August 2022

Modesto Chamber oF COMMERCE

VOL. 43 | ISSUE 08 | august 2022

MODESTO’S DATAPATH BAY VALLEY TECH PACIFIC BAY EQUIPMENT GALLETTO RISTORANTE

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.

august 2022 | CONTENTS

Executive Committee Chairman

Michael Gaffney, PG&E

Past Chairman

Steve Rank, Rank Investigations and Protection, Inc.

Vice Chair, External Operations

Michael Moradian Jr. - Peace of Mind Pest Control

Vice Chair, Internal Operations, Treasurer Patricia Gillum Pat Gillum CPA

message from the ceo

Chairperson Elect

Kirstie Boyett Zacharias, Executive Director at American Leadership Forum- Great Valley Chapter

COMMUNITY

board of Directors

Garrett Ardis- Huff Construction Company Inc. Dennis Bettencourt - Blue Diamond Growers Brad Blakeley, Edward Jones Investments David Halvorson Jr.- American Chevrolet Debra Hendricks - Debra Hendricks Consulting Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center Rachell Le Viege - Lift-A-Hand Home Care Agency Eric Mangal, Grimbleby Coleman CPAS Inc. Brian McDermott - HMC3 Kymber Miller- Sysco Central California Inc. Peggy O'Donnell, Mid-Valley Productions Jason Pineda, Freshpoint Inc. Bill Robinson, Principal Financial Group Kari Santos - I.J. Larsen Pumps DeJeune Shelton- Modesto Junior College Madhu Singh, Bank of Stockton John Villines- Modesto Gospel Mission

4

modesto courthouse

9

7 10 12 13

Announcements Bay Valley Tech Coffee and Conversation The Modesto Visitor

ADvocacy

18 19 21

Glanris Harvest Luncheon Stanislaus Green Team

President & CEO

Trish Christensen Modesto Chamber of Commerce tchristensen@modchamber.org

Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce 209.577.5757 • Progress@ModChamber.org www.ModChamber.org

RELATIONSHIPS pacific bay equipment

14

Graphic Design: 209 Magazine

209.634.9141 • www.209magazine.com

Printer: 209 Magazine

209.634.9141 • hvanderveen@209magazine.com

Distribution: 209 Magazine

22 23 24 25 26

209.634.9141

Ribbon Cuttings New Members Milestones President’s Circle

EDUCATION

Advertising Sales:

crogers@oakdaleleader.com 209.845.4074 © Copyright 2021 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

Member Highlight

datapath

16

29

SERVICE

31

Staff: Administrative Assistant, Hope Gyorfi Sustainability Coordinator, Jolene Camarena Events Coordinator, Felicia Lopez Membership Coordinator, Sabrinna Gonzales-Fewell Staff Accountant, Jaime Lastra

Stanislaus State

Branding Review

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in

this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

Galletto Ristorante

27

PROGRESS MAGAZINE 1114 J Street • Modesto, CA 95354 209. 577.5757 • Fax 209. 577.2673 www.ModChamber.org • Progress@ModChamber.org august 2022

3

A Message From The President & CEO Technology and Innovation

By Trish Christensen

A

s we highlight technology and innovation in this edition, we must celebrate the success of our inaugural From the Ground Up – Sustainability Symposium! We heard from Sponsors Amtrak San Joaquins, and Pacific Gas & Electric. We learned about the future of using rice husks as a high performance, economical water filtration media from Glanris out of Mississippi. This process reduces the carbon impact by removing both organic and metal contaminants from water and wastewater.

community

Modesto Irrigation District told us about its renewable energy options and energy conservation for businesses.

Repsco informed attendees about how their slip sheet product replaces wood pallets and is made from fully recycled plastics. CSU Stanislas taught us that for over 50 years they have been focused on water reclamation. They have been recapturing, storing, and reusing reclaimed water for all landscape irrigation. We heard from West Coast Energy on SB 1383 – food recovery and building a circular economy. We also heard from the City of Modesto on SB 1383 and their food recovery programs. We wrapped up the presentation with a great overview from the Executive Director of the California Green Business Network on and our role as the program provider for Stanislaus County.

4

In conjunction with our partners: Bay Valley Tech and Valley Sierra SBDC, we are conceptualizing broader opportunities to connect people through our standing Tech Connect program. Please watch for information to come in the next month or so on quarterly networking opportunities in the local world of tech. Our Rising Professionals (RP) and Women in Business (WiB) quarterly evening networking socials are growing into great social and connection building opportunities. Our RP and

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

WiB quarterly “lunch and learns” are also becoming great spaces to focus on work topics and exploring how they impact or are applied in various work environments. The WiB community outreach at Haven Women is winding down. The process to plan ahead to the next project will begin soon. Our third RP community outreach event, “Rise and Shine with the CEO’s”, was so well received! We are loving the new and unique ways we are building bridges in our great community!

As an organization that never stands still, I can tell you we have many activities, events, and anticipated new services in our pipeline. Our long-standing Harvest Luncheon is coming in early September; we expect to host our first “Family Fun Festival” day in October. We are continuing to encourage business to register for the California Green Business Network, Stanislaus program and allowing us to support their effort to get green certified.

We also look forward to the upcoming election season.

We are readying plans for our traditional written interview process of candidates. These will be uploaded to our website and one common response from each will be included in Progress magazine in October. We are participating in interviews the Building Industry Association of the Greater Valley is conducting for their Stanislaus County candidate process. Lastly, watch for information on a co-hosted Candidate Forum and breakfast we will be holding jointly with Opportunity Stanislaus in late September.

The Chamber Team and I hope you are enjoying your summer. Take care and stay well.

With warm regards, Trish

Each member of the Chamber is important, no matter the size of business. We desire for local businesses and organizations to succeed and thrive. To reach this goal we provide exposure, opportunities to engage with Regional Electeds and community partners, as well as networking with businesses and organizations across industries. We work to better our community by providing up-to-date education and training, certifying qualifying businesses as Green, and providing advocacy on City, State, and Federal levels. The Chamber is a family of dedicated professionals striving to make a difference in their business and way of life.

Whatever your business needs are, we invite you to join us.

To execute our adopted mission we have developed an acronym that helps keep us focused. That acronym is “CARES: Community, Advocacy, Relationships, Education and Service.”

C - Community At its heart, the Modesto Chamber is a community of like-minded business owners who share the vision for enjoying a thriving economy and creating and maintaining our community as a vibrant place to live, work and play. With over 100 years of history and experience in the Greater Modesto Area, we understand what it means to be a business owner and customer in our community, with featured events such as local and regional forums, Ag Aware, Harvest Luncheon, and Family Day. Chamber members get the opportunity to actively engage in and influence the community they live and work in.

A - Advocacy The Modesto Chamber supports local businesses and is an active advocate for the common interest of its members.

The Chamber has an Economic Development Committee and a Government Relations Council. These advocacy committees are dedicated and proactive in representing our members and community. They work to address business initiatives and relieve the regulatory burdens businesses face may face. The Chamber is also honored to certify local businesses and organizations through our California Green Business Network Stanislaus Program. Through this we create more conscientious and sustainable ways of life while lowering the cost of doing business for our community and future generations.

R - Relationships The Modesto Chamber of Commerce specializes in building relationships and serving as the nexus to businesses, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies. With over a dozen Committees, Programs, and Events in which our members can participate, the Chamber offers ample opportunity to meet and connect with other business owners in our community. As a relational organization, the Chamber works with its members to ensure the opportunity to connect and grow in every niche and industry to help build and cultivate long-lasting relationships among business owners and community partners alike.

E - Education The Modesto Chamber of Commerce values education and offers members the opportunity to stay on the leading edge with new and emerging information and training that will set your business apart from the rest. In partnership with Modesto Junior College, the Chamber is pleased to offer an assortment of trainings applicable to any business or industry for credited completion through our Chamber University platform. Our Chamber also works with members to provide a platform to speak to their own industry expertise and invite other members to learn from those leading our local industries.

S - Service The Modesto Chamber of Commerce offers its members a wide range of opportunities to promote and engage their business across industry and community lines. The Chamber Weekly E-Blast, Website, and our Progress Magazine provide opportunities to advertise and promote your business, keep up to date with articles about local businesses in our community, and stay in the loop about up-and-coming Chamber and community events. Our Chamber also offers indemand materials, such as Member contact list, Federal and State compliance posters, export document services, and so much more. Chamber members can also personalize their business profile within our website and have access to our Member-Only Information Center, where members can connect with other members, boost their social media presence, promote job postings, public events, and member-to-member discounts.

5

CHAMBER CALENDAR august

september

3

Economic Development Committee-TBD *Register on website, in person & Zoom 11:30 A.M.

4

4

Rise & Shine with CEO’s Location TBD 8:00AM-9:00AM *Register on website, $20 per person breakfast included

Rising Professionals Location TBD Lunch & Learn 12:00PM-1:00PM *Register on website, $16 per person lunch included

5

Labor Day- OFFICE CLOSED

7

Economic Development Committee-TBD *Register on website, in person & Zoom 11:30 A.M.

8

Tech Connect *In person & Zoom 12:00 P.M. Register on website

9

Harvest Luncheon MJC Ag Pavilion 11:30AM-1:00PM

18

Stanislaus Green Team Meeting Valerie Thorsen San Joaquin Valley Program Manager CALSTART *In person & Zoom 12:00 P.M. Register on website

16

Ambassador & Welcome Team Meeting *In person & Zoom 8:00 A.M

16

Government Relations Council Meeting *In person & Zoom 11:30 A.M. Register on website

20

Women in Business Location TBD Lunch & Learn 12:00PM-1:00PM *Register on website, $16 per person lunch included

11

community

18

6

Women in Business Coffee & Conversations Location TBD 8:00AM-9:00AM *Register on website, $15 per person breakfast included Stanislaus Green Team Meeting Sustain You Sheng Su *In person & Zoom 12:00 P.M. Register on website

19

Ambassador & Welcome Team Meeting *In person & Zoom 8:00 A.M

19

Government Relations Council Meeting *In person & Zoom 11:30 A.M. Register on website

28

Swing into Action Fundraiser Modesto Nuts - John Thurman Stadium 601 Neece Dr, Modesto, CA 95351 6:00PM-9:00PM *Register on website

*See website for more detail.

Find Zoom Registry links and more at www.modchamber.org Please note that calendar events and details are subject to change.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

community

AnNOUNCEMENTs

august 2022

7

AnNOUNCEMENT Gallo Center Appoints Ryan Foy to New Leadership Role Ryan Foy has been named Director of Produced Theatre and Special Programming at the Gallo Center for the Arts beginning July 18. The newly created role will be part of the Center’s senior leadership team reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Chad Hilligus. Foy will oversee all in-house produced and special programming projects, including the artistic leadership of the Gallo Center Repertory Company following the retirement of longtime volunteer GCRC artistic director Jim Johnson at the end of the 2022/23 season.

Foy attended the University of Michigan’s musical theatre program and studied at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts in Sydney, Australia.

He has extensive theatrical experience ryan foy in acting, directing, company management, marketing, design and production. While based in New York, he appeared onstage on national and international tours, and directed numerous musical theater productions nationwide.

"I am very excited about passing the torch to Ryan,” said Johnson.

“He has the right combination of theatre artistic and administrative experience, and I look forward to working with him during my final season. Ryan will ensure that the Gallo Center Rep not only will continue to prosper as a vital part of the region’s theatre community, but in addition will help lead the program in new and exciting creative directions."

A Modesto resident since 2014, Foy most recently partnered in a web design firm specializing in projects for performing arts, nonprofit, and other business organizations. He also is a founding board member of the Modesto Children's Museum, and currently serves as the board vice president and chair of its operations and exhibit design committee.

Foy’s new role also will be responsible for expanding the vision and year-round programming initiatives for the Center’s Modesto Rotary Music Garden, which currently offers the free summertime Brown Bag Concert Series showcasing local musicians Fridays at noon for 12 weeks through the summer. www.humphreys.edu

community

MULTIPLE SUBJECT TEACHING CREDENTIAL Now Offering

Online or On-Campus Financial Aid Available Transfer Units Accepted Intern or Student Teaching

8

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Bachelor with Credential Credential alone Master's with Credential

“This new position is an important part of the Center’s future,” said Hilligus. “We hope to begin offering more regularly scheduled free public arts programs in the Music Garden, such as community yoga and Pilates, drum circles, chalk art festivals, painting classes, storytelling, and much more throughout the year.

“After months of strategic planning and interviewing candidates from coast to coast, the search committee is confident we’ve found the right individual to propel us forward. Ryan brings a vast experience in a variety of areas within the performing arts field, as well as a long list of local community partners and collaborators.”

Collins Electrical Company Works on New Courthouse Collins Electrical Company, Inc. (CECI) is proud to work alongside General Contractor McCarthy Building Companies to complete the new Modesto Courthouse in Stanislaus County. The new courthouse comprised of 27 courtrooms will replace the existing Modesto Courthouse, the adjacent Hall of Records building, the Ceres Courthouse, the Turlock Courthouse, and three leased facilities.

CECI previously preplanned the construction of all the conduit and pipes underneath the structure to complete the project in a timely manner. The use of their preconstruction and design team who used BIM (Building Information Modeling) and Trimble, enables the job to get done more precisely and accurately.

By working with a general contractor such as McCarthy, CECI has learned the effectiveness of technology.

Technology has given the construction field a web of connections including the ability to quickly collect, exchange and analyze data. CECI is inspired by technology solutions that change the game for the completion of projects.

According to McCarthy’s VDC Manager Yuhang Xu, “Technology must serve a purpose; it must demonstrate proven value.”

One unique way that McCarthy implemented innovative technology on this project was through a solution called Mural, which helped coordinate weekly work plans and interactive team collaboration.

What’s more, McCarthy utilized a first of its kind cross platform and open-source database through technology partner, SmartSheet, that expanded project capabilities to ensure effective communication and participation from all partners and resulted in new and improved construction quality. This platform provided additional benefits as it autogenerated scheduling requests to offsite partners and dismantled limitations of available hardware for both field level and management teams.

In addition to the technological skills CECI became involved in, the company also implemented LEAN techniques to create more flow, solve problems and work together to improve quality and reduce costs. CECI is thrilled to see innovation and technology being used along with their core values as the Stanislaus Courthouse project is completed. august 2022

community

CECI was also able to stay ahead of supply chain issues that went on during this time by preplanning and creating early release schedules that ensured a quick turnaround. CECI has benefited from its experiences working with different projects. The company is efficient and continues to grow as it collaborates with other companies.

9

New $5 Million Grant to Accelerate Growth of Local Tech Economy Bay Valley Tech’s tuition-free technology training and entrepreneurship program is getting a big boost from the state of California. The state joins other Bay Valley Tech partners Oak Valley Community Bank, Bank of Stockton, Stanislaus County Workforce Development, the City of Modesto, California State University Stanislaus, Turlock Adult School, Patterson Adult School, Tyler Technologies, Stanislaus County of Education to expand the highly successful program’s capacity.

community

As the region’s fastest-growing vocational training program, Bay Valley Tech receives thousands of applicants annually. Students accepted into the free Code Academy, Digital Skills Bootcamp and paid internships are required to mentor other tech students, accelerating growth of the local digital workforce.

Local employers, such as American Medical Response, Tyler Technologies, Datapath, Turlock Unified School District and E&J Gallo, are benefiting from Bay Valley Tech’s deep talent pool and are increasingly looking to Bay Valley Tech to fill their tech worker shortages. New employers from outside the region have also hired Bay Valley Tech alumni, increasing investment in the county and adding hundreds of tech jobs.

Bernadette Davoud is a former Bay Valley Tech student helping our local economy.

As a resident of Modesto, Bernadette is the first one in her family to attain a technology-based career. She benefited from a paid internship program created through a partnership between Bay Valley Tech, Stanislaus County Workforce Development and the Stanislaus County Office of Education. She joins dozens and dozens of other Bay Valley Tech-trained programmers building applications for Gallo, the world’s largest and most innovative winery. “My instructors and mentors at Bay Valley Tech were instrumental in preparing me for my current role,” stated Bernadette. In addition to her full-time responsibilities, she helps other aspiring software students as a part-time teaching assistant at Bay Valley Tech and as a lead organizer for the Google Developers Group’s Women Techmakers community in Modesto.

Raul Leon is software developer at Stanislaus Foods. As a Bay Valley Tech and Stanislaus State alumni, Raul helps the industry leader automate its processes and reduce costs. “My friends and teachers at Bay Valley Tech were very helpful and improved my confidence. I was surprised to get a job offer even before completing the code academy, and it’s been fun to go back and encourage the newer students. It’s exciting to see how fast Bay Valley Tech and our local tech community is growing.”

Johnathan Nguyen came to Bay Valley Tech’s tuition-free code academy after working as a truck driver for 10 years.

He completed the software developer training program, immediately landed a programming job at Gallo, and is now a software developer for Tyler Technologies, the largest provider of software to the federal government. Today, Johnathan’s work is rewarding and his increased income is benefiting his family as well as the local economy. “Although the journey was challenging in the beginning, it was the constant support from my family, friends and Bay Valley Tech team that made it possible to transition into a new tech career,” Johnathan explained.

Continue to page 11 10

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

After working for years as a medical scribe and office manager, Vanessa Farmer was seeking a more fulfilling career and increased earning opportunities. She had taken a few computer classes in high school but didn’t consider a career in tech to be a realistic possibility until she was accepted into Bay Valley Tech’s code academy. She initially had reservations and thought she would be unable to make much progress learning new digital skills while working full-time. Instead, she found that the communal spirit and the flexibility of the coursework helped her progress on schedule. According to Vanessa, “I tried selfstudy in web development, and I didn't understand c e r t a i n concepts.

However, at Bay Valley Tech, I was surrounded by helpful teachers, mentors and ‘study buddies’ who helped me maintain my momentum, and I actually progressed further than I ever expected.” Vanessa’s responsibilities at work have expanded to include webmaster, and she maintains the online presence for both their current and new offerings. Vanessa added, “I encourage any women interested in technology to join Bay Valley Tech’s code academy. Women have much to offer the tech industry, and it is a supportive and great place to start.”

This summer, Bay Valley Tech began helping the county’s K-12 students by equipping local high school teachers to teach web design. The organization’s new two-week Web Design Bootcamp taught teachers the fundamentals of graphic design, web design and coding. The bootcamp enabled teachers to instill excitement and interest in technology to their students.

According to Jennifer Kline, a teacher for deaf and hardof-hearing students at La Loma Junior High School, “I have already told so many people about Bay Valley Tech!

It is so wonderful to work with an organization that has the best interests of people and our community in the forefront. Every single person here is passionate about what they do and have a desire to share these passions with others and help everyone along the way.”

This month, Bay Valley Tech is working with The Salvation Army in Modesto to launch a new two-week Salvation Army “Red Shield” web design bootcamp for junior high and high school students. Training students and getting them excited about technology when they are young will only work toward building their interest to pursue additional web development and digital skills training and much more as they continue their education.

New web development and digital skills cohorts are starting soon.

If you, or someone you know, are interested in learning more about Bay Valley Tech’s unique and dynamic training programs, please visit: www.bayvalleytech. com or call (209) 985-4721.

community

Continued from page 10

august 2022

11

Renewable Fuel Production in the Central Valley Tom Roberts / West Coast Energy

Renewable fuel production is becoming a bigger focus in the Central Valley as projects launch that reinforce the region’s prominence in biofuels and renewable energy. West Coast Energy is one such company, with offices in Bakersfield and a renewable fuel production and loading terminal in McFarland.

West Coast Energy’s business originated as a socially responsible clean energy platform company. Its business is built around environmental sustainability and expanding the local workforce via job creation within Rural and Disadvantaged Communities. The company develops and operates advanced facilities for deriving bioenergy from local waste streams.

California has new regulations to reduce the amount of waste traditionally destined for our landfills. Now, much of this waste, including organic food waste and scraps, green waste, landscape trimmings, and tree trimmings must be repurposed or recycled to other uses.

West Coast Energy works with local municipalities to comply with new regulations by converting landfill waste to renewable bioenergy. The company is able to use not only organic food waste, green waste, and wood products but also plastic bottles and used tires for conversion into several forms of bioenergy.

Enthusiasm is running high as local success stories, such as the West Coast Energy project, spring up throughout the Central Valley. JD Gessin, CEO of West Coast Energy states it well, “A transition to clean energy is about making an investment in our future. If not us, Who? If not now, when?” Support for companies like West Coast Energy means support for our local communities, support for the renewable energy jobs they create, and the ongoing support for to improve our environment.

community

Bioenergy has many forms, including renewable diesel fuel to meet mandates for replacing petroleum fossil fuels in trucks and ships, as well as and green hydrogen for city bus fleets and local delivery trucks.

West Coast Energy has converted an idle 10 acre produce plant in McFarland into a biodiesel and renewable fuels plant and distribution facility, serving the commercial transportation industry.

The c o m p a n y e m p l o y s JD Gessin, CEO, West Coast Energy more than 20 people involved in the production, storage, sales, and distribution of renewable fuel for highway transportation, agriculture, heavy machinery, and soon - maritime transport. The company is expanding operations, searching for other counties and municipalities to partner with in meeting California’s new landfill reductions.

West Coast Energy’s McFarland Facility 12

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

The Modesto Visitor: Tasting the Bounty and Experiences Kristin Galloway / Business Development Manager for Visit Modesto

So, what are the visitors doing to enjoy all things uniquely “Modesto” when they get here? Well, there truly is something for everyone. But with Mother Nature and the skilled farmers of Modesto working overtime these days, let’s focus on an itinerary that would interest the visitors concentrating on the natural bounty and crafty food scene here.

Modern visitors are intrigued by tales, details, and stories which Modesto has in droves. Because one of Modesto’s main industries is agriculture, visitors are thrilled to learn about the richness that the farmers, land cultivators, and producers have to offer. A perfect example of visitors being compelled to by local stories and tastes is the continued attraction of the Almond Blossom Cruise over the years. With growing interest in agri-tourism, visitors to Modesto are now being drawn in to enjoy more of the local bounty. An itinerary for this sort of inquisitive, experiential traveler would be anchored in getting out into the heart of agri-tourism options.

Starting their adventures with coffees and goodies from the Modesto Certified Farmers Market, these visitors stroll and peruse the options. From there, our travelers plan their u-pick/farm stand course. After a farm/stand visit or two, they drop off their haul at their hotel and head out for a lunch that boasts some of Modesto’s biggest characters in featured food and people!

After lunch, they meander and delight in the local art, murals, and architecture on display. The art walk will satisfy the need to move after lunch and our visitors will go rest before finding live music or a show of sorts somewhere around town that evening. Day two starts with breakfast of fresh fruit picked the day before as the visitors head out to enjoy a stroll along the Tuolumne. They will have a stop or two to make after their outdoor adventure for an indulgence recommended to them. Then they luxuriate in window shopping or souvenir sourcing as they prepare for dinner or departure. Through the local products, u-pick excursions, and micro-sourced ingredients used in dishes in restaurants and retailers around town, the yarn of the agricultural background is woven into these explorers’ stay and provides the “authentically Modesto” experience this traveler segment craves.

Now that you know what this visitor’s itinerary might entail, go enjoy a similar experience so you can see Modesto through their lens.

community

Modesto has a sort of hip charm. There is a splash of the Norman Rockwell aesthetic blended with an edgy, artistic ingenuity and simple, farm fresh flavor that flourishes here. You may not have thought about that intriguing amalgamation of identity, but it is part of the attraction that draws visitors from near and far.

august 2022

13

Hotsy Pacific Has A New Name But Same Great Service

BY VIRGINIA STILL

Hotsy Pacific has been in business since the early 1990s and was originally known as Pressure Washer Center in the early 1980s. President Jim O’Connell has been with them since the beginning. As the owner and president of what is now going to be Pacific Bay Equipment (PBE) he worked his way to the top and has seen the company from humble beginnings to a magnificent thriving company.

They still carry the Hotsy brand however their company has evolved into much more, like selling floor care, wastewater equipment, parts washer, and almost anything to do with water.

“So, we kind of got to thinking that maybe it’s kind of pigeon-holed us to be Hotsy Pacific,” said O’Connell. “So, we decided to come up with a different name. Pacific Bay Equipment kind of rounds out what we do. We sell equipment and we service it. Our main focus is solutions for our customers. We don't go in to sell a piece of hardware; we want to solve a problem.”

Since the business in Modesto is close to the Pacific Ocean and they cover the Bay Area, the name change to Pacific Bay Equipment was a good fit. They also have North Bay Equipment in Santa Rosa.

They have been in business for more than 30 years and throughout that time they have seen a lot of changes.

Starting out with three people in a small facility in North Modesto to now 23 people in about an 8,000 square foot facility that includes a 4,000 square foot impressive showroom with everything in one central location on Ninth Street and expanding to a center in Hayward, has been immense growth for the business.

O’Connell began working as a service technician for the company in the early 1980s and in 1991, along with his wife Karen, they purchased the company.

The owner of the company at the time gave them an opportunity to become partners and financed everything to make it possible for the O’Connells to become sole owners. So, after about 10 years they went separate ways.

O’Connell has plans to retire sometime soon and has a similar plan set in motion for his Vice President Terrence Anderson.

“He is buying the company from us, as of the first of the year he will own 49 percent of the business and I'm going to retire, said O’Connell. “So, I am kind of paying it forward.

We could sell to somebody else, but we don't want to and he's got the ambition and he is a great guy. He's been with me 19 years. So, now we're officially partners after 19 years.”

Anderson began his career at Hotsy as a service technician.

He then moved into the role of service manager, then ventured into sales taking on a territory in the Bay Area.

When O’Connell asked Anderson where he would like to be and Anderson said “in the seat you are in” the wheels took motion.

community

“From there, came back to a position of service manager and took on the operation in the service so that we could grow that area of our business,” added Anderson. “We have five service techs that were under my leadership; trained them, mentored them and helped them to be where they're at today. I've held many hats and I still partake in every aspect of the business from service to as far up as you know, the managerial position and my vice president's position.”

Continue to page 15 14

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Continued from page 14 There are many ways the company has evolved through the years with the different equipment they offer, including dry ice blasting equipment, which saves water, wastewater and pollution as well as steamers that uses less water and sanitizes efficiently.

About a year ago they installed air purifying lights in the showroom to improve the quality of air for the employees.

“We've evolved into a solutions provider company instead of an equipment provider company,” O’Connell said. “Again, we have a very competitive world that we live in. Equipment is kind of like automobiles - they are very competitive in price. We don't want to compete on equipment. We basically compete on solutions. That's one thing we've really evolved into over the years.”

The business is community oriented as well as they donate to a few of the high schools for their programs as well as a scholarship fund that was donated to the CETA (Cleaning Equipment Trade Association).

They have had employees that have been with them for many years and when asked why, Anderson shared it is because they are a “family-oriented environment.”

O’Connell said, “one thing is our core culture is such that one of our values is you treat people like you want to be treated.”

They have a wall mural on the side of the building that shows their love for the community highlighting the Valley, Yosemite, and some famous local celebrities from the area.

With the state of California planning to do away with small gasoline-powered engines it would greatly affect several things like the pressure washers and other cleaning and sanitation systems impacting both the sellers and users.

They are part of a committee that is trying to lobby the state to give people a moratorium so they can continue to use gas engines until there is at least a better solution in place. Honda will not sell an engine in California because it cannot meet the requirements that California has.

“I'm very passionate about it, because this is our livelihood when we look around,” expressed O’Connell. “And if I can't sell gas engines, we've got to really figure out where we go from here. I mean, we do need to do something, but I think we can't use politics and policy to drive innovation. It's got to be the other way around. Let manufacturers develop what we need.”

The future looks bright for PBE and Anderson is looking forward to building their brand and continuing to grow and thrive in the industry. O’Connell believes their traditions will carry on for years to come and will continue to be a company that people like to be at and not a place they go to work.

“I enjoy this,” remarked O’Connell. “I've always enjoyed it.

I'm getting a little tired now. It's time for me to retire. I can feel it, but I still like coming here.”

O’Connell is grateful and thankful to the community that has supported them over the 30-plus years. He is certain that the company will be in the best hands with Anderson at the helm in the upcoming years.

In celebration of the new name, they will have a ribbon cutting and open house at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 28.

august 2022

community

When other businesses were struggling due to the pandemic, PBE was thriving and could barely keep up with the demand. With the line of electrostatic sprayers and the CDC-approved disinfectant they saw a 30 percent growth in 2020.

15

Datapath Fills Technology Needs From Start to Finish

BY SABRA STAFFORD

When Sylvan Union School District experienced a major security breach, it was Datapath that they called for help.

“It was Day 2 and Datapath instantly came on board and put every emergency process into place to at least halt what was going on while we could get things fixed and repaired and brought up to speed to prevent it to continue,” said Debra Hendricks, who served as the District’s superintendent at the time.

Hendricks recalled the constant communication and planning they had with Datapath.

“Every time there was something that needed to be put into place, Datapath knew exactly what to do because they had researched it before the recommendation to the District, which not only saved us time, but it saved the District a lot of money,” Hendricks said.

Once the immediate threat was resolved, Datapath was there for the security audit and creating a plan to make sure the District’s data would remain secure from future threats. That multi-pronged response is what makes Datapath more than just a technology partner.

Datapath is a managed service and security provider based in Modesto. The company’s area of service includes internet technology and cybersecurity with a specific focus on K-12 school systems and financial security among medium to large businesses.

“For us it’s about relationship,” said Datapath co-founder James Bates, who started the company with his life-long friend David Darmstandler. “It’s about understanding the different needs of each company; mapping out what it is they need, scoping out their internal resources and creating a plan of action. We really know our stuff and can save you from a lot of pitfalls.”

Bates and Darmstandler took an entire year to develop their business plan and then launched in Modesto in 2005.

Both grew up in Modesto, which was just one reason why they opted to base the company in their hometown.

“We saw how caring and relationship-based it was in the Valley, as opposed to the Bay Area and decided to elevate the tech game in the Valley,” Bates said.

Datapath focuses on three main solution-centered services – managed services, network security, and consulting.

community

Managed services are an all-inone IT infrastructure support for organizations that need to supplement existing technical staff or completely outsource IT management. The services include strategic planning, which incorporates budget, project and growth planning; infrastructure management, which includes cloud servers,

Continue to page 17 16

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Continued from page 16 file storage, active directory, Microsoft applications and off-site replication; cloud management including servers and storage, networks and backups; and the help desk, which can offer support with application, device and end user support. It also includes services to assist with phone systems, archiving and disaster recovery.

Within network security, Datapath offers a multilayer suite of managed security services that covers everything from prevention to detection to response and ending with education. They also offer enhances security options like two-factor authentication, dark web monitoring, vulnerability assessment, and infrastructure management.

Lastly, the company offers consulting and project services. Datapath can facilitate and execute everything from disaster recovery audits to complete network refreshes to server migration and storage planning.

“We know how to execute it from start to finish,” Bates said. “We start with what is the outcome you want and what are your business requirements, then we start making a plan.” visit

community

For more information about Datapath, mydatapath.com or call 1-800-838-1488.

august 2022

17

An Easy Way To Address Climate Change Story by Bryan Eagle / Glanris, CEO

Who doesn't like an easy solution or use the occasional shortcut to accomplish a goal? We've all heard about climate change and the issues it can create. We've also heard dire predictions of a warming planet with dead ocean and extreme weather if we don't make radical and costly changes. What if there was an easy way to make a big dent in greenhouse gases and stave off the worst of climate change. And what if this didn't cost us anything and didn't require major societal change?

Sound too good to be true?

There is something that might actually be a big part of the solution, and it's called biochar. It's not a panacea, but it could be the next big thing in climate tech.

Biochar is made by taking plant material and cooking it at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. This creates a stable form of carbon that doesn't break down quickly. This interrupts the normal carbon cycle and sequesters carbon.

The most recent UN IPCC report identified biochar production and use as one of the top three tools we have in addressing climate change.

Glanris manufactures a patented, sustainable, lowcost biochar made from rice hulls, the world's most extensive agricultural waste product. Over 220 billion pounds of rice hulls are generated every year. Today, these hulls are either burned in the fields (producing CO2) or dumped in landfills (producing CH4), neither of which are environmentally friendly.

They estimated that if we used biochar simply for everything from soil amendment to a filler in asphalt, concrete, drywall, or to filter air and water, we could pull 6.7 to 23.4 gigatons of CO2 a year.

Our mission at Glanris is to scale our biochar production globally and expand our applications from just water filtration to many other uses, especially in asphalt, concrete, and soil amendment.

advocacy 18

To ward off climate change, we need to reduce about 50 gigatons a year of CO2. The use of biochar alone could get us halfway there.

Here's the best part, it doesn't cost a lot to do this. In fact, biochar can be produced for roughly its value as an aggregate in asphalt and concrete and these other applications meaning that the sequestration comes for free as a byproduct of its use.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

advocacy august 2022

19

Lending in Your Community At Oak Valley Community Bank we’re committed to supporting the borrowing needs of the communities we serve. Here are a few examples of projects we’ve recently financed for clients.

$1.0M

Jeff Hushaw Commercial Lending

advocacy

844.7544

Laura Weaver

Area & Branch Manager - McHenry

343.7633

20

Victoria Gaffney

Lynnette Fletcher

Commercial Lending

Commercial Lending

343.7601

844.7552

Pamela Swift

Branch Manager Dale Road

758.8020

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Cesar Camarillo

Branch Manager 12th & I

343.7611

Contractor Line of Credit

$4.5M

Commercial Industrial & Equipment

$900K

$3.7M

$16M

$9M

Asset Based Manufacturing Line of Credit

Ag Real Estate Acquisition

www.ovcb.com

SBA 504 Loan

Commercial Real Estate

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

advocacy august 2022

21

member highlight REPSCO Leading the Industry in Recycling When it comes to recycling, REPSCO, Inc. does not just talk about it, they live it – day in, day out for more than 30 years.

The manufacturing company, which moved from Colorado to the Riverbank Industrial Complex nearly five years ago, has emerged as the industry leader in producing 100% recyclable customdesigned plastic slips sheets, a viable alternative to wood pallets.

Innovation is a longstanding tradition at REPSCO – they have focused on every stage of the recycling process, from source separating material, to refining its development in order to net the highest quality polymers in the post-consumer market. This attention to detail has allowed the company to reduce costs in recycling and pass those savings on to their customers.

REPSCO continues to be the front-runner in developing turn-key solutions for reducing customer shipping and storage costs, while increasing load handling capacity.

The company has become proficient in the production of the slip sheets with specifications that can meet any unitized load size, weight and application.

George Isaac

Additionally, they are unique in the sense that they understand the transportation and storage business as well as the recycled plastic industry.

This is a perfect example of how environmental stewardship can lower the cost of doing business.

Nothing exemplifies this more than REPSCO’s Green-toGold program, an initiative that encourages its customers and vendors to recycle their uses slip sheets, reusing former products again and again, while saving money, conserving resources and reducing their environmental impact in the process.

How is this possible?

• By offering incentives to return used REPSCO slip sheets to their facilities to be recycled.

• By showing customers how recycled slip sheets from REPSCO can stabilize their material handling costs.

• By utilizing post-consumer and post-industrial recycling in the production of their products and pass the savings on to their customers.

Relationships

• By operating a closed-loop recycling system, REPSCO ensures sustainability with its product.

22

With the millions of wood pallets in America’s warehouses today, it’s time for an alternative – it’s time to partner with REPSCO! For more information, contact George Isaac, Sales Director, at 209-809-4105 or at gisaac@ repsco.com.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

TO OUR NEW MEMBERS! California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce (916) 444-2211 http://www.cahcc.com 1510 J Street, Ste110 Sacramento, CA 95817 Martinez Janitorial Services (209) 496-1264 http://www.martinezcleaners.com 2100 Rasmussen Ave Modesto, CA 95350 Northwestern Mutual (916) 600-2902 https://www.northwesternmutual.com/ 1300 K St Suite A Modesto, California 95354

RELATIONSHIPS EDUCATION

is now

Quick Quack Car Wash (806) 670-6496 http://www.dontdrivedirty.com E Service Rd & Mitchell Rd Ceres, CA 95307

2 0 9 M U LT I M E D I A . C O M

Your local news source.

Now locally-owned.

august 2022

23

THE CARE YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU WANT IT. THE CARE YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU WANT IT. Health care should be hassle-free. At Kaiser Permanente, it is. With connected teams Health care ways should hassle-free.

Ateasy Kaiser Permanente, it is.

With connected teams and flexible tobe access care, it’s to get the support you need to stay healthy

and flexible access — when and ways wheretoyou needcare, it. it’s easy to get the support you need to stay healthy — when and where you need it.

24

kp.org/centralvalley kp.org/centralvalley Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Congratulations to this MONTH'S milestone memberships

70 + years

10 + years

American Lumber Co.

SinglePoint Outsourcing, Inc. Modesto Police Officer's Association Doctors Behavioral Health Center-DMC Provost & Pritchard Consulting Group United Rentals - 519 Vandemark Family Dentistry & Orthodontics Miceli-Watters, Staffing Partners, LLC Collins Electrical

Boyett Petroleum

50 + years Mistlin Honda Stanislaus County Farm Bureau

40 + years Sign Designs, Inc. Stanislaus Medical Society Basic Resources, Inc. United Way of Stanislaus County Clark Pest Control

30 years +

Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

20 + years Soroptimist International of Modesto Burton's Fire, Inc. Valley BMW Sciabica Family California Olive Oil M.G. Commodities The House Modesto Ellis Self Storage National Ag Science Center Fores Macko, A Professional Law Corporation Omega Pacific Insurance

5 + years Stanislaus County Public Works Yours and Mine Sports Custom Locksmith & Alarm Inc. Golden Valley Health Centers Wholesome Nut Company Inc. Agile Solutions and Consulting Inc DBA Modesto AM PM Downtown Modesto Partnership Gold Star Referral Clubs BBSI

1 + years Walvesco Corporation DBA Stonefire Pizza by Midici Rainbow International Restoration of Modesto McHenry Museum & Historical Society Strand Ace Hardware PFSA (Portuguese Fraternal Society of America) The Shire Arts Collective The Strategic Legal Group, PC Silverwood RV Kids Care Dental & Orthodontics Quantum Escapes Right at Home CV Wellness LLC dba Authentic 209 Pacific Homecare Services KINGDOM - CONSTRUCTION APEX Human Resources LLC august 2022

RELATIONSHIPS

60 + years

25

Relationships

president’s club Circle Of Influence

26

Elite

enthusiast

Food Maxx

Seven-Up Bottling Co. of Modesto/Varni

E & J Gallo Winery

Alpine Protective Solutions

FreshPoint

Brothers Corporation

Kaiser Permanente

American Chevrolet

Gianelli Nielsen

Solecon Industrial Contractors

American Medical Response

Gilton Solid Waste Mgmt, Inc.

Stanislaus Food Products Co.

Keystone

Astound Business Solutions Powered by

Golden Valley Health Centers

Stifel Investment Services

Beard Land and Investment Co.

Wave

Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

Storer Coachways

Capax-Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc., a HUB

Atherton & Associates, LLP

Infiniti of Modesto

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

International Company

Audi Modesto

International Paper Co.

The Century

Doctors Behavioral Health Center-DMC

Bank of Stockton

JS West & Companies

The Farmacy

Doctors Medical Center-DMC

California State University, Stanislaus

Maxx Value Foods

The Modesto Bee

Frito-Lay Co., Inc.

Care One Home Health and Hospice, Inc.

Mister Car Wash

The Parks Group

Pacific Southwest Container, Inc.

Central Valley Automotive

Mocse Credit Union

TSM Insurance & Financial Services

Physician Referral Service-DMC

Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

Modesto Toyota

Turlock Irrigation District

Stockton Heat

Central Valley Nissan

Nine3One

Union Bank

Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai

O'Brien's Market

US Bank

Visionary

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Oak Valley Community Bank

Valley BMW

Blue Diamond Growers

Clark Pest Control

Opportunity Stanislaus

Valley Children's Healthcare

Crystal Creamery

COIT Services Inc.

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Valley First Credit Union

Doubletree by Hilton Modesto

Collins Electrical

Panelized Structures Inc.

Valley Lexus

EMOE, Division of Parker Hannifin Corp.

Comcast

Pepsi Bottling Group

Vintage Faire Mall/Macerich Company

Fiscalini Cheese Company

Del Monte Plant #1

PMZ Real Estate

Walmart

IHeart Media

English Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation

Residence Inn by Marriott Modesto North

Warden's Office Products Center

Modesto Irrigation District

Hospital

Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc.

Wells Fargo Bank

Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball

Exceed GPR & Locating, LLC

Rose Bouquet

Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance

Sutter Health Valley Area

F&M Bank

San Joaquin Valley College

Agency

Sysco Central California Inc.

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Save Mart Supermarkets

Yosemite Foods Inc.

Contact the chamber to learn more about our president's club level benefits

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Galletto Ristorante Continues to Impress

BY SABRA STAFFORD

“It’s rewarding when you stand and you look back and the music is on and people are enjoying their food and it’s like, ‘okay, this is why I do this’ and then you go back to the rush,” Romo said.

For 21 years Galletto Ristorante has been a pillar of Modesto’s fine-dining scene and with a new consulting chef leading the kitchen, the excellent reputation they have garnered will continue to thrive and Romo will have more of those moments to savor.

Galletto Ristorante was opened by Tom and Karyn Gallo with a menu that favored Northern Italian cuisine and used ingredients that highlighted the Central Valley’s rich bounty. It’s an all-scratch kitchen, meaning everything is made in house from the pasta to the sauces. Recently, the couple handed over the restaurant to their four adult children — Julian, Gianna, Tessa and Will — with Julian and his wife Taylor Gallo taking on the responsibilities of day-to day operations.

For the last year the restaurant has been working with Spencer O’Meara, a culinary veteran with more than 30 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including 23 as an executive chef.

“We have him come in quarterly and he works with our kitchen on maintaining standards, c re a t i v i ty, creating new menu items and changing our seasonal menu,” Romo said.

“Our main focus on bringing Spencer in was to for those seasonal items and to have continuous growth with our menu. “We strive to stay true to our roots, while also giving the community something interesting and different n a regular basis.”

O’Meara appreciates the farm to fork menu Galletto Ristorante has cultivated and finds inspiration for new dishes from the seasonal bounty.

“When I’m creating a new dish, it goes one way or another,” O’Meara said. “It’s either somebody introduces me to a protein, and I try and build a dish around it. Or I look at the produce list and I’m like, ‘oh, what do we have here? I want that.’ And then I put a protein next to it and start building. Something has to inspire you, because if you force it, it will come across on the plate. But, if something inspires you and you get passionate about it, then that’s when some of your best dishes come out.

When not at Galletto Ristorante, O’Meara resides in Hawaii and while the island paradise is certainly a far cry from the Central Valley, it is where he finds some of his inspiration for dishes that locals end up enjoying. One such inspiration played out with the Black Cod entrée.

RELATIONSHIPS

There is a time during dinner service that Galletto Ristorante General Manager Cal Romo has a moment — and it’s usually just a few seconds — when he can look over the dining room and the open kitchen and see it all flow together with efficiency and perfection.

Continue to page 28 august 2022

27

Galletto Ristorante Continues to Impress

(Continued from page 27

“All of our pastas are house-made,” O’Meara said. “It has sun-dried tomatoes in there with a little Alfredo sauce and some asparagus. And then we have this gorgeous lobster tail on top. It’s really impressive.”

“It’s a dish that people love and come back for again and again,” Romo said.

“Black cod is one of my favorite fishes,” O’Meara said.

“It’s also called sable fish and in Hawaii it’s known as butterfish. “It’s super tender, super flaky and very mild.”

The fish, with its silky texture, is served over an heirloom tomato panzanella with spring garlic, spring onion, and a tomato vinaigrette and topped with an olive tapenade.

Relationships

Heirloom tomatoes are one of the stars of Galletto Ristorante’s summer menu, whether as a side for an entrée or shining on their own, like in the heirloom tomato salad. The salad is an abundant mix of flavorpacked heirloom tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted red onions, avocado, baby kale and topped with a creamy, delicate burrata and a red wine vinaigrette and balsamic glaze.

28

Another dish highlighting the summer harvest is the pluot cheesecake with a graham cracker crust, cabernet gelee and whipped cream. Pluots are a hybrid fruit of plums and apricots. It’s been mixed side the cheesecake and is augmented by the red wine gelee.

“This was created by our pastry chef Patti Torrens,” O’Meara said.

Seasonal offerings bring something new to the menu, while others have earned classic status, like the fettuccine.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

Just as impressive as the menu, is Galletto Ristorante’s bar, with more than 150 different varietals, 12 bottled import and domestic beers and seasonal craft cocktails, like the Pina on the rocks, which features coconut rum, fresh coconut cream, and lime juice served over ice.

In addition to the dining room, Galletto Ristorante has the wine vault and the Sala room, which can both be used for private parties; and the bocce ball court and the vine arbor patio, which is a bit like finding an Italian hideaway in the middle of downtown Modesto, where no matter the weather, it’s always a pleasant under the arbor.

Galletto Ristorante is open from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday for lunch and dinner from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant is located at 1101 J Street in Modesto. For reservations or more information visit galletto.biz or call (209) 523-4500.

Research to Predict the Atmospheric Effects of Wildfires Underway at Stanislaus State

By Gina Oltman, Communications and Public Affairs, Stanislaus State

Research can take root anywhere, even on a friend’s front lawn. Just ask Stanislaus State’s Wing To, an assistant professor of physics, who went to an outdoor gathering and walked away with a research project idea that could speed up predictions of the atmospheric effects of California wildfires.

The project attempts to improve predictive modeling to produce quicker forecasts of the atmospheric effects of a wildfire that spreads air pollution over a wide area such as the Central Valley.

The traditional approach requires complex mathematical calculations, but atmospheric scientists are exploring faster modeling methods using data science. With large fires happening more frequently, more historical data is available on how fires interact with the atmosphere.

By using machine learning algorithms, also known as artificial intelligence (AI), scientists can use the data to model the effects of future fires.

Continue to page 30

education

“It was at the start of the pandemic when people were hanging out on their lawns instead of indoors,” he said.

“I was introduced to a couple of atmospheric scientists from the Lawrence Livermore National Lab. We were just having a beer on someone’s lawn and talking, and that is how the project started.”

august 2022

29

Research to Predict the Atmospheric Effects of Wildfires Underway at Stanislaus State (Continued from page 29)

education

Dr. To’s project involves collecting data from previous fire locations with the goal of using the data to upgrade simulation and modeling software that is already widely used by atmospheric scientists. If successful, the upgraded software will be able to produce accurate predictive models within days instead of the year or more the process usually takes. This could lead to faster and more accurate modelling of wildfire pollution to better warn local communities of health risks in the air.

30

Dr. To began by studying the area of the Creek Fire that occurred in the Sierra National Forest in fall of 2020. He next entered information about the existing plants and other material that could be consumed in a fire — creating a “fuel source map” — into a computer equipped with an AI program and coding using a common data science programming language called Python.

This summer, Dr. To and his students have been busy with data analysis activities. They are working with atmospheric scientists at Lawrence Livermore Modesto Chamber of Commerce I ModChamber.org

National Lab, which has high-resolution aerial imagery of the 2020 Creek Fire.

“The artificial intelligence program works very well with the high-resolution dataset and we’re able to classify fuel sources with 87% accuracy,” Dr. To said.

He hopes that this work with high-resolution data can be used to download lower-resolution data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-2 satellite data.

Sentinel-2 provides 10-meter resolution image data over the same area which could be used to update the fuel source map every 10 days. Frequent fuel map updates will provide more accurate predictions of wildfires in simulations.

As work on the project proceeds, Dr. To hopes to hire a geography student and involve colleagues in geography and atmospheric, environmental, computer and fire sciences. He also hopes to obtain federal grants to fund the research that he believes will play an important role in helping Californians deal with the effects of future wildfires.

The Importance of a Review Funnel for Your Clinic Kathryn Ramos / Sisbro Innovation

The importance of a review funnel for your clinic can't get overstated. Like many service providers, word-of-mouth marketing is vital for those in medicine.

Yet many healthcare professionals allow their patients to leave without requesting a review. Below are some primary reasons you need to focus on your clinic's review funnel.

Improve Your Brand's Trustworthiness Many patients struggle with clinics that lack any reviews or recommendations. Even established professionals may not have much of an online presence or branding for offices.

That means many patients will go to the clinics with the most reviews, and the most positive reviews.

Don’t miss out on letting your patients brag for you, keep reading to learn more.

Reaching out to new and existing patients is a great way to gain ratings. You may even want to offer a small incentive for writing reviews.

Collect Practical Marketing Data

Having different patients leave reviews lets you see who you cater to most. In turn, you can utilize your marketing budget more effectively, potentially decreasing costs. Plus, those who take the time to review your clinic are giving you insight. Make better use of those singing your praises via online ratings.

Don't Fear Customer Outreach Efforts Is there a new vaccine available that wasn't six months ago? Has it been several months since you've seen a particular patient? Use your email capturing and funnels to reach out to your c clients for reminders, announcements, or review links after a visit.

No matter the reason, capturing emails and happy patients will help grow your business and get an edge on the competition.

For more information go to www.sisbroinnovation. com or call Sisbro Innovation at (800) 291-9102.

Your business is unique.

Your insurance solutions should be, too.

We take the time to understand the facets of your business that make it unique. Then, we offer the expertise that can make the difference between just buying insurance or investing in the best solutions to manage your company’s risk and coverage needs. Our partnership with HUB International has made it possible to offer our clients more than ever before, bringing them to new and specialty markets while still being the area leader in self-insurance or group captive options.

Call us today and find out what we can do for you.

service

One area where healthcare providers lag behind retailers is relevant customer data. Despite having demographic data available, most clinics leave them unused in filing cabinets.

Risk & Insurance | Employee Benefits | Retirement & Private Wealth hubinternational.com

800-942-2729 • 209-550-3783 Giddings, Corby, Hynes Lic# 0144783

august 2022

31

SAVE ENERGY. SAVE MONEY.

Whether you're an owner or a renter, Modesto Irrigation District offers a variety of great rebates and energy saving tips for your home and business.

LEARN MORE AT WWW.MID.ORG