Progress August 2015 by Modesto Chamber of Commerce

August 2015 Vol. 36 Issue 8 modchamber.org

Stanislaus Reads!

Chamber Board Perspective

Technology Transforming Lives

“I’M GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE USE OF MY HAND AGAIN.” - Jake White, Patient

When a piece of equipment malfunctioned at work and Jake White suffered a debilitating injury, he turned to the Hand & Arm Institute of Doctors Medical Center. “I couldn’t open my hand or extend any of my fingers,” recalls Jake, “but now, my hand is back in action. If I hadn’t had the surgery at DMC, I think my life would be different right now.” If a chronic repetitive motion condition or accident should occur at your place of business, the multidisciplinary Level II Trauma / Ortho Hand Surgery and Orthopedic Residency team provides 24-hour expedited care for quicker access to treatment and convenient local follow-up.

SPECIALTIES INCLUDE: • • •

handandarminstitute.com

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Carpal tunnel, trigger finger & arthritis Sprains, fractures & lacerations Microsurgery and nerve repair Workers’ comp cases & workplace wellness

For a physician referral, call 855-890-4263

CONTENTS AUGUST 2015

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.

Executive Committee Chairman David Gianelli, Gianelli & Associates

LEADERSHIP

Message from CEO

COVER STORY

Educating Our Skilled Work Force

GUEST COLUMN

The Best Investment for Business

Chairman-Elect Eric Tobias, F&M Bank

NETWORKING & REFERRALS

Past Chairman Ralph Curtis, Curtis Legal Group

Chamber Calendar

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

EDUCATION

Vice Chairman, External Operations Brad Hawn, CHG

Technology is Transforming

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

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

Printer: The Parks Group 209.576.2568 • mike@theparksgroup.com Distribution: The Parks Group 209.576.2568 Advertising Sales: Never Boring 209.526.9136 • progress@neverboring.com © Copyright 2015 Modesto Chamber of Commerce. Some parts of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted, however, we require that permission be obtained in writing. 209.577.5757, Progress@ModChamber.org

What we learned from Lemonade Day

ASK THE EXPERTS

Education Providers

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber Board Corner

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

Graphic Design: Never Boring 209.526.9136 • www.neverboring.com

Congrats 2014/2015 Class!

YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY

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

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

Leadership Modesto:

ERIC TOBIAS F&M BANK

I work for F & M Bank and we have been Chamber members for many years. We attend many of the events which are excellent networking opportunities and you learn about a topic that is important to the community. A few years ago I decided to get involved with the Chamber and joined the Board of Directors because I saw how important it was to support the business community. In addition to supporting new business with ribbon cuttings and networking events the Chamber is very involved in what our local and state politicians are working on and the impact to you the business community. Two of our main committees are economic development and government relations. The meetings are open to all members. At these meetings you will learn “what is really going on.” Before getting involved I had no idea how many issues the Chamber was involved with to support local businesses. Time is important to all of us, so the question is it’s great to support local businesses, but I have to run my own business as well. I have grown my business by relationships I have developed through the Chamber and its events. If you get involved you will benefit the community as well as your own business. P

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

AUGUST 2015

PUBLI C A DVO CACY

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO By Chamber President and CEO Cecil Russell

The focus of this issue of Progress is education. We continue to believe that education is essential to economic development. A welleducated work force helps attract companies with great jobs to locate and expand in our community. The Modesto Chamber will have its annual State of Business and Education forum Thursday, August 20th, at the Martin G. CECIL RUSSELL Petersen Center in downtown Modesto. The CHAMBER PRESIDENT theme of this year’s event is “INCREASE AND CEO YOUR PROFITS BY INVESTING IN HIGHER EDUCATION.” Our guest speakers will include Dr. Joseph Sheley, President of California State University Stanislaus, and Jill Stearns, President of Modesto Junior College. Their presentations will be stressing the importance of higher education, and how your business can assist your family and employees in the pursuit of post-secondary education and training. We will also share success stories from some of our locally-educated individuals that have been supported by their companies and have gone on to thrive in their careers. So mark your calendar for August 20th and become a part of the success of education in our area. Speaking of education, have you ever wanted to learn Chinese? We have partnered with Huey Y. Lee, a prominent member of our Chinese community, and she will be teaching Mandarin Chinese. Her classes will be starting September 4th. For more information Email: ModestoChineseSchool@yahoo.com or visit her website at: www. ModestoChineseSchool.wordpress.com. We are also preparing for election season. On November’s ballot, there will be the Mayor’s race, three City Council seats and three seats on the Modesto School Board, two seats on the Sylvan School Board, and some very important ballot measures/initiatives. The Modesto Chamber’s Government Relations Council will be conducting its interviews with the candidates and reporting the results to you in the September and October additions of Progress, as well as on the

Chamber’s website. Please become familiar with the candidates and all of the issues and don’t forget to VOTE. I recently had the pleasure of attending the groundbreaking for the Miracle League Stanislaus County. This has been a vision and a labor of love for a group of people that have wanted to bring the opportunity to experience the joy of childhood with the great American pastime of baseball to the many thousands of disabled Stanislaus County children. This vision will result in a specialized field developed to address the safety hazards for players with wheelchairs or walkers. Thanks to the generous donations from so many in our community, the Miracle League will commence league play in the spring of 2016. Their new baseball field and facilities will be located at the corner of Pelandale and Carver. For more information go to: www.miracleleaguemodesto. com. There is a group of downtown business owners that have been working to form a Modesto Downtown Partnership and Community Benefit District. The purpose of this group is to help to develop a renewed energy to promote business growth in our downtown area. Their goals are to improve the individual property parcels, attract new customers to their business, increase sales, increase occupancies, and enhance the appearance of the parcels. Their concept is to build on keeping the greater downtown area clean, safe, orderly, attractive, well-marketed with special events and programs, and to increase foot traffic and commerce. This is not a government entity, but a self-funded assessment to fund the activities of the Modesto Downtown Partnership. The City of Modesto will perform a total review of all tourism and destination venues, including the organizations that market and support them. The goal is to create a marketing vision and implementation plan that will enable all Modesto area destinations to prosper and thrive. Equally important is the effort to improve Modesto’s overall image and explore branding methods that are relevant and effective. Included in the review is the Convention and Visitor Bureau (CVB), whose 15 year contract expired July 1st. CVB was funded from the City’s General Fund through the transient occupancy tax collected from hotels within the city. All CVB tasks and functions will continue as before and are temporarily stationed in the City’s Community and

PUBLIC AD VOCACY

C H A M B E R B O A R D P E R S P EC T IVE

MY PERSPECTIVE ON BUSINESS AND EDUCATION By Lucy Virgen, Bank of the West

Economic Development program until the new plan emerges. The next step is to create a Task Force representing community stakeholders passionate about developing a more strategic approach to tourism and visitor attraction. This task force will be comprised of enthusiastic leaders from the cultural, business, entertainment and sports interests throughout Modesto. It will be job of the Task Force to develop the vision and the plan to set the future course. The Chamber of Commerce has been asked to provide a representative on the Task Force, and we are happy to participate in this much-needed program. I also had the pleasure to tour the new Pelandale overpass with a group of elected officials and other business people. This project will improve the traffic flow dramatically. The project is headed by Bill Sandu from the City of Modesto, and the City deserves a great amount of credit – first for acquiring the funding, then designing the project, and finally for managing the project. The project is ahead of schedule and is coming in below budget. The first phase opened to traffic the end of July and will be completed mid-2016. The monument that will welcome everyone to Modesto will be completed at that time [see the photograph below]. This monument will help engender pride in our City of Modesto, and be a symbol of our City to all those who travel through the Central Valley. Finally, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce a new partnership with the Modesto Bee to provide benefits to both our members and the readers of the Bee. This partnership has been in the making for about a year, and the staff of both of these venerable organizations have worked hard to put it together. As part of this undertaking, Chamber members will be receiving an email from the Modesto Bee soon offering them a free “Online Reputation Report” about their specific business. Chamber members can also receive a subscription rate to the print version of the Modesto Bee and unlimited digital access at 75% off, free market research, and several ways to earn discounts on advertising. As the Modesto Bee continues to create an advanced digital platform and new methods for marketing online, we will continue to strive to acquire premium and exclusive digital and print marketing opportunities from the Bee for our Chamber members. P

When people ask me how long I’ve been with Bank of the West, they are surprised to hear that I just reached my 22nd year. Sometimes, we start out with a company and, before we know it, we have a career! When given the opportunity, I share with people how much I enjoy working for Bank of the West and how the bank’s emphasis on education was pivotal in my career trajectory. LUCY VIRGEN Bank of the West is an award-winning place BANK OF THE WEST to work, one in which continued educational pursuits are encouraged. In large part due to the fact that I have been able to grow in my profession and build a career at Bank of the West, I find myself working hard to contribute to each of our customers successes as well as the success of the bank. As I have given of my time and talents to these endeavors, I have benefited by developing a career and a community. I started working at Bank of the West as a teller while attending college and I eventually earned a bachelor’s in business administration and finance. Over the past 22 years I have held several positions, and today I am the area manager of seven locations in Stanislaus County. Bank of the West was instrumental in keeping me in the area while continuing my education. I was able to take advantage of the company’s tuition assistance program, and they were flexible with my work hours, when I needed to take specific classes during the day. Meanwhile, I was also learning valuable business skills. It is evident to me that the reason Bank of the West continues to grow and gain success is because of its commitment to employees and the communities where we do business. Investing in your employees has huge payoffs! From my personal experience, it has empowered me to be more confident, productive, motivated and positive. I have never stopped learning, and I am very receptive to coaching. Working for a company which offers tuition reimbursement to its employees has helped me tremendously; not only am I encouraged to continue my education, I am now able to encourage my employees to take classes and expand their skills and knowledge. For many small business owners, I realize that resources may be limited. However, there are other ways to support your employees – you can become that valued mentor to your employees, especially those who are newer to the workforce. Your support, guidance and direction are valuable sources of encouragement. I remember those who served as my mentors, and I am grateful for their support and encouragement. I believe we live in an age where being an expert in your trade and having cross-functional skills are essential. I remind our local business leaders to share their input into local college and university educational and professional development programs to help address the changing times and demands in business. As leaders, we choose to set a precedent of encouraging and supporting higher education for our children and employees. Higher education is a sound investment in people’s futures. Businesses and individuals in our community can seize these opportunities, and make every effort to retain our top talent. In doing so, it could be likely that Modesto and our surrounding communities will have a better retention tool for innovative and creative employees of the future. P AUGUST 2015

{ COVER ST O RY } Stanislaus County Office of Education join forces to change the culture of education in Stanislaus County — and create an educated work force. “We came in the door with a common goal of working together,” said Jill Stearns, Modesto Junior College President. “It’s exciting to see that really start to mesh.” It’s not always easy to work together, Stearns said. Different rules govern each system, but with the will to change — and some creativity — she has faith the partnership will succeed. The Partnership isn’t just about getting kids into college. It’s about getting them to start thinking about college early, and to be prepared for those tough college classes. Because of the uneducated nature of Stanislaus County’s population, it’s an uphill battle. Between 70 and 80 percent of CSU Stanislaus students are the first in their families to attend college. Those first generation students don’t have anyone to guide them through college applications, or financial aid. They can’t ask their parents for tips on registering for classes, or choosing a major.

By Alex Cantatore As the economy rebounds, the Central Valley is terrified of being left behind. Residents look west and they see booming cities, chock-full of businesses. They look south and see rents rising faster than new housing high-rises. But the rebound has been slower in the Valley. Modesto has the land. It has the infrastructure. Tax and utility rates are favorable. So why aren’t businesses coming here? The reason, California State University, Stanislaus President Dr. Joseph Sheley says, is simple: Why would a company locate in Modesto with no skilled workforce ready to hire? Just 18.2 percent of Modesto residents hold a bachelor’s degree. “That’s pitiful,” Sheley said. “You can’t attract any new businesses if that’s your human capital.” It’s one of those chicken-and-egg scenarios. College graduates frequently leave the area because they can’t find jobs. But businesses don’t locate here because there aren’t enough skilled employees to fill their jobs. “You’re not going to look at the Central Valley if you’re going to have to import your labor when you get there,” Sheley said. So what’s the fix? How can Stanislaus County improve its labor force, and create the jobs to retain its labor force? Enter the Stanislaus Education Partnership, a new initiative that will see CSU Stanislaus, Modesto Junior College, and the

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

Planning for a successful college career starts early. The partnership wants to reach the families of children in the 6th or 7th grade to start the conversation about saving for tuition, about taking college preparatory classes. If students wait until after high school starts, after they’ve already begun taking the wrong classes, it becomes even harder to reach college. Proper preparation improves students’ chances of staying in college, and succeeding. Students who find themselves in remedial classes have a hard time catching up, let alone graduating. “It’s hard to win a race when you start at the back of the pack,” Sheley said. CSU Stanislaus’s graduation rate, about 54 percent within 6 years, is below statewide averages. But that’s because of the student population, Sheley said; first generation students, many of whom commute, work, and have families, tend to have a harder time graduating. MJC faces similar challenges. If you walk into an MJC classroom, you’ll likely see a dual-enrolled high school student sitting between a typical college age student and a 50-year-old. In part, that’s because MJC serves a number of different populations, from those who hope to transfer to fouryear institutions, to those pursuing a technical education, to those developing new skills. “Our doors are open for anyone who would choose to come,” Stearns said. MJC’s career technical programs create a sort of skilled, trained worker that CSU campuses don’t — and those career tech graduates are in high demand. Tesla has been hiring MJC auto body students into $60,000 per year jobs, while nurses and medical assistants are usually hired as soon as they graduate. Those programs are expanding to meet the region’s needs, Stearns said. New career tech programs to train large animal veterinary technicians and drought-friendly irrigation technologists are launching soon.

And MJC will soon become one of the first California Community Colleges to offer a four-year degree as part of a new trial program; classes will start for a B.S. in Respiratory Care in January, 2017. “We have tremendous, tremendous interest,” Stearns said. “It is an amazing opportunity for MJC to be selected as one of the pilot programs.” Students who earn an associate’s degree earn $400,000 more than those with only a high school diploma, on average. But, again, many local children never even think about the benefits of college. Public colleges facilities like MJC’s Great Valley Center provide an opportunity to get kids thinking about college. Students can explore handson science, or sit in a world-class planetarium that shows children a universe they’ve never seen through Modesto’s light-polluted skies. “It’s to build a passion for science, for exploration, and the expectation among children that, ‘I can do this,’” Stearns said. Already, MJC serves about 22,000 students annually. CSU Stanislaus issued 2,400 new college degrees this year. And each one of those degrees changes lives, Sheley says. And each one of those degrees makes the Central Valley labor force stronger. “You start to realize what a difference we are making in individuals’ lives, in their families’ lives,” Sheley said. “And here, it helps the region — not simply the individual who got a degree.” Sheley hopes that the community can absorb the new graduates. That CSU Stanislaus and MJC’s students are partners in the region’s economic development. And even if things aren’t rebounding here in the Central Valley quite as quickly as expected, and state education funding isn’t as plentiful as it could be, people here are working on making the region better. And that’s what really matters, Sheley says. “Even though we don’t have all the resources we need, we’re focused on our common purpose,” Sheley said. P

…Our doors are open for anyone who would choose to come …

GO VE R NMENT R ELATIO NS

GOVERNMENT STILL STANDING IN THE WAY OF RELIABLE WATER SUPPLY By Assemblymember Kristin Olsen California’s drought affects us all. Lack of water hurts those who live in both urban and rural communities, work in a high tech company or on a farm. Water shortages impact job opportunities, economic growth, and our health and well-being.

KRISTIN OLSEN ASSEMBLYMEMBER

There are communities across our state whose wells have literally run dry. This drought emergency isn’t a drill – precious lives and whole industries are on the line right now, waiting for state bureaucrats to act.

Meanwhile, government red tape continues to hold up the construction and completion of much-needed water projects across our state. One example involves proposed desalination plants. Desalination turns salt water from the ocean into clean drinking water for Californians. It is an increasingly popular source of water for many cities since it is a “droughtproof ” supply. We can go years without much rain, but the ocean will always have water. One plant is under construction in Carlsbad. When fully operational, the Carlsbad project will turn as much as 56 million gallons of water from the Pacific Ocean into drinking water each day. For just 1/2 a penny per gallon,

Your Benefits Plan...Your Way.

or less than $1 a day to meet an entire household’s water needs, the project will provide as much as 7 percent of San Diego County’s water supply by the year 2020. Sadly, the project took nearly 20 years to start construction, as it was the target of 14 legal challenges and duplicative bureaucracy, subject to environmental reviews from the Regional Water Quality Control Board, the California Coastal Commission, the state Department of Health, the city of Carlsbad, and numerous local agencies. Astonishingly, state regulators recently acted to impose even more rules, restrictions, and roadblocks on desalination plants. It is estimated that this will increase the cost of building and operating such facilities by hundreds of millions of dollars. This is foolish. Another dozen desalination projects are currently on the drawing board in our state. We need to expedite the construction of these plants, not continue to tie them up in endless years of bureaucracy and litigation. At the same time, we need to speed up new water storage projects that were approved by voters in the water bond last fall. Right now, there are two proposed surface water storage projects on the table – Temperance Flat Dam near Fresno and Sites Reservoir near Colusa. These projects have undergone significant planning and review at the local, state, and federal levels. Sites Reservoir was first proposed in the 1980s. More than two decades later, no shovels have turned. Assembly Republicans recently proposed legislation (Assembly Bill 311) to streamline the approval process for water storage projects like Sites and Temperance Flat, in the same way as was done for the new Sacramento Kings basketball arena. Unfortunately, our proposal was blocked by the majority party. State government should be doing everything it can to alleviate our current drought emergency and prevent future droughts from devastating our economy and hurting California families. We must modernize laws and streamline permitting regulations that are standing in the way of more storage, desalination, water recycling and other projects that will increase water supply for communities throughout all of California – north, south, east, and west. California is in the midst of a water crisis. It’s time for the Legislature and Administration to rework misguided laws and regulations that are standing in the way of generating the water we need. People are tired of endless, bureaucratic delays. They deserve better. P **As seen in The Sacramento Bee on June 20, 2015 Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto, is recognized as a solutionfocused reformer. She represents the 12th Assembly District in the California Legislature, which includes portions of Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. Follow her on Twitter: @KristinOlsenCA

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

GUEST COLUMN THE BEST INVESTMENT FOR BUSINESS: YOUNG CH ILDREN IN STA NISLAUS C O UNT Y By Marian Kaanon, CEO, Stanislaus Community Foundation

In the past thirty seconds, three more children were born in the United States. Of these three, only two are likely to graduate from high school. Millions of children in the U.S. face lives of lost potential without access to quality prenatal care, healthy and supportive environments, and opportunities to learn. It doesn’t have to be that way in Stanislaus County. Local business leaders can ensure that all children – our future workforce – get an equal chance at a strong start.

waiting rooms, stocked with books for children to take home and keep. These libraries will be built by local service groups and, with a gift of $200, your company can sponsor a Little Free Library.

New evidence from neuroscience, social science, high-level policy efforts, and a growing concern among business, military, and other civic leaders has generated vast amounts of information regarding the significant impact of early intervention in a child’s life.

Children often fall behind in learning over the summer months. Stanislaus READS! is committed to expanding free or low-cost enrichment programs over the summer. With a gift of $500, your company can sponsor a week’s worth of summer learning for several children in our region.

MARIAN KAANON CEO, STANISLAUS COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

WHY FOCUS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD? Early childhood programs cost money, of course, but studies show that the benefits associated with such programs also come with monetary gains and savings. When the projected benefits exceed the projected costs, then these programs can be seen as “paying for themselves” and then some over time. In other words, the original investment generates a financial return. Because high quality early childhood programs promote healthy development, they can generate savings by reducing the need for more expensive interventions later in a child’s life. For example, studies show that participation in high-quality early child care can help children avoid special education, grade repetition, early parenthood, and incarceration – all outcomes that imply large costs for the government and society. Furthermore, children (over the long term) and parents who participate in such programs are more likely to be employed creating tax revenue and enhanced buying power that can positively contribute to the economy.

FUND HIGH-QUALITY PARENT ENGAGEMENT A centerpiece of the Stanislaus READS! campaign is peer-to-peer parent networking and support, utilizing Parent Cafés at local schools. With a gift of $200, your organization can fund a Parent Café at a local school.

SUPPORT SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

PROMOTE EARLY LEARNING AT YOUR BUSINESS Stanislaus READS! partners welcome the opportunity to share information with your employees about the importance of early childhood, and what they can do, to encourage learning at home. Our community outreach approach is culturally sensitive and adapted to your unique work environment.

ADOPT A LOCAL SCHOOL Adopt a local elementary school and ask your team to spend time every week mentoring and reading to local students.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? Visit Stanreads.org or contact the Stanislaus Community Foundation at 209.576.1608 or ahughes@stanislauscf.org. P

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO “INVEST” IN EARLY CHILDHOOD? Locally, a group of stakeholders has committed to investing in children. The Stanislaus READS! initiative, led by the Stanislaus County Office of Education, the Children & Families Commission, the Stanislaus County Libraries, and Stanislaus Community Foundation, is a multi-year effort to connect the dots around early childhood literacy so that local students can become lifelong learners and, ultimately, join the workforce and become productive citizens of our community. Here are ways that you, as a business leader, can support our greatest asset, young children, in Stanislaus County:

HELP EXPAND THE IMAGINATION LIBRARY This new program mails a book, for free, to a participating child’s home monthly from birth to age five, providing quality literature to children who otherwise may not have access to books. For a gift of $150, your company can ensure that a child receives a book monthly for five years.

SUPPORT LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES Local medical clinics have signed on to house Little Free Libraries in their AUGUST 2015

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Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

CLOUD • DATA PROTECTION • MANAGED SERVICES • VOICE • WIRELESS

CHAMBER CALENDAR AUGUST 2015

SEPTEMBER 2015

5 & 19

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

2 & 16

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING

CHAMBER U - HIRE SLOW - FIRE FAST

CALIFORNIA EMPLOYERS ASSOCIATION

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

1114 J ST.

9:00 A.M. TO 11:00 A.M.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING *

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. 7:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

Modesto Junior College’s Great Valley Museum 2201 Blue Gum Ave. 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

MARKETING THROUGH THE CHAMBER

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

GRACEADA PARK

1114 J St.

3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Grocery Outlet 1800 Prescott Rd. 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

401 NEEDHAM ST.

11:30 A.M. TO 1:00 P.M.

BUSINESS BEFORE HOURS

STATE OF BUSINESS & EDUCATION 2015

MARTIN G. PETERSEN CENTER

720 12TH ST.

7:00 A.M. TO 9:30 A.M.

HARVEST LUNCHEON 2015

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING

Modesto Chamber of Commerce

1114 J St. 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

United Cerebral Palsy 4265 Spyres Way, #2 MJC Science Center 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE MEETING

AMBASSADOR/WELCOME TEAM MEETING

SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS

Solid Networks 5686 Pirrone Rd. 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. 12:00 p.m to 1:30 p.m.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

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

SHOWCASE YOUR BUSINESS

*MEMBERS ONLY MEETINGS HELD AT THE CHAMBER 1114 J STREET

Alliance Worknet/ Stanislaus Business Alliance 1020 10th Street Plz, Ste. 102 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

INFORMATION: WWW.MODCHAMBER.ORG

Modesto Chamber of Commerce 1114 J St. 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

**PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE

AMBASSADOR/WELCOME TEAM MEETING

Central Catholic High School

At Central Catholic, we have: • A strong college preparatory program • A thriving FFA program • A new Health & Fitness Center to be completed in 2016 • Over 87% of students involved in co-curricular activities • A faith based community

We are a Family Visit us at www.cchsca.org AUGUST 2015

N E T W ORK I NG & REFERRALS

SHOW CASE Your BUSINESS

Have a new location or renovation to show off ? Host a “Showcase Your Business” and let the community see your new digs! For more information call Lynda Jost at 209.577.5757 ext. 111.

PLE A SE JO I N U S FO R SH O W CA SE YOUR B USIN ESS A U GU ST 26TH AT 5:30 P.M.

In the summer, the average student loses approximately one month’s worth of learning. Did you know that we have over 3,000 Clubs with summer programs? Open the Door for the Kids of Stanislaus County at http://bgc-stanislaus.org/

With Us! The Stanislaus Business Alliance is a private-public organization. It is the unique blending of economic and workforce development assistance that provides professional one-stop services for existing and prospective employers in Stanislaus County. There are 5 key areas of assistance: • BUSI NE SS D E V E LO PM E NT • I NNO VATI O N • M AR KE TI NG • BUSI NE SS R E SE AR CH • W O R KFO R CE D E V E LO PM E NT Employers can take advantage of three great, no-cost programs through Alliance Worknet: • O N-TH E -JO B TR AI NI NG ( O JT) • SUB-E PR O GR AM • E M PLO YE E R E CR UI TM E NT SE R VICE Hear what the Stanislaus Business Alliance can do for your business at the Chamber event August 26! Call 209.567.4985. P

Please Join Us for Business After Hours August 20th at 5:30 p.m.

{ AUGUST } BUSINESS

AFTER H OU R S

Business Before Hours hosted by: UNITED CEREBRAL PALSY STANISLAUS

United Cerebral Palsy Stanislaus is a day program for adults with disabilities. UCP is in full force here in Stanislaus County, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. we host 60 members with Cerebral Palsy and other disabilities. Over the last year we have opened an accessible garden, hosted 200 special needs adults for Olympic Day 2015, a Night with the Nuts, and kicked off our newest fund raiser Steptember. P Business Before Hours, Business After Hours and Showcase Your Business, call today to book yours! Call 209.577.5757.

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

Stanislaus County Sheriff

1854

Keeping the Peace since

Take a stand and help make a difference in your community. JOIN our team today!

For information on recruitment please call: (209) 567-4412 or beadeputy.com

N ETW ORKIN G & REFERRALS

NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS DEANNA M CRICHTON, NOTARY PUBLIC

HAZARD MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.

Deanna Crichton

Tina Chipponeri

PO Box 581912

207 McHenry Ave.

Modesto, CA 95358

Modesto, CA 95354

Ph. 209.985.1300

Ph. 209.551.2000

Fax 209.850.4058

Fax 209.575.5657

Professional Services

www.hazmanage.com Environmental Services

DEL RIO CLEANERS Doug Leadon

JACK AND JANE KIDS

1300 Sylvan Ave. C-1

Sylvia Skochenko

Modesto, CA 95355

1321 J St.

Ph. 209.666.5905

Modesto, CA 95354

www.delriocleaners.com

Ph. 209.422.3944

Professional Services

Fax 408.877.1555 Shopping & Retail

800-44-Mocse www.Mocse.org

GRAND CANYON UNIVERSITY

LEGAL PATHWAYS

Rebecca Valiez

Julie Richardson

3300 W. Camelback Rd

908 13th St.

Phoenix, AZ 85017

Modesto, CA 95354

Ph. 480.389.8297

Ph. 209.529.1085

www.gcu.edu

Fax 209.529.1076

Education & Schools

www.legalpathways.net Legal Services

GROCERY OUTLET Roger & Heidi Custer

MODESTO GARDEN CLUB

BE RECOGNIZED BE ENTERTAINING BE COMFORTABLE BELONG.

1800 Prescott Rd.

Dan Yockey

Modesto, CA 95350

622 14th St.

Ph. 209.523.5349

Modesto, CA 95354-2505

Fax 209.523.0673

Ph. 209.529.7360

www.groceryoutlet.com

www.modestogardenclub.org

Shopping & Retail

Arts & Entertainment

GROUP VAN GO

VERMEULEN & COMPANY, CPAS

FIND OUT WHAT SENIOR LIVING WAS MEANT TO BE

Robert Waterhouse

Thomas Vermuelen

3904 Ruffed Grouse Ln.

1180 W. Main St., Ste. 2

Modesto, CA 95355

Ripon, CA 95366

Ph. 209.918.4444

Ph. 209.599.5051

Fax 209.551.0112

www.vermeulencpa.com

Transportation

Banking & Financial Services

Dale Commons Independent and Assisted Living Community

3900 Dale Road Modesto, CA 95356 209.526.2053 www.dalecommons.com RCFE #507004998

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

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

COMM UN ITY D EVELOPM EN T

Please Join Us for Business Before Hours August 13th at 7 a.m.

{ AUGUST } B U S INE SS

BEFORE H O URS

Business Before Hours hosted by: GROCERY OUTLET

The Grocery Outlet’s goal is to offer the best in quality merchandise and to exceed every customer’s expectations every day. They are an outlet for quality name brand products from manufacturers with overstocks, canceled order or discontinued packaging. Each Grocery Outlet is a local, independently run, family business with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. They offer 40-70 percent savings versus conventional grocery stores. P Business Before Hours, Business After Hours and Showcase Your Business, call today to book yours! Call 209.577.5757.

AWARDS & ACHIEVEMENTS

Memorial Medical Center Awarded Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Center

Memorial Medical Center

announced that it has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® and the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Heart-Check mark for Advanced Certification for Primary Stroke Centers. The Gold Seal of Approval® and the Heart-Check mark represent symbols of quality from their respective organizations. MMC underwent a rigorous onsite review. Joint Commission experts evaluated compliance with strokerelated standards and requirements, including program management, the delivery of clinical care, and performance improvement. P

Radiators • Aluminum • Scrap Appliances Tin • Stainless Steel • Scrap Iron • Copper Brass • Cardboard • E-Waste • Batteries MODESTO JUNK CO. Recycling Center 1425 9th Street Downtown Modesto

209-522-1435 Se Habla Español www.modestojunk.com

ANNOUNCEMENTS Modesto Chinese School is back after a nine-year hiatus. It is restarting with two beginner’s Mandarin Chinese classes, run by two highly-qualified and energetic teachers who will use the Mei Zhou Chinese series with an integrated curriculum of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The school takes students ages 5 and above. No prior knowledge of Mandarin Chinese is required. Fall classes will be held on Fridays from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Modesto Christian School from Sep. 4 to Dec. 18. Seats are limited. Welcome all! P

Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8am-4:30pm • Sat. 9am-3pm Free bins and hauling for commercial and industrial customers. AUGUST 2015

ED UCATION

TECHNOLOGY IS TRANSFORMING

Introducing

LIVES FOR STUDENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION By Sarah Grantano, Stanislaus County Office of Education Assistant Superintendent, Special Education There is no doubt that technology plays a significant role in our everyday lives. Science and engineering have innovated powerful computer technology that is affordable and portable. We have smart cars, smart TV’s, and intuitive, interactive communication devices conveniently held in our hands or worn on our wrists. Technology has certainly revolutionized the way people live, work, and play.

formerly Bank of Agriculture & Commerce

Infusing technology into our schools is an ongoing process. Allowing students access to a plethora of resources and information in the classroom can engage students and transform their educational experiences. The promise of using technology to increase student achievements and to better prepare our youth for the future has educators headed toward a progressive transformation in education. SARAH GRANTANO

OUR NEW name… · Maintains BAC’s strong brand recognition. · Reflects BAC is a community bank serving individuals and a variety of business sectors including agriculture. · Celebrates our 50th Year Anniversary.

bankbac.com

LOCATIONS MODESTO 1625 J Street 209-544-2227

Member FDIC

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

Special educators view the use of technology in schools with a different lens. They look at the potential of a device and think of how it can help a student to communicate and gain independence. Communication is an essential and basic vital human need. Imagine having thoughts, wants, and needs, but being unable to communicate them. For students in special education, technology is transforming lives. The ability to tap the hidden potential within a student is incredibly powerful. Recently, the Stanislaus County Office of Education was providing services for a new preschool student that had no verbal communication and no use of his hands or arms. The assistive technology specialists assessed him and immediately recognized that he was trying to communicate. The specialists were motivated to help this four year-old find his “voice.” Within a few months, using eye controlled assistive technology, he was able to say hello to his teacher, follow instructions, tell people his thoughts, and even play a computer game with a peer. In the past, to assist a student with communication, the technology was very specific, costly, and limited. Today, a student with a disability can now use text-to-speech technology to “read” materials that are written, use their voice to access their device, or use a device to be their voice. Professionals are now able to offer unprecedented access to information and modes to communicate, improving functional capabilities. Although many technologies were not originally designed to address specific disabilities, “accessibility” is becoming a defining feature that companies are invested in building into all products. Apple claims that they have “done everything possible to make anything possible.” Whether acquired at birth, by tragic accident, by illness, or the aging process, no one is “immune” from having a disability. Technology will continue to play a vital role in the lives of adults and children with disabilities, enhancing the quality of life in meaningful ways. Fortunately for all, the digital era has created accessible technology that is giving a voice to people who would have never been heard, and access to a world where anything really is possible for everyone. P

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW At Oak Valley, we take pride in helping our customers and communities get stronger. The most rewarding opportunities are often those which provide local businesses the ability to grow and help our communities thrive.

Brett Tate and Brett Honoré of Dust Bowl Brewing Co., pictured with Oak Valley’s Dianna Bettencourt, AVP Turlock Branch Manager, 209.633.2867 and Mike Garcia, VP Commercial Loan Officer, 209.343.7607

“When it was time to choose a bank to finance our expansion, we knew we wanted to work with local people who understood our business and cared about the Central Valley as much as we do. Oak Valley was responsive to our needs and their team ensured the financing went smoothly at every stage in the process.” - Dust Bowl Brewing Co., Turlock, CA

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

866.844.7500 • ovcb.com Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy

Our Gears are always spinninG

The Parks Group has many “gears” to help power your projects. We provide everything in-house — graphic design, web & mobile development, branded merchandise, printing & bindery, wide format, mailing, fulfillment & warehousing. Multiple solutions from a single source!

The

PARKS GROUP 209.576.2568 theparksG.cOm Modesto: 209.576.2568 1515 Tenth Street, Modesto, CA 95354 Stockton: 209.466.9026 445 W. Weber Ave, Suite 124A, Stockton, CA 95203

AUGUST 2015

E C O N OMI C DEVELO PMENT

PEOPLE ON THE MOVE

WISG welcomes Julie Estacio Teran to its

Trinity Renovation, Inc. continues to grow its kitchenCRATE

and bathCRATE concepts via new Director of Sales, Willy Stevens. This high-energy, charismatic Seattle native has spent the last 16 years in an assortment of construction-related sales roles. Willy has completed training and is now actively taking the kitchenCRATE and bathCRATE products to the good folks of the Central Valley and TriValley areas. Willy’s arrival will allow others in the company to focus on expanding the CRATE marketing footprint, further develop the kitchenCRATE Refinish product, and focus on the upcoming franchise offering of the kitchenCRATE & bathCRATE brands P

NEW MEMBER PROFILES Modesto Chinese School is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization. Its

mission is to continue passing along Chinese language and culture to new generations and to our community. It was open from 1992 to 2006. This year, it is reopening with two classes for ages 5 and above on Fridays at Modesto Christian School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The Fall semester runs Sep. 4 to Dec. 18.

Email: modestochineseschool@yahoo.com Website: modestochineseschool.wordpress.com

JULIE ESTACIO

Sales Team! Julie Estacio Teran has joined Winton-Ireland as a Property Casualty Producer specializing in agricultural insurance. Julie was raised on a family dairy, “Estacio & Sons Dairy,” in the Turlock area. She currently resides in Turlock with her husband Gerald and two teenage children, Monique and Justin.

Prior to joining Winton-Ireland, Julie worked for Triebsch & Frampton, APC, for over 24 years as a paralegal in the areas of agricultural law, business law, corporate formation, estate planning, trust administration, real property and land use, and taxation. Julie is a member of various organizations such as Sacred Heart Church, Our Lady of Fatima Society, Turlock Pentecost Association, Portuguese Fraternal Society of America, and Toastmasters International. Julie has participated in local clubs such as Chatom 4-H and Turlock FFA, showing her dairy animals at the Stanislaus County Fair. Julie is excited to start her career at Winton-Ireland. She is fluent in Portuguese and brings her passion and enthusiasm to help and guide clients with their insurance needs. 627 E. Canal Dr., Turlock , CA 95380. Office: 209.667.0995 Email: jteran@wintonireland.com P

WISG welcomes Joseph Coleman to its Sales Team! Joseph Coleman has joined Winton-Ireland as a Property Casualty Producer, specializing in agricultural insurance. Joseph was raised in Hilmar and currently resides in Turlock.

Prior to joining Winton-Ireland, Joseph worked for Hilmar Holsteins for 10 years as JOSEPH COLEMAN an assistant herdsman, specializing in calf and heifer development, embryo transfer, and in vitro fertilization, genetics, and as a specialist in dairy operations and milk barn quality control. Joseph is a member of various organizations such as Merced and Stanislaus County Holstein Associations, California Holstein Association, Portuguese Fraternal Society of America, Ducks Unlimited and Toastmasters International. He has participated in many Hilmar FFA and Hilmar Colony 4-H events. He graduated from Cal Poly with a Bachelor’s Degree in Dairy Science and Agriculture Business Management, and is fluent in Spanish. Joseph is very excited to start his career with Winton-Ireland, bringing his superior work ethic and great attitude to assist and guide clients with their insurance needs. 627 E. Canal Dr., Turlock, CA 95380. Office: 209.667.0995 Email: jcoleman@wintonireland.com P

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

COMM UN ITY D EVELOPM EN T

CONGRATULATIONS LEADERSHIP MODESTO CLASS OF 2015! By Amy Vickery, Steering Committee

The Leadership Modesto class of 2014-2015 graduated in June. Grand smiles adorned faces, hearty hugs and handshakes symbolized a meaningful year gone by. It was clear this group that first met in August with an air of quiet trepidation had come a long way.

Growing quality leadership is critical to strengthening the business community in Modesto. Many local business executives and city leaders have attended Leadership Modesto since the program’s inception nearly thirty-five years ago. Kate Trompetter, Co-chair of the Leadership Modesto Steering Committee, speaks to the potential of the new graduates, “This year’s class was amazing. They were energetic, innovative, and committed. I enjoyed working with them at every turn and can’t wait to see what the future holds for each of them.” Leadership Modesto provides a unique opportunity for participants to meet and exchange ideas, as well as gain a deeper understanding of current local and regional issues. Roughly twenty-five participants from diverse backgrounds are selected each year, representing a variety of industries including business, professional services, government, and education. More information is available on the Modesto Chamber of Commerce website P .

Throughout the year, class participants were exposed to various local businesses and community organizations with the purpose of AMY VICKERY STEERING learning innovative leadership and management COMMITTEE skills as well as honing and developing their business knowledge among peers. This year of leadership networking resulted in lifelong friendships, personal discovery, and an opportunity to make the community better through a philanthropic project of the class’ choosing. This year’s class elected to raise money and awareness for Camp Erin, a program of Hospice, which provides bereavement therapy in a camp setting for young people who have lost a loved one. $27,000 was raised through various efforts, including a benefit fashion show called Unveiled.

Class participants explore various areas of local and state government - through a day at the capital, community services, education, healthcare, law enforcement, media relations, arts/culture, and land use policy, and agriculture. The primary objective of the Leadership Modesto program is to identify and foster new and dynamic local leaders.

Lighting rebates

HVAC rebates

High efficiency Refrigerator motor rebates recycling program

AUGUST 2015

YOUTH IN THE COMMUNITY WHAT WE LEARNED FROM LEMONADE DAY By David Darmstandler, Lemonade Day Modesto Chairman and CEO of Datapath Everyone has their perspective on just about everything these days – but one thing that is hard to argue with is teaching children how to be self-starters and financially proficient. On May 16 of this year, Modesto did exactly that. Through the help of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, non-profits, schools, and government, we held Lemonade DAVID DARMSTANDLER Day, which I would call a citywide success. We had over 600 children participate in Modesto and our surrounding area, which doesn’t even include all the parents, friends, and mentors who helped the kids along the way. Kids as young as six years old learned how to write a business plan, comprehend basic financial literacy, and prove what they had learned by starting their own business for a day – a lemonade stand. Kids from different neighborhoods, standards of wealth, and ethnicities—all were challenged to be a successful entrepreneur for a

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

day. They had to pick the right location for their stand, ensure their products were desirable, and that they could bring in enough sales to make a profit. To put it briefly: in one day, hundreds of kids throughout our area set up shop in driveways, storefronts, and public spaces to make something from nothing. Thank you to all of the sponsors, the agencies that helped us spread the word and invite children to participate, to the parents and mentors that helped kids get off the ground with their business, and to the kids that participated. Finally, thank you to the Lemonade Day organization for letting us put this in Modesto, the Modesto Chamber, my team at Datapath, and for all the helping hands from companies and sponsors throughout our region. We’re looking forward to an even more successful year in 2016! Visit modesto.lemonadeday.org to learn how you can build a stand and spark a dream in the lives of Modesto’s youth. P

Prime Shine Car Wash presents:

LAND OF OPPORTUNITY ...a series spotlighting entrepreneurial achievement

For this education issue, Land of Opportunity is throwing it back to August, 2008, when we interviewed Jerry Warden of Warden’s Office Products Center. On Aug. 2, Warden’s employees celebrated the business’s 50th birthday.

Warden’s has been very fortunate to have the right people in the right place at the right time. This legacy is the one thing that Warden’s is most proud of and that legacy continues to this day.

Read about the role higher education played in the founding of Warden’s, in one of our favorite Land of Opportunities ever.

We participate in so many community outreach efforts and clubs that it’s hard to list them all. The American Red Cross, Sierra Vista, Boys & Girls Club of Stanislaus County, Howard Training Center, and Salvation Army are a few of the organizations we support. Warden’s has also started a Breast Cancer Awareness Program. In this program, we make sure that our staff is informed so that we can spread that awareness to the community.

Name: Jerry Warden Business: Warden’s Office Products Center

Do you participate in any community outreach efforts or clubs?

During his college years at California State University, Stanislaus, Jerry Warden knew he wanted to open his own business. At that time of his life, it was difficult for him to start his company, but with some help, he was able to turn his dream into a reality. Warden’s Office Products opened in 1965 and has become the largest locally owned office products dealer in the Central Valley. We had the pleasure of meeting Jerry to learn more about his journey with Warden’s.

What are your plans for the future?

Please give me a brief overview about your company’s history.

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

When I was a college student, I had communicated with one of my professors that I wanted to launch my own company. I spent many nights preparing a marketing plan, cash flow analysis, income statement and all other things necessary to approach financial institutions for funding. The banking institutions, however, did not take this “young kid” seriously. Thank God for parents who believed in their son as they mortgaged their home and gave the seed money to allow Warden’s to happen. In 1965, on my 24th birthday, Warden’s became a reality. We provide office furniture and supplies to businesses throughout the central valley. Warden’s currently employs 40 (Now 50) “family members” including daughter, Jennifer. Warden’s has grown tremendously over the past 43 (Now 50) years, becoming recognized as one of the more progressive independent office supply and office furniture dealers on the west coast. What have you done in the past that has led you to where you are now? Founding a company that went to market with a commodity item like office products required a unique approach. I placed a logo of a “badge” on my business cards and with a genuine gusto announced to all potential customers that I was from “The Warden’s Office.” Most of the time, fear allowed me to speak to the main person in whatever office I was in. Once my foot was in the door, I was given a chance to prove myself with knowledge, quality products, pricing and service. These early contacts became customers and part of the Warden’s family, and now, some 43 (Now 50) years later, these relationships still hold importance to first, second and even third generations. You’re very much an entrepreneur. What about you do you think makes you such a success?

Our plan is to get through the economy by working harder and smarter. We want to find new areas on where we can help our customers buy smarter and more effectively while continuing to build our business. It’s a battle everyday, but we will continue to work hard to keep our customers and employees happy as well as keeping our legacy going.

If your goal is to grow your business, then you have to understand who your customer is and treat them fairly. Your first customer is your workforce family and only then can you go to your client family. Don’t treat your employees any differently than you would treat your best customer. It’s important that you continue to build relationships and maintain great customer service. What do you like about doing business in the Modesto Community and why do you think this is the Land of Opportunity? Modesto is a great community filled with wonderful people and many opportunities. I was given an opportunity to realize a dream of starting my own business, and along with hard work, this community allowed that dream to become a reality. Since this interview originally ran in 2008, Warden’s has weathered the economic storm to become stronger than ever. During the recession, Warden’s was asked to help move a few troubled companies, leading to the creation of a new relocation services business; Warden’s now relocates 150-plus businesses a year. Warden’s credits a portion of its recent success to its “Warden’s Works” branding campaign seen on billboards and in print advertising around town. If branding is done well and consistently, it “works,” Warden’s staff said. A recent Customer Appreciation Day event drew 600 customers in just three hours – the most successful event in Warden’s 50-year history.

Entrepreneur is such an interesting word. It appears that when you have an idea and act on it, interesting things develop and seem to take on a life of their own. If your goal is to provide excellent service then you need to surround yourself with excellent people to perform those tasks that customers come to expect from you. Prime Shine Car Wash is proud to present The Land of Opportunity. Each month this series provides a forum in which to showcase the entrepreneurial achievements of a Stanislaus County business owner. Prime Shine Car Wash is proud to recognize the entrepreneurʼs ability to overcome obstacles and to honor their successes in their industry and in the community.

AUGUST 2015

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

Every month, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce takes your questions straight to our local professionals. This month, local Education providers JIM P ECCH EN IN O

L E AH S ILV E S T R E F R AN K L IN

Chief Executive Officer Great Valley Academy

President Central Catholic High School

Q : WHAT MAKES GREAT

Q : WHY IS BUILDING

VALLEY ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL A GREAT CHOICE FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS? Its sounds like a commencement-season cliche, but it’s true: today’s students are tomorrow’s leaders. The problem-solvers and visionaries of tomorrow are sitting in classsrooms today. At Great Valley Academy, we’re committed to preparing students for that journey. As a public charter school with campuses in Modesto and Manteca, Great Valley Academy provides families a genuine educational option without expensive private-school tuition. We stress character development and critical thinking, and provide students the tools to effectively communicate with their peers, teachers and parents. Academically, we empower students to learn deeply, mastering subjects at their own pace. It’s harder work for our teachers, but a richer educational experience for students. At Great Valley Academy, we nurture a sense of community where all our parents are engaged and connected, and all of our students are safe, loved and learning. P

TAM M Y O L S O N

Director Tutoring Club of Modesto

HOW DO I KEEP SCHOOL A PRIORITY FOR MY TEENAGER?

If you see your students grades start going down, you may need to make certain to eliminate distractions such as cell phones, televisions and computers. Children should never have televisions in their rooms. In one study, children with TV’s in their bedrooms watched, on average, 90 minutes more television per day than children with no TV in their rooms. Not only is this bad for the brain, it’s bad for your child’s health. There has been a direct correlation to obesity and in-bedroom TV’s for children. Also, cell phones, iPads and computers should be limited. One way to implement this rule by not allowing for screen time after school until 7 p.m. or all homework was completed. P

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

A FITNESS CENTER SO IMPORTANT TO CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL, AND HOW DOES IT CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR MISSION IN EDUCATION?

At Central Catholic we pride ourselves on educating the whole student, in mind, body, and spirit. The Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center is an opportunity to take our education in fitness and nutrition to another level. A state of the art fitness center will provide all of our students tools for a future of healthy living. A kitchen and classroom, focusing on nutrition education, will extend this concept and allow us to parlay this resource into an opportunity to teach business skills and implement the farm-to-fork concept with our new FFA program. This is an exciting time for Central Catholic High School. We continue to grow and evolve, and are excited about this new facility and our new — but already active and successful — FFA program. What remains the same is our focus on providing a quality college preparatory education in a safe, family-like environment. P

CH ARL ES H OWEL L

Superintendent Modesto Christian School

Q : WHAT IS THE GREATEST EDUCATIONAL ADVANTAGE OF ATTENDING MODESTO CHRISTIAN SCHO OL? MCS exists to prepare students to be Christian leaders of tomorrow by reaching their full potential through academic excellence. Education is more than learning facts. Education is a process of growing in knowledge and wisdom to become what God has ordained you to be. At Modesto Christian School, education is as much about the heart as it is about the mind. Administrators, teachers, and staff model what it means to be Christ like. Luke 6:40 says, “But everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher.” Students at MCS will leave with minds ready to be challenged and hearts prepared to serve. P

meeting you where you are

G E O R GE B O O DR O O K AS , ED .D

Dean of Advancement Modesto Junior College

Q : WHY IS HIGHER EDUCATION SO IMPORTANT?

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

Defining “Higher Education” as education received at universities, colleges and institutions that award academic degrees, we can look at statistics to show some of the benefits. According to the Census Bureau in 2010 the average earnings of a college graduate is $56,000. That’s $26,000 more than the average earnings of a High School graduate and more than $36,000 greater than a High School dropout. If money isn’t a motivator then perhaps quality of life is. Various studies indicate college graduates enjoy longer life spans, better health care and dietary/health practices, greater economic stability and security, and greater job satisfaction. Additionally according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the unemployment rate is higher if you don’t have a college degree and the less education you have the higher the rate of unemployment. This year’s State of Business and Education focuses on Higher Education and is open to the public. Tickets required – call the Modesto Chamber of Commerce for tickets. P

When business moves fast, trust the professionals at Grimbleby Coleman to keep you on course. Contact us today at 209-527-4220 or gccpas.net. it’s the people behind the numbers.

Save the Date

Graceada Park September 11, 2015 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Harvest Luncheon

AUGUST 2015

N E T W OR K I NG & REFERRALS

RIBBON CUTTINGS

Smart Call. 524-8886

JACK AND JANE KIDS 1321 J Street Modesto CA, 95354 209.422.3944 www.jackandjanekids.com

2100 Standiford Ave. (@Prescott) Ste. A-3 Modesto, CA 95350

Tell us Your

your

LEGAL PATHWAYS 908 13th Street Modesto CA, 95354 209.529.1085 www.legalpathways.net

story

“MJC gave me a great start. Back in 1962, I took the skills I learned at the college and began a long and successful career in retail. MJC is a community treasure. Thanks MJC!”

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DISCOVERY SHOP 3440 McHenry Avenue, Suite A-12 Modesto CA, 95350 209.544.9279

Cecil Russell

MJC Alumnus & CEO, Modesto Chamber of Commerce

Visit

mymjcstory.com

MyMJCStory.com Modesto Junior College Foundation (209) 575-6068

Modesto Chamber of Commerce I PROGRESS

VALLEY WOUND HEALING CENTER, INC. 4335 Northstar Way, Suite A Modesto CA, 95356 209.342.5125 www.ValleyWound.com

WORK IN

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

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MODESTO SYMPHONY

“T he s p ons or s feel t hat it will b e t he means of higher c ult ur al develop ment, music ally, in Mo des to,” t he progr am to t hat fir s t concer t read. “Mo des to is probably t he only tow n of it s size in t he Unite d St ates t hat c an b oas t a Sy mp hony of suc h prop or tions.” T imes have c hange d, and t he MSO has too. From it s root s as a count y orc hes tr a, it is now a profes sional, paid, unionize d orc hes tr a, wit h a reput ation for at tr ac ting top inter national gues t p er for mer s. Not bad for a “s mall -tow n” orc hes tr a. “It ’s pret t y impres sive to t hink a count y of our size could maint ain an orc hes tr a for 85 year s,” s aid C aroline Nic kel, President and CEO of t he Mo des to Sy mp hony O rc hes tr a. A s t he MSO enter s it s 85t h A nniver s ar y Seas on, it ’s look ing bac k ward s — and for ward s. T he O rc hes tr a has b een reac hing out to relatives of t he fir s t MSO p er for mer s, s ending let ter s acros s t he Unite d St ates. It ’s invite d bac k legendar y for mer MSO

To keep up wit h t he times — and to ap p eal to broader audiences — t he MSO will of fer a “Dis ney in Concer t ” p er for mance, combining live music wit h Dis ney film. T hat ’s jus t par t of a f ull s c he dule of clas sic s, p ops, and holiday s hows. “T hat way, we c an have s omet hing for ever yone,” Nic kel s aid. “ We c an br ing p eople in and s how t hem t he s y mp hony in a dif ferent way.” T he MSO is als o home to a s trong yout h music e duc ation progr am. T he progr am was temp or ar ily re duce d due to t he reces sion, but is growing to s er ve 2,4 0 0 s t udent s wit h 12 week s of music e duc ation and a tr ip to s ee t he orc hes tr a nex t year. A nd t he MSO’s yout h s y mp hony has s een a numb er of musicians go on to receive inter national acclaim. O ne, A ndrew Nor man, is an award - winning comp os er w ho is c ur rently comp os erin - residence for t he Los A ngeles Chamb er O rc hes tr a. T he MSO has a br ight f ut ure, Nic kel s aid, b ec aus e of t he s trong foundation Manicini fir s t laid 85 year s ago. A nd even as tec hnology ad vances, t here’s no replacement for hear ing t he clas sic s playe d live by a f ull orc hes tr a.

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B r a n d i n g . S t r a t e g y. D e s i g n . MODESTO MEANS BUSINESS The Chamber stands by this statement. We practice it on a daily basis. As an organization, we use Chamber Members exclusively. We hope we can ‘count on you’ to practice using Chamber Members to meet all of your business needs. You can find new and current members online at www.ModChamber.org. Progress Magazine is the voice of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, and the leading business publication in Stanislaus County. For more information or advertising info call 209.526.9136.

“T he music is timeles s,” Nic kel s aid. “ You get to ex p er ience live music prefor me d in a way it will never b e p er for me d again. It s p eak s to you.” P

•

Mancini, t he Mo des to High Sc hool band direc tor, recr uite d many of his s t udent s to fill t hos e fir s t orc hes tr a c hair s. T he Mo des to Sy mp hony O rc hes tr a playe d it s inaugur al concer t at Fir s t Unite d Pres by ter ian Churc h on A pr il 17, 1931. T hey p er for me d t he music of Wagner, Ros sini, Bac h, and Str aus s — and as ke d gues t s to buy a s eas on tic ket for jus t $1.

conduc tor Mic hael K r ajews k i to gues tconduc t t he annual Pic nic at t he Pops! concer t; K r ajews k i now wor k s wit h t he Philadelp hia, Hous ton, Atlant a, and Jac k s onville orc hes tr as.

Way bac k in 1931, Mo des to legend Fr ank Mancini had a cr az y idea. W hy not s t ar t an s y mp hony orc hes tr a in Mo des to, a cit y of jus t 17,0 0 0 p eople?

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By Alex Cantatore

AUGUST 2015

N E TW OR K I NG & REFERRALS

PRESIDENT’S CLUB CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE

PLATINUM LEVEL

SILVER LEVEL

English Oaks Nursing &

Rabobank

E. & J. Gallo Winery

AT&T

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

Kaiser Permanente

Acme Construction Company, Inc.

First Choice Physician Partners

Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc.

Walmart

American Chevrolet

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Rogers Jewelry Company

Walmart Neighborhood Market

American Medical Response

F & M Bank

San Joaquin Valley College

Aramark Uniform Services

Galletto Ristorante

Smile Shine Family Dental

DIAMOND LEVEL

Atherton & Associates, LLP

Gianelli & Associates

Seven Up Bottling Corporation

Beard Land and Investment Co.

BIAlytics

Gilton Solid Waste Management, Inc.

Solecon Industrial Contractors

Capax-Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc.

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc.

Solar City

Doctors Behavioral

Brandman University, Chapman

Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

Solid Networks, Inc.

Harris Moran Seed Company

Stanislaus Distributing Stanislaus Food Products Company

Health Center- DMC

University System

Rehabilitation Hospital

Doctors Medical Center-DMC

Brunn & Flynn

Heald College

Frito-Lay Company, Inc.

California State University, Stanislaus

I.J. Larsen Pumps, Inc.

MedAmerica Billing Services, Inc.

Central Sanitary Supply Co.

Infiniti of Modesto

Modesto & Empire Traction Co.

Central Valley Ag Grinding

Institute of Technology

Pacific Southwest Container

Central Valley Autism Project Inc

International Paper Company

Physician Referral Service-DMC

Central Valley Automotive

JS West & Company

Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

Kaplan College

GOLD LEVEL

Central Valley Nissan

Mercer Foods

5.11, Inc.

Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai

Mike's Knock Out Burger & Rays

Bank of the West

Central Valley Medical Group

Bar-B-Que

Crystal Creamery

Central Valley Specialty Hospital

Mocse Credit Union

DoubleTree Hotel

Children’s Hospital Central California

Modesto Commerce Bank

Evergreen Nursing & Rehabilitation

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Modesto Toyota

Clark Pest Control

The Modesto Bee

Fiscallini Cheese Company

COIT Services Inc.

Oak Valley Community Bank

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Collins Electrical

O’Brien’s Market

Memorial Medical Center

Comcast

Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Modesto Irrigation District

Comforcare Home Care Services

Panelized Structures Inc.

Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball

Concordia Claims Managers

Papa John’s

RACOR, Division of Parker

Covanta Stanislaus, Inc.

Pepsi Bottling Group

Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios,

PMZ Real Estate

Save Mart Supermarkets

Post Foods, LLC

Seneca Foods, LLC

DeAngelos Jewelry

Prime Shine Car Wash

Switch to Vapor

Del Monte Foods

Prompt Staffing

Sysco Food Services of

Delta Sierra Beverage

The Eberhardt School of Business

Care Center

Hannifin Corporation

Central California

Pacher & Silva

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

Insurance Agency

Yosemite Meat Company, Inc.

D.B.A Courtesy Staffing

Taco Bell

Associate, Bachelor’s, & Master’s Degrees; Multiple Subject Teacher Credential; Juris Doctor

(209) 543-9411|3600 Sisk Road 5A, Modesto (209) 478-0800|6650 Inglewood Ave., Stockton

www.humphreys.edu

ACCOUNTING BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COMMUNITY STUDIES CRIMINAL JUSTICE LEGAL STUDIES LIBERAL ARTS

WASC Accredited • Financial Aid • Approved for Veterans • Day/Evening/Online Classes

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