crosses all segments of our communities demographic.”
Julie Ann has served on the Meals on Wheels Board of Directors (in two stints) from 1997 until the present. She has been a director, as well as president. She has been a part of all MOWMP special events for the last 23 years, including
co-chairing their signature event, the Culinary Classique d’ Elegance, which has raised over $3 million dollars and the Woman Who Care/Save Our Breakfast Campaign and Luncheon & campaign. Both of these efforts have kept MOWMP’s wheels turning and enable us to continue meeting the needs of the seniors in our community. Julie Ann also facilitates other agency endeavors and acts as its media liaison. In 2011, Julie Ann and Kathie were named as “Partner Volunteers of the Year” by United Way of Monterey County and the Volunteer Center.
Each year Julie Ann starts her year at 4:00 a.m. on January 1st coordinating volunteers and other race functions for Rio Grill’s Resolution Run. The brainchild of Rio Grill’s managing partner, Tony Tollner, Julie Ann has worked on the race for 30 years. Under Julie Ann’s direction, the run, which traditionally benefits children’s causes, has raised over $600,000 and benefited five non-profits beneficiaries over the years.
Julie has served three terms as a Board member of the Monterey Chamber of Commerce. She served as the VP of Special Events and coordinated their signature fundraisers including the Annual Awards Dinner and the Business Excellence Awards Dinner. Her personal mission has been to help and promote local business in Monterey County and finds mutually beneficial partnerships between the business community and non-profits. In 2002, the Chamber honored her with the Robert C. Littlefield award, and she was the Chamber’s Volunteer of the Year in 2011.
She joined the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors in 2018 and serves on their Executive Committee as the Vice-Chair of Special Events.
Julie Ann has also been active with the California International Airshow for over 26 years. She chaired their President’s Tent for six years, served three years as Director of Hospitality, and currently serves as their Marketing Coordinator where she has the opportunity to work with local media and Airshow performers. She coordinates the Make-A-Wish visit, which allows Make a Wish children and their families to attend the practice show and meet the performers. She was named “Director of the Year” in 2010 and “Volunteer of the Year” in 2016 in honor of her many years of service to the Airshow.
Julie Ann is a graduate of Leadership Monterey Peninsula, (Class of 1997), was named “Outstanding Young Citizen” by the Salinas Jaycees in 1998, was recognized as “Community Leader of the Year” by Leadership Monterey Peninsula in 2010 and was honored as an honoree at KSBW’s 2019 Jefferson Awards for her community service.
She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Salinas Valley Chamber of Commerce, Meals on Wheels of the Monterey Peninsula and Pacific Repertory Theatre and volunteers for Legal Services for Seniors “Ciao Cioppino” fundraiser, the California International Airshow, BirchBark Foundation and Monterey County Free Libraries.
There is no job too big or too small for Julie Ann to accomplish. Her heart and energy are open to all causes that make her community an exceptional place to live. Her passion for people and her drive for success are just a few reasons why she has been recognized for her tireless commitment to our community.