Suzanne Guldiman, Andy Lyon, and Nick Shergott recognized for outstanding contributions to parks, recreation, and youth programs, celebrating volunteerism and civic spirit in memory of Deputy Jake Kuredjian
On Sept. 8, the Malibu City Council meeting was filled with pride and gratitude as the Parks and Recreation Commission presented the 2025 Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Awards to three exceptional Malibu residents: Suzanne Guldiman, Andy Lyon, and Nick Shergott. The annual award, named in memory of Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Deputy Hagop “Jake” Kuredjian, honors individuals who dedicate their time, energy, and resources to enhancing the quality of life in Malibu through parks and recreation initiatives. Judy Villablanca, chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission, led the heartfelt ceremony, celebrating the recipients’ contributions to the community.
The Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award was established to commemorate Kuredjian, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty. The award recognizes those who embody his spirit of service by improving Malibu’s parks, recreational programs, and community spaces. This year’s recipients were lauded for their tireless efforts in environmental stewardship, youth sports, and recreational development, leaving a lasting impact on the city’s landscape and spirit.
Suzanne Guldiman: A champion for Malibu’s natural beauty
Suzanne Guldiman, a lifelong resident of Point Dume, was the first to be honored. Her seven-year tenure on the Malibu Parks and Recreation Commission (2017–2024) was marked by significant contributions to the city’s recreational and environmental initiatives. Guldiman played a pivotal role in the development of both the temporary and permanent skate parks, advocated for shade structures at Malibu Bluffs Park, and supported the installation of wildlife cameras to showcase the region’s biodiversity. Her efforts in the restoration and planning of Charmlee Wilderness Park were particularly noteworthy, drawing on her deep knowledge of native habitats and protected lands.
Beyond her commission work, Guldiman is an accomplished author and photographer whose books preserve Malibu’s history and capture its natural beauty. Accepting the award, she paid tribute to her late father, John Guldiman, a lifelong advocate for community involvement. “My dad was a great believer in not just living in a community, but participating and volunteering and making a difference,” she said, dedicating her award to his memory.
Andy Lyon: A voice for Malibu’s skateboarding community
Next, Andy Lyon was recognized for his decades-long advocacy for Malibu’s skateboarding community. Lyon’s persistent efforts were instrumental in the development of the city’s permanent skate park, a long-awaited project that will soon serve skaters of all skill levels. His regular attendance at City Council meetings and ability to rally support from residents of all ages ensured that the skate park’s design incorporated both beginner and intermediate elements, making it accessible and inclusive.
However, Lyon’s acceptance speech struck a bittersweet note. He expressed frustration over the recent demolition of the temporary skate park, which he described as a “huge failure” by the city. Lyon highlighted the wastefulness of discarding reusable materials, such as pressure-treated wood, and criticized the lack of transparency in the bidding process for the permanent skate park. “It’s super bad timing for me,” he said, noting the irony of receiving an award on the same day the temporary skate park was destroyed. Despite his concerns, Lyon emphasized the joy the temporary park brought to the community, particularly to his son, and vowed to continue advocating for Malibu’s recreational spaces.
Villablanca acknowledged Lyon’s concerns, expressing hope that the community would come together to celebrate the opening of the permanent skate park. “We certainly are not a perfect community,” she said, “but I think it’s going to be a great facility for our community. I’m very excited to have it.”
Nick Shergott: A leader in youth sports
The final award was presented to Nick Shergott, a steadfast supporter of Malibu’s youth sports programs. Shergott’s decade-long volunteer work with the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) and his leadership as president of Malibu Little League have left an indelible mark on the community. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Shergott guided Malibu Little League through unprecedented challenges, implementing safety protocols that allowed children to safely return to the field in 2021.
Shergott’s contributions extend beyond organizational leadership. He spearheaded efforts to upgrade the baseball fields at Malibu Bluffs Park, including improvements to dugouts, field maintenance, and plans for a new snack shack. His fundraising initiatives have laid the groundwork for future enhancements to the park. In a personal note, a fellow commissioner shared that Shergott continued to serve as Little League president for two years after his own children had aged out of the program, a testament to his selfless dedication. “It took two of us to replace one of him,” the commissioner said, crediting Shergott with inspiring their own community involvement.
Accepting the award, Shergott expressed gratitude to the City Council and the community. “Thank you guys all for showing up and waiting. I appreciate it. It means a lot to me,” he said, acknowledging the community support, councilmembers, and the Parks and Recreation Commission.
A Legacy of Service: Past Jake Kuredjian Award Recipients
The 2025 recipients join a distinguished group of Malibu residents who have been honored with the Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Award for their contributions to the community. Past recipients include:
- 2024: Shari Latta and Poison Free Malibu
- 2023: Sara Wan
- 2022: Richard Lawson and Judy Villablanca
- 2021: Sandy Banducci and Rob LeMond
- 2020: John Bell and Ellen Reich
- 2019: Kasey Earnest and Steve Hotchkiss
- 2018: Mike Mulligan and Justine Petretti
- 2017: Bob Stallings
- 2015: Joan House
- 2014: Steve Ciniglio
- 2013: Michael Zweig
- 2012: Dermot Stoker
- 2008: John Paola
- 2007: Bruce Young, Mike Doyle, James Whalen, and Steve Rodriguez
- 2005: Tim Biglow, Danny Klein, and Nick Tidy
- 2004: Jack “Papa Jack” Schultz
- 2002: Doug O’Brien, Joel Castro, Jill & Harold Smith, Maud Ann Sunderland, and Ron Bloomfield
The Jake Kuredjian Citizenship Awards ceremony underscored the importance of volunteerism in Malibu, Mayor Marianne Riggins closed the presentation with words of appreciation, stating, “It’s a great honor when this award is given because it really represents the community spirit. People stepping up, stepping in, and we just appreciate all the volunteers that help make our community great, especially in these areas.”