Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Congratulations Volunteers!
OFFICERS
AFTER THE “TENT CITY” IS RAZED and a slightly faded and tattered chair of the board ERIC HOWARD • Bruce’s Tire, Inc. park emerges, there are many Past chairman impressions from the Garlic Festival KATHERINE FILICE • Articulate Solutins that remain with me. Sometimes it’s chairman of the board-ElecT the smiles of willing workers or a ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn kind word or a “what can I do to Secretary/Treasurer DAVID MATUSZAK, Ed.D. help.” At Christmas Hill Park or in the • Santa Clara County R.O.P. Boardroom, Gilroy volunteers never Vc OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT cease to impress and amaze me. JAN PEAT • McDonald’s of Gilroy According to Webster, a volunteer Vc public affairs is “a person who chooses freely to KRISTINA CHAVEZ WYATT • Farmhouse Communications do something.” Perhaps Mr. Webster Vc business programs & Services should expand his definition DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery to include the Gilroy volunteer. Vc MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Chamber of Commerce volunteers JULIE ALTER • Recology South Valley alone accounted for over 350 BOARD OF DIRECTORS individuals who choose to give of BRIGITTE NICHOLLS their personal and professional time • Santa Barbara Bank & Trust CHAR MARRAZZO • Ellington Financial LLC LISA CASSARA • Coldwell Banker GREG GIUSIANA • Retired Police Chief GREG GALLUP • Cintas Corporation
CHAMBER STAFF Susan Valenta • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Rosie Vogel • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Business Relationship Manager
WELCOME CENTER STAFF
Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Coordinator Tracy Romero • Retail Service Coordinator
EDC STAFF
Tammy Brownlow • President/CEO Kris Mangano • Administrative Assistant
FOCUS PRODUCTION STAFF
EDITOR • Susan Valenta, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: www.gilroy.org e-mail: chamber@gilroy.org phone: (408) 842-6437
so that others may benefit. The many booth operators, managers, set-up and takedown crews, organizers, and others contribute over 2,000 hours to help fund many of the programs and services provided by the Chamber. But it doesn’t end there. Chamber volunteers work throughout the year to provide services for the Gilroy community. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, committee members, Ambassadors, and other many member volunteers give countless hours of time for programs and services such as the Breakfast Club, Network Café, Government Relations Committee, ribbon cuttings,
downtown development, the Gilroy Welcome Center, GILPAC, Finance Committee, and on and on. Beyond these volunteers are the Chamber staff members who give of their own time to volunteer for events and efforts outside normal work efforts. I am truly honored to represent an organization of such dedicated volunteers and am very proud to congratulate each one of you for your selfless efforts and accomplishments. ERIC HOWARD
2012 Chair of the Board Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
A salute to business THIS MONTH IN THE FOCUS we are featuring Olam International in our Faces of Gilroy Business column. Our goal with these articles is to introduce our community to the expansive business development in Gilroy and the people behind the scenes who make these businesses a success. Whether it is a small or large business, owners provide valuable jobs, make capital investments, and generously give of their time and resources. Olam International is a fascinating story and drives home how our world is flat. Products dehydrated in the Gilroy plant will make their way to the other side of the world. The expanse of their commodities means that we probably connect with that supply chain daily with our food, clothing, and other products.
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And, with their dehydrated onions in 2 billion hamburgers a year, the odds are high that the onion was processed in Gilroy.
… and the people behind the scenes who make these businesses a success. Another favorite feature of mine is the What’s New With Chamber Business column. Our local businesses shine with the welldeserved recognition and awards. As an example, Greenstreak Landscaping recently received two regional awards and one state award from the California Landscape Contractors Association. Many
more accomplishments are noted in this column, and it underscores why we are so excited about business in Gilroy. If you can’t find products or services locally, give us a call at 408.842.6437, and we will connect you. Our online directory at www.gilroy.org is open 24/7 will not only provide contact information, it has a Google map so you can find easily find them. It just makes cents to shop local. Remember, one penny from every dollar goes to Gilroy and that adds up to over $10 million per year for your community!
SUSAN VALENTA President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
Gilroy Business Focus I August 2012
What’s new with Chamber Businesses! California Dream after being awarded top honors at three major wine competitions in the Golden State—the California State Fair Wine competition; Orange County Commercial Wine Competition and San Francisco International Wine Competition. Award winning wines are the 2011 Fiano, Estate and the 2009 Zinfandel, Estate. Solis Winery’s handcrafted wines are not mass produced or distributed and can only be purchased at local restaurants, selected retailers, specialty shops or directly through the tasting room located at 3920 Hecker Pass in Gilroy. To learn more visit www.soliswinery.com.
Fortino Winery, a family-run boutique winery based in Gilroy has announced that they received eleven awards combined from San Francisco Wine Chronicle competition, San Diego International Wine Competition, Los Angeles Wine & Spirits Competition and the Orange County Commercial Wine Competition. Award-winning wines include their 2008 Estate-grown Cabernet Sauvignon, 2008 Estategrown Charbono and Pomegranate Fruit Wine; 2009 Carignan and their signature Maribella. Fortino Wines are available at selected retailers and restaurants, in addition to the Winery’s Tasting Room, and their popular Wine Club. The Tasting Room is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10am-5pm; Sunday 11am-5pm. Call 408.842.3305 or visit www.fortinowinery.com.
BAM Smart, Fast, Nutrition,
Greenstreak Landscaping of
Solis Winery is living the
has part-time and full-time positions available for people with a great attitude, who can work independently, are self-motivated and enjoy a team environment. No experience required as complete training is provided; flexible schedules are available, and you can work from anywhere! You’ll learn to do scheduling; conduct weekly wellness evaluations and interviews; train clients and track your clients’ results. Schedule your interview at www.PTihealth.com.
The Gilroy Grocery Outlet, 333 East 10th Street, is proud to announce that they were able to help feed people facing hunger in Gilroy again this year through the Independence from Hunger campaign. This month-long event in July brings together the Grocery Outlet and their customers to feed people dealing with food insecurity. They partner with St. Joseph Family Center, and Gilroy Grocery Outlet owners, Janice and Gilbert Angkiangco, say they are committed to supporting their neighbors in need. To learn more about this thirdgeneration, family-led company visit www.groceryoutlet.com. August 2012 I Gilroy Business Focus
Gilroy has had another awardwinning year. Lead by owner Pete Gluhaich, they received two regional awards and one state award from the California Landscape Contractors Association. Pete has been a landscape contractor for more than 25 years, and the company has won a total of 58 CLCA Awards over 20 consecutive years. Their awards this year were Outstanding Achievement in Medium Residential Installation; first place, Beautification Awards for Large Residential Installation and First Place Beautification Award Small Residential Maintenance. You can contact them at 408.848.8446 or visit them at www.greenstreakls.com. Congratulations to Mike & Jasmina Patel, owners of the Best Western PLUS Forest Park Inn for receiving the TripAdvisor
Certificate of Excellence award. This accolade honors hospitality excellence and is given only to establishments that consistently achieve outstanding traveler reviews on TripAdvisor. To experience this award winning service, call them at 408.848.5144 or visit them at www.bwforestparkinn@sbcglobal.net.
Scentsy Wickless Candles make
great gifts for the young adults going off to college. Most colleges do not allow candles in their dorm rooms; therefore, wickless candles make the best sense and the best gifts. There are many college campus warmers as well, including Arizona State, Cal, San Diego State, Stanford and UCLA. For a catalog or more information on the warmers and scents, contact Marsha Becht at 408.842.0383 or visit www.marshabecht.scentsy.us/.
Phil Fortino has been appointed V.P. and Business Banking Officer for Rabobank N.A., in Gilroy. He will be responsible for fostering new business relationships with smallto-medium sized companies and providing solutions to meet the banking needs of customers in Gilroy, Hollister and the surrounding area. Receive personalized service by contacting them at 408.847.3133 www.rabobankamerica.com or stop by 761 First Street in Gilroy. The Gilroy AAA office will be changing hours effective Monday, August 6, 2012. New hours will be 8:30am-5:30pm, Monday through Friday; closed on Saturday and Sunday, but they can meet with customers on Saturday by appointment. Their Summer Road-trip Checkup event will be at the AAA office, 1395 First Street on Friday August 3 from 1pm-4pm. You will be able to meet reps from Hertz Local Edition; Marx Towing and other local businesses. They will be serving hot dogs, chips and drinks and the event is open to the public. Call AAA at 408.847.9250 for more information.
Pure Water Bottling Company
achieved the State of California’s Small Business Environmental Climate Leader Award. They are the 1st and only bottled water-company in Monterey County to achieve this prestigious award by the California Air Resources Board presented by State Assemblyman Bill Monning. They also have recently become one of only 16 small businesses in the state to be awarded the State of California’s Cool California Climate Leader Award. To start your water or coffee service, give them a call at 831.236.8820 or visit www.purewaterbottlign.com. Jim and Debbie Hoey, owners of The Barn at Hoey Ranch, have been busy expanding their “vintage garden” with lots of great new plants, garden art and furniture. They have become super pickers always looking for something special—in fact if you have been looking for a specific gift or item, let them know and they will find it. For more information call 408.309.1179. The Barn’s hours are Friday-Sunday, 11am-5pm or by appointment. Stop by, 2480 Hecker Pass Highway. Chili’s Gilroy is hosting their 3rd Annual Charity Golf Tournament for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Monday September 10, at Coyote Creek Golf Course. Pricing is $120 per person or $475 per team. This year the Hole in One prize is a brand new BMW 328i and there will be a great silent auction, contests and prizes. Sponsorship opportunities are available! Call Chili’s Gilroy 408.842.4000 or visit them at 850 Renz Lane, Mon.-Thur. 11am-10:30pm, Fri. & Sat. 11am-11pm and Sunday 11am-10pm for more information.
SUE THURMAN
Business Relationship Manager, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
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