Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce

Business Person of the Year

For the Business Person of the Year, the selection was made from a number of suggested candidates, based on a history of success in business and contributions to the community.

More specifically, the Chamber’s Business Person of the Year is to have qualities among the following characteristics.

  • Is a member of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce
  • Owns or is part of a Newport Business or a company doing business in Newport Beach
  • Successful business person
  • Affiliated with other leaders in business
  • Involved in philanthropic activities
  • Supporter of local community activities
  • Serves as a role model for other business persons

2025 Newport Beach Business Person of the Year

Ron Salisbury

At 92 years old, Ron Salisbury has spent nearly eight decades in the restaurant industry, continuing the legacy of his grandparents, Alejandro and Rosa Borquez, who founded El Cholo in 1923. But long before becoming a restaurateur, Ron’s journey began much more modestly.
As a boy growing up in Los Angeles, Ron delivered newspapers for the LA Times, cleaned the bar at Randini’s Steakhouse, and washed dishes after school at the original El Cholo. He spent part of his childhood living in a trailer park in Newport Beach, where he first developed the work ethic that would carry him through life.
Ron’s education started at Carthay Circle for kindergarten, followed by elementary schools at 54th Street, California Military Academy, 42nd Street, and Wilton Place. He attended John Burroughs Junior High and graduated from Los Angeles High School. He later earned a degree from Brigham Young University and even took a summer class at USC, joking that he “learned all he needed” in just that one session.
Ron officially joined the family business as a teenager, and over the decades helped grow it into Restaurant Business Inc., now operating seven El Cholo locations across California and Utah, as well as The Cannery Seafood of the Pacific, Louie’s by the Bay in Newport Beach, and Il Gatto in La Habra. He’s the author of two books: Out of Right Field and What They Don’t Teach You at the CIA.
A lifelong learner and adventurer, Ron once traveled the length of the Trans-Siberian Railroad and remains passionate about discovering more of the world and its people. He’s just as committed to helping others grow: his restaurants have long supported employees through paid reading programs, educational scholarships, and life-goal grants.
At the heart of it all is Ron’s family. He is the proud father of seven children — Allison, Rand, Kevin, Blair, Creed, Eryn, and Brendon — each of whom has shaped his life in unique and meaningful ways. He has been married to Darlene for 39 years, and their partnership has been a constant source of strength and joy in his later chapters.
For Ron, success has never been about the spotlight, but about staying curious, staying humble, and showing up every day to do the work. Nearly a century in, he’s still doing just that.
Philanthropies
  • $1 million combined for CHOC/CHLA
  • Regular donations to:
  • Laura’s House
  • Local Elementary and High Schools
  • Anaheim Ducks Organization
  • Basset Hound Rescue
  • Mr. Irrelevant
  • CHP 11-99 Foundation

Newport Beach Business Person of the Year Recipients

2024 – Kevin Martin – Kory Kramer – Rick Weiner – Todd Pickup – Joe Moody

2023 – Robert D. Olson

2022 – Mario Marovic

2019 – Jim Walker