Progress March 2015

March 2015 Vol. 36 Issue 3 modchamber.org

Stanislaus Reads!

Thinking about Tomorrow

Lemonade Day

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CONTENTS MARCH 2015 LEADERSHIP

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Mission Statement

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving the greater Modesto Area, regional businesses and community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, economic development, connectivity and business education.

The Chamber’s Mission: Thinking about tomorrow

EDUCATION

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Executive Committee

School Readiness & Stanislaus Reads!

Chairman David Gianelli, Gianelli & Associates

COVER STORY

Chairman-Elect Eric Tobias, F&M Bank

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Past Chairman Ralph Curtis, Curtis Legal Group

EDITORIAL

Vice Chairman, Internal Operations Patricia Gillum, Patricia Gillum, CPA

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Vice Chairman, External Operations Brad Hawn, CHG Vice Chair, Marketing & Events Laura Ward, Ward Promotional Marketing Solutions

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Graphic Design: Never Boring (209) 526-9136 • www.neverboring.com

Guest Column: Modesto Gospel Mission

ASK THE EXPERTS

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Insurance Experts

Message from the CEO

Advisors Keith Boggs, Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office George Boodrookas, Modesto Junior College David Boring, Never Boring Tiffani Burns, Modesto City Schools Kristopher Helton, Leadership Modesto Jim Holgersson, City of Modesto David White, The Alliance Melissa Williams, Modesto Irrigation District Carlos Yamzon, StanCOG

Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce (209) 577-5757 • Progress@ModChamber.org www.

ModChamber.org

Members Don’t Stop Believing At the 101 st Chamber Gala

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Directors Jeff Burda, Wells Fargo Mid-Valley Commercial Banking Mike Garcia, Oak Valley Community Bank David Gingerich, TD Gingerich Insurance Solutions, Inc. Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center Craig Lewis, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Stephen Madison, STANCO Virginia Madueño, Imagen Public Relations Nate Miller, Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc. Tom Nielsen, Beard Land and Investment Co. Peggy O’Donnell, Mid-Valley Promotion Steven Rank, Rank Investigations and Protection, Inc. Kole Siefken, DoubleTree Hotel Lucy Virgen, Bank of the West Jeremiah Williams, Oak Crafts by Jeremiah

Cecil Russell, President/CEO Modesto Chamber of Commerce CRussell@ModChamber.org

Award- Winners Shine

CECIL RUSSELL CHAMBER PRESIDENT AND CEO

Our 101st Annual Gala & Member Choice Awards was a huge success. This issue of Progress Magazine will be all about this extraordinary event. You will find articles about some of the nominees as well as some of the award winners, written to remind us why these individuals and businesses deserved to be recognized. A special thank you to all of our sponsors, contributors, restaurants, the committee, staff, and of course all of you who came and made this event, once again, the event of the year! This month I have shortened my article to highlight the address that our Chairman of the Board, David Gianelli, gave at the event. His enthusiasm for our city, the businesses and economic development are portrayed perfectly. P

Printer: The Parks Group (209) 576-2568 • mike@parksprinting.com Distribution: The Parks Group (209) 576-2568 Advertising Sales: Kristin Bowker Never Boring (209) 526-9136 • progress@neverboring.com © Copyright 2015 Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

Some parts of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted, however, we require that permission be obtained in writing.

(209) 577-5757, Progress@ModChamber.org

PROGRESS MAGAZINE 1114 J Street • Modesto, CA 95354 (209) 577-5757 • Fax (209) 577-2673 www.ModChamber.org Progress@ModChamber.org

MARCH 2015

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PUBLI C A DVO CACY

THE CHAMBER’S MISSION: THINKING ABOUT TOMORROW

By David Gianell, Gianelli & Associates

DAVID GIANELLI CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

In 2014, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce developed a new Mission; to serve the greater Modesto Area and its businesses and build community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, economic development, connectivity and business education. My goal today is to impress upon you the important ways that the Chamber is working towards its mission, fulfilling its vision and thinking about tomorrow.

{ C ONNE CTIV ITY }

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stakeholder in the city whose interests should be heavily weighed in decisions that are made.

Advocacy does not mean that the Chamber pounds the table or becomes a thorn in the sides of our local officials; although it is sometime perceived that way. Primarily, advocacy is the development of relationships with others who deeply care about our community, including our elected officials, our City Manager, our County CEO and many others who play roles in government and in other community organizations.

Government listens when we talk because we work hard to build trusting relationships, we share a common set of values, and we care deeply about our future.

{ A C C ESS T O LEA DERSH I P }

The Chamber provides opportunities for you and your business leaders to connect. Opportunities for face to face introductions are becoming more and more important. While technology has provided more ways to communicate, it also isolates and keeps many people from developing the relationships that they need to be successful in the future. The Chamber’s Business Before Hours, Business After Hours and Showcase your Business events give our members the opportunity to shake hands, exchange business cards, exchange ideas and build lasting business and personal relationships. They also give our members important and valuable opportunities to market their businesses and inform the business community of the good things that their businesses do.

These relationships not only make the Chamber an advocate for business in general, but also an advocate for your individual business when it is needed. Part of our mission is to provide our members with access to leadership. Through these relationships and through our Government Relations Committee, access has been and will continue to be created.

There are many examples of where this access has helped individual businesses. This access is enhanced when you get involved with the Chamber. We encourage our members to join our committees, to let their voices be heard, but to mostly join us in developing the relationships with community leaders that will help them and their community.

The Chamber also provides other ways to market your business. The Chamber Directory is the go to source for many newcomers trying to decide what businesses to frequent. The award winning Progress Magazine provides opportunities for businesses to advertise or contribute promotional articles, and support your Chamber and the community at the same time.

Progress provides important information about the community and the work that the Chamber is doing in the community. It is an important publication that I encourage all of you to read.

Not only does the Chamber provide access to leaders, the Chamber helps to develop the leaders of tomorrow. Through Leadership Modesto, our future business and community leaders learn about our community and the importance of getting involved in the community. But the most important aspect of LEMO is the relationships that LEMO class members forge with each other. These relationships help build bridges, help business and help our community. LEMO looks to tomorrow.

{ ADV OCACY }

{ BUSINESS EDUC AT ION }

The Chamber mission statement also includes advocacy. The Chamber plays an extremely important role in advocating for the business community. Through its advocacy the Chamber is always striving to build a better business climate for tomorrow.

The Chamber is the strongest community voice for business and often the only voice presenting the business perspective at the table. Just its presence - and the Chamber is present - at government meetings serves as a reminder to our elected officials that the business community is an important

Through Chamber University and in partnership the Chamber sponsors or co-sponsors educational sessions on HR issues, ADA, accounting, business formation, and other important issues concerning local business. The Chamber also provides education on community issues through the State of the Region and State of Business and Education events. The Chamber’s Green Team provides education relating to energy efficiency, helping our members to save on utility costs and at the same time improve our environment. The Green Team can certify your business as “Green” – a marketing tool that has proved very valuable for many businesses in our community.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

{ E C O N OMIC D E V E LOPME NT } Our mission includes economic development.

The Chamber’s goal is the improvement of the Overall Business Environment. The Chamber will continue to focus on jobs – that is, finding ways to reduce the double digit unemployment and underemployment in our community and increasing the number of jobs that pay living wages. We will work closely with the Alliance to seek to provide opportunities for our local businesses to grow. We will continue to work closely with the LCR, the Alliance and other organizations to help to improve the jobs climate in our community.

Our mission includes economic development. The Chamber’s goal is the improvement of the Overall Business Environment.

The Chamber will continue to focus on jobs – that is, finding ways to reduce the double digit unemployment and underemployment in our community and increasing the number of jobs that pay living wages. We will work closely with our partners to seek to provide opportunities for our local businesses to grow.

We will continue to work with our partners to promote our community, and continue our efforts to provide additional sites along major transportation corridors where new core industry can locate and existing core industry can expand without having to go through costly and lengthy approval processes.

MONEY

IN YOUR POCKET American AgCredit members earned $39 million in cash dividends for 2014, for a total of more than $250 million since 2006.

We will support the efforts to get the ACE Train to Modesto.

The ACE Train will reduce commute times, improve our air quality and our quality of life. We will be able to take ACE to the 49er games - however, some of their off-season moves do not seem to be helping market this endeavor.

We will continue to work with our community partners to make sure our work force is ready to be employed. We have high unemployment, yet many of our manufacturers cannot find workers within the area that are qualified for the jobs they seek. This is unacceptable. This is why the Chamber is active with SPIE and supported the formation of the Boys & Girls Club. IF we want to reduce crime, IF we want to reduce gang membership, IF we want to increase graduation rates, IF we want to improve the image of our community and provide a long term solution to our community’s problems, we better focus on our children. I can think of nothing more powerful in improving the image of our community than going from 70 percent graduation rate to a 90 percent graduation rate, reducing meth use, auto theft, gang membership, and violent and petty crime by similar rates. SPIE and the BGC WILL provide our children with HOPE. We had darn well better deliver in providing our children with OPPORTUNITY and in helping them get prepared to enter the working world.

Call 800.800.4865 today or visit AgLoan.com A part of the Farm Credit System. Equal Opportunity Lender.

MARCH 2015 AAC_ModestoChamber_Dividend_3.75x10.25_4c.indd 1

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»Co n t i nua t i on f rom p g 5

The Chamber will continue to be the voice for business on issues relating to water. Very often we are the only voice for business at the table on this very important issue. We want your opinions and your feedback on water issues as they develop, and we will be at the table to support the agricultural interests that are the backbone of our local economy.

{ C O LLABOR ATION } Finally, the Chamber’s mission includes collaboration. I want to end with a very important collaboration that the Chamber is involved with that is critical to the future economic development of our community – The Downtown Modesto Partnership.

We’ve been working hard to bring together a diverse group of concerned citizens and organizations to deal with the issues that impact downtown and to better coordinate and support efforts aimed at bettering the downtown. Current participants include representatives from the city, county, DID, CVB, the faith based community and arts and entertainment community, the Alliance, the Chamber and, of course, downtown business owners. The DMP provides vision, support, funding and accountability for four separate committees around the following general areas: Economic Development, Urban Design, Marketing and Promotion, and Operations.

I would like to share that vision. It consists of three parts: Downtown Modesto is a safe, inviting and beautiful place that inspires a powerful sense of community pride.

Downtown Modesto is a vibrant destination for community connection, with world-class cuisine, arts and entertainment – indisputably the place to be.

Downtown Modesto is bursting with business growth and new development; the place for shopping, upscale urban living and innovative enterprise.

Downtown is what most visitors see when they first enter our community. It is our city’s living room - the central hub of business, government and culture. When people visit the Gallo Center or the Doubletree, government offices or businesses that are located downtown, we want them to be impressed with the environment that embodies the spirit of who we are as a community. We have a long way to go, but the Downtown Modesto Partnership is a big step in the right direction.

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

As we look around our country, we are finding that businesses are returning to downtown. That people, more and more, are moving downtown. Why is this happening? Why do we need this to happen here? People are realizing that many good ideas come from interacting with others. Those interactions happen in downtowns - the living rooms of cities. Ideas are shared. Business cards are exchanged. Important professional and business relationships are forged. Our downtown needs to be developed to encourage this. Out of these interactions, innovations happen. Entrepreneurs are born. And economies boom. For our community to be economically successful, we need to be on the vanguard of coming economic trends. We need to get in front of the wave that is coming, rather than paddle behind the wave that has already past.

We cannot and should not depend on government to fix our problems. These are our community’s problems. When we say “THEY should do something about the problems,” the THEY is US. This attitude that government should solve our problems has resulted in a disconnect between people and their communities. Instead, we need to view government as a partner or facilitator for the resolution of issues we ALL face. As we get involved, we also develop a strong sense of community and involvement that is sorely lacking in our society.

Collaborative partnerships like the Downtown Partnership bring diverse people and organizations together as a strong force to deal with our problems. It goes slow, as one might imagine an organization of diverse people and organizations would go, but it does go forward. And when it takes a step, it is powerful. It spans across platforms and breaks down silos. It encourages us to take ownership and responsibility for what we have. How is the DMP breaking those silos down? How do we forge these partnerships? By focusing on core values that span all of these organizations: A desire to see a VIBRANT and PROSPEROUS community. By doing this we can move MOUNTAINS! There is hope for tomorrow thanks to the determination of leaders in all of these silos, including your Chamber, coming together to forge powerful connections toward common goals. Your Chamber wants to see more of this in our community and will do its utmost to support such efforts. We will not stop thinking about tomorrow. We will not stop working for a better future for Modesto. P

EDUC A TI ON

SCHOOL READINESS & STANISLAUS READS!

By Karen Pekarcik, Head Start Services Director Stanislaus County Off ice of Education & Central California Migrant Head Start Services Stanislaus County is joining the National Campaign for Grade Level Reading. Known locally as Stanislaus READS!, the initiative is a movement to increase children’s ability to read at grade level by the end of third grade.

Third grade is the point where young children shift from learning to read to reading to learn. Unfortunately, many children in Stanislaus County, and KAREN PEKARCIK HEAD START the nation, fail to achieve this critical SERVICES DIRECTOR milestone. According to the Campaign’s national assessment data, two-thirds of fourth graders are not proficient readers and more than four out of every five low-income students are not reading at grade level by fourth grade.

Stanislaus County is home to over 50,000 children ages birth to five. For the county’s infants and toddlers whose desire to touch and play with everything in their world, their first day of school seems so far away. Families, busy with the day-today routines of caring for their children may sing “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star,” and count their babies fingers and toes without understanding that the attention, love and nurturing they show are exactly what children need from day-one to be ready for school.

While reading to a child and children having access to books are important steps toward grade level reading, being ready for school is much more than that. Since the 1990’s neuroscientists have been able to use functional MRIs to see brains in action. As a result, we now know that children’s relationship with nurturing and responsive parents and caregivers is the foundation for their future learning success. We also know what gets in the way of school readiness: neglect, hunger, poverty, avoidable and preventable illness, traumatic stress, parents’ or caregivers’ mental health challenges, substance abuse and more.

School Readiness is what happens to ensure children arrive at Kindergarten and later grades ready for success. During the first five to eight years, readiness includes activities and relationships that prepare them to be socially and emotionally able to participate in the groups and activities of a classroom.

They need adequate physical, dental and nutritional health.

To develop curiosity, they need opportunities to engage in experiments with their environment.

What looks like play to adults is often described as children’s “work.” The combination of these elements make a healthy approach to learning—now understood as “grit”—the sense of safety and resilience that support explorations, trials, failures and build on successes.

These set the required neural connections for memory building and higher brain activity promoting further learning.

School Readiness isn’t just about children.

Adults— parents, grandparents, foster parents, or caregivers—need to understand that relationship quality impacts a child’s social, health, learning and developmental needs. Since very young children develop and learn in the context of their relationship with adults who care for them, it is important that those adults are able to interpret young children’s cues and respond to their needs. Adults themselves may also need parenting and developmental education, and access to resources that ensure children’s physical, oral, nutritional and social-emotional health. When caring adults provide those things, children are most likely to grow up ready to learn.

In addition, school staff and services have to be adequate to quickly and effectively respond to the needs of the children arriving for care and learning. When schools, preschools and early care and education promote high quality and continuity between school and home, children get consistent care and learning support.

Stanislaus READS! is a collaboration of partners including Stanislaus Community Foundation, Stanislaus County Office of Education, school districts, libraries, and First 5 Stanislaus.

The campaign’s focus groups have identified children’s school readiness, attendance gaps and summer learning loss as focus areas to improve children’s readiness to learn and succeed in their education. Each area has champions, strengths and challenges. Information on Stanislaus READS! is available at www.stanislauscf.org/impact/initiatives or 209-576-1608. P

MARCH 2015

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{ CO VE R STO R Y }

Award - Winners Shine

By Alex Cantatore

I

t was a star-studded night at the Gallo Center for the Arts, honoring the best and brightest of Modesto.

For the 101st time – and in front of the largest crowd ever – the Modesto Chamber of Commerce celebrated its Annual Gala on January 31.

“I’m a volunteer,” Nash said. “I like to be behind the scenes.”

The evening was rife with socializing, delicious food from local eateries, and performances by local music legends like Kent Whitt & The Downbeats. But the highlight, as always, was the Member’s Choice Awards.

Or look at Johnny Garcia, of Garcia/Farmers Insurance, winner of the Ted Shields Welcome Team Member of the Year award. He attended more ribbon cuttings and grand openings than any other welcome team member, while bringing a potted plant to each new business.

It’s those fine men, women, and businesses that are “Thinking About Tomorrow,” as the Gala’s theme declared, driving Modesto forward into the new age.

Garcia thanked God for allowing him to open a business and be successful, before immediately turning his attention to the Chamber and its member businesses.

“It’s not just a night about awards,” said Chris Murphy, who served as master of ceremonies. “It’s about what this means to the future of our Modesto.”

“It’s because of you guys our economy is getting better,” Garcia said.

Ten awards were handed out, honoring those who are making a difference. And almost universally, the recipients acted almost embarrassed to be noticed for their hard work.

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Take Mike Nash of Mo-Cal Office Solutions, winner of the Vero Girolami Ambassador of the Year award. He was credited for chairing the Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s Oktoberfest event, and for serving as an Ambassador Team member in 2013 and 2014.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

In the Non-Profit of the Year award category, any of the 12 nominated agencies were worthy of recognition. But it was City Ministry Network, a nonprofit that brings together people, churches, and nonprofits to improve local neighborhoods, which took home the award; for more information on City Ministry Network, see page 19.

“Our community is a better place because of the work that is accomplished by our nominees,” said Maggie Mejia, who presented the award.

Even the award-winning businesses are working toward a better future. American Recycling Company, LLC, the Small Business of the Year, recycled 75,000 tons of material last year. The business works in the community and in schools to raise awareness about recycling, and drives the Chamber’s Stanislaus Green Team.

“Being green does not require radical change,” said David Gingerich, who presented the award. “It actually reduces the cost of doing business.”

American Recycling Company opened 30 days after the economy crashed, and has seen its business double every year since. Owner Brian Terrell, like so many others, redirected all credit to others.

“We learn from our customers,” Terrell said. “Because of our customers, we exist.”

Leadership Modesto Graduate of the Year Tera Chumley earned her award for spearheading the 2014 class project: raising awareness and funding for the Modesto Art Walk. She took initiative, drove the project, and continues to work on it to this day.

and women who make Doctor’s Medical Center great.

“We’re very proud of all the men and women who work here,” Kirk said. “A hospital is the ultimate team sport.”

A new, special award made its debut at this 101st annual Modesto Chamber of Commerce gala. The Champion of Free Enterprise award was given to Dick Monteith, a Stanislaus County Supervisor and former state legislator, for his ceaseless devotion to free enterprise.

“We believe there is no more deserving individual than our first recipient, Dick Monteith,” said award presenter Steve Madison. “He consistently fought the battle for free enterprise against any opposition.”

Monteith thanked the audience for supporting him throughout the years, allowing him to continue fighting for free enterprise – and for showing how free enterprise can help business and government alike. Before leaving the stage, he asked a “frivolous” request of the assembled crowd.

“I’m asking everyone of you to go out and become a dirty capitalist,” Monteith said. “God bless you.”

Before the night was done, there was one more award to be handed out: the Robert J. Cardoza Citizen of the Year award.

“I am both honored and humbled by this recognition,” Chumley said. “... It is such an honor to be recognized by such a stellar group of future leaders. The class of 13-14 truly is the best group ever.”

Carl Boyett, owner of Boyett Petroleum, earned the honor for his strong sense of civic responsibility and his ceaseless efforts to give back to the community.

The Distinguished Service Award went to Varni Brothers Corporation/ Seven-Up Bottling Company, a Modesto staple since 1933. The family-owned company has earned a reputation for generosity, quietly donating whenever it can.

In addition to owning/operating over 40 retail gas stations, including his flagship “Cruisers” brand, Boyett has served on the boards for the Gallo Center for the Arts, CSU Stanislaus Foundation, Modesto Symphony Orchestra, Stanislaus President’s Club, Modesto Sunrise Rotary, and Modesto Jaycees. Alongside his wife, Carole, Boyett founded the Make Dreams Real Endowment Fund to send children to camp.

Toni Varni, a third-generation member of the Varni family, recognized his dad, John Varni, for instilling his appreciation for Stanislaus County. He was just happy to be able to give back, he said.

“Thank you so much for this honor,” Tony Varni said.

This year’s Chamber Member of the Year was a business that has had an immense impact on the community – and will for decades to come. Doctor’s Medical Center is a place of exceptional healthcare, pioneering local advanced neonatal care, neurosurgery, and robotics, saving the lives of thousands of people.

“There is great healthcare that occurs here in Modesto,” said Warren Kirk, CEO of Doctor’s Medical Center.

The impact of Doctor’s Medical Center stretches far beyond the hospital’s walls, with thousands of employees taking home more than $250 million in payroll every year. The hospital drives the local economy, contributing $3.7 million in annual taxes alone.

Kirk said he accepted the award on behalf of his employees, the men

“Carole and I have tried to make Modesto a better place to live,” Boyett said.

It will take the efforts of these people, businesses, and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce to bring about a better tomorrow. They will work together to build relationships, market businesses, find solutions, and improve the community’s economic future.

“We will not stop thinking about tomorrow,” said Dave Gianelli, Chairman of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.

“We will not stop working for a better future for our community, Modesto.”

It’s that word, “community,” that resonates with Modesto Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Cecil Russell.

“We are so much more than a city,” Russell said.

“We are a community.” P MARCH 2015

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Mike Nash

VERA GIROLAMI AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR

Carl Boyett

ROBERT J. CARDOZA CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Tera Chumley

LEADERSHIP MODESTO GRADUATE OF THE YEAR

American Recycling Conpany,LLC SMALL BUSINESS OF THE YEAR

Johnny Garcia

TED SHIELDS WELCOME TEAM MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Doctors Medical Center CHAMBER MEMBER OF THE YEAR

Varni Family

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

Dick Monteith

CHAMPION OF FREE ENTERPRISE

City Ministry Network NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR

EDI TORI AL

MEMBERS DON’T STOP BELIEVING AT 101ST CHAMBER GALA; CHA M BE R INAUGURATES PRES TIG IO U S C HAM PIO N O F F REE EN TERPRIS E AWA R D

By Steve Madison, STANCO Over 600 gathered on January 31st at the Gallo Center for the Arts for the firsttick-over-a-century gathering of chamber faithful and supporters to honor members’ choices for outstanding achievements by businesses and individuals.

One of the most exciting awards for the evening was the first ever Champion of Free Enterprise Award given to Supervisor Dick Monteith. We expect this award to be an occasional and probably not an annual award, since it will recognize a current or former elected official who unwaveringly supports – or supported - free enterprise while serving in office.

Those attending were feted to a culinary tour of local restaurants and caterers at STEVE MADISON 12 stations interspersed across the upper BOARD DIRECTOR and lower lobby areas. Each of the food stations provided by chamber members featured a sampling of their best menu items and special local flavors along with a portion of home town hospitality. Some may argue the best was saved for last, as when audience members exited the award banquet three separate stations offered desert and coffee to provide fuel for a night of dancing to the live band in the lobby.

There is no more deserving individual than our first recipient of this award. In 1994 when most his age are retiring, Dick Monteith started a second career in politics after his first career in the private sector with agri-business.

Musical talent from the area helped add culture to the evening.

During the reception, Tim Allen played some great piano renditions of popular songs. Kent Whitt and the Downbeats, Modesto’s first rock band, regaled the audience with rock songs from Modesto’s past. The Modesto Super Group played the encore, alongside Gregori High’s Marching Band as they enthusiastically urged the crowd to “think about tomorrow.”

Kyle Barker and the Sensations closed out the evening with dessert and dancing.

The awards were presented in the regal Rogers Theater. The Savage Middle School Orchestra welcomed the audience. With a feel much like the Academy Awards, board members, previous award recipients and past chamber chairs paired-up to present the awards. Graphic displays, videos and images were flashed on a large overhead screen with each award. This, the enthusiasm and humor of emcee Chris Murphy and the live entertainment provided the audience the feeling that it was a truly special night.

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

He was elected to the State Senate that year in one of political upsets of the decade. Sen. Monteith served the maximum two terms in the State Senate, where he constantly and consistently fought the battle in California for free enterprise against its many enemies.

After his service in Sacramento, he ran to succeed Ray Simon on the County Board of Supervisors and has been re-elected two more times as the District 4 County Supervisor. Dick served as Chairman of the Board in 2011 and currently serves as ViceChairman.

On the Board of Supervisors, like in the State Senate, Dick doesn’t put his finger in the wind to test whether free enterprise is popular; you don’t have to go hat in hand to him negotiating or, let’s be honest, begging him to be pro-free enterprise. He just is - for free enterprise, and for prosperity, and for property rights, not just for special interests but for any person who wants to work hard and pursue a dream of self-improvement. P BJ’s • Cold House Vodka • Cold Stone • Commonwealth DoubleTree Hotel • E. & J. Gallo Winery • El Jardin Fuzio Universal Bistro • Galletto Ristorante • Greens on Tenth My Chef Restaurant & Catering

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important decisions you can make. Bad IT can cripple you, good IT will empower you. It’s very important that you choose an IT company that will help you achieve your technology goals. Simply put, every organization is unique and our services and solutions reflect that. If your organization needs friendly, knowledgeable, customer service focused IT consultants we are the company you are looking for! If we can help, we will, if we can’t, we will shake your hand and thank you for your time. We are IT professionals, we understand how it is. P

MODESTO GOSPEL MISSION SUPPOR TS OUR COMMUNITY

By Kevin Carroll, ExecutiveDirector On behalf of Modesto Gospel Mission, I would like to thank all of those who have supported the Gospel Mission over the years. Without the faithful partnership of the community we could not do our work and see such positive impact on the lives of those we serve. In 2014, your support helped us provide 60,000 safe nights of shelter and 145,000 meals. We saw 14 graduate from KEVIN CARROLL our New Life program. Our education EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR programs have seen many begin the process of securing their diploma or GED. Our employment programs have helped people to complete their resumes and start job searches. We continue to operate our medical clinic with faithful volunteer medical professionals and plan to expand in the future. We are sending our Community Care Crew to help clean our parks and rivers. Your financial support and volunteer service have helped make a huge difference in the lives of those that come to us for help. Since 1948 the Modesto Gospel Mission has been providing spiritual, physical and emotional support to the needy and destitute in our community. Following is just one of many success stories: Lori came to the mission with her son and fiancé, struggling with sobriety, finances and needing to find housing. The family was introduced to the Lord and stayed focused on finding a home to live in. Through our support, Lori was able to find a job to support her family, stay sober, find a place to live and also furnish their new home. Lori and her fiancé are now active members of a local church and are getting married on Valentine’s Day, 2015.

Current trends in segments of our community are disturbing and we are feeling the impact. First, we are seeing more homeless women and children needing services. Unfortunately, our women/children’s shelter has been regularly full and we have had to turn away at least 30 women with children each month for the last 10 months. We plan on expanding our capacity with the addition of a new facility to provide shelter for homeless women/children. We are also including intensive case management so we can offer more life changing programs.

Second, there is a growing number of children caught in this cycle of homelessness. We are focusing on the needs of these children; the innocent victims of homelessness. Our goal is to help avert the ravages of homelessness and provide stability. Recently we entered into collaborative partnerships with the Children’s Crisis Center and the Stanislaus Family Justice Center. Both of these agencies are helping us meet the needs of the many children we serve. I believe we can do more together than apart. We are thankful for their help and support.

As we move into 2015 I am excited about the spirit of collaboration in our community and how, together, we will be able to positively impact the issues of homelessness and give hope and assistance to those in need of refuge, recovery and restoration. P

16

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

C O M MU NI TY DEVELOP MENT

ANNOUNCEMENTS You’re Invited!

Launch Meeting Tuesday, March 17 3 to 4:30 p.m.

Martin G. Petersen Event Center 720 12th St. Modesto RSVP: Contact Amanda Hughes at 209. 576. 1608 ahughes@stanislauscf.org.

Kindly RSVP by March 13.

The First Tee of Central Valley teaches Life Skills, Healthy Habits and Golf Fundamentals to youth ages 5-17. Clinics are held at Modesto Municipal Golf Course and other area program facilities. Spring session starts March 23.

For more information, visit www.thefirstteecentralvalley.org or call Cathy Mendoza at 209-485-3915.

Your Benefits Plan...Your Way.

Join the Boys and Girls Club of Stanislaus County as we celebrate our youth and the impact of our Clubs on the community!

For more information or a Club Tour, contact us at (209) 416-3231.

422 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

bgcstan.org

SECURE YOUR LEGACY

Care for your estate planning needs.

Consider it... for the smallest of reasons.

GIANELLI - LAW . COM info @gianelli-law.com | (209) 521.6260 | 1014 16th St., Modesto MARCH 2015

17

meeting you where you are

Celebrating

50 Years!

Mobile

In Branch Left: Brian Dugo, PCA/Farmer | Right: Chad Van Houten, CPA

When business moves fast, trust the professionals at Grimbleby Coleman to keep you on course.

ATM

Web

Contact us today at 209-527-4220 or gccpas.net.

Personal & Business Banking the Way YOU Want It.

it’s the people behind the numbers.

Commercial Lenders and Stanislaus County Branch Managers pictured (from top): Roxanna Smith, Elisa Luna, Mike Petrucelli, Ron Davenport, Susan Quigley, Julie Alves, Patrick Burda, Peter Brown, Cathy Ghan, Teddi Lowry, Sylvia Orozco, Dianna Bettencourt, Mike Garcia, Lupe Rodriguez, and Susan Hartless.

You Define Service.

We Deliver It. Since 1965

bankbac.com

Member FDIC

Come home to Oak Valley and experience community banking at its best ~ the perfect blend of old-fashioned personal service and and technology-driven conveniences to meet your every need.

866.844.7500

ovcb.com

Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy

WORK IN

a series spotlighting some of our area’s most innovative and successful companies

CIT Y MINISTRY NETWORK: TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES

By Alex Cantatore It’s all about communication and connections,

building bridges for Jacobo, who’s been full time

says Rev. Marvin Jacobo, executive director of the

since Jan. 1, 2014; he met with 280 people in his

City Ministry Network.

first year.

SERVICE WHEN YOU NEED IT (Courtesy of Never Boring)

The faith-based non-profit, which took home

City Ministry Network’s flagship event, Catalyst,

the Nonprofit of the Year Award at the 101st

is held on the first Thursday of every month at

Modesto Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala,

CrossPoint Community Church. It starts at 7 a.m.

looks to empower neighborhoods by facilitating

and a notable speaker talks for 20 minutes or so. But the event is all about

conversations.

networking, with many excited “We want to bring people together. We want to bring them together to connect them,” explains Rev. Martin Jacobo, executive director of the City Ministry Network.

“If we just got to all

participants staying past the

know each other we

talking.

could build a great city to grow old in”

scheduled end time to keep

When business is booming, advertising is the last thing on your mind. But when times get tough, an aggressive ad campaign becomes the last thing you want to spend money on. By maintaining an advertising presence through thick and thin, you can keep your business rolling, stay at the top of your customers’ minds and keep slowdowns to a minimum. Never Boring is an industry expert at creating unique, effective and affordable advertising. Find out how we can keep your business moving forward, visit us today at neverboring.com

It’s just easier to work out tough problems when you engage in conversation and

B r a n d i n g . S t r a t e g y. D e s i g n .

is

a cup of coffee, Jacobo said.

MODESTO MEANS BUSINESS

to

And that’s the approach he

build relationships between

says it will take to reclaim the

The Chamber stands by this statement.

We practice it on a daily basis. As an organization, we use Chamber Members exclusively. We hope we can ‘count on you’ to practice using Chamber Members to meet all of your business needs.

The

agency’s

widespread,

reach

working

churches, the City of Modesto, individuals, and

“story of Modesto,” to change mindsets and make

pastors. There are a lot of people doing great

our city great once again.

work in the community, Jacobo says, but there haven’t been enough opportunities for these

It’s this desire for connection, for improving

likeminded people to connect.

Modesto, that Jacobo sees every month at Catalyst. He speaks fondly of the people who want

“If we just got to all know each other, we could

to create a culture of collaboration, cooperation,

build a great city to grow old in,” Jacobo said.

and partnership, right here in Modesto.

“That’s our dream.”

You can find new and current members online at www.ModChamber.org.

Progress Magazine is the voice of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, and the leading business publication in Stanislaus County. For more information or advertising info call (209) 526-9136.

The network was formed in April 2005, when

Jacobo said. “... We believe that everything that

Jacobo and another pastor saw a disconnect

happens in Modesto is done through trust

between church communities in East and West

and relationships.”

neverboring.com

“There’s just an incredible buzz in the room,”

© Never Boring

•

P

Modesto. And since then, it’s all been about

MARCH 2015

19

COM MUN ITY D EVELOPMEN T

LEADERSHIP MODESTO BECOMES DOCTOR FOR THE DAY

By Micheal King, Doctors Medical Center

MICHEAL KING LEADERSHIP MODESTO 14/15

L eadership Modesto’s Healthcare Day on Feb. started at Sutter Health’s Memorial Medical Center with a warm welcome from Memorial’s CEO, Daryn Kumar, followed by a presentation from our Healthcare Day co-chair and Leadership Modesto alumni Jonathan Felton. Memorial is a 423-bed level II trauma center with approximately 3,000 employees.

Fe l t o n d i s c u s s e d o r g a n i z a t i o n a l priorities of Memorial’s management and employees.

Patient safety is first and foremost. Memorial approaches safe care and operations improvement using lean methodologies. Lean is a process of continuous improvement that was made famous by Toyota Manufacturing in the 1990’s.

Another focus is creating value for patients and the community.

Memorial strives to ensure patients receive the care they are seeking and expecting. Their approach is patient-centric. The patients are fully involved in decisions and processes relative to the care they are receiving.

Our morning ended with a tour of S urger y, Emergenc y Depar tment, Cardiac Cath Lab, and Clinical Laboratory. Jonathan and the Memorial team did a great job educating the L eadership Modesto group about Healthcare.

At Doctor’s Medical Center we were greeted by Carin Sarkis, Healthcare Day Co-Chair and Leadership Modesto alumni.

20

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

After a tasty lunch we toured Surgery, the Level III Neonatal ICU, and the Four-West patient floor. The NICU had 24 babies including one that was recently born after 24 weeks of gestation. This approximately 1 pound baby will stay at DMC for nearly four months.

Four-West is an upscale wing of rooms with amenities that one commonly sees in a five-star hotel. The wing was opened this past summer and its patients have given it a 96 percent patient satisfaction rating due to the excellent environment and the outstanding serviceoriented staff.

We participated in a stimulating exercise entitled “a day in the life.”

There were five scenarios that presented real life challenges that may be faced in a hospital. The exercise demonstrated that healthcare workers and leaders must make tough decisions considering social challenges, ethical dilemmas, partnering with others, media considerations, operational priorities, community relations and more.

Finally, our group spent an hour with DMC CEO Warren Kirk.

Kirk gave a very engaging presentation. He introduced what DMC means to our community as a safety net hospital providing the highest level care available in the region. DMC is a 465-bed acute care hospital and the region’s only Level II Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons. Kirk discussed how DMC manages its business, including a fascinating explanation of how the healthcare system is financed. Medicare and Medi-Cal pay for most of the patients seen in a hospital, but not enough to cover the entire cost of caring for the patients. To balance the budget, our employers pay a premium for insurance to subsidize the costs not paid for by the government. This is a primary reason healthcare costs are so high for private employers.

As our day wrapped up, our Leadership Modesto group came away with a true appreciation of how fortunate our community is to have such outstanding healthcare available for its citizens. P

Prime Shine Car Wash presents:

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY ...a series spotlighting entrepreneurial achievement

Name: Toni Varni Business: President, Varni Brothers Corporation/ Seven-Up Bottling Company of Modesto Since its 1933 founding, the family-owned Varni Brothers Corporation has been a major player in the beverage industry. The brothers formed the Seven-Up Bottling Company of Modesto in 1936, expanding to Stockton in 1963. The brothers developed their own bottled water brand, NOAH’s California Spring Water, in the 1990s, and expanded to distribute Rockstar Energy Drink.

The business continues to expand and distribute additional products, while remaining California’s only surviving family owned franchise bottler of any major soft drink brand.

How does the company differ from when it started?

We have grown from a one-man bottling shop in a small building to a production facility with five production lines under 255,000 square feet on ten-plus acres, and a distributing network that covers all of Central California, employing about 260 people.

What have you done in your professional career that has led you to where you are now?

I got involved in every aspect of our business. As a youngster, rather than watch cartoons on Saturday mornings, my Dad brought me and my siblings to work.

As I got older I worked on the production line at our bottling plant, batch syrup, learned to drive a forklift, and operate every piece of machinery. When I got my driver’s license, I got to deliver beverages to stores, bars, and restaurants. I eventually got to be a salesman during the summer months in-between college years. After graduating I spent another year in sales, then moved to our quality lab and worked in quality control. After running our lab for four years, I became Operations Manager in 1990, then Vice President of Operations through 2007.

Within that time I participated in the Leadership Modesto program in 1993-94 (the Best Class ever). In January 2008 I became President/CEO of Varni Brothers Corporation. Over the years, I got involved with trade organizations including the 7up Bottlers Association where I was President in 2008-2010, the California Nevada Soft Drink Association where I was President in in 2006, and I currently sit on the Board of Directors for the American Beverage Association.

Are you originally from this area? If not, where are you from and how did you come to the area?

Born and raised in Modesto. Graduated from UC Davis. Currently live East of Denair.

When you were younger what goals did you set for yourself and why?

I was going to be an NFL running back playing for the Oakland Raiders and catching TD passes from Kenny Stabler. I later realized that I was part of a great family business that had a lot of potential to become exceptionable. So I came back to work in our family business.

Do you have any particular history that has contributed to helping you achieve your goals?

What challenges have you had to overcome in your professional life?

How did you do so?

As a company, we were considered small and limited within our industry, but since we took some chances, and invested in diversifying our abilities, we have grown and thrived, and now find ourselves as one of the few survivors in a mostly corporate industry.

What are some accomplishments which you are particularly proud of?

Developing the Noah’s Spring Water brand 23 years ago. Bottled water sales were not as fashionable back then, and I’m proud of the brand, and happy that I chose to make it with a healthier, magnesium rich, sodium free, naturally high 8.4 pH spring source. I wanted Noah’s to be a “better for you” bottled water, when compared to the stripped down, low cost, purified brands.

What is the single biggest reason you have achieved the level of success that you have?

Definitely the support of my family. Also, we have had a lot of really good, loyal employees who work very hard every day. It is our responsibility to reinvest and advance our company, to stay relevant, and continue to keep steady employment.

What do you like about your job?

I like all the constant changes within our industry. I like the creative ideas that come from the emerging trend setting brands. I like to help brands develop from the ground floor and rise to success. Rockstar is an example of the American Dream, that has started with just an excellent branding idea and a lot of quality ingredient consideration, and grew from a $50,000 investment to a multi-billion dollar brand. I like to talk with people who seek us out as a potential packer. You never know what idea will be the next Rockstar.

What are your plans for the future?

To keep producing a variety of great products. To keep people happily employed.

To continue to contribute to our local economy.

What advice do you have for business people when it comes to achieving their goals?

If you just plan to work 40 hours a week then you should work for someone else. There is no time clock when you own your own business. And, pay yourself conservatively.

What do you like about doing business in the Modesto community, and why do you think it is the Land of Opportunity?

There are a lot of hard-working, honest, and caring people in the Modesto area, so we have been able to find good people to produce our products and represent our brands. And many of our local customers tend to support the local guy who contributes back to the community.

My father installed a work ethic within me at a very early age. I had good parental examples.

Prime Shine Car Wash is proud to present The Land of Opportunity. Each month this series provides a forum in which to showcase the entrepreneurial achievements of a Stanislaus County business owner. Prime Shine Car Wash is proud to recognize the entrepreneurʼs ability to overcome obstacles and to honor their successes in their industry and in the community.

MARCH 2015

21

ASK THE EXPER TS LO O KIN G F O R A N A N S WE R ? A S K T HE E X P E R T S .

Every month, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce takes your questions straight to our local professionals.

This month, legal experts are here to answer your questions about the law.

LYN N B UL L

Manager Benefits Department, Winton-Ireland Strom and Green Insurance

Q:

I DIDN’T HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE IN 2014 AND NOW I’M THAT I’M FILING MY 2014 TAXES, I’M LEARNING THAT I WILL BE TAXED FOR NOT HAVING COVERAGE. WHAT IS THIS ABOUT AND SHOULD I BE CONCERNED? The individual insurance mandate applies as of January 1, 2014 and requires all legal residents of the United States to have health coverage for themselves and their families. There are certain exemptions but, for the most part, the healthcare reform law requires minimum health coverage for all Americans. If you decide not to carry insurance, you will be penalized and the penalties are being phased in over a 3-year period. The amount of the penalty is the greater of two amounts – a “flat dollar” amount of a “percentage of income” amount.

In addition, if you are insured through Covered California and are receiving advance premium tax credits to help pay your premiums, be aware that your premium tax credit, or subsidy, is based on income, location, family size, etc. If your demographics change throughout the year, Covered California requires a notice within 30-days to report any changes so that your subsidy can be adjusted accordingly.

If you fail to report changes timely, you run the risk of receiving too much of a premium subsidy in one tax year and would be faced with paying back any over-funding of the advance premium tax credit.

US News & World Report commented that the “premium subsidy consumers receive is based on projected income and family size for the year. As such, if you ended up earning more money than expected or had a change in your family in 2014, you could be responsible for paying back some or all of the subsidies received.” Unfortunately, healthcare reform has made the complex tax code even more complicated.

RAN JIT BASI, JR.

Basi Insurance Services, Inc.

Q:

2.5%

2016 TAX YEAR FOR THE 2016 TAX YEAR AND AFTER, THE PENALTY IS THE GREATER OF $695 FOR ADULTS AND $347.50 FOR A CHILD UP TO $2,085/FAMILY OR 2.5% OF INCOME

2015 TAX YEAR

2%

FOR THE 2015 TAX YEAR, THE PENALTY IS THE GREATER OF $325 FOR ADULTS AND $162.50 FOR A CHILD UP TO $975/FAMILY OR 2% OF INCOME

2014 TAX YEAR FOR THE 2014 TAX YEAR, THE PENALTY IS THE GREATER OF $95 FOR ADULTS AND $47.50 FOR A CHILD UP TO $285/FAMILY OR 1% OF INCOME

22

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

1%

IF MY EMPLOYER OFFERED DEPENDENT OR SPOUSE COVERAGE BUT I ELECTED NOT TO ENROLL THEM, CAN MY SPOUSE AND/OR DEPENDENT(S) QUALIFY FOR COVERAGE IN THE INDIVIDUAL EXCHANGE? CAN THEY QUALIFY FOR SUBSIDIES? Spouses and dependents age 26 and under are eligible for coverage in Covered California’s individual exchange regardless of employer coverage offers. However, when dependent coverage is “offered” in an employer-sponsored plan (regardless of employer contribution to the dependent coverage) subsidy eligibility will be dependent on the affordability of the employee-only share of premium costs and if those costs exceed 9.5 percent of the household income. Costs for dependent coverage are not part of the affordability calculation with respect to employer-sponsored coverage. So if the employer’s offer of coverage is affordable according to this measure, neither the employee nor the dependents will be subsidy eligible. There are employer sponsored employee-only plans available, whereas dependents could be subsidy eligible. Call us to today for more information.

N ETW ORKIN G & REFERRALS

ASK THE EXPER TS NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS T IM F IN S T E R ,

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

SOLAR CITY

President Capax Insurance

Robert Wilson

Brady Anderson

3401 Dale Rd. # 830

821 Oates Ct., Ste. 300

Modesto, CA 95356

Modesto, CA 95358

209.530.9464

209.996.1732

www.buffalowildwings.com

www.solarcity.com

Restaurant

Solar Energy Equipment &

Q: MY BUSINESS ISN’T LARGE LIKE HOME DEPOT. WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED ABOUT CYBER LIABILITY? The majority of Cyber Liability losses happen to small businesses.

Lost laptops and stolen and hacked computers are big contributors.

Cyber Liability insurance protects against third party loss due to a security breach of your businesses’ operating systems. Do you transact business over the internet? If you accept payments, process work orders, or create and possess confidential client information, you are at risk.

Anyone that accepts credit cards via the internet is at risk. What is the exposure? The average cyber liability claim costs $4 per stolen item to settle. If you are a small business and lose 1500 zip codes (that’s right, zip codes are classified as Personally Indefinable Information), the claim cost is averaging $60,000 per claim. If you have 3000 records, think in terms of $120,000. Be safe. Talk to your insurance agent.

Systems Dealers

CAREMORE HEALTH PLAN 200 W. Roseburg, Suite B2

U.S. HEALTHWORKS MEDICAL GROUP

Modesto, CA 95350

Mr. Brandon Hamilton

209. 530.7514

1340 Mitchell Rd

www.caremore.com

Modesto, CA 95350

Medicare Health Plans

209.402-9516

Ms Sandra Holt

www.ushealthworks.com

FRESNO COMMUNITY DEVELMENT FINANCIAL

Occupational Medicine

1920 Mariposa Mall, Ste. 330

URBANO CALIFORNIA BISTRO

Fresno, CA 93721

Mr. Noe Sanchez

559. 263.1351

1016 H St.

www.fresnocdfi.com

Modesto, CA 95354

Financial Services

209.622-1108 www.urbanlbistro.com

SCHWAN’S HOME SERVICE

Restaurant

Mr. Tom Medina 684 Hi Tech Pkwy.

Oakdale, CA 95361

C O M MU NI TY DEVELOP MENT

530.945.2290 www.schwans.com Food Service Distributors

ANNOUNCEMENTS Stanislaus County Commission for Women Outstanding Woman Awards

{ JANUARY } BUSINESS

BEFORE H OU R S

Business Before Hours hosted by:

2015 Outstanding Women honorees are: Cindy Duenas, Britta Foster Marian Kaanon, Reina Lopez-Negrete, Lynne Meredith, Kaye Osborn, Sharon Silva, Stacy P. Speiller, Arlene Villas and Gillian Wegener.

Young Women scholarship recipients are: Brianna Addington, Krupa Modi, Makenzie Salyer, Selena Thomas and Itzel Villalobos.

Awards banquet Saturday, March 14, held at the Assyrian Cultural Center of Bet-Nahrain, 3119 Central Ave., Ceres, 6:00 p.m.

Reservations $40, deadline March 10.

Forms online: StanislausWomen.org.

Contact: Belinda Rolicheck, 209-988-6674 or brolicheck@hotmail.com.

Modesto Toyota Modesto Toyota is celebrating 50 years in business, and also 50 years as a Chamber member. They provide automotive sale, leasing and maintenance/service. In the spirit of their 50 years, each month, they are donating $50 per car sold to a new local nonprofit. On average they sell 240 cars per month, giving our local non-profits a wonderful donation. Keep an eye out for their many events throughout the year, celebrating 50 years in our community, including the opportunity to win a new Toyota Tundra!

Business Before Hours, Business After Hours and Showcase Your Business, call today to book yours! 209.577.5757 P MARCH 2015

23

CHAMBER CALENDAR MARCH 2015

APRIL 2015

4 & 18

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING*

1 & 15

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING*

Time: 7:30 a.m to 9 a.m

Time: 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m.

12

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

9

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

Location: Robert Half 1020 10th St. Ste 303 Time: 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

Location: Data Path 318 McHenry Ave Time : 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

14

CHAMBER U - CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS

19

STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM

ASSOCIATION/PAID SICK LEAVE**

Location: Kirk Lindsey Center Time: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Location: 1114 J St. Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

19

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

Location: Dale Commons 3900 Dale Rd. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

20

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

COMMITTEE MEETING*

Time: 12 p.m to 1 p.m

24

CHAMBER U-SUPERVISOR

HARASSMENT PREVENTION**

Time: 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

25

AMBASSADOR/WELCOME TEAM MEETING*

Time: 8 a.m to 9 a.m

MODESTO CHAMBER NIGHT **

WITH THE STOCKTON THUNDER

TIME: 7:30 P.M.

28

*MEMBERS ONLY MEETINGS HELD AT THE CHAMBER, 1114 J ST.. ** REQUIRED REGISTRATION, VISIT WWW.MODCHAMBER.ORG

To become a member of The Chamber visit us at www.modchamber.org or call our Membership Director John Villines at 209.577.5757

24

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

AG AWARE **

11:30 A.M. TO 1:30 P.M.

LOCATION: MODESTO JUNIOR COLLEGE

ACE PAVILION

16 16

STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM

Location: Kirk Lindsey Center Time: 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

17

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

COMMITTEE MEETING*

Time: 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.

22

SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS

Arata, Swingle, Sodhi & Van Egmond, Location: 912 11th St. Time: 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

22

AMBASSADOR/WELCOME

TEAM MEETING*

Time: 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.

COM MUN ITY D EVELOPMEN T

L EMONADE DAY

By David Darmstandler

This past May I had the honor of participating in Lemonade Day in Houston, Texas – which is where Lemonade Day was founded.

Lemonade Day Houston has such a large turnout it is spread over an entire week and has over 60,000 children participate across the city.

This is exactly what we need in Modesto. We need the community to help: we need volunteers, mentors helping students through the process, evangelists of Lemonade Day getting more kids involved, and, as always, donations from individuals and businesses throughout the area.

As I was there in Houston I saw firsthand how Lemonade Day inspired kids to learn about business, utilize creativity in the midst of competition, and light up when they had a line full of eager customers.

Feel free to reach out to me directly at 209.312.9804 or david@mydatapath.com or visit our website at http://modesto.lemonadeday.org/ to learn more.

As the City Champion for Lemonade Day 2015, please get involved.

When I spoke to the kids hosting lemonade stands in Houston, every year they learned a valuable lesson. Sometimes it was the quality of their product, what their gimmick was, or, for many, where their lemonade stand was located. In the end, Lemonade Day in Houston was a success because the entire community was behind it.

MARCH 2015

25

N E TW OR K I NG & REFERRALS

PRESIDENT’S CLUB CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE PLATINUM LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

E. & J. Gallo Winery

AT&T

English Oaks Nursing &

Kaiser Permanente

Acme Construction Company, Inc.

Rabobank

Walmart

American Chevrolet

First Choice Physician Partners

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Walmart Neighborhood Market

American Medical Response

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc.

Aramark Uniform Services

F & M Bank

Rocha Transportation

DIAMOND LEVEL

Atherton & Associates, LLP

Gabriel Fine Jewelers

Rogers Jewelry Company

Beard Land and Investment Co.

BIAlytics

Galletto Ristorante

San Joaquin Valley College

Capax-Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Gianelli & Associates

Smile Shine Family Dental

Doctors Behavioral Health Center-

Brandman University, Chapman

Gilton Solid Waste Management, Inc.

Seven Up Bottling Corporation

Brunn & Flynn

Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc.

Solecon Industrial Contractors

Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

Solar City

California State University, Stanislaus

Harris Moran Seed Company

Solid Networks, Inc.

MedAmerica Billing Services, Inc.

Central Sanitary Supply Co.

Heald College

Stanislaus Distributing

Modesto & Empire Traction Co.

Central Valley Ag Grinding

I.J. Larsen Pumps, Inc.

Stanislaus Food Products Company

Pacific Southwest Container

Central Valley Autism Project Inc

Infiniti of Modesto

Physician Referral Service-DMC

Central Valley Automotive

Institute of Technology

DMC Doctors Medical Center-DMC Frito-Lay Company, Inc.

University System

Prompt Staffing Rehabilitation Hospital

Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

International Paper Company

GOLD LEVEL

Central Valley Nissan

JS West & Company

5.11, Inc.

Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai

Kaplan College

Bank of the West

Central Valley Medical Group

Lion Fusion Express

Crystal Creamery

Central Valley Specialty Hospital

Mercer Foods

DoubleTree Hotel

Children’s Hospital Central California

Mike's Knock Out Burger & Rays

Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Bar-B-Que

Clark Pest Control

Mocse Credit Union

Fiscallini Cheese Company

COIT Services Inc.

Modesto Commerce Bank

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Collins Electrical

Modesto Toyota

Memorial Medical Center

Comcast

The Modesto Bee

Modesto Irrigation District

Comforcare Home Care Services

Oak Valley Community Bank

Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball

Concordia Claims Managers

O’Brien’s Market

RACOR, Division of Parker

Costco Wholesale

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Covanta Stanislaus, Inc.

Panelized Structures Inc.

Save Mart Supermarkets

Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios,

Papa John’s

Seneca Foods, LLC

Pepsi Bottling Group

Sysco Food Services of

Del Monte Foods

PMZ Real Estate

Delta Sierra Beverage

Post Foods, LLC

DirectLine Technologies, Inc.

Prime Shine Car Wash

Care Center

Hannifin Corporation

Central California

Taco Bell

Pacher & Silva

D.B.A Courtesy Staffing

Stanislaus Surgical Hospital Storer Coachways SunOpta Aseptic, Inc. Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Turlock Irrigation District Union Bank US Bank Uno Chicago Grill Valley First Credit Union Valley Lexus-BMW W.H. Breshears, Inc. Warden’s Office Products Center Warden’s Office Furniture Outlet Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green

Insurance Agency

Yosemite Meat Company, Inc.

The Eberhardt School of Business

Celebrating Over 50 Years Of Quality Care * Registered Nurses 24/7 * Long Term and Short Term Quality Care * 175 Bed Skilled Nursing Facility * Pleasant Environment * Inviting and Stimulating Social Activities * Inpatient & Outpatient Physical Therapy * Inpatient & Outpatient Occupational Therapy * Speech Therapy * Respiratory Therapy

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

* Specialty Dining Menus * Pharmaceutical Services * Intravenous Therapy * Incontinence Service * Wound and Skin Care * Medicare Part A & B * Medi-Cal * Other Insurances Welcome * Family Owned & Operated for over 50 Years

Engaged in your Care & your Life 209.577.1055 2030 Evergreen Ave. Modesto, CA 95350 www.evergreencare.com Fax: 209. 550. 3615

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ACTUALLY, GETTING LOTS OF EMAILS CAN LOWER YOUR BLOOD PRESSURE. Our members can email directly with their doctor’s office, which in turn allows them to spend more working time in your office.

DISCOVER A BETTER WAY kp.org/choosebetter