Zonta Club of Santa Clarita Valley installed Chris Miller as its new president for 2012-13, honored outgoing President Jo Ann Rodriguez and named longtime club member Pat Willett as Zontian of the Year at the group’s annual installation dinner at Le Chene French Restaurant.
Willett was honored for her service to Zonta, to the community, and indeed to the greater world.  Besides being a past president of Zonta, she has chaired or been involved in nearly every committee the club has.  She has also been recognized as SCV Woman of the Year for her numerous community activities. 

Zontian of the Year is selected from member nominations. The final winner is selected not only for her leadership in Zonta, but also in the way she represents the club in the local community.  The final selection committee is composed of former honorees.
Miller was installed as Zonta president by Nickie Bonner, public relations chair and lieutenant governor-elect for Zonta’s District 9.  Other officers and board members installed Wednesday evening include Laura Peckham, president-elect; Michelle Woodfork, first vice president; Cheryl Hawkins, second vice president; Karla Edwards, secretary; and Barbara Meyer, treasurer.  Newly installed board members include Phyllis Walker, Cheryl Wasserman, DaAnne Smith, Barbara Cochran and Judy Penman, and next year’s Nominating Committee members will be Suzie Alziebler, Jo Ann Rodriguez and Christine Sexton.
Zonta’s Foundation also installed its new directors; officers will be selected in the near future.  New Foundation trustees include Alicia Estrada, Lois Bauccio, Vicki Oren, Mary Ree and Phyllis Walker.  Chris Miller and Laura Peckham also will serve on the Foundation Board of Trustees as club president and president-elect.
Outgoing Zonta President Jo Ann Rodriguez was saluted for the club’s outstanding accomplishments under her leadership in 2011-12.  Her theme of “Strong Leadership, Strong Women, Strong World” helped bring out leadership qualities in many of the club’s members.
Theme for Wednesday evening’s installation program was “Return to Woodstock,” celebrating the fact that incoming president Miller was one of the attendees at the renowned ‘60s-era concert.  Following Zonta tradition, the installation dinner is organized by a committee composed of all of the club’s active past presidents, and is chaired by last year’s president, Karla Edwards.