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Mary Jean Anderson Honored by Irish Congress

Mar 10, 2020

For Release: 10 March 2020

Irish Congress of Southern California Names

Mary Jean Anderson ‘2020 San Diego Woman of the Year’

Celebration Part Of 40th Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Saturday, March 14

San Diego, CA – The Irish Congress of Southern California, producers of the Annual San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade, named Mary Jean Anderson, president of Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air as the ‘2020 San Diego Woman of the Year’.

According to Scott Dodge, Past President of the Irish Congress, “Our Parade theme this year is the ‘Irish Building America’ and we are honoring people of Irish descent who are in the building and construction trades. Mary Jean Anderson has an amazing story of building a small business into a major enterprise in San Diego and doing it while being a woman in a traditionally male business. We admire her energy and all of her efforts to give back and support community causes. We are proud to be able to honor her as our San Diego Woman of the Year.”

Also being honored are: Executive Grand Marshal, Pat Cahill, Irish Congress; Grand Marshal, Pete Daly, Daly Construction; Irish Man of Year, Pat McIntyre, City Building Inspector and Carpenter; Irish Woman of the Year, Suzanne Dodge, Irish Congress; San Diego Man of the Year, Dan Sullivan, Sullivan Solar Power; Organization of the Year, Shannon McKnight and McKnight Welding/Dublin Mob Choppers; Organization of the Year, John McMahon and McMahon Steel Company.

“This is truly an honor that speaks to my heart. Having grown up in an Italian immigrant family who worked as tuna boat fishermen here in San Diego, I recently found out I’m 22% Irish! That explains why Italy and Ireland are my two favorite places to visit, but most of all both cultures are known for their hard work and commitment to family here in America. I am truly grateful to the Irish Congress for this recognition,” said Mary Jean Anderson.

The Irish Congress will celebrate all of the honorees on Saturday, March 14 starting with the Dignitary Breakfast. Then each of the Honorees will ride in the San Diego St. Patrick’s Day Parade (the largest St. Pat’s Parade west of the Mississippi) starting at 10:30 am at 5th Avenue and Laurel Street. There will be over 120 Parade Entries followed by an Irish Festival that will have live entertainment on three stages.

Founded in 1978, Anderson Plumbing, Heating & Air is ranked among the Top 1% of plumbing, heating and air conditioning businesses in the country. Grounded in the promise that “Nobody wows clients like we do!”, the San Diego plumbing company has grown to more than 200 employees.

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