209 Business Journal May 2019

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BUSINESS JOURNAL

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MAY 2019

VOLUME 4 ■ ISSUE 5

IN PROFILE

Sweet Pea Cookie Company owner Gina Black is creating custom designed delicious delicacies in Oakdale.

PAGE 4

NEWS

A VISION FOR WATER

ANGELINA MARTIN/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Gemperle Farms has surpassed the eight million mark for eggs donated to charity since the year 2000.

PAGE 8

Congressman Josh Harder was joined by local government leaders and water stakeholders from all sides of the aisle when he announced his monumental new water bill in Modesto on April 24.

Harder water bill a bipartisan effort

BY ANGELINA MARTIN

A

209 Business Journal

s a full Tuolumne River flowed behind them, a diverse set of government leaders and water stakeholders gathered alongside Congressman Josh Harder in Modesto to unite under one important cause: protecting water in the Central Valley.

Harder, flanked by local and state officials of both the Democrat and Republican parties, agriculture groups and farmers, irrigation district representatives and other water advocates, announced a monumental new bill to address the ongoing water crisis called the Securing Access for the Central Valley and Enhancing (SAVE) Water Resources Act. The legislation, which has bipartisan support, will create cutting-edge programs to grow and sustain the region’s water supply by improving storage capacity, supporting key new technological innovations for drought resistance and groundwater management and establishing responsible levels of federal funding to invest in water future.

“We’re stuck in a 20th century mindset on water use that fools us into believing the answer to our water problems is to take it from someone else – pitting us against each other. Southern California against Northern California, farmer against fisherman and Demo-

We’re stuck in a 20th century mindset on water use that fools us into believing the answer to our water problems is to take it from someone else – pitting us against each other. ­—Congressman Josh Harder

crat against Republican. But after the worst drought in our history, we’re all finally starting to understand that that system doesn’t work,” Harder said. “We have the most variable rainfall in the country here in California – if we had passed this law 20 years ago like we should have, we wouldn’t be seeing a wet year like this one as a complete missed opportunity to invest in our future water needs and store valuable water for times in need.”

According to Harder, he got straight to work on the water bill in the first few days after he was sworn in, just over 100 days ago.

Since then he’s held roundtable and individual conversations with many of the same people who stood beside him to announce the bill on Wednesday, listening to

their ideas and seeing what would work best for District 10 in legislation of this scope.

Joining Harder at the bill’s announcement were Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa, Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak, Turlock Irrigation Director Michael Frantz, Del Puerto Water District General Manager Anthea Hansen, Stanislaus County Farm Bureau Board President Darrell Cordova, Delta-Mendota GSA Executive Director Federico Bajas, Stanislaus County Sierra Club Political Chair Kent Mitchell and local water distribution and treatment operator Sam Hedge — leaders with the occasional opposing viewpoint, but brought together under a bill that will benefit the entire region.

“This is a complicated issue, and as you heard today there are a lot of

stakeholders, a lot of people from different sides of our community,” Harder said. “I think sometimes people love to fight, and that’s what cable news is all about and that’s what Washington loves to do...we met because we wanted to set a different tone, and I think the fact that we have Republicans and Democrats here, the fact that we have the Sierra Club alongside the Farm Bureau — I mean, how often do you see that? — really suggests a process of the last 110-plus days that has been collaborative and listened to every single voice.”

The SAVE Water Resources Act touches on a broad range of water policy areas aimed at increasing water storage opportunities, spurring innovation in water sustainability, and making responsible federal investments in our aging water infrastructure.

The bill works to improve water storage by requiring the Bureau of Reclamation to expedite feasibility studies for four specific storage projects in the Central Valley, including Sites Reservoir, Del Puerto Canyon Reservoir, Los Vaqueros and San Luis Reservoirs and provides $100 million in storage funding. The bill also helps farmers prepare for SGMA by leveraging federal resources to identify prime locations for groundwater storage and recharge in California and across the Western United States.

SEE WATER, PAGE A10

209 209BUSINESS BUSINESS JOURNAL JOURNAL

2

MAY 2019

OPINION

Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present.

Vol. 4 No. 5 ■ May 2019 PUBLISHER Hank Vander Veen

GENERAL MANAGER Drew Savage

MANAGING EDITOR Sabra Stafford

NEWSROOM Jeff Benziger Dennis D. Cruz Kristina Hacker Teresa Hammond Angelina Martin Candy Padilla Virginia Still Dennis Wyatt

­—Jim Rohn

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Harold L. George

GRAPHIC DESIGNER Sharon Hoffman

United Airlines feels your pain. I don’t.

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Chuck Higgs

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Reproduction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or illustration without written permission from the publisher of 209 Business Journal is strictly prohibited. The opinions expressed in 209 Business Journal are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of 209 Business Journal management or owner.

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LIFE in the saddle

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of a couple of dozen times a year, which means I’ve gotten to experience modern commercial aviation at its least enjoyable. Postponed and canceled flights have forced me to scrub plans, miss important events, rent cars and spend the night in airports. I’ve sat next to passengers with sharp elbows, loud voices, bare feet and incontinent infants.

Like any air traveler, I often feel frustrated by endless delays, cramped accommodations and general helplessness. When it all starts to ruin my day, though, I can usually restore my equilibrium by remembering a few important

things: I’m warm, dry, safe and fed, with ready access to caffeine and alcohol. I’m able to visit any decent-sized city in America in a matter of hours, and anywhere in the world in a few more hours. I can zoom across huge distances, for a fare that is not onerous, and return at my convenience.

Some of our ancestors came across a perilous ocean on rickety ships, some of them in steerage and some of them in chains, with the added attractions of rats, scurvy and stale hardtack. Our forebears crossed the continent in covered wagons, on horseback, in canoes or on poorly shod foot. Many of them risked their lives; all of them sacrificed their comforts, if they had any.

Were Lewis and Clark outraged when bad weather forced adjustments in their

schedule? Did African Americans fleeing slavery worry about spotty Wi-Fi service?

Did the pioneers who migrated westward complain about the amount of legroom in their open-air, wooden-wheeled, horse-drawn buckboards?

When my father was attending college at the University of South Carolina in the 1940s, he didn’t fly home to see his family in West Texas. He spent long days hitchhiking — 1,100 miles each way. Today, thanks to the airlines, I could have breakfast in Chicago, lunch in South Carolina and dinner in West Texas.

If air travel has become unbearable, why are the airports and flights packed with people? In the past 30 years, the number of passengers flying in the United States has nearly doubled. That’s why the parkSEE UNITED, PAGE 10

YOUR VIEWS

Nine facts about retirement

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United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz has heard the complaints from air travelers, and he truly regrets the suffering they endure.

“It’s become so stressful, from when you leave, wherever you live, to get into traffic, to find a parking spot, to get through security,” he told ABC News. He also acknowledged that seating is too tight to be shrunk further, and that his airline’s Wi-Fi is unsatisfactory.

Confronted by unhappy air travelers, Munoz feels, or least feigns, great sympathy. I, by contrast, find myself entirely unmoved by their grievances.

Perfect bliss is a rare if not impossible attainment in this world. But for passengers on major carriers to gripe about what they have to put up with is like New Englanders complaining about the Red Sox. I fly something on the order

3/25/2019 10:03:18 AM

209MAG A Z I N E.CO M

BY JERRY G. VAN HOUTEN, AIF, A SMARTVESTOR PRO WITH DAVE RAMSEY

In a shocking report done by Ramsey Solutions they discovered nearly half of Americans aren’t saving for Retirement, and those who do save, are not saving nearly enough.

The final report shows while not exactly split down the middle, Americans do fall into two nearly equal groups when it comes to retirement saving. Savers make up the slight majority at 58% of Americans,

leaving 42% who are not currently saving for the future.

But the differences between savers and non-savers goes much deeper than that. Age, income, gender and marital status all have an effect on who saves and how much.

Results from their 2016 survey of more than 1,000 U.S. adults also shows that even among savers, few are setting aside enough to afford a truly secure retirement. In fact, only one in 10 Americans save 15% or more of their income—the

amount industry experts recommend individuals set aside in order to build adequate savings—for retirement.

Tip: Nearly 70% of workers expect to work for pay in retirement, but only 26% of retirees actually have done so.

Source: 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey, EBRI Retirement can have many meanings. For some, it will be a time to travel and spend time with family members. For others, it will be a time to start a new business or begin a chari-

table endeavor. Regardless of what approach you intend to take, here are nine things about retirement that might surprise you.

1. Many consider the standard retirement age to be 65.

One of the key influencers in arriving at that age was Germany, which initially set its retirement age at 70 then lowered it to age 65.¹ 2. Every day between now and the end of the next decade, another 10,000 baby boomers SEE VIEWS, PAGE 10

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

3

IN PROFILE

Food truck serves up Portuguese delicacies

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

As the city with the largest Portuguese population in the country, Hilmar has to be excited about the newest food truck to hit its streets.

Though Smokin Portagee Food Truck is on wheels and can change its location at the rev of its engine, owner and Hilmar native Carlos Fagundes considers the town his business’ “home base,” parking on Lander Avenue next to Hilmar Auto Parts for a majority of the week.

Along with fiancé Stacy Ochoa, Fagundes has tak-

en the cooking expertise he learned from his mom and grandmother over the years — both natives of the Azores — and transformed it into a dining experience which has gained the small food truck quite the large following since opening in February.

“It’s always been a dream of mine,” Fagundes said.

“Once I got the trailer and we got going, I never expected this would happen to me with the way it’s taken off. It’s at the point now where I think I might have to open another one.”

With classic dishes like linguica, pork loin sand-

Smokin Portagee Food Truck Location and Hours: For updates, visit Smokin Portagee Food Truck on Facebook Contact information: 209-914-7224 Specialty: Pork loin sandwiches topped with egg

wiches, Portuguese beans and even experimental, fun food like deep-fried linguica bites, Fagundes tries to pay homage to his family while creating food that his customers will like.

“I like to think I’m following in their footsteps.

Of course our food is Portuguese, but it’s probably not nailed to a ‘T’ like my grandma and mom used to cook,” he said. “I’m just thrilled that people like Portuguese food, and I like to think my food is pretty close to old school Portuguese cooking.”

On some days, the Smokin Portagee Food Truck can be found in Turlock, Modesto or other towns. The truck’s schedule is constantly changing,

ANGELINA MARTIN/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Stacy Ochoa and Carlos Fagundes opened the Smokin Portagee Food Truck in Hilmar this February and have since received plenty of support.

so Fagundes recommends that customers check the business’ Facebook page to see their location for the day before heading out for a meal.

As a former cook who used to prepare Portuguese food for family func-

tions like birthday parties and anniversary celebrations, the Smokin Portagee Food Truck is a dream come true for Fagundes.

He owes it all to Ochoa, he said, who pushed him to follow his passion. He even tries to give back through

his new endeavor, handing out leftover food at the end of each day to the homeless community.

“I never expected this would happen to me,” he said. “To have my own food truck is amazing.”

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

4

MAY 2019

IN PROFILE

Sweet success for Oakdale cookie cutter

BY TERESA HAMMOND 209 Business Journal

Gina Black has found her passion.

The wife, mother and former Stanislaus County employee officially quit her day job and found a way to turn a longtime hobby into a business. During the fall of 2018 Black launched her business, Sweet Pea Cookie Company.

“I’m one of those moms that everything has to be a theme,” she said of her ear-

ly days as a mother, throwing parties for her daughter Skyler Murphree. “I started doing sugar cookies as place cards and it always matched the theme. That’s how I started, about 19 years ago.”

Black’s cookies, however, are not simple sugar cookies with basic frosting, they are works of art. Each cookie is not only made by Black but frosted and hand painted as well.

“It’s something that I

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Black sets no limits on the creations she can make for customers. Each and every creation is made by the business owner personally from scratch, a process which takes approximately three days per order.

Great things in business are never done by one person. They’re done by a team of people. ­—Gina Black kind of fell into,” the cookie enthusiast said of her business. “It’s something I never thought I would do full time — ever.”

The workmanship, not to mention tastiness of her cookies, quickly found her making them for parties of family members and friends. She stated that demand spread early on, yet she was cautious to keep her skill to those she knew and baked on her off days.

“It’s a recipe I found online and I kind of tweaked it, but it’s a basic sugar cookie,” she said of the base for her artwork. “I’ve never strayed from it. Nobody’s complained and I think if I did, I would get complaints.”

She added that initially, “It was just a little side thing,” making cookies for

her direct circle.

Recognizing both her skill, as well as her passion, Black and her husband put together a two-year plan to enable her to transition the business from hobby to an income. A timeframe she shared that came up quite quickly.

In late spring of last year, her husband came home one day and suggested she give her two-week notice and get the ball rolling for the business.

Her designs are a collaboration between a client request and clip art she finds online. Communicating primarily through messenger and e-mail, Black is able to offer mock ups of what the client is looking for by way of the cookie deSEE SWEET, PAGE 5

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Sweet Pea Cookie Co. and sugar cookie artist, Gina Black works on the piping of a cookie. Black recently started the cottage business from her Oakdale home after close to two decades of making the cookies for friends and family.

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW

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“We’re treated so well at Oak Valley, everyone is friendly and happy to see you – it’s like family.

If you look at our customers, you see local people who support us and we naturally try to support other local businesses too. We only wish we switched sooner.”

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

5

IN PROFILE

Step into style at 1507 Boutique

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

When Noel Dickey and Rajwinder Bahia were looking for a place their new family shoe boutique could call home, they knew downtown Turlock was their first option for a few reasons. Downtown offers camaraderie between businesses on Main Street, the family-friendly vibe that radiates throughout the streets in the evenings and, most importantly, the area’s lack of a shop that caters solely to its customers’ feet.

So far, 1507 Boutique’s location is serving the couple well, they said, as the store prepares to celebrate its grand opening this weekend.

“Turlock is very vibrant.

You have a lot of families strolling around, so this is where we really wanted the shop,” Bahia said. “We already love our neighbors, and that was one of the biggest draws for us to lease this building.”

With less than 700 square feet to work with, Bahia and Dickey have turned their small downtown location into a shoe lover’s dream, working over months to chip away at the space’s concrete walls to reveal the 114-year-old brick underneath. A variety of shoes for men, women and children — countless styles for any occasion — line the shelves against the wall, providing shoppers with a selection of designers with varying prices.

“There aren’t a lot of places to shop for shoes downtown, so I wanted to offer affordable shoes as well as designer shoes for customers, that way they don’t have to drive to Modesto or out of town,” Dickey said.

Family shoe shopping is 1507 Boutique’s man-

SWEET

FROM PAGE 4 sign. Once the design is approved she uses a projector to superimpose the image onto the cookie.

“It’s all hand piped or I paint it,” she said. “It takes a long time. It’s almost like an assembly line process.”

The process takes a total of three days from beginning to end to complete an order. The baker works solo on every single order.

A fact she shared which is primarily due not only to her pride in her work, but

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL FILE PHOTO

Purchasing and bottling room manager Justin McManis checks a wall box on his rounds in the family winery on River Road in Ripon.

450,000 cases and growing

McManis Winery adds new bottling room STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

ANGELINA MARTIN/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

Noel Dickey and Rajwinder Bahia opened 1507 Boutique in April with the family shoe shopper in mind.

tra, providing shoes with memory foam that are especially helpful for children who have difficulty walking, and dress shoes for men that provide more stability and comfort. As a physician, Bahia provides input for every shoe that comes into the store.

On Sundays, 1507 Boutique takes appointments for private shopping, allowing families to block off an hour of their day for uninterrupted shoe shopping time.

“We based everything about this store on our own experience as parents, so we wanted to provide this for busy families,” Bahia said. “We have small children, so we know what it takes to shop and if you can dedicate an hour, it helps.”

Currently, 1507 Boutique is offering 25 percent off

dress shoes for high school and college graduates who show their school ID now until the end of May.

1507 Boutique is located at 101 E. Main St., Turlock.

For more information call 620-8700.

her attention to detail and perfection.

“Everything I’ve done with this I’ve researched online,” she said of building the business, as well as her craft. “Pinterest has been great.”

Currently her business is mostly through word of mouth and social media.

While business is steady, a consistent cookie base of 200 ordered per week would be the most ideal for the businesswoman.

As for the business name, Black confided that her intent was to stay away from the trend of using her own name.

“Sweet Pea is my daughter,” she noted. “She’s my sweet pea; she’s been sweet pea since she was a baby.”

And her daughter contributed to the business in other ways as well.

“She actually did my logo for me,” Black said proudly.

“She’s a great artist.”

Not all projects are easy however, yet the artist doesn’t shy away from a challenge. In fact she embraces new ideas brought to her by clients.

“I love it,” she said of the business. “I’m a glutton for punishment sometimes but it’s a labor of love. I absolutely love it. I hope that

never changes. The reaction I get from customers that love them so much, it makes it worth it.”

As for the career change and the impact it’s had on her life now as an empty nester, Black shared she could not be more thrilled.

“It never dawned on me and no one ever told me, figure out what you absolutely love to do and find a way to make money doing it, because it will never be work,” she said. “It’ll be your job, but it won’t be work. I wish I’d have known that back then, even back in high school.”

The once tiny McManis Winery in Ripon has grown to a production of 450,000 cases being produced annually at its River Road facility.

Currently farming nearly 4,000 acres of premium wine grapes, the business got its start in 1998 under the guidance of Ron and Jamie McManis when they designed and built their state-of-the-art winery. The McManis Family Vineyards produces a range of red and white varietals sourced from 10 estate vineyards.

Son Justin McManis is the purchasing manager and manager of the new stainless-steel bottling room and daughter Tanya is involved in the administration of the Ripon and Lodi facilities. Both are Ripon High grads.

The automated bottling room allows the winery to employ fewer workers inside their plant. The automation keeps watch on the weight of the individual bottles to see they are properly filled and the boxes coming off the conveyor belt for shipping. If they don’t pass the photo scrutiny they are ejected from the lines. The bottles are also photographed for flaws and any chance of a foreign object being in a given bottle.

Premium grape growing practices use select rootstocks and clones chosen to match the soils and sub climates of the northern interior of California in combination with labor intensive management techniques such as leaf

pulling and cluster thinning practices. The Ripon business has recently won “green” winery certification through the Lodi Rules of Sustainable Winegrowing Programs.

McManis boasts the ability of having “small winery techniques” with small lot fermentation and oak aging to produce finished wines meant to be enjoyed with juicy flavors, freshness and balance.

The Ripon based winery exports to some 20 countries including Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Mexico, Spain, UK, Sweden Norway, Switzerland, Germany, France, Netherlands, Japan, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, Vietnam, Mexico and the Virgin Islands.

The winemaker is Mike Robustelli and the Ripon vineyard management is handled by Dirk Heuvel, Ed Bianchi and Alejandro Ochoa. In charge of the Lodi vineyard management are Ernie Jeff and Shane Dosio of Pacific Agri-Lands.

Massive stainless-steel fermenting tanks are designed to process 50 ton lots of red wine with smaller tanks available for blending, fermenting and oak integration. All the red grape varieties for the vineyard’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, Zinfandel, Petite Syrah, Syrah and Barbera are harvested mid-day to provide a robust start to the fermentation at the warmer valley temperatures.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

6

MAY 2019

NEWS

Gallo Winery adds new brands to portfolio STAFF REPORTS 209 Business Journal

Entekra will be opening a 200,000-square-foot plant next to the former Post Foods plant on East Whitmore Avenue.

New Entekra plant will boost economy, add jobs

BY JEFF BENZIGER 209 Business Journal

A new manufacturing plant being built on the edge of south Modesto and Ceres’ city limits is expected to have some healthy economic impacts for the regions and its merchants.

Ripon-based Entekra will be opening a 200,000-square-foot plant next to the former Post Foods plant on East Whitmore Avenue at a cost of $35 million to manufacture wood framing for new homes. Once operating in August, the plant and corporate offices will employ about 250 jobs to the line separating Ceres and Modesto.

The company has been operating a 27,000-squarefoot plant in Ripon since 2016. The company will move most of its 50-man crew to the new site and hire 200 more workers for manufacturing, engineering, design, marketing and customer service.

Entekra’s new facility is projected to give the CeresModesto area an economic boost of $61.6 million annually, said Opportunity

Stanislaus, and result in an additional 200 spin-off jobs. Opportunity Stanislaus is helping Entekra find a skilled workforce for its open positions.

The city of Modesto worked to ensure Entekra’s permits were not delayed and helped find approximately $100,000 in onthe-job training funding through various state and federal incentive programs and partnerships.

“Overall it’s a net positive,” said Ceres City Manager Toby Wells. “Obviously we would prefer to have that facility in Ceres but we don’t have that many spots that could handle 200,000 square feet of industrial space like they got there.

But with its proximity to the commercial corridor that Whitmore is and access to downtown I think it’ll be a net positive having a couple hundred jobs that would likely eat lunch in our community.”

He also cited the ability of Ceres residents to find good-paying jobs.

Entekra uses an automated system that speeds up production of framing

for new residential dwellings which saves time and money for developers while ensuring accuracy.

The traditional method of building homes in subdivisions has five framers assembling pieces on site over a 17-day period. Entekra saves labor by assembling the walls and floors at the plant, shipping them to the construction site and lifting them into place by crane. That process takes three days. The savings realized can be $14,450 per home.

Currently the Ripon plant can turn out material for 500 homes but the new plant will be able to turn out 3,000. Local builders using their product include Beazer, Fitzpatrick and Van Daele Homes. The increased output resulting from the new plant will allow them to manufacture framing for apartments and townhouses between the California-Oregon and Bakersfield.

CEO Gerard McCaughey said those interested in employment should visit the Entekra website, www. entekra.com/careers.

E. & J. Gallo Winery in April entered into an agreement with Constellation Brands, Inc. to purchase more than 30 wine and spirits brands, along with six winemaking facilities located in California, Washington, and New York.

“We are committed to remaining a familyowned company focused on growing the wine industry,” said Joseph E. Gallo, chief executive officer of Gallo. “While we continue to invest in our premium and luxury businesses, we see a tremendous opportunity with this acquisition to bring new consumers into the wine category. We will continue to provide our customers and consumers with quality products at every price point.”

More than 30 brands will join the Gallo portfolio, including Clos du Bois, Black Box, Estancia, Mark West, Wild Horse, Franciscan, and Ravenswood.

Also, as part of the agreement, Gallo will acquire several production facilities across the US. The included wineries are Mission Bell, Turner Road Vintners, Clos du Bois and Wild Horse in California, Hogue Cellars in Washington, and Canandaigua in New York.

Through acquisitions, strategic partnerships, and new brand innovations, Gallo has continued to expand and diversify its portfolio across all price points to meet growing consumer demand and evolving preferences.

In February, Gallo became the exclusive U.S. importer for Gruppo Montenegro and its portfolio of iconic Italian spirits, including Amaro Montenegro, Select Aperitivo and Vecchia Romagna Brandy.

“We are excited to become the U.S. partner for Gruppo Montenegro and look forward to adding their brands to our growing luxury spirits portfolio,” said Britt West, Vice Presi-

dent of Marketing for Gallo Spirits. “Gallo remains strongly committed to competing in the luxury spirits space with brands of the highest quality and authenticity. We look forward to furthering mixologist and consumer awareness and understanding of this growing segment of spirits.”

Passionate about alchemy, founder Stanislao Cobianchi began his journey in the late 1800s exploring the world and collecting the finest botanicals from his travels. Ranging from sweet and citrusy to bitter and herbaceous, Amaro Montenegro has been made with the same secret blend of 40 botanicals for more than 130 years.

Amaro Montenegro has received notable recognition by spirits connoisseurs around the globe, including World’s Best Bitter at the 2017 International Wine and Spirits Competition and

Best in Show Liqueur at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition in 2018.

Select Aperitivo was created in 1920 in the heart of Venice. During the postwar period, when the popularity of the aperitif began to spread, the Spritz soon became a favorite, establishing Select Aperitivo as the star of the Venetian cocktail scene and the essential ingredient for making the Original Venetian Spritz. A precise selection of 30 botanicals undergo a complex process to achieve its distinctive, well-balanced, bittersweet taste.

“As a privately-owned Company, we are honored to partner with the Gallo family and appreciate their commitment to compete in the luxury spirits business. With this partnership, we look forward to unleashing the full potential of our portfolio in the U.S.,” said Marco Ferrari, CEO of Gruppo Montenegro.

The Gallo portfolio is comprised of more than 100 unique brands, including Barefoot Cellars, SEE GALLO, PAGE 10

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209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

7

NEWS

Ag Census shows Stanislaus County as top U.S. producer

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Nearly 3 million U.S. farms and ranches participated in the 2017 Census of Agriculture, and the results released this week show that growers in Stanislaus County continue to be among the most productive in the nation.

The USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service conducts the Census every five years, offering an expansive look at agricultural data for every state and county in the nation. The Census looks at land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income and expenditures and other topics, and this information is used by federal, state and local governments that serve farmers and rural communities. Legislators also use data from the Census when shaping farm policy, and agribusinesses factor it into their planning efforts.

“The Census shows new data that can be compared to previous censuses for insights into agricultural trends and changes down to the county level,” NASS Pacific Region Director Gary R. Keough said.

For the first time, the 2017 Census of Agriculture provides data on topics such as military status and onfarm decision making, and the results are available in many online formats like a new data query interface, as well as traditional data tables. Also, nearly 25 percent of those who responded to the Census did

so online. These online features make it easier for ag stakeholders to “delve into the data,” Keough said.

America is now home to two million farms, according to the Census, which consist of 900 million acres that produced $389 billion in agricultural products in 2017. While that number dropped from $394.6 billion in 2012, 2017 returns to the longer-term trend of crop and livestock commodities both accounting for half of that number.

Stanislaus County’s ag commodity total sales increased, going from $2.23 billion in 2012 to $2.52 billion in 2017. The total number of farm operations in the county declined from 4,143 in 2012 to 3,621 in 2017, however larger acreage farms (500 to 999 acres) increased from 113 to 125 over the five-year period.

Nationally, the number of mid-sized farms declined between 2012 and 2017 — only very small farms (annual sales of $2,500 or less) and very large farms (sales of $5 million or more) increased in number.

Stanislaus County, along with Fresno, Kern, Merced, Monterey, San Joaquin and Tulare counties, leads all U.S. counties in sales, with animal sales coming in as its agricultural product with the top market value ($1.19 billion) and fruit and tree nuts coming in second ($1 billion). Both of these commodities increased in sales from 2012 to 2017 — fruits and nuts by $170 million and animals by $20 million.

One industry that saw a decline in Stanislaus County from 2012 to 2017 was dairy. The county went from having 238 milk farms in 2012 to 190 in 2017, with milk sales declining by nearly $15 million during that time. The sale of cattle, including calves, however, increased by $15 million.

Statewide, California’s top commodities were fruits and nuts with $17.5 billion in farmgate value, vegetables with $8.2 billion, milk with $6.5 billion, cattle and calves with $3.1 billion and horticulture with $2.9 billion.

The average age of the farmer in California is 59.2, up from 57.9 in 2012, and military veterans account for 10 percent of the state’s growers. In Stanislaus County, there are 525 farmers with military service under their belts. Over 6,000 farmers in the county are white, compared to eight native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander farmers, 16 African American farmers, 179 Asian farmers, 72 American Indian or Alaska native farmers and 718 Hispanic farmers.

About 33 percent of farmers in Stanislaus County are women, and the other 67 percent are male.

Census results are available in many online formats for those interested, including video presentations, a new data query interface, maps, and traditional data tables. All Census of Agriculture information is available at www. nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

Hilmar Cheese selling Turlock milk powder plant

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Less than five years after its completion, Hilmar Cheese Company, Inc. announced it will be parting ways with its Turlock milk powder facility.

Hilmar Cheese has entered into an agreement to sell the plant to Visalia-based California Dairies, Inc. — an asset sale agreement which allows both parties to begin due diligence in preparation to complete the transaction.

The facility was originally announced by Hilmar Cheese in 2014 and completed 18 months later in the Turlock Regional Industrial Park, adding 65 jobs to the local economy.

Hilmar Cheese decided to sell the facility as part of its new Strategic Plan 2021, which contains three strategies meant to focus on people, operational excellence

and delivering both products and solutions that “wow” customers. In short, the company hopes to dedicate its attention to core offerings like cheese, whey and lactose.

“We’re committed to building on Hilmar Cheese Company’s strong culture and purpose to improve lives while setting a bold vision for the future,” Hilmar Cheese President and CEO David Ahlem said. “The Strategic Plan 2021 identifies the strategies we will use over the next three years to create sustainable growth that is repeatable, ethical and responsible to current and future communities...The Turlock milk powder facility sale supports our plan to focus on products to grow the strength of our business and fulfill our vision for the future.”

Since 2015, the milk powder facility has integrated advanced processing tech-

nology to manufacture whole milk powder and skim milk powder for the export market.

The manufacturing process at the Turlock facility also uses the most technologically-advanced equipment to capture the water in milk for reuse to conserve precious ground water, recycling, reusing and treating water before it goes on to the Turlock Regional Water Quality Control facility.

The close of the purchase and transfer of ownership and associated assets is expected to take place in May, and Hilmar Cheese will continue operations with no impact to the dairy farm families who contract to sell their milk to the company. In addition, CDI will offer positions to Turlock-based Hilmar Cheese Company employees so they ANGELINA MARTIN/209 BUSINESS JOURNAL can continue their roles in Hilmar Cheese Company has reached an agreement to sell its Turlock milk powder facility to California Dairies in a deal to be finalized in May. producing milk powder.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

8

MAY 2019

NEWS

Egg-cellent community service

Gemperle Farms donates eight million eggs since 2000

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

Philanthropy has always been at the forefront of Gemperle Farms’ mission, and this week the business surpassed the eight million mark for eggs donated to charity since the year 2000.

Each week, thousands of Gemperle eggs make their way to lunch programs, local nonprofits, food banks and food pantries, with the Turlock egg producer generously donating between 350,000 and 500,000 eggs each year. More than three quarters of those eggs go to the United Samaritans Foundation and its affiliates, Hilmar Helping Hands, Turlock Together and the Salvation Army.

The organization uses around 450 dozen donated eggs each week, Executive Director Bev Hatcher said, which are used to make egg salad sandwiches.

“We have many stories to tell that are heartwarming about our egg sandwiches,” she said. “Everyone remembers them.”

Ernie Gemperle, who started Gemperle Farms in 1951, helped found USF in 1994 with the mission to deliver food to people

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Each week, thousands of Gemperle Farms eggs make their way to lunch programs, local nonprofits, food banks and food pantries.

in need throughout Stanislaus County. Today, the nonprofit’s Daily Bread Ministry lunch trucks serve just under 400,000 meals every year, and their emergency food boxes provide

over 33,000 meals annually.

Hatcher believes these numbers would not be achieved without donations from Gemperle Farms, which has been the

organization’s largest food donor for the past two decades.

“Many of our families and individuals live in areas considered food deserts where there are no full-service supermarkets within a mile of their homes. With the help of Gemperle Farms we have made a difference in our community. Everyone who comes to receive food from us is always appreciative,” Hatcher said.

To celebrate Easter, USF volunteers dyed 1,800 eggs donated by Gemperle Farms and gave them out by the food trucks on Good Friday.

In addition to their egg donations, Gemperle Farms also gives back to other causes throughout the community, like Stanislaus State, the Carnegie Arts Center, the Turlock Community Theater, the Boy Scouts of America and local sporting complexes.

“The Central Valley is our home and our community.

It is important for us to practice sustainable stewardship of the land and to give back to the community,” Mike Gemperle said.

Modesto Chamber Ag Aware luncheon helps FFA develop new leaders

BY SABRA STAFFORD 209 Business Journal

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s 24th annual Ag Aware luncheon in April feted the role of emerging agricultural leaders for the community, while raising scholarship funds for Modesto’s Future Farmers of America programs.

More than 600 of Modesto’s agricultural and community leaders attended the long-standing event to discuss economic trends, both locally and globally, that affect the San Joaquin Valley. The total money raised for this year’s event is still being tallied, but typically, the event raises around $20,000 to $25,000 for scholarships.

“Everyone here was once the future — the future leaders in our community and now we must do our due diligence to support that and invest in our youth,” said Kelly Monk, the 2019 Ag Aware luncheon chairperson.

The event featured student FFA speakers Jose-

phine Henderson, the FFA president at Central Catholic High School and Julie Schelhase, the vice president of the Modesto High School FFA. Both students praised the skills they have learned by being involved with the FFA, and how it has set them up with the skills for future endeavors.

“We have classes that offer real life entrepreneurial opportunities and working experiences,” Henderson said. “We have classes that build academic and technical skills that are necessary for success.”

The keynote speaker was James Garner, who has a long history in the agricultural community.

Garner is the founding partner of Cogent Consulting and Communications, Inc., a Sacramento-based firm specializing in strategic communications for clients in agriculture. He has a decade of experience working directly with California farmers, trade organizations, and processing cooperatives and

James Garner

companies on issues related to sustainability, such as water quality, animal well-being and greenhouse gases.

Garner has worked extensively with California dairy and almond clients, helping them with projects ranging from video production to social media.

He also provides communications support for Cogent’s regulatory activities, which provide clients representation before regional and state agencies charged with air, water and greenhouse gas regulations.

Garner is a past member of the Center for Food In-

tegrity Board of Directors, an organization comprised of stakeholders from across the food community dedicated to building consumer trust and confidence in today’s food system. A native of Hanford, California, he is a graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he earned a B.S. in Agricultural Science and Education, with a minor in Agribusiness.

Garner himself is a past National FFA Officer and California State FFA President. He said his involvement with the organization was not so much a choice, but a directive from his father, but he is now very grateful for that push.

“It literally changed my life,” Garner said of joining the FFA. “It put me on to something that I didn’t know I could do careerwise. Personally, I met my wife because of FFA and we have two great children.

My life would be so different and I wouldn’t want it to be any other way. And it really goes back to the FFA.

PHOTO CONTRIBUTED

Neste vice president of sales Jeremy Baines and Van De Pol president Ron Van De Pol prepare to cut the ribbon on Van De Pol’s new Neste-branded cardlock in Keyes.

Keyes celebrates renewable diesel station

BY ANGELINA MARTIN 209 Business Journal

The journey to cleaner emissions in the San Joaquin Valley reached a major milestone on Tuesday morning in Keyes, as the small community joined the growing number of roadside stops in California providing passing fleet drivers with the choice to fill up with renewable diesel fuel.

The Van De Pol cardlock in Keyes unveiled its newly-remodeled station, complete with Nest-branded pumps that will dispense Neste MY Renewable Diesel — a lowcarbon fuel produced from 100 percent renewable and sustainable raw materials that cuts greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80 percent compared to petroleum diesel.

Representatives from local trucking companies, fire departments, waste management services and the Keyes Unified School District, which will all utilize the renewable fill-up destination, were on-hand Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the cardlock. Colby Ball of Starlite Trucking explained that while his company was hesitant at first, they soon realized the benefits of renewable diesel fuel far outweighed any doubts.

“As I learned more about it, I got more excited about it and it’s actually proven to be far superior to what I even thought,” Ball explained, adding that Starlite saves on average $100,000 per year thanks to their use of renewable diesel. “Not only are we helping the environment, which the trucking industry is very passionate about, but if we can put a clean fuel in... it’s a great place to be.”

Neste MY Renewable Diesel, made from waste oils and fats, is a clean-burning diesel fuel that keeps fuel filters, particulate filters and fuel injection systems cleaner and vehicles run-

ning efficiently. Different than biofuel, it is a direct replacement fuel for petroleum diesel that requires no blending and is compatible with all diesel engines without any modification or change in infrastructure. It is priced competitively with traditional diesel.

Neste vice president of sales Jeremy Baines said that as the effects of climate change take hold, more and more companies like Starlite are making the switch to renewable sources of energy.

The Keyes Neste site alone will provide enough fuel for the local community to drive six million miles on renewable fuels, reducing emissions by up to 80 percent, or about 2.8 million pounds of CO2 per year.

“There’s no investment required for a truck to pull in here and make the choice to go for renewable diesel as opposed to fossil diesel,” Baines said. “Once they make the switch, they see not only the emission benefits, but also the performance maintenance.”

Van De Pol president Ron Van De Pol believes renewable fuel is the “future of diesel.”

“It doesn’t seem like a lot, but when you improve your mileage by half a gallon on a truck fleet it’s significant... but more importantly for the drivers, when you get a little on your hands and it doesn’t smell, that’s pretty good,” Van De Pol said. “As more people become educated, they’re saying, ‘Hey, where can I get this fuel?’”

Neste MY Renewable Diesel Fuel is now available at the Keyes Van De Pol cardlock to public and private fleets in the area. The Nestebranded pumps are the first in the San Joaquin Valley, and just the second in the state. For more information on Neste MY, and to learn how your fleet can make the switch, visit NesteMY.com.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

9

BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS AT WORK

Small Business Retirement: Investing in Your Future

Are you a maturepreneur?

Millions of baby boomers are leaving corporate America, but few are ready to retire.

The solution for many of them? Maturepreneurship.

Entrepreneurs in their 50s, 60s and 70s start 25 percent of all new businesses each year, according to Bruce Markewicz, founder of Maturepreneur Today, a new information and resource website for second-act business owners.

But while maturepreneurs have many of the same challenges as younger entrepreneurs do — marketing their product or service, dealing with competition, finding investors, coping with legal and tax headaches — they have a number of unique challenges. Says Markewicz: —They have to compete in a marketplace that worships millennials.

—They have to protect their financial investments and have less time to recoup any losses from a failed venture.

—Many want to have more work/life balance time for their family, hobbies and other pursuits, which any entrepreneur will tell you is next to impossible.

“Older entrepreneurs have a lot of financial obligations — home mortgages, aging parents, children in college — and they can’t just afford to take a year off and live in the basement on RedBull and Ramen noodles,” says Fran Trelease, founder of BoomerDen LLC, an online consulting firm specializing in cubicle-to-self-employment career transitions. “But often at this stage their ideas are brilliant: they’ve been stewing on a back burner in the individual’s mind for decades, and as a result their ideas and business plans are often much more clearly thought through than the stuff Millennials dream up.”

When you hear in the media about America’s aging population, it’s often presented as a doom-andgloom scenario: too few young people supporting too many dependent elderly, the national energy level going down and less risktaking. Someone who thinks

CLIFF ENNICO CREATORS SYNDICATE

this is baloney is Chris Farrell, a Minnesota Public Radio personality and author of “Purpose and a Paycheck: Finding Meaning, Money and Happiness in the Second Half of Life.”

“This is a wonderful thing for the economy,” says Farrell. “People are working longer, they’re healthier and better educated, and hey, age discrimination in corporate America is very real so traditional management jobs aren’t an option. By starting something of their own, older entrepreneurs are actually less of a burden on the social safety-net.”

Many maturepreneurs defy the image we have of entrepreneurs as people who move fast, break fast, grow big and work 90-plushour weeks. Many of them are solopreneurs, says Farrell: “They are self-employed, maybe with one or two independent contractors or a couple of friends or family members in an informal partnership, with little outside money except for maybe a bank loan and a rolled-over 401k plan.”

Which is OK for consulting or online retail businesses, but what if you’re on in years and you have come up with a truly wonderful idea for a tech product or service?

Farrell says that while there isn’t hard data, a lot of the baby-boom entrepreneurs he meets are going into business with their adult children.

“The Baby Boom and Millennial generations actually are much closer to each other than I was with my parents — these kids don’t want to leave home, but the parents are just as happy to have them stick around,” observes Farrell, adding that 20 percent of American homes are multigenerational. “A home-based business is a wonderful way to keep the generations together under one roof — the kids bring the hustle, energy, technological skills and 24/7 work

ethic, while the parents bring the insight, business sense and wisdom that appeals to investors.”

Still, when it comes to media attention, the emphasis remains on youth: When have you ever seen a local chamber of commerce celebrate “40 over 40” entrepreneurs? And maturepreneurs are faced with a host of unique questions that don’t plague their younger counterparts: —Why do I want and have to do this?

—Should I tap into my 401(k) to fund this business?

—Could I become so successful that I won’t be able to enjoy my grandchildren?

—Am I healthy enough to do this?

—How fast can I reach the point where someone can manage the business for me?

That’s where Maturepreneur Today comes in. It will be hosting an online Virtual Summit on Tuesday, June 11, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Speakers include former U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, former Small Business Administration Office of Entrepreneurial Development administrator Allen Gutierrez and (full disclosure) a certain nationally syndicated small-business columnist named Cliff Ennico. To check out the full roster of speakers and register online, go to https://www. maturepreneurtoday.com/ registration-now2.

As for the perception that baby boomers can’t adapt easily or quickly to new technologies and business models, Farrell says that’s bunk: “Hey, just look at all the technological change we’ve lived through, from manual typewriters to IBM Selectrics to Wang dedicated word-processors to desktop computers to smartphones. Don’t tell us we can’t adapt.” As someone with a basement full of vinyl long-playing records, cassettes and compact disks, most of which contain the exact same music, I can agree with that.

Just don’t ask me to subscribe to Spotify or buy an iPod. I’m tapped out.

209BUSINESSJOURNAL.COM

34%

of entrepreneurs have no retirement savings plan for themselves

Why don't small business owners have retirement savings plans?

37%

I don’t make enough profit to save for retirement

21%

I used my previous retirement savings to invest into my business

18%

I plan to sell my business to fund my retirement

12%

I don’t have any plans to retire

12%

I don’t see the need to save for retirement

$

40% of owners are not confident they’ll be able to retire before age 65.

MOREOVER, SMALLER COMPANIES ARE LESS LIKELY TO OFFER RETIREMENT PLANS FOR EMPLOYEES % of businesses that offer retirement plans 100% 90%

87%

80% 70% 60%

63%

50%

51%

40%

73%

30%

28%

20% 10% 0%

<10

10-24

25-49

50-99

employees

employees

employees

employees

71%

>100 employees

Those who don’t, cite expense, administrative burdens and lack of employee interest

63%

50% 22%

15%

13%

Concerned about how to choose a plan provider

Organization is too new

0% Too expensive to set up

Does not have the resources to administer such a plan

We haven’t thought about it

Employees are not interested

But retirement savings plans cost employers only 2.4% of an employee’s compensation.

And retirement plans support employee recruitment and retention

48% departing employees said a lack of retirement benefits influenced their decision.

Benefits of offering a 401K plan (small business with 2-50 employees)

INSPIRES INCREASED EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT

HELPS ATTRACT BETTER QUALITY EMPLOYEES

DRIVES RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

% of small business owners

Work with a SCORE mentor to determine the best retirement options for you and your business.

Sources: https://www.manta.com/resources/small-business-trends/small-business-retirement-savings-plan/ https://www.paychex.com/articles/employee-benefits/survey-small-business-owners-uncertain-about-retirement https://www.ssa.gov/policy/docs/ssb/v75n2/v75n2p41.html https://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/assets/2017/01/small-business-survey-retirement-savings_f.pdf http://press.capitalone.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=251626&p=irol-newsarticle&ID=2285440

100

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

10

GALLO

FROM PAGE 6 Dark Horse, and Gallo Family Vineyards, as well as premium box wines The Naked Grape and Vin Vault. Premium offerings include Apothic, Carnivor, Chateau Souverain, Columbia Winery, Ecco Domani, Edna Valley Vineyard, J Vineyards & Winery, Louis M. Martini, MacMurray Estate Vineyards, Mirassou, Orin Swift, Talbott Vineyards, and William Hill Estate, along with highly acclaimed imports, such as Alamos, Brancaia,

WATER

FROM PAGE 1 In order to incentivize private sector development of new, cutting-edge water developments, the bill will create an “X-Prize” program, authorizing $2 million per year administered by the Department of the Interior.

In addition, the bill invests in water reuse and recycling by increasing funding for WaterSMART programs from $50 million to $500 million and extending the program’s authorization.

The SAVE Water Resources Act also invests millions in the Valley’s aging water infrastructure by establishing a water infrastructure and drought solutions fund to provide $300 million for water surface and groundwater storage, water reclamation and reuse, and WaterSMART program projects. An innovative financing program included in the bill would provide low-interest federal loans to fund local water infrastructure projects, and it will also reauthorize the Rural Water Supply Act, which requires the Bureau of Reclamation to work with rural communities to improve access to safe and clean sources of drinking water.

The bill is supported by elected officials of both parties. It is cosponsored

by Congressmen John Garamendi, Ami Bera, TJ Cox and Jim Costa, and also has the backing of California State Senators Anna Caballero, Cathleen Gagliani and Andreas Borgeas, California Assemblymen Heath Flora and Adam Gray, Supervisor

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La Marca, Las Rocas, Martín Códax, Whitehaven, and LUX Wines, importers of Allegrini, Argiano, Jermann, Pieropan and Renato Ratti. Gallo Spirits currently offers New Amsterdam Vodka and Gin, Familia Camarena Tequila, RumHaven, Lo-Fi Aperitifs, E&J Brandy, Argonaut Brandy, Germain-Robin Brandy, Diplomático Rum, as well as imported Scotch whiskies from Whyte & Mackay, including The Dalmore, Jura and John Barr.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approval.

Chiesa and Mayor Bublak.

“Agriculture drives the economy of Stanislaus County, and we must ensure that our farmers have access to the water they need to sustain their livelihoods – especially during times of drought,” Chiesa said. “This should not be a partisan issue, and I appreciate Congressman Harder’s work to secure broad consensus that will allow us to grow and sustain our water supply while also protecting our environment.”

Local water districts, including TID and Modesto Irrigation District, also approve of the SAVE Water Resources Act. “TID understands that in order to provide safe, reliable and affordable water and power to our customers, new cooperative approaches must be prioritized,” TID General Manager Casey Hashimoto said. “The SAVE Water Resources Act is a promising example of solution-based legislation that seeks to provide greater resources for California water.”

Harder said that in addition to local bipartisan support, his colleagues on Capitol Hill understand the bill’s importance as well.

“Water doesn’t care if you’re Republican or Democrat. You’ve got to make sure you have it, both for our economy and individual water user needs,” Harder said. “That’s why we have to work together if we’re going to get a solution here, and I think capitol hill recognizes that.”

For a full, section-by-section explanation of the SAVE Water Resources Act, visit www.harder.house.gov.

VIEWS

FROM PAGE 2 will turn 65. That’s roughly one person every 8 seconds.² 3. In 2016, the latest year for which data is available, people aged 65 and older accounted for 15% of the population in the U.S. By 2060, they are expected to represent more than one-in-four Americans.³ 4. Ernest Ackerman was the first person to receive a Social Security benefit. In March 1937, the Cleveland streetcar motorman received a one-time, lump-sum payment of 17¢. Ackerman worked one day under Social Security. He earned $5 for the day and paid a nickel in payroll taxes. His lump-sum payout was equal to 3.5% of his wages.⁴ 5. Sixty-four percent of retirees say they are confident about having enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement years.⁵ 6. Nine of ten adults aged 65 years and older say they have taken at least one prescription drug in the last 30 days.⁶ 7. In 2017, more than two-thirds (67%) of retirees depended on Social Security as a major source of their income. The average monthly Social Security benefit at the beginning of 2018 was $1,404.⁷ 8. Centenarians — in 1980 there

UNITED

FROM PAGE 2

ing lots are so full, the security lines are so long, the lounges are so crowded, and the seat next to you is always occupied.

A major reason for the surge is that flying is much cheaper than it used to be. As Robert Poole noted in Reason magazine last year, the average domes-

MAY 2019

were 32,000 of them. Today there are more than 76,000. And 80% of them are women.⁸ 9. Seniors age 75 and over spend a lot of time watching TV, on average 4.3 hours a day.⁹ Conclusion These stats and trends point to one conclusion: The 65-and-older age group is expected to become larger and have more influence in the future. Have you made arrangements for health care? Are you comfortable with your investment decisions?

If you are unsure about your decisions, maybe it’s time to develop a solid strategy for the future.

Postponing Retirement?

26% of workers now intend to keep working until age 70 and beyond.

And 10% don’t intend to retire at all.

1,4. Social Security Administration, 2017 2. The Motley Fool, July 29, 2017 3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 5. Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey 6. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2017 7. Employee Benefit Research Institute, 2018 Retirement Confidence Survey; Social Security Administration, 2018 8. USA Today, March 22, 2017; U.S. Census Bureau, May 2017 9. Bureau of Labor Statistics, June

tic airfare today is $344. In 1979, it was the equivalent of $616 in today’s dollars.

Tight seating, baggage fees and minimal amenities are not an airline plot to make you miserable.

They’re an airline plot to keep fares low, because most travelers are loath to pay more for a cushier trip. They want to get where they’re going as inexpensively as they can.

Let’s not forget the matter

of safety. There hasn’t been a fatal U.S. airline crash in more than a decade. If you survive the drive to the airport, your biggest risk is choking to death on a Starbucks scone.

Big carriers do make mistakes. American Airlines apologized for removing a woman and her child because they had a rare skin condition. United gained infamy for having a passenger dragged

Wanna see animals?

We got you covered.

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2 0 9 M A G A Z I N E . C O M

27, 2017 Jerry G. Van Houten, AIF is an Independent Financial Advisor with American Asset & Wealth Management. His office is located at 1111 J Street, in Modesto, CA. Visit: www.

FinancialWiser.com.

Securities and advisory services offered through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC (doing insurance business in CA as CFGAN Insurance Agency), member FINRA/SIPC. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. CA Insurance License #0720760 The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG, LLC, is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2019 FMG Suite.

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off an overbooked flight.

Delta apologized to a man whose seat was smeared with dog feces.

Human error, however, is an inherent feature of every facet of life, not a trait distinctive to airlines.

What most people put up with when they fly is not hardship but inconvenience. Such is the luxury of modern life that we sometimes forget the difference.

209 BUSINESS JOURNAL

11

ACCOLADES

PROMOTIONS, APPOINTMENTS, HONORS, ETC. Stanislaus Medical Society names Physician of the Year

The Stanislaus Medical Society has awarded Dr. David A. Olson with the John Darroch Memorial Award for 2019 and named him the Physician of the Year.

This annual award goes to a physician who stands out for dedication to patient care, education and quality of medicine.

Dr. Olson has been practicing medicine for over 38 years and currently runs a private practice in Oakdale. The Society lauded Dr. Olson for his years Dr. David Olson of demonstrating exceptional work ethic with multiple achievements that have benefited his patients, his colleges and the community.

Dr. Olson is one of a handful of infectious disease specialists in Stanislaus County and one of the only to combine primary and infectious disease care. As an infectious disease expert, Olson may administer treatment for hard-to-diagnose contagions, fungal and yeast infections, hepatitis, pneumonia, valley fever, wound infections and sexually transmitted diseases.

County employees to be honored

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will be acknowledging those employees you have reached 25 years or more of employment with the county during the meeting on May 14. Those being honored for 25 years are: Katherine Lindsey from the Community Service Agency; Shareen Richards from the Community Service Agency; and Cherie Dockery from Behavioral Health and Recovery Services. Honored for 30 years is Yolanda Bearden from the Community Service Agency.

Hospice volunteers feted an annual luncheon

The 2018 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Volunteer of the Year Award Winners, from left, Domini Mills, Sharon Troglin, Audrey Hermanson and Mardy Chipponeri.

Community Hospice, the oldest and largest nonprofit hospice provider in the Central Valley, celebrated and recognized volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and Award Ceremony on April 10.

Four dedicated volunteers were awarded the 2018 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Volunteer of the Year Award. Named after the cofounder of Community Hospice, the awards are given each year to four volunteers for their outstanding service and spirit of excellence. One volunteer is chosen from the following: Community Hospice, Friends of Community Hospice, Community Hospice

Hope Chest Thrift Stores and Camp Erin of the Central Valley.

The Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Community Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Audrey Hermanson. Not only is Hermanson a dedicated and compassionate grief support volunteer, she also assists the Marketing department at events providing resources and awareness of Community Hospice programs.

The Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Friends of Community Hospice Volunteer of the Year Award was given to. Mardy Chipponeri; current Vice President of Membership for the Friends of Community Hospice and Chair of the Santa Shares Breakfast. Chipponeri has served in many capacities to support the fundraising efforts and mission of Community Hospice. She has played a significant role in the success of Friends of Community Hospice and has demonstrated leadership and a hospice heart.

Sharon Troglin was awarded the Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Hope Chest Thrift Store Volunteer of the Year. Troglin has been volunteering with Community Hospice for more than 25 years. Her ongoing dedication to the mission of Community Hospice is a source of inspiration to her fellow volunteers.

The 2018 Mary Jean Coeur-Barron Camp Erin of the Central Valley award was presented to Domini Mills. She has served as a nurse at Camp Erin since the beginning in 2014. Her dedication to supporting campers along their grief journey, as well as the many camp volunteers, has been a blessing.

Calaveras Chamber CEO accepts new position

The Board of Directors of the Calaveras County Chamber of Commerce announced that Chief Executive Officer Staci Johnston has accepted a position with the county as the Executive Director of the Calaveras Mariposa Community Action Agency.

“Staci has been a tremendous asset in laying the foundation for our robust future and we applaud her decision to pursue another growth opportunity. When people grow and create new opportunities for themselves and their Staci Johnston families this is truly a measure of success for everyone involved,” said Board President Mark Luster.

“I am honored to have served in my capacity as CEO for the past 4 1/2 years and feel blessed to have worked with many individuals, businesses and organizations who are striving to make Calaveras County a beautiful place to live, work, play and do business,” Johnston said.

Capital Insurance Group names Western Valley Insurance ‘Agency of the Year’

Capital Insurance Group announced its 2018 Agency of the Year: Western Valley Insurance in Turlock. The award recognizes their overall excellence servicing policyholders, their commitment to the communities they serve, and their outstanding partnership with CIG. “CIG’s commitment to protecting and restoring the western region for over 120 years has only been made possible by partnering with outstanding agencies who share in our mission,” said Arne Chatterton, Presi-

dent and CEO of Capital Insurance Group.

“Western Valley Insurance exemplifies an agency committed to the highest standards of excellence for service, stewardship, and partnership, and we are proud to recognize them for our highest honor of Agency of the Year.”

Based in Turlock, Ca., and with additional locations in Los Banos and Crescent City, Ca, Western Valley Insurance has been serving central and northern California communities for 50 years, providing exceptional service to clients in need of customized home, auto, life, health, commercial, and agricultural insurance.

“We are honored to have been selected as Agency of the Year by Capital Insurance Group as we celebrate our 50th year in business,” said Thad Phillips, President of Western Valley Insurance. “CIG was one of our original partners and stands as a true testament that great things can be accomplished with great relationships.”

He continued, “We are fortunate to have a great leadership team, the best employees, and most of all the best clients in the world.

Thank you, Capital Insurance Group. We look forward to the next 50 years.”

Rollins, Inc. acquires Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Inc.

Rollins, Inc., a premier global consumer and commercial service company announced today that it completed the purchase of Clark Pest Control of Stockton, Inc. Clark is a family owned company established by Charlie Clark in 1950 and is headquartered in Lodi, CA. It is the leading pest management company in California and the nation’s 8th largest pest management company according to PCT 100 rankings.

Included in this acquisition are real estate properties and Geotech Supply. Currently, the company operates in 26 locations and offers both residential and commercial pest control throughout California and northwestern Nevada. Clark’s Robert Baker will stay on to run day to day operations in California. With this acquisition, Rollins, Inc.’s total customer count is now approximately 2.4M. Gary W. Rollins, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rollins, stated, “This family-owned business is a great addition to Rollins’ Family of Brands. We see great opportunity for this Company and its employees.”

“The Clark Pest Control family is proud to become a member of the Rollins, Inc. team.

We are excited for the opportunities this brings for the Clark employees,” says Robert Baker, President of Clark Pest Control.

tional search. His tenure includes many accomplishments, including keeping electric rates among the lowest in California, improving reliability in the energy system, implementing new technologies and enhancing the water delivery system, all while keeping customers happy.

Throughout his 34 total years working at TID, Hashimoto held numerous titles including 10 years as the Assistant General Manager, Electrical Engineering. Throughout his career he participated with various utility industry organizations like the California Municipal Utilities Association, Northwest Public Power Pool, Association of California Water Agencies, and American Public Power Association, among others.

Hashimoto has also overseen key interactions with the State Water Resources Control Board and the relicensing of Don Casey Hashimoto Pedro.

“Casey has provided TID impeccable leadership in his nine years as general manager,” TID Board President Charlie Fernandes said. “He navigated the District through difficult transitions in both the water and energy industries, all while keeping a watchful eye on the bottom line. He will greatly be missed.”

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TID General Manager announces retirement

After nine years of running Turlock Irrigation District, General Manager Casey Hashimoto announced on Tuesday his intention to retire at the end of 2019.

Hashimoto was appointed as interim GM of TID in 2010, then took over officially in 2011 after a six-month, interna-

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