Hope's contributions to the area in which she was born and raised began when she founded the Los Gatos Coffee Roasting Company in 1982. The coffeehouse has since become one of the most popular businesses on Main Street. Add to that her work over the past two decades through the Town of Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce, arts commission and other committees in town and it's little wonder that the Chamber has chosen to honor Hope with its first business/professional person of the year award.

"I suppose I've always been a multi-tasker. I always have the sense that I'm not doing enough," Hope said.

In making its decision, the Chamber considered whether a nominee exemplified the virtues of a community leader and respected businessperson.

"We had good choices, but Teri really personified what we were looking for," said Ronee Nassi, executive director for the Chamber. "Teri's a business role model as well as a woman role model."

Hope agrees that she aims to serve as an example to others. "I'm conscious at this stage how much other women appreciate having role models," she said.

In addition to her two terms on the Chamber's board of directors, Hope has been involved with the Los Gatos Downtown Association, the town's business improvement district and banner design working group and the Teen and Family Counseling Center.

Through such work, Hope started the holiday carriage rides program and was a facilitator for the farmer's market. Hope is also known for her support of Los Gatos schools and the Los Gatos Museum Association.

As current chair of the arts commission, Hope introduced the new Jazz in the Plazz series, with Wednesday concerts to be held at the town plaza, beginning July 30.

The series was born out of adversity—when the arts commission recommended that the town permanently relocate the concert series to the civic center.

With Hope's altruistic spirit, her desire to help people extends outside the Los Gatos community. Most notably, she started the Specialty Coffee Association of America, which began with 10 people in 1982 and has since grown to include 10,000 people from all over the world.

With all her responsibilities, Hope's work frequently takes her away from home. But that's not a problem, said husband and former Los Gatos mayor Jan Hutchins, adding that he's proud his wife has plans and goals of her own.

"I'm happy she's got things that she wants to do," Hutchins said.

"It's such a sweet, sweet honor, considering who she is and what she's done," he said about the business person of the year award.

Though Hope will be honored at a special Chamber mixer at the Los Gatos Opera House, receiving recognition was not her motivation for taking on additional tasks all these years. Considering the various committees she sits on, Hope estimates that she works an extra 30 hours per week outside of running her coffeehouse.

"I feel very indebted to the community that's supported me," Hope said. "When you're patronized by your neighbor, there's a very strong sense of wanting to reciprocate."

The July 24 Chamber mixer starts at 5:30 p.m., with the award ceremony beginning at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $10 for members and $15 for nonmembers. For more information, call 408.354.9300.