Scott Tuffnell – Citizen of the Year 2018

Scott discovered El Sobrante in 1999 while visiting his wife Jenny’s office.  Jenny and her brother Vaughn Spunaugle  had their law office on Appian Way next to Biancos Deli.  Scott was training to be a chef at the Contra Costa College Culinary School and would stop by the office after classes.  He watched the caterers going in and out of the deli and said that one day he would like to own a business like that.

A few months later near the end of 1999, Scott was hired by the owner of Biancos to be the catering manager.

A few months later the owner approached Scott to see if he wanted to buy the business.  A deal was struck, and Scott became the third owner of Bianco’s Deli.  He made a few changes, including changing the name to Biancos Deli and Catering, and went to work.  That same year he was approached by a member of the chamber to join as a way to promote the business.

Within a year he was approached by the nominating committee to join the board.  He got involved with several chamber activities, catered mixers and attended board meetings.  He got very involved with the Stroll, his first one as a vendor in 2001.  The date of the Stroll was September 16, 2001.  Five days before the stroll, the country was attacked on September 11th.  The chamber considered cancelling the stroll, but ultimately determined to go forth with the stroll to allow the community to gather together and support each other.  Scott says that day showed him the value of being of service to the community like no other community event had before or since.

In 2005 Scott was elected for the first time as President of the Board.  That year they moved the Stroll to the parking lot of the Boys and Girls Club after the board felt it needed a break from doing it on San Pablo Dam Rd.  During that day, while walking through the gym where the first (and only) annual  chili cook off was held, Scott met up with the Club director and another local businessman, Mike Rowland. They talked about how great a place the club would be for a Haunted House on Halloween.  Six weeks later, they, along with a great group of volunteers, put on the first Boys and Girls Club Haunted House.  It also began a great friendship with Mike.

In January 2009, Scott left the Deli business and went to work at his wife and brother-in-law’s law office.  At nights, he attended UC Berkeley Extension and received Certification as a Paralegal.  He worked there for five years.

Scott approached Mike Rowland in 2014 about becoming a real estate agent.  He became a Realtor with Windermere Realty,  and is now honored to be the Office Manager of Mike & Renee’s Pinole office.

Scott was again elected to serve as President on December 14, 2016 and has been re-elected twice since then, currently serving as President for 2019.

Scott says his accomplishments are the result of relentlessly looking for the path to success,  and traveling that path with fellow journeymen, peers and co-workers, co-conspirators and great friends.  Every challenge, each set-back was met with the determination to move ever forward, and to bring the community along with him.