Cvbj jan2015 final lowres by Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

JANUARY

2015 VOL 10 • NUMBER 5

Business Journal CENTRAL VALLEY

www.cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON • TRACY • LODI • MANTECA • LATHROP • LINDEN • RIPON

MODESTO • CERES • TURLOCK • OAKDALE • PATTERSON

Port Security

Almond jobs number more than 104,000

Storms test new CommandBridge setup.

By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer khohlfeld@cvbizjournal.com

Page 18

Homeless Help Nonprofits provide food, shelter to Stockton’s needy.

Page 20 MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Doctors Medical Center Director of Patient Care Services and Clinical Informatics Marny Fern with a laptop which all nurses take with them on their rounds.

Ditching paper records How Valley hospitals are going digital

Job Picture

By PATRICIA REYNOLDS Business Journal writer

A look beyond the unemployment rate.

preynolds@cvbizjournal.com

Page 24

WHAT’S INSIDE Publisher’s Notes.............Page 2 Community Voices..........Page 38 Briefs......................Pages 44, 45

MODESTO – Health care, the last major industry to go digital, is in the middle of a historic transition. Hospitals, doctors’ offices, pharmacies and more are digitizing their records in an effort to deliver health care more accurately, efficiently and cost-effectively. While the implementation of electronic medical records (EMR) is often associated with mandates of the Afford-

able Care Act, the computerization of area hospitals’ operations and documents actually began well before the birth of the bill. The early push to modernize and increase efficiencies through technology at Doctors Medical Center in Modesto began in 1994 with the scanning and storing of medical records, which required patients to continue filling out paper forms. Electronic discharge instructions and the automation of printed prescriptions followed. “There was no intelligence,

but it was more of a repository of information. A patient’s dictated history, laboratory results and X-ray results would be stored in the same place,” said Dr. Robert Donovan, Doctors Medical Center emergency physician and Physician Champion of EMR rollout. Modesto’s Memorial Medical Center’s electronic implementation, part of a larger effort to fully integrate across all of Sutter Health’s care locations, also began more than a decade ago. Please see RECORDS Page 21

SACRAMENTO – Almonds have become more important to California’s agriculture industry over the last 20 years. Just how important the nut has become was highlighted in a new study from the University of California, Davis Agricultural Issues Center (AIC) paid for by the Almond Board of California. According to the study released at the Almond Conference Dec. 9, the almond industry supports more than 100,000 jobs and adds more than $11 billion to the state’s GDP. The study was the first funded by the almond board to focus specifically on the economic impact of the industry to the entire state. “That $11 billion number is larger than what I expected,” said Almond Board of California CEO Richard Waycott. “I think that is impressive.” Almond farming has become a major contributor to both Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties’ agricultural output. Almonds became Stanislaus County’s top crop in 2013, knocking out dairy and becoming the county’s first ever billion-dollar crop with a value of $1,125 billion. Almonds were San Joaquin County No. 2 cash crop, accounting for $468 million in products in 2013. “Almonds are really a Central Valley product,” said AIC Director Daniel Sumner. “The industry is really concentrated here.” That UC report found that the industry’s economic impact includes 21,000 direct agricultural jobs. Wholesale marketing accounts for another 27,000 Please see ALMONDS Page 6

Scan to visit WWW.CVBIZJOURNAL.COM and “Like” us at FACEBOOK.COM/CVBIZJOURNAL

PRTSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID STOCKTON CA PERMIT NO. 305

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

A time to remember Happy New Year! I can’t believe it’s 2015 already. Time certainly is flying by. Speaking of flying, our friend came over Christmas Day and brought along his drone. This was my first time seeing a drone in action. The wind was blowing about 25 mph, but that didn’t stop the drone from taking awesome aerial videos of our farm house. We were impressed at the clarity of the images Sharon from such a Alley Calone high distance. We could see our guests walking around, the pool fountain running, gates opening, all of the roof tops and several ideas of how we could improve the grounds. This would be a great marketing tool if we ever decide to sell our house. I’m thinking a drone redo is in order. The grapevines were bare and the garden was empty, so spring will prove to be a much better time for filming. I’m not sure how long this type of ac-

Publisher’s Notes

tivity will go on without regulations or laws. From what we saw on the video, I’d only allow this if I paid for it or grated permission. Rich and I are both pretty good skeet shooters. I don’t believe there are any restrictions in place today, but they’re coming! That’s for sure! It is a great keepsake and a totally new perspective of our house. So my first “known” experience of a drone was fun and condoned. Jim, the drone operator, said his business is catching on quickly. So many farmers, builders, realtors, homeowners and even duck hunters want aerial videos for marketing or keepsakes. Be careful out there. Eyes are watching. This was one of the most memorable times of my life. As our children grow up and move away, I feel so blessed that they make their way home each year. Blake came home via Guam, so he wins the farthest traveled award. We enjoyed so many of our friends and family this holiday season, but we did notice our group is getting smaller. We toasted several who have passed and cheerfully welcomed the newcomers. A big surprise landed in the barn when my boys’ father drove 24 hours straight from Loreto, Mexico, to share Christmas with both his sons! I will treasure the time we shared. God has blessed this family with so

The Gang’s all here: Benson, Alley, Calone. Christmas 2014.

much love and happy memories! It looks like we’re in store for more good fortune. All indicators point to a very prosperous 2015. New housing starts, less unemployment and rain-all good news for our Valley’s recovery. We are proud to announce our renewed commitment to local nonprofit organizations. Each month the Business Journal will feature a local nonprofit. This month you can learn about the Stockton Homeless Shelter and St. Mary’s Dining Room. Both are doing tireless work helping Stockton’s homeless population. You can read about them on page 20. God bless America, our servicemen and women, your families and friends! See you at the gym, Sharon Alley Calone

PHOTOS COURTESY SHARON CALONE

Former A’s & Giants pitcher Vida Blue with host Randy Thomas. Julie and Randy’s annual Christmas party helped raise money for the Stockton Homeless Shelter. Great job!

What do many of the Central Valley’s most successful companies have in common? Us. Whether you’re looking to grow, sustain, or transition your business, our personal service and agile solutions can help you manage risk and prepare for what’s ahead. Discover why our clients think of us not just as accountants—but as trusted advisors.

3121 West March Lane, Suite 100 | Stockton, CA 95219 (209) 955-6100 W W W. M O S S A D A M S . C O M

Wineries & Vineyards Financial Institutions Manufacturing & Consumer Products Construction Agribusiness Health Care

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Turlock teacher wins Innovation Challenge By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor estevens@cvbizjournal.com

MODESTO – A Turlock middle school teacher won Stanislaus County’s first Innovation Challenge Dec. 10 with his invention for a lightweight raft called the Feather Raft. Elias Ruiz, who lives in Hughson, won $2,500 in cash and $2,500 in professional services. “I’m excited. We put a lot of work into this to get to this point,” Ruiz said. “We can really use this win, because we’re at that stage where this is something that we needed to get us to the next level.” Ruiz, a math and science teacher at Dutcher Middle School in Turlock, said he invented his raft made of foam core because others in the marketplace were too heavy or bulky to transport or were too unstable on the water. He has a patent pending on the Feather Raft and has already sold 19 units. This was the final round of the Innovation Challenge and was organized by the Stanislaus Business Alliance. Four preliminary rounds were held in Modesto, Patterson, Oakdale and Turlock.

Competitors made presentations to a panel of judges from the local business community who also questioned the entrepreneurs about their business plans. Scores were compiled based on a combination of votes from the audience and the judges’ panel. Alliance CEO David White said the Innovation Challenge was a success and his team plans to do it again in more cities next year with some tweaks to the events. “I think one thing that we learned is that we need to have a set number of people that will come support their entrepreneur because when you have the audience vote, you have to make sure that things are equal,” said White. “So we’ll be able to sharpen the rules a little bit about who you can bring and how many people can vote.” White also said the Alliance also plans to add more cash and services to the prize. Judges for the final round were Oscar Cabello of Wells Fargo Bank, attorney Lou Friedman of Giannelli and Associates, art director Julie Orona of Never Boring Design Associates, David Darmstandler of DataPath and publisher Ken Riddick of the Modesto Bee. Chris Murphy of Sierra Pacific

ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

Elias Ruiz and his family celebrate after winning Stanislaus County’s Innovation Challenge with his invention of a lightweight raft.

Warehouse Group was the event’s MC. Ruiz, along with second-place winner Luke Rocha, will go on to the San Joaquin Entrepreneur’s Challenge in February. Rocha and his company Next Level Tactical produce custommade holsters for Airsoft guns and magazines. Other competitors who made it to the final round included Fred Axton who invented a more affordable bathtub modification to allow those with mobility challenges to shower, and

Joel Campos who developed an app that helps people tell property owners what kind of businesses they’d like to see in their neighborhoods. “We learned that there are a lot of great competitors, lot of innovative companies and entrepreneurs,” said White. “It didn’t surprise me because I’ve learned in my career that you have innovators everywhere. You just have to find a way to get them out and get them more active and engaged in the community.”

A real friend is there for the long haul. Does 147 years count? A business friendship built to last. Whether it’s reaching out to the community or helping a customer in need, we’ve always looked out for our friends. As one of the strongest, local community banks, we’re proud to have the community count on us. Whether you need commercial banking services, real estate financing, construction lending, cash management services or agricultural credit, we’re here to help you achieve your goals. Call on your friends at Bank of Stockton.

Douglass Eberhardt II

Eric Daegling

Dave Boyd

Doug Eddy

Business Banking Center Managers Stockton Douglass Eberhardt II, EVP, 209-929-1265 Lodi Eric Daegling, VP, 209-340-2301 Manteca Dave Boyd, VP, 209-249-2201 Modesto Doug Eddy, VP, 209-557-2266 bankofstockton.com Member FDIC

Friends you can bank on.

Central Valley Business Journal

CVBJ

January 2015

ONLINE EXTRAS

The Lists for February

CVBIZJOURNAL.COM

Events:

► Commercial real estate ► Commercial building contractors ► Environmental engineers ► Agricultural and building design ► Senior housing

If your business has an event you would like to add to our Business Journal calendar, email the information, including date, time, location and cost to editor@cvbizjournal.com.

If you have a business in one of these industries and you haven’t been contacted, you can request a survey by emailing Danette Conley at research@cvbizjournal.com.

Forecast Conference - Jan. 7 Robert J. Cabral Center, 2101 E. Earhart Avenue, Stockton ► Oakdale Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner - Jan. 16 Gene Biachi Community Center, 110 S. Second Avenue, Oakdale ► Employment Law & Conference Jan. 21 Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Bloulevard, Stockton

News Tips Contact our editor directly with story ideas, new hires or promotions, business expansions or information about events. Email Elizabeth Stevens at editor@cvbizjournal.com.

► Hispanic Chamber Business

Slideshows ► Look at our best photos

from 2014 (Find slideshows in our Media Gallery)

Digital and Social Media

Subscribe by calling 209-477-0100 and ask for subscriptions.

► Twitter: Follow us at @cvbizjournal

Advertise with us For advertising information, call 209-477-0100.

(Find details on our calendar at www.cvbizjournal.com)

Notable Quote

► Find us: LinkedIn, Google+, Facebook ► Daily newsletter: Sign up for our free daily

digest of local business news. Send your email address to editor@cvbizjournal.com.

“My personal viewpoint is that if an individual wants a job in San Joaquin County, they can get one. The jobs are out there.” -- Ed Wanket, San Joaquin County WorkNet

Lodi Lodi Health Health West Occupational Occupational Medicine Medicine West

With Withover over1400 1400employees employeesof ofour ourown, own, We Weappreciate appreciatethe thevalue valueof ofaahealthy healthyworkforce workforce Lodi LodiHealth’s Health’soccupational occupationalmedicine medicineprograms programshave havebeen been helping helpingarea areabusinesses businessesselect selectand andretain retainhealthy healthy employees employeesfor for21 21years. years. Keeping Keepingyour yourhealthy healthyemployees employeeshealthy healthy Helping Helpingyour yourinjured injuredworkers workersback backto tohealth health Our Ourpractice practicespecializes specializesinin Treatment Treatmentof ofoccupational occupationalinjuries injuries Preemployment Preemploymentphysicals physicals Drug Drugand andalcohol alcoholtesting testing DMV DMVexams exams Pulmonary Pulmonaryfunction functiontests tests Respirator Respiratorfittings fittings Audiograms Audiograms Hepatitis HepatitisBBseries series Special Specialrequests requests

Call Callwith withquestions questionsororto toschedule scheduleaatour tour 2415 2415W. W.Vine VineSt. St.Ste. Ste.105 105 Lodi, Lodi,California California95242 95242 209.339.7441 209.339.7441Tel Tel lodihealth.org lodihealth.org

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Business Journal STOCKTON • TRACY • LODI • MANTECA • LATHROP MODESTO • CERES • TURLOCK • OAKDALE • SALIDA

4512 Feather River Dr., Suite E • Stockton, CA 95219 Phone: (209) 477-0100 • Fax: (209) 477-0211 Web: www.cvbizjournal.com Publisher Sharon Alley Calone

Columnists Peter Johnson Jerad Hill Jason Harrel John Anderson Bruce Sarchet Dan Natividad

Editor Elizabeth Stevens Stanislaus County Sales Manager Ron Posey San Joaquin County Account Executives Gloria J. Wright Jeff Johnson

Contributing Writers Craig W. Anderson Kent Hohlfeld Patricia Reynolds Nora Heston Tarte

Assistant Manager/ Subscriptions/Research Danette Conley

Photographers Wayne Denning Mark Richey

Creative Director Sophia Machado

Legal Adviser Calone & Harrel Law Group, LLP Richard Calone

Accounting Lisa Delany-Duffy

Printer Paradise Post

Office Administration Alyssa Larson

The Central Valley Business Journal, LLC published monthly at 4512 Feather River Drive - Suite E, Stockton, CA 95219. Circulation 17,000 verification letter available upon request. Contents copyright 2014 by the Central Valley Business Journal, LLC. No part of this publication may be reproduced, reprinted or placed on any electronic medium, without strict, written permission from the publisher.

DETACH AND MAIL OR FAX

Subscribe Today!

Receive 12 months of the Journal mailed to you Gain online access to special business content  Enjoy a copy of our annual Book of Lists  All for a FULL Year 

Annual Subscription

Name:__________________________________ Company:_______________________________ Address:________________________________ City:___________________State:____Zip_____ Check one:

Check enclosed

Charge my:

Visa Discover

MasterCard American Express

Card #:_____________________ Exp. Date:____ Signature:__________________Sec. Code:_____ Business Phone:___________________________ Email Address:____________________________

4512 Feather River Dr. # E, Stockton, CA 95219, (209) 477-0100 www.cvbizjournal.com



Planning to start a business? Expand an existing business? F&M BANK CAN HELP! CALL TODAY TO GET STARTED HILMAR

Ken Olds

•

209-664-5438

LINDEN

Kim Sparrowk

•

209-339-2588

LODI

Mickie Nuss

•

209-367-2444

MODESTO

Steve Hinds

•

209-571-4023

STOCKTON

Bob Harmon

•

209-337-6008

TURLOCK

Gary Ericksen

•

209-664-5420

Central Valley Business Journal

CVBJ

January 2015

ALMONDS Continued from Page 1

jobs, hulling and shelling are responsible for 5,000 jobs, and manufacturing accounts for more than 3,000 jobs. Then there are jobs that are indirectly impacted by the industry. “(For) someone working for a news magazine that an almond grower buys advertising (in), that has an effect,” said Sumner. “Of those 100,000 jobs, about three-quarters are outside the industry.” The vast majority of those jobs are located in the Central Valley. Of the 100,000 jobs impacted by the industry, around 97,000 jobs are located in an area stretching from Sacramento to Kern County. “Farming has been a critical source of value and economic activity for the state through good times and bad,” said Sumner. “In fact, even through the recession, the agricultural sector was a rare bright spot – and almonds have been a major part of that story.” The Central Valley’s almond industry produced a crop worth about $7.3 billion in the 2014 crop year, which was harvested this fall, up from $5.8 billion in 2013. Of that $7.3 billion in direct output value, about $3.8 billion is value-added, which includes salaries and wages for employees and grower-owners as well as indirect business taxes and profit. Overall, the value added to the Central Valley

economy from almond growers in the 2014 crop year is projected to be a little over $6.8 billion. Almonds account for almost a quarter of California’s agricultural exports. One of the key reasons for the industry’s rapid growth over the last few years has been the versatility of the crop. “The almond is very versatile,” said Waycott. “You find it in everything from breakfast to your midnight snack.” The international appetite for almonds has fueled the expanding markets for the nut. “If you look at the last decade of almond sales, we have an unprecedented ability to continue our growth rate,” said Waycott. “We enjoy a very well balanced portfolio of markets. We’re very well balanced outside of the U.S.” That growth estimate has prompted more growers to plant new orchards, which has sparked some fear about the ability for that demand to hold up and whether devoting water resources to thirsty orchards is wise in a drought-stricken state. “(The number of growers) has been pretty stable over the years,” said Waycott. “Economics and demand will determine how this industry expands. The industry has also gotten much more efficient over the years. We are using about one-third less water than we did 20 years ago to grow a pound of almonds.”

PHOTO COURTESY BLUE DIAMOND GROWERS

Workers sort almonds at the Blue Diamond Growers processing facility in Salida.

While that efficiency has given growers the ability to plant in areas that might have been unsuitable in the past, it could also lead to a challenge to the state’s dominance of the crop in the future. California currently accounts for more than 80 percent of the world’s almond production. “Someone could develop a way to grow almonds somewhere they can’t now,” said Summer. “But the industry has met past challenges pretty well. I don’t see reason that won’t continue.”

Employment Generation 36,000 jobs 68,000 jobs

Farming Processing & Manufacturing

Source: Almond Board of California

Comprehensive Occupational Health Services Now Available in Tracy, Stockton and Manteca!

PaRTNeRShiP

Co Occupational medical Partners announces the opening of their new office in Tracy, Ca.

CuSTOmized SuPPORT C.O.M.P. has earned the respect and loyalty of business partners by providing exceptional service and timely access to expert medical management of work related injuries.

CONveNieNT aCCeSS TO CaRe

2156 W. Grant Line Rd. Suite 200

Strategically located in Tracy, Stockton and Manteca, C.O.M.P. is prepared to meet the growing health and safety concerns of the business community.

STOCKTON

maNTeCa

2156 W. Grant Line Rd., Suite 200 Telephone: (209) 207-9969 Hours: M - F, 8:00am to 5:00pm

1801 E. March Lane, Building D, Suite 480 Telephone: (209) 954-3200 Hours: M - F, 8:00am to 5:00pm

1341 Historical Plaza Way (Spreckels Park) Telephone: (209) 824-1893 Hours: M - F, 8:00am to 5:00pm (Closed between noon and 1pm)

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Salida engineer shares insights on inventing By PATRICIA REYNOLDS Business Journal writer

preynolds@cvbizjournal.com

SALIDA – Identify a problem that needs solving and check out the competition. Develop a technology that is superior to prior solutions. Conduct a thorough patent search. Do as much of the early work on your own without outside help. And keep your idea secret until it is protected. These are key pieces of advice Salida’s Inventive Resources, Inc. president John J. Paoluccio has for prospective inventors. His favorite helpful hint? Don’t get too attached to your product. “Throw away the first pancake. Consider that every product can be improved,” Paoluccio said. Those tips can save time and money, commodities that are rapidly exhausted when trying to transform concepts and ideas into patent-worthy products and successfully bring them to market. Paoluccio learned those lessons firsthand and following them has led to success. His product, the Manhole Odor Eliminator, trademarked MOE, won the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge in 2012, and after three years of waiting, Paoluccio was notified in mid-December that 16 of 17

MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

John J. Paoluccio shows off the product that helped him win 2012’s San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge: the Manhole Odor Eliminator.

submitted patent claims for MOE were accepted. MOE’s success started with the due diligence work Paoluccio strongly recommends all up-and-coming inventors conduct. “It did not take long to do a market search on the problem. The Internet has many horror stories about the

hazardous hydrogen sulfide gas that has that rotten egg smell,” Paoluccio said. With an estimated 15 to 20 million sewer manholes in existence and 5 to 10 percent of them having odor problems, Paoluccio also recognized the huge business potential of designing a unique technology that would do away

with the stench. “We learned from city engineers that have to deal with this odor problem that the existing products and solutions were costly, labor intensive and not very effective,” he said. Keeping those challenges in mind, Paoluccio designed MOE utilizing a bladder that expands and contracts with sewer gases, only letting those at the peak escape into a carbon filter that removes odor. Typical sewer solutions that don’t buffer emitted gases have to change filtering devices four to five times a year. MOE’s bladder design extends the life of a single carbon cartridge up to a year, drastically reducing the operating cost to users. Inventive Resources expects to sell more than 400 units worldwide in 2015. Customers include municipalities, amusement parks, casinos and food courts. “Anywhere a lot of people congregate in one area and sugary-substances go down drains would benefit from the MOE,” Paoluccio said. Paoluccio’s father, John A. Paoluccio, isn’t surprised by the success of his son’s MOE product and its associated patents. The younger Paoluccio grew up in the innovation business. In 1972, the elder Paoluccio launched John Paoluccio Consulting Engineers,

Please see PAOLUCCIO Page 15

INTRODUCING TUOLUMNE COUNTY’S

Where the outdoors meets your front door. Consider a move for your business and spend more time with your family. For more information call 209-989-4058 or visit us 24/7 at www.tceda.net

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Alkhas gets national award for Fair’s PR By NORA HESTON TARTE Business Journal writer nhestontarte@cvbizjournal.com

MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Adrenna Alkhas was named “Publicist of the Year” by the nationwide public relations publication “PR News.”

TURLOCK – For Adrenna Alkhas, marketing and communications director for the Stanislaus County Fair, success is a balancing act. In December Alkhas was named “Publicist of the Year” by the nationwide public relations publication “PR News” and received honorable mention for “Best Event Marketer of the Year” at its award ceremony in Washington, D.C. “This is an incredible honor for both Adrenna and our fair,” said Stanislaus County Fairgrounds CEO Chris Borovansky. “It shows that Adrenna has taken our event far above the usual sets of standards for our industry. To be mentioned in the same breath with National Geographic, American Airlines, Nike and other large companies speaks for itself.” “Going to D.C. and touring the White House was an incredible experience, and my brain has been in a whirlwind with the possibilities,” Alkhas said. Despite grandiose dreams, however, Alkhas is staying put for now. “I wanted a job that gave me flexibility with not only having a family but a job that allowed me and gave me the freedom to be innovative without having someone from corporate telling me how to run my ads or write my press releases,” Alkhas said. To prepare for her career, Alkhas put emphasis on education, receiving her B.A. and M.A. in Communications from University of the Pacific followed by an Ed.D in Educational Leadership from California State University, Stanislaus. Since 2009, Alkhas has headed the marketing and communication efforts for the Stanislaus County Fair, an endeavor she relishes for its variety. “What interests me about marketing is that it changes day to day,” she said. “For example, I still need to know how to write press releases, but at the same time I have to be creative and savvy in 140 characters or less with social media.” Alkhas has embraced social media as an important part of the fair’s marketing efforts, using platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat to change how people view the brand. Beyond that, she has looked to current trends to create successful campaigns that echo what is popular in the industry now, such as last year’s grumpy goat, a grumpy cat-esque character she used to boost marketing efforts for the office. “She brings a tremendous academic background, but perhaps more than

that, she’s brought our organization to a level of innovation that you normally wouldn’t associate with a traditional county fair,” Borovansky said. “Our social media platform is second to none and, in the digital age, that’s crucial. In my opinion, and I’ve been doing this for 35 years, she’s the best in the business.” The San Jose native, who spent part of her childhood in Spain, moved to Modesto when she was 10 years old. As a teenager, her family relocated to Oakdale where she attended Oakdale High School. After meeting her husband, she moved to the Turlock area to raise her children. Alkhas cited work-life balance as one of the best perks of her position. She credited the fair for understanding the importance of family and said she sometimes brings her kids to work. She also makes her own schedule and is able to work from home when needed. Alkhas called upon the advice of a former professor to mold her management style: “You train dogs, not humans.” Building experiences for her staff that will serve them later in life is important to her. She said seeing her own staff blossom in subsequent positions with companies like E&J Gallo Winery and Disney is one of the most rewarding parts of her job. “Education comes from doing and me being able to create an environment for my staff where they can be themselves, take full ownership in their projects, and them being recognized for their accomplishments,” she said. “My former employees are my network, and I love keeping in touch with them wherever they are in life.” Alkhas’ co-workers at fair headquarters, Apryl Dejarnett and Saundra West, called her “easy to work with,” citing her great attitude and innovative marketing ideas as some of her strongest suits. “She does an amazing job with marketing and advertising,” West said. When asked about her strongest professional influences, she stressed the importance of being true to herself and never looking up to one role model too much. “I have had many former bosses that I look back and think, ‘I would never treat people that way or never do it like that.’ But, at the end of the day you have to be yourself,” Alkhas said. Above all else, Alkhas strives for constant growth, using her love of education and research to propel her forward in her career. “The day you think you know everything and you stop educating yourself is the day you should quit your job,” she advised.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Central Valley Business Journal

CVBJ

January 2015

WORK LIFE

www.greensmarket.net

let greens make your holidays special * grab and go hors d'oeuvres * holiday parties & catering * artisan bakery * festive drinks * holiday meals & delivery

PHOTO COURTESY STOCKTON SYMPHONY

Time management

What you can learn from a conductor about priorities

GREENS TABLE 501 Bangs Avenue 209.524.7336

www.greensmarket.net

GREENS on TENTH 953 Tenth St. 209.572.1700

GREENS EVENTS CATERING 209.602.9099 orders@greensmarket.net

Peter Jaffe, who has been music director and conductor of the Stockton Symphony since 1995, believes you might be surprised at how important time management is to running a concert rehearsal. First of all, the symphony only gets four rehearsals before most concerts. If a concert is Saturday, the symphony typically will have Peter Jaffe rehearsed Wednesday and Thursday evenings, and then Friday afternoon and evening. Second, each rehearsal is exactly twoand-a-half hours long. If they go longer, each musician is paid overtime -- something the symphony board doesn’t want to see happen unnecessarily. “Eventually that could make my board wonder whether maybe they shouldn’t be engaging me anymore,” Jaffe said. In a recent interview with the Business Journal, Jaffe explained how he makes the most of the time the musicians have with each other. He says it all starts with trust: “It revolves on the high quality and professionalism of the musicians who get their music beforehand, and they practice the music individually. Time management is really a huge part of my job. I’m always calculating how many seconds we have left in the rehearsal. If I see that you’re playing the English horn and you make a careless flub

or something, even though you’re a highly intelligent musician, if I look in your eyes, and I see that you know that I know that you know that something just happened but it’s probably not going to happen the next time, I won’t stop. I know that you’ll fix it the next time around. I trust you. Whereas if there needs to be something addressed globally in terms of how our interpretation might be or how we’re all going to inflect a certain tune or phrase, those are the types of things I’ll stop for. Or if a particular passage is really tricky in the way that everybody fits together with their timing … having everybody play off each other in a certain way, those are the types of things I’ll spend the most time on. It’s a very interesting mix of art, content and time management. That’s my life. I think about time management a lot and how we can get everybody working together in the most positive atmosphere. We create an atmosphere where people feel comfortable in working in a very friendly yet intense way. It is intense -- intense in the most exhilarating way. That’s why we do it. In a way it’s almost this wonderful relief to get to the concert because the number of minutes in a program is always designed so that we know that we’re not going to go over. Since we’re not starting and stopping and fixing things and wondering how much time is going to be left, it’s actually in a way the time management is easier in a performance than in a rehearsal. It’s constant prioritization is what it really is.”

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

KEEPING YOUR BUSINESS

WE WILL HELP YOU CREATE AN EFFECTIVE CORPORATE WELLNESS PROGRAM!

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY LOCATIONS

STANISLAUS COUNTY LOCATIONS

STOCKTON (6), LATHROP (1), MANTECA (2), TRACY (3) & LODI (1) CONTACT DARRYL GENNINGS (209) 518-1596

MODESTO (6), TURLOCK (2) & CERES (2) CONTACT ERIN BRENNAN (209) 549-0200

Fitness for Everyone 888-IN-SHAPE â&#x20AC;¢ www.inshapeclubs.com

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

HEALTH AND FITNESS CLUBS

In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Number of Employees. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Rank

Company Name Address In-Shape Health Clubs

Stockton locations 1074 E. Bianchi Road 7920 Kelley Drive Stockton 2303 W. March Lane 9545 Embarcadero Drive 6 S. El Dorado Street

Modesto locations

1234 McHenry Avenue 1533 Oakdale Road 2245 Floyd Avenue 2700 McHenry Avenue 1800 Prescott Road 3900 Pelandale Avenue

Top Local Executive No. of Local Phone Employees Web Address Rob Farrens, VP of Marketing/Sales (209) 472-2231 inshapeclubs.com (209) 412-2100 (209) 472-2105 (209) 472-2111 (209) 472-2190 (209) 549-0200 (209) 579-3200 (209) 551-1400 (209) 338-5476 (209) 521-5900 (209) 552-7590

175

Club Hours

Hours vary by club Please call location or see website

Also available: Turlock, Tracy, Lodi, Manteca and more Stockton and Modesto locations

429 W. Lockeford Street Lodi, CA 95240

Twin Arbors Racquetball Club 1900 S. Hutchins Street Lodi, CA 95240

Dennis Kaufman, GM (209) 334-6224 sparetimeclubs.com

170

Twin Arbors Tennis Club

2040 Cochran Road Lodi, CA 95242

Fitness Evolution 3

1275 E. F Street, Ste. 1, Oakdale 2210 Patterson Road, Riverbank 4120 Dale Road, Ste. G, Modesto 1822 E. Hammer Lane, Stockton 4950 Claremont Avenue, Stockton

Planet Fitness 4

1175 W. March Lane, Stockton 2401 E. Orangeburge Avenue Ste. 400, Modesto 2045 W. Briggsmore Avenue Ste. B-14, Modesto

Modesto Court Room Fitness 2012 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

24 Hour Fitness 6

3137 W. Benjamin Holt Drive Stockton, CA 95219 1090 N. Main Street Manteca, CA 95336

Brenda Athletic Club, Turlock Sport 201 Tampa Drive Turlock, CA 95382

Fitness System Lodi 512 N. Cherokee Lane Lodi, CA 95240

World Gym

2340 East Street Tracy, CA 95376

American Martial Arts Academy

6360 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95207

840 W. Benjamin Holt Drive Stockton, CA 95203

Ben Mackie Fitness

The Wellness Connection Fitness Club 3400 Wagner Heights Road Stockton, CA 95209

Pure Form PFT

4533 Quail Lakes Drive, Stockton, CA 95207 39 S. Cluff Avenue, Lodi, CA 95240 2800 Auto Plaza Drive Ste. 160, Tracy, CA 95304

Combine Fitness

1419 Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95203

Bikram Yoga

Jonathan Wall, Manager (209) 848-0348 (209) 869-0348 (209) 545-9055 (209) 474-0348 (209) 473-4880 goldsgym.com Brian Cassagio Stan McDowell (209) 477-7800 (209) 572-2921 (209) 341-2500 planetfitness.com

Cardio theater, pool, weight machines, free weights, treadmill, stairmaster, elliptical, jacuzzi, sauna, child care available. Group classes include cycling, Zumba, pilates, yoga, kickboxing, weighlifting, boot camp, aquatic classes, dance rhythms, kid’s classes, resistance training, sports conditioning and Silver Sneakers For more locations see website

Fitness Works

Amenities

125

Mon. - Fri. 4 a.m. - midnight Sat. - Sun. 6 a.m. - 9 p.m. --4:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. --Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sat/ - Sun. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Pool, weights, gymnasium, kids club, massage, personal training, group exercise classes including bootcamp, Zumba, pilates, yoga and cycling classes --State of the art fitness facilities (cardiovascular, weight machines, free weights, group exercises studios, cycling), tennis, racquetball, pools, spas, steams, saunas and kid’s club --Pool, tennis courts, fitness center, playgrounds, barbecue and picnic area

Cardio cinema, GGX dance, spin room, personal training, Hours vary by club tanning, hydro massage and full health club with over 100 pieces Please call location or see website of cardio equipment

Over 100 cardio pieces per facility, 30 minute circuit, 12 minute abs, lockers, tanning, hydromassage and massage chairs Memberships can allow use of 900 fitness facilities nationally Philosophy of a Judgement Free Zone Planet of Triumphs, share success stories online

7 days a week 24 hours

Sheri Walker, Manager (209) 577-1060 modestocourtroom.net

Mon. - Thurs. 4:30 a.m. - 11 p.m. Fri. 4:30 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Sun. 7 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Edgar-Ext 40, Club Mgr. (209) 951-5999 Justin-Ext 40. Club Mgr. (209) 825-4141 24hourfitness.com

7 days a week 24 hrs

Cardio equipment, free weights, basketball court, indoor lap pool, kids club, pro shop, sauna, steam room and whirlpool, and group classes including Ujam, Zumba, pilates, yoga, step, turbo kickboxing, and cycling

Thomas Brenda (209) 668-3838 brendaathletics.com

Mon. - Thurs: 4 a.m. -11 p.m. Fri. 4 a.m. - 10 p.m. Sat. 6 a.m. -10 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Spinning, Zumba, pilates, yoga, kickboxing, weightlifting, boot camp, tennis lessons, camps, youth fitness, personal training, pool, weight machines, treadmill, stairmaster and a jacuzzi

Holly Covell (209) 366-2800 fitlodi.com

7 days a week 24 hours

Kent White, Owner (209) 836-3488 worldgym.com/tracy

Mon. - Fri. 4:30 a.m. - 11:30 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sun. 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Jeanne Lenz/Chris Ost (209) 952-4000 stocktonkarate.com

5:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Mon. - Thurs. 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Fri. 6 a.m. - 2 p.m. Sat. 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Monday - Sunday Hours vary

Carl Hultgren, Owner (209) 403-2348 pureformpft.com

See website for class schedule

Private, semi-private and group personal fitness training

(209) 463-2326 combine-fitness.com

See website for class schedule

Personal training, group classes and zumba

Ben Mackie, Owner Jillian Barlet, Manager (209) 955-0360 benmackiefitness.com Marcia Fitzgerald, Independent Living Director (209) 956-3470 oconnorwoods.org

Tai Chi, Zumba, raquetball, yoga, tanning, pool and pilates

Personal training, weight machines, free weights, stairmaster, elliptical, sauna, spinning, Zumba, yoga, kickboxing, hiphop boot camps, abs, crosstraining, boxing, and kinetic ropes Basketball court, tannis massage therapy and towel service Boot camp, cardio equipment, free-weights & machines, group exercise classes, group training, kid’s club, locker rooms, martial arts, massage, nutrition/weight loss, outdoor training area, personal training, physical therapy, pilates, pro shop, showers, supplements, tanning and yoga Group exercise classes: kickboxing, bootcamp, Krav Maga Martial Arts for children and adults. TRX cage fitness. Personal training and kettle bells Personal training, group classes, complete bathrooms and showers, towel service and complimentary water Aquatic programs, strength training, balance training, cardiovasculare training, indoor swimming pool and jacuzzi All comprehensive to the senior adult

Helena Monica, Owner Ninety minute yoga series performed in a heated room. The 7 days a week 1 (209) 948-9642 (209) 368-9642 series is a sequence and consists of 26 postures and two breathing 5:30 a.m. - 9:15 p.m. bikramyogastockton.com exercises Carri Giannecchini, GM Boom Health Club (209) 639-4963 Mon. - Fri. 7 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. 1 Yoga and a variety of weight loss activities 16 2341 Pacific Avenue facebook.com/ Sat. 8:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Stockton, CA 95204 boomhealthclub.com These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal. Researched by Danette Conley 12/2014 15

1110 W. Kettleman Lane, Ste. 46 Lodi, CA 95240

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

WE’RE NOT A GYM, WE’RE PLANET FITNESS!

PER MONTH

N O C O M M I T M E N T.

MODESTO

STOCKTON

FRESNO

Modesto (East) 2401 E. Orangeburg Ave. Suite 400 209.572.2921

1175 West March Lane 209.477.7800

4938 East Kings Canyon Road 559.251.7100

OPEN

Modesto (West) 2045 W. Briggsmore Avenue, Suite B14 209.341.2500

24/7

741 East Barstow Ave. 559.225.2835

www.planetfitness.com *Home Club only. Billed monthly to a checking account. Subject to annual membership fee. Subject to One Time Start Up Fee. Includes T-shirt. Must be at least 18 years old, or 13 with parent/guardian. Incentives offered for enrolling in other memberships. Participating locations only. Planet Fitness facilities are independently owned and operated. ©Planet Fitness “The Biggest Loser” is a registered trademark and ©copyright of Reveille, LLC and NBC Studios, LLC. All rights reserved.

Proud Sponsor Of

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Health care reform provisions here to stay Consultant tells Community Health Care Forum ACA achieved goals By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer khohlfeld@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON – Health care has seen some of the most dynamic changes of any industry in the country over the last five years. Health care consultant and author Ian Morrison told Valley community leaders that trend isn’t going to change any time soon. “Health care is a $3 trillion industry,” he said. “That is as big as the economy of Italy and almost as well organized.” Morrison was the keynote speaker at the 13th Annual Community Health Care Forum at the University of the Pacific Dec. 3. He spoke to a crowd of about 200 invited guests on the changing nature of health care. Pamela Eibeck, president of the University of the Pacific, said that having forums like the Community Health Care Forum event help explore the issues surrounding health care. Those issues range from access to quality care to recruiting and keeping doctors in the Central Valley. “We all come at this with a shared

mission of making a healthy, prosperous community,” she said. Morrison said reforms like the Affordable Care Act (ACA), which he supports, have changed incentives aimed at making communities healthier. Value is now prized more than volume of tests and procedures. “We’ve moved from filling the hospitals to emptying them,” he said. He spoke about how valuing quality is changing the practice of medicine. The focus on keeping people out of the hospital or keeping their visits brief has changed how doctors work. “Everyone agrees we need to focus on primary care,” said Morrison. “The problem is no one wants to be a primary care doctor.” That is an acute problem in areas like the Central Valley. Cities such as Modesto and Stockton have long struggled to attract and keep physicians. That is a trend that will likely continue even with the changes happening in the industry. “There is a lot of competition for primary care doctors and specialists,” said Morrison. “There is a certain gravity to the Bay Area where the com-

pensation is higher. But home prices are so much higher in the Bay Area, which might help alleviate that some.” He said that changes in payment structures have also prompted many doctors to give up independent practices in favor of joint groups or hospitals. Despite that reduction in the overall number of uninsured, the Central Valley Ian Morrison is still one of three big pockets of uninsured in California, along with the Inland Empire in Southern California and the Bay Area. “Rural areas haven’t expanded health care the way that it has been expanded in metropolitan areas,” he said. Another aspect of the ACA is the preponderance of people picking the cheapest plans with the highest deductible. “When people pay with their own money, they pick cheap,” said Morrison. “All growth in the insurance industry is in low income people. There is no growth in the commercial markets.” Another issue for Central Valley communities is the reliance on small

businesses that provide many of the jobs. The fact that the employer mandate doesn’t compel businesses with fewer than 50 employees to provide health care hurts the overall insurance rates in smaller communities. “The incentive doesn’t exist in a lot of communities that have a large number of small employers,” he said. “Also the Affordable Care Act specifically says undocumented folks can’t use Covered California. In areas with large number of agricultural workers, that is another strike against you.” While the benefits in Central Valley haven’t been as striking as in other areas of the state, he said there is little doubt that the law has achieved many of its goals. “We have seen the largest reduction in the uninsured since FDR (was president),” said Morrison. “That is a major accomplishment (of the ACA) that really hasn’t been played up by supporters.” Like it or not, Morrison said people should get used to the changes in their health care because they are most likely permanent. “They (opponents of the ACA) may chip away pieces of it over the next six months,” said Morrison. “The changes that have occurred though; there is no universe in which we get rid of this.”

A Unique Community Banking Experience Since 1965

BankBAC.com

Dr. Canzanoa, Bill Trezza (CEO of BAC) & Dr. Bautista

Congratulations Dr. Mary Rose Baustista for winning the 2014 Young Physician Award Stockton Cal-Weber 517 E. Weber Ave. (209) 944-1807

Stockton 2001 W March Lane (209) 473-6832

Lodi 1610 W. Kettleman Lane (209) 367-9400

Modesto 1625 J Street (209) 544-2227

January 2015

CVBJ

www.cvbizjournal.com

PAOLUCCIO Continued from Page 7

which in 1984 transitioned into Inventive Resources, Inc., a firm specializing in developing marketable solutions that solve global environmental problems. “Over the years, he would come in here and get into the projects,” said the senior Paoluccio of his son. Inventive Resources enjoys having several dozen patents and patents pending on its products. One of those patents is for the Water Decontaminator, a product that originated from the younger Paoluccio’s college work and would eventually spark the idea for MOE. While earning a degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Pacific, Paoluccio and a fellow student entered a regional competition requiring contestants to design, build, test and operate a water-filtering system using materials only found in the mid-1800s. Paoluccio and his teammate, a civil engineering major who would later become his wife, won first place. The basic concept they used in that competition would become the basis of Paoluccio’s senior project, The Water Decontaminator. The Water Decontaminator was patented about two years after Paoluccio graduated from Pacific in 2002 and is now produced at Inventive Resources. “I did a pilot test with one customer with 11 units for a year-long test. Since then we have installed an average of 100 to 200 per year. To date we have approximately 1,250 units installed,” Paoluccio said. One idea often leads to another, and so it was with the beginnings of MOE. “While installing our Water Decontaminator products in a city storm drain system, a supervisor of maintenance asked if we had anything for eliminating the odor from sewer manhole covers,” Paoluccio said. For others who believe they have a unique and marketable idea, Paoluccio suggests keeping costs down and using as much free assistance as possible. The Internet is the best place to start. “The first step is to conduct a patent search and to see what products are currently used. Google it!” Paoluccio said. After developing a well-researched idea, not something just drawn up on a paper napkin, hopeful inventors also can contact the Stanislaus Business Alliance (www.stanalliance.com) for advice. Clients obtain access to engineers, manufacturers, attorneys and successful inventors at no charge. Paoluccio is one of the inventors who offers consulting services to the Alliance. “That is a free service to the inventor or business,” he said. Once these initial steps have been taken, it is crucial to protect the concept early on. “Filing for a provisional patent gives the inventor a year to decide to file for an expensive utility patent,” Paoluccio said.

LinkedIn reveals top 25 job skills For those looking for new employment to go with the new year, the job skills that make you hirable continue to lean toward digital data-oriented skill sets. Online professional social networking service LinkedIn, analyzed data in 330 million member profiles to see which job skills were most wanted by recruiters. According to LinkedIn of members worldwide, the top five skills that got people hired in 2014 were statistical

analysis and data mining, middleware and integration software, storage systems and management, network and information security, and SEO/SEM marketing. Among programming languages, Perl, Python and Ruby came out on top. Marketing, economics and circuit design skills as well as a second language were also high among employers’ wants. Among some of the other top-25 most sought after skills looked for

by potential new employers are business intelligence, algorithm design, data engineering and warehousing, computer graphics and animation, economics and web architecture and development framework. For U.S. companies, cloud and distributed computing skills topped the list, followed by statistical analysis and data mining, middleware and integration software, network and information security and mobile development.

BOTTLENECKS. HEADACHES. And the long list of problems you won’t find at the Port of Stockton.

SHIP INLAND. SHIP STOCKTON. Where else will you find convenience, savings, and access, all in one 35-foot deep-water port? There’s no congestion. No waiting. And no surprise costs. Plus, with direct access to rail, freeways, distribution, and storage, there’s no limit to the ways you can get your cargo to the Central Valley and all points beyond. Discover what we can do for your business.

portofstockton.com 800-344-3213

Chair Victor Mow, Vice Chair Gary Christopherson, Commissioners Sylvester Aguilar, R. Jay Allen, Elizabeth Blanchard, Michael Patrick Duffy, Stephen Griffen and Port Director Richard Aschieris.

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Gyms offer youth programs, sports training By NORA HESTON TARTE Business Journal writer nhestontarte@cvbizjournal.com

LODI – Coach Omar Stewart has dedicated most of his adult life to teaching kids basketball. After a successful career of his own in both high school and college, he has turned his talents to teaching youth in the Central Valley. Stewart describes most of his students as serious athletes, kids looking to advance to the next level in their basketball careers. However, he also teaches younger children – about 10 percent of his clientele -- who are more interested in learning the fundamentals of the game. “I specialize in building players. You know breaking down their weaknesses, breaking down their strengths,” he said. “With basketball there is always something to work on.” Stewart doesn’t have his own facility. Instead, he “rents” time at Fitness System Lodi at 512 N. Cherokee Lane, a practice that is echoed across other gyms in the Valley. The partnership is one that allows Stewart access to a fully equipped facility to train budding basketball players in one-on-one or class settings while also giving the gym a way to offer specific sports training to area youth without taking on the liabilities that cause many gyms to go without,

manager Bryce Lowley explained. “I feel like it gives them an edge,” Stewart said of his basketball training academy, Elite IQ Hoops, which specializes in skills training and conditioning services. Among Stewart’s clientele are professional basketball players Natasha Vital, a UC Berkeley alumna and Omar Krayem, who plays in the International Basketball Federation. Elite partners with gyms in Alameda County, as well, but Stewart is the primary trainer in the Central Valley. “For this area (basketball training) is extremely valuable because of all the things that are going on, especially in the Stockton area, for the youth,” he said. “For me, it’s more than just basketball training… (I) try to be a … mentor to them.” Steward has more than 200 clients, and 85 percent of them are children. He has found success with male prospective basketball players, but over the past three years he has put more emphasis on training girls. As a result, he now has nine girls who are juniors in high school or younger who have already received scholarship offers to play basketball. Brenda Athletic Club - Turlock Sport at 201 Tampa Dr. offers sport-specific training for swimmers and tennis players, according to Carolina Cardoso, the

Harnessing the Value of Information Technology

A Proactive Partnership Is Better Business

“My experience with Solid Networks has been fantastic. Like many small business owners, I was the IT department for small problems and we contracted on an individual basis for bigger issues, prior to our engagement with Solid Networks. Since then, they have taken every IT worry off our hands. From system procurement and setup, to maintaining security patches in this ever changing environment, Solid Networks handles it all. They’re like an in-house IT group with an expertise level I could never afford, and they’re just a phone call away.” -Bob DeMont, Jackrabbit

888-82-SOLID • WWW.SOLIDNETWORKS.COM Call today to schedule a FREE Technology & Network assessment

Basketball coach Omar Stewart trains with student athlete Nicole Cayton.

facility’s activities director. A certified professional tennis instructor works out of the gym, in a similar capacity to Stewart, to provide fall, summer and spring programs for youth. The programs range in skill level and can be used to fine tune or develop tennis skills, Cardoso said. Children ages 6-16 are invited to join the after-school clinics. Private swim classes are available year round at Brenda. The one-on-one format allows beginners to learn how to swim or athletes to practice skills with a CPR and lifeguard-certified Turlock High School swim team member. “It is important for our fitness club to offer extra activities for kids because we are a place where families can come to workout and feel at home; to feel that this is a family business where we are invested in kids’ health and our attempt to motivate them to make good fitness choices for their lives,” Cardoso said. Many Central Valley gyms forgo sport-specific programs and instead offer alternative services, as well as a family-friendly atmosphere for children. According to Melissa Piffero, marketing manager at InShape Health Clubs, children ages 13 and older can

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

hold a membership to the gym. The facilities’ Kids’ Club offers age-appropriate activities for children 12 and under. “It’s a huge value and we place a lot of importance … having that friendly family atmosphere,” she said of InShape’s efforts to accommodate children of all ages. Additionally, children ages 13 and older can benefit from personal trainers, who she said are certified to offer pointers for both overall fitness and specific sports training. “I believe that we have had students in the past come in and look for, you know, assistance and training,” Piffero said. Of the 13 facilities in San Joaquin County, 10 offer kid’s clubs, while eight of the 10 in Stanislaus County have them on location. Summer sees an increase in options as InShape clubs offer summer camps that incorporate specific sports training, such as soccer or basketball, as part of an all-inclusive program. Those interested can use InShape’s website to find nearby locations as well as verify the accommodations offered at each location, including swimming pools that offer family swim events and Kids Clubs.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

IS NOW HERE. . .

START THE YEAR OFF RIGHT.

Ford Master Certified Truck Sales Consultants

Specializing in custom contractor bodies, including: flatbed, contractor, welding, service, crane, dump gardener, utility and box bodies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Ready for Work!

Stockton Auto Mall | Hammer Lane off 99 | Bigvalleyford.com | 209.870.4473

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Storms test port’s new security setup By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer canderson@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON – As December’s winter storms pummeled the Central Valley with rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph, officials at the Port of Stockton kept a close eye on its buildings and docks with a newly installed monitoring system. “We were able to monitor the entire port during the storm events and do what was necessary to minimize the effects of the storm,” said the Port of Stockton’s director of Homeland Security George Lerner. CommandBridge, a state-of-the art, custom-designed system which enhances the port’s land and waterside security by consolidating the its multiple systems into a “single intuitive interface” was installed last fall. It helps protect the port from threats by humans and Mother Nature. December’s storms were the port’s first test of the system. “We have a wind speed limit so we monitored crane operations,” said Lerner. “Throughout the storm we also observed and followed trees fall-

ing, downed power lines and water effects. Its performance during the storm event proved the program cuts through security-information clutter and uses social media to help build a more detailed operating picture by collaborating with on-the-scene users.” The systems managed by CommandBridge in an emergency include access control, the Automatic Identification System (AIS) for tracking ships, video management system and tracking devices, all of which creates a streamlined awareness that helps generate quicker responses to individual and multiple agency incidents. “The CommandBridge project provides the ability for the Port of Stockton to manage multiple computer systems at the same time during an emergency,” said Port Director Richard Aschieris. “This coordinates our efforts with the community, port tenants, and the federal, state and local first responders in the handling of all types of emergencies.” “Having an all-in-one security system like CommandBridge really elevates our situational awareness,” said Lerner. “With a single access point for multiple systems, it’s much easier for

General and Cosmetic Dentistry • Pediatric Dentistry Invisalign • Teeth Whitening • Dentures Evening and Saturday Appointments Available

CALL US TODAY!

New Year! New smile!

Village Dental Care will waive deductibles and co-pays, on most insurance companies. Call us to see if yours qualifies.

ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

Port of Stockton Police Support Technician Wally Wallick monitors activity at the port using the CommandBridge platform.

me to make quick, informed decisions. It’s a security tool for any type of emergency situation.” According to Lerner, CommandBridge was paid for through a port security grant from the Department of Homeland Security with 25 percent paid through matching funds. Lerner noted that port personnel are still learning the software that has been customized specifically for the Port of Stockton. “We’re working with the Mariner Group and tweaking the system,” said Lerner. “To some extent, we’re on the leading edge of this technology which is in use at some ports and airports across the country.” Following individual training on the system, on-the-job-training takes place so personnel will be adept at using the 24/7 operation of CommandBridge in the port command center where the project’s access control portion brought the Mariner Group’s visualization skills to the port’s existing access control system. “We can now better monitor every access point, along with all water-

ways, vessels, vehicles and port personnel,” Lerner said. “Now we can more thoroughly observe the complex environment of the port.” This streamlined look at the overall scene helps generate quicker responses and integration to real-time dashboard camera video from port vehicles, along with an extensive GIS (Geographic Information System) integration to effectively visualize and safeguard the port’s critical infrastructure. “The Mariner Group was great to work with,” said Lerner. “Their staff has firsthand experience in the daily operations and management of maritime security and this, coupled with the ability to deploy CommandBridge with extensive out-of-the-box capabilities made it possible to establish true and effective situational awareness quickly. This was a good thing during the storm.” With the system completely installed a person can, with a single click, immediately log activities, attach documents and photos, load checklists, assign tasks and gain understanding of an event as it unfolds.

RANDOLPH & KLEIN FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS Serving the community since 1985

No insurance? No problem! Village Dental Care offers a 49 discount rate. $

(Includes X-rays and cleanings)

Life/Disability/Health Insurance | Employee Benefits Financial Planning | Investments | College Funding Retirement Planning | Medicare Supplements

DISCLAIMER: Offer excludes Delta Dental Plan. Ask about lower co-pays.

Long Term Care | Legal Shield

1710 E. March Ln. #2B | Stockton, CA 95210

Financial Solutions for All Ages and Stages of Life

209.474.1000 | www.villagedentalcarestockton.com

209.956.1212 | 1625 W. March Lane, Suite 101 Stockton, CA 95207

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Delta Eye is dedicated to providing the Central Valley’s best eye care, including LenSx laser assisted cataract surgery. You can learn the difference between LenSx laser assisted cataract surgery and standard cataract surgery from a doctor in our office.

LenSx Laser Systems are: » Continuing to lead the way

in refractive cataract surgery through continual upgrades

» Maintaining enhanced comfort to the patient during surgery

Other Services in our office: » Comprehensive medical care by

Board Certified ophthalmologists

» Complete optical departments offering glasses and contact lenses

Andrew P. Chen, M.D.

Jeffrey J. Ing, M.D.

Alan S. Nakanishi, M.D.

Julio Narvaez, M.D.

Pamela Tsuchiya, M.D.

Stockton Ophthalmology Practice

Lodi Ophthalmology Practice

Tracy Ophthalmology Practice

1617 Mark’s Plaza, Suite D Stockton, CA 95207

521 S Ham Ln., Suite A Lodi, CA 95242

2160 W Grant Line Rd., Suite 100 Tracy, CA 95377

209-478-1797

209-334-5886

209-835-2227

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Benefits of improving economy have yet to reach area homeless By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer khohlfeld@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON – Thousands of Stockton motorists drive over the crosstown freeway oblivious to the fact that below the hodgepodge of connectors linking the highway to I-5 lies a virtual city within a city. The Stockton Shelter for the Homeless and the St. Mary’s Dining Room are two of the largest sources of services for the city’s homeless and working poor. “With the recession, we saw a lot of first-time homeless,” said the shelter’s CEO Adam Cheshire. “As the economy gets better, we are hoping we will see less people. That hasn’t happened. The effects of the economy haven’t trickled down through the income groups yet.” The shelter, which includes dorms for single men and women and rooms for families, holds up to 350 people per night. On especially cold nights the staff put mats on the floor for any overflow to avoid turning away anyone searching for a place to stay. According to a 2013 count from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 1,541 people applied for various assistance programs. Cheshire puts San Joaquin County’s homeless count at closer to 2,500 to 3,500 people who are served by eight area shelters. “A big part of what we do is referrals,” said Cheshire. “Our case workers try to refer people to services they need. The causes for homelessness are numerous.” Often it’s addiction or domestic violence that leads a person to a shelter. Other times it’s a string of bad luck that lands a family in trouble. Jose Castilo has been at the shelter for the last eight months. Castilo lost his job driving a pallet jack, a device similar to a forklift, after suffering

a mini stroke. Now Castilo and his 6-year-old son Elijah are trying to rebuild their lives. “I just ran out of money and ended up here,” he said. “If it wasn’t for them, we’d have no place to stay. It’s been hard, but now my health is getting better so I can look for a job.” Castilo’s tale is not uncommon. Intake specialist Ralph Gage has heard many similar stories. Gage supervises the shelter’s men’s dorm which has held as many as 244 men in the coldest parts of the winter. The shelter also has a room where men can get off the street, watch TV, look up job postings and avoid the elements. “It’s hard for single men because there is a lot of drug and alcohol issues,” said Gage. “We try to help them any way we can.” Gage can relate to those he is trying to help. Drugs led Gage from a baseball career that included stints with the Montreal Expos and Mexican professional teams to a homeless shelter in San Francisco. “I had the energy and the wits to get out, and I was going to make sure I never ended up there again,” he said. “A lot of these guys have been run down for so long they have forgotten what it’s like to live another way.” Getting to homeless people early can be key to minimizing a downward spiral. Bill Brown, a Vietnam veteran, was living in a parking lot when a Stockton police officer found him. “They asked me if I wanted some help,” he said. “They brought me here.” Five months later, Brown is receiving his supplemental security income payments, as well as Veterans Administration assistance, and is looking for work. “One of the big problems is that there is not any hope in Stockton,” said Gage. “You miss a paycheck or two paychecks, and you end up here. Most of these people don’t have fam-

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

Jose Castilo and his 6-year-old son Elijah ended up at the Stockton Homeless Shelter after Jose suffered a stroke and lost his job.

HOW TO HELP As the economy gets better, we are hoping we will see less people. That hasn’t happened. The effects of the economy haven’t trickled down through the income groups yet.

Adam Cheshire Stockton Shelter CEO ily or those kind of safety nets. It can happen to any of us.” While the shelter provides about 300 meals per day to shelter residents, the St. Mary’s Dining Room next door provides between 400 and 800 meals per day to the city’s poor and homeless residents. Where the shelter looks to provide protection from the elements, St. Mary’s Dining Room tries to provide a variety of services. “We provide life’s necessities,” said St. Mary’s Dining Room CEO Edward Figueroa. “We provide breakfast and lunch and a sack meal. We also provide medical and dental clinics and a Please see HOMELESS Page 31

The Stockton Shelter for the Homeless is located at 411 S. Harrison St., Stockton, CA 95203. It accepts donations of cash and products that clients can use. They can be reached at (209) 465-3612 or on its website at stocktonshelter.org. St. Mary’s Dining Room is helped most in three different ways: • Cash donations: Only about 10 percent of the dining room’s nearly $2 million budget comes from any sort of government aid, the rest comes from donations. • Volunteers: The dining room has a staff of 36 and need at least that many volunteers to keep them at full service. They work with businesses to promote programs that allow workers time to volunteer to help the center. • In-kind donations: The dining room can accept items ranging from food to medical and dental items from area businesses and individuals. St. Mary’s Dining Room is located at 545 W Sonora St., Stockton, CA 95203. It can be reached at (209) 467-0703 or on its website at www.stmarysinterfaith.org/ about_us.php.

January 2015

CVBJ

www.cvbizjournal.com

RECORDS Continued from Page 1

“The Sutter EHR (electronic health record) effort has been underway since 1999 and began with the ambulatory module in our medical foundations,” said Sutter Health Central Valley Region Chief Information Officer Stuart James. Since then, all of Sutter Health’s medical foundations and 18 hospitals are live on the Sutter EHR. Completion of the full hospital implementation, which began in 2009, is expected in 2015. Today’s EMR systems go far beyond the capabilities of those first solutions. “More recently, it becomes more of a two-way street. The physician is entering a computerized physician order entry, and we are really talking about a more advanced-type system. It is much more global and can interface with multiple departments,” Donovan said. Software providing the early stages of decision support for doctors is just around the corner. Computer algorithms designed to help doctors make appropriate decisions for specific patients based on their electronic medical records is becoming available. A doctor, for example, can be electronically alerted that medication for a patient with poor kidney function should be adjusted. The benefits of converting medical records to an electronic system are many, health care professionals say. “No. 1, patient safety. All clinicians at every step of the care process -- ER, hospital, doctor’s office -- can see upto-the minute medical information simultaneously, in real time. Alarms are built in to alert doctors to medication allergies and other factors,” said Kaiser Permanente North Valley and Central Valley Regional Media Relations Specialist Edwin Garcia. Duplication of services is reduced because all care providers have access to the same information at the same time, and errors associated with handwritten orders and records are eliminated. A doctor’s illegible paper prescription order, for example, is now a thing of the past. Patients like that access to their doctors and their own records are lit-

erally at their fingertips. Carol Gainey of Modesto appreciates that Kaiser Permanente provides a set of online user tools that allows her to securely e-mail her doctors, make appointments, renew prescriptions and view test results. “I love being able to email my doctors and unless I contact them late in the day, I typically get a response the same day. I also particularly like being emailed that my test results are in. I can log on and view them without having to make a phone call and wait on hold,” she said. The benefits EMR offers, however, come at a cost. Transitioning an entire hospital to a fully integrated electronic system is a Herculean task. “The key to successfully implementing an EMR system is that you need to flowchart the existing manual process and get down to the specifics, each task. It’s incredibly detail-oriented. You’re also dealing with intelligent doctors and nurses so you have to show them the value of the change to make it work,” Donovan said. With training and software expenditures, the true cost of fully integrating to electronic medical records is enormous. “To implement EMR for all of our 9.5 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia, the cost was $4 billion spread over 10 years,” Garcia said. According to James, Sutter Health has invested more than a billion dollars to date in the Sutter EHR. Some of those costs can be offset with an incentive program available through the federal government. Hospitals can receive incentive payments if they meet specific meaningful use standards with the adoption of certified EHR technology. According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, meaningful use criteria and measurement evolve over three stages covering a five-year period from 2011-2015. Some examples of Stage I meaningful use criteria include computerized physician order entry for medication

MARK RICHEY/CVBJ

Accuracy of medical information and patient safety are among the benefits of keeping medical records in an electronic database, administrators say.

orders, recording and charting patient vital signs, recording and charting patient demographics and recording smoking for patients 13 years and older. During Stage 2, measurement requirements become stricter, and hospitals must demonstrate a higher percentage of EMR usage for the same criteria. “Each stage has increasing complexity,” said Donovan, noting that Doctors Medical Center is working on Stage 3 of EMR. Lodi Memorial Hospital was one of the first hospitals in the area to apply and qualify for Stage 1 and Stage 2 meaningful use funds, according to Lodi Memorial Community Development Director Carol Farron. Still, Lodi Memorial Health recently began the process to join the Adventist Health network in large part to help obtain financial assistance related to the EMR transition. “Joining the Adventist Health network will allow us to piggyback on their effort so the cost is better absorbed,” she said. Area hospitals are working with three primary certified EMR suppliers -- Meditech, Cerner, and Epic -- to implement systems. Both Sutter and Kaiser use Epic software while Cerner provides Te-

net’s EMR solution for Doctors Medical Center in Modesto, Doctors Hospital in Manteca and Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock. Lodi Memorial has implemented Meditech’s system, but that is likely to change. “Since we are in the process of affiliating with Adventist Health which uses Cerner, we will eventually migrate to that system,” Farron said. Cost and implementation are not the only challenges hospitals face with electronic medical records. Data security, the protection of patient confidentiality and hospital operations are all issues that need to be contended with. “We need to incorporate computers into the care delivery process without distracting the clinician’s focus from the patient, and we need to ensure that we present clinicians with the right information at the right time versus overloading them with too much information,” said James. According to Garcia, the benefits of patient safety, accessibility and patient experience are worth the investment of time and money and outweigh the challenges. In the end, a balance between technology and the delivery of care needs to be achieved. “Because our real job is taking care of the patient,” said Donovan.

Available at Barnes & Noble bookstores

► Premium

Executive Cardiovascular Evaluation ► Pre-Participation Evaluation for sport activities ► Recipient of Patient’s Choice Award, 2011

Please call or visit www.drmanshadi.com for more details. Read Dr. Manshadi’s latest book, to attain a Healthy and Robust Heart in Today’s Modern World.

2633 Pacific Ave., Stockton, CA 95204 • 209.944.5530

Ramin Manshadi

MD, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, FACP

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

EYE CARE PROVIDERS

In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Total Number of Local Staff. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Rank

Company Name Address Zeiter Eye Medical Group, Inc. 255 E. Weber Avenue Stockton, CA 95202 Central Valley Eye Laser Medical Group, Inc. 36 W. Yokuts Avenue, #1 Stockton, CA 95207 Sylvan Eye Associates 1011 Sylvan Avenue, Ste. A Modesto, CA 95350 Delta Eye Medical Group, Inc. 1617 St. Marks Plaza, Ste. D Stockton, CA 95207 Heritage Eye Skin & Laser Center 445 W. Poplar Street Stockton, CA 95203 Brookside Optometric Group 3133 W. March Lane, Ste. 2020 Stockton, CA 95219 Modesto Eye Center 1741 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355 Tracy Optometry Group 36 W. 10th Street Tracy, CA 95376

Valley Optometric Group 1401 Sylvan Avenue Modesto, CA 95355

Turlock Eye Physicians 880 Delbon Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

Manteca Optometric 140 N. Fremont Avenue, Ste. A Manteca, CA 95336

Dennis R. Brewer, Inc. 991 E. Monte Vista Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

All Family Optometric Vision Care 1317 Oakdale Road Modesto, CA 95355

Vision Faire Optometry 4213 Dale Road, Ste. A-2 Modesto, CA 95356

Eye Care Associates Optometry 2087 Grand Canal Boulevard, Ste. 15 Stockton, CA 95207

Stanislaus Optometric Center, Inc. 4028 Dale Road, Ste. 102 Modesto, CA 95356

Downtown Optometry 319 E. Weber Street Stockton, CA 95202

Beckman Optometry 621 S. Ham Lane, Ste. C Lodi, CA 95242

Manteca Optometry 158 N. Maple Avenue Manteca, CA 95336 Midtown Optometry 1101 E. March Lane, Ste. O Stockton, CA 95210

Dr. David L. Gallagher Family Optometry 1101 Standiford Avenue, Ste. A-1 Modesto, CA 95368

Northern California Laser Center 1741 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

Meyers Optical 858 W. Benjamin Holt Drive - Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207

Number of Top Local Executive Total Number Ophthalmologists Local Phone Number of of Local & Services Offered Web Address Local Staff Offices Number of Optometrists

Year Est.

John H. Zeiter, M.D. (209) 461-2151 zeitereye.com

101

7 8

All medical and surgical diseases of the eye LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, cosmetic surgery and eyeglasses and contact lenses

1962

Brandy Simpson, Clinical Manager (209) 952-3700 cvemg.com

3 2

LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, cosmetic surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

1974

2 4

Retina, cataract, diabetic care, as well as routine vision and contact lenses exams

2000

5 3

Comprehensive eye care and surgery, optical LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

1973

1 2

LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, cosmetic surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

1985

13 1

Eye exams, contact lenses, vision therapy and LASIK

2008

1 1

Medical and surgical specialist, routine eyecare and optical. Provides LASIK surgery, cataract surgery, eyeglasses and contact lenses

2010

1 2

Complete eye exams, dry eye treatment, contact lens fittings and fashion frames

1984

Charles Daily, M.D. (209) 527-6640 visionsource-valleyoptometric.com

0 4

Eye examinations, glasses, contact lenses and LASIK

2004

Daniel Lee, M.D. (209) 634-2925 turlockeye.com

2 0

Opthamology

1979

0 4

Eye exams, contact lenses, eye surgery referral, glaucoma testing, contact supplies and designer eyeglasses/sunglasses

1971

0 3

Vision testing, diagnosis and treatment of ocular disease, contact lenses, cataract surgery and co-management for laser vision

1972

G. Barnard Wilson, O.D. (209) 524-7870 drgbwilson.com

0 1

Comprehensive vision examinations, contact lenses, refractive surgery consultants and comanagement of cataract surgery

1974

Nancy E. Shoji, O.D. (209) 545-3937 visionfaireoptometry.com

0 3

Eye exams for children and adults and contact lenses

1983

Mark Komure O.D./President (209) 477-0296 None

0 2

Eye exams, contact lenses, treatment of ocular diseases and co-management of laser vision correction

1978

Edward F. Nuccio, O.D. (209) 527-2020 stanopto.com

0 1

LASIK surgery, contact lenses, eye exams, geriatric care and general optometry

1988

David J. Benkle, O.D. (209) 465-5047 drbenkle.com

0 2

Contact lenses, pediatric vision care, optical, ocular disease, ocular trauma, low vision rehab, surgery co-management, laser vision correction and more

1982

Kathryn A. Beckman, O.D. (209) 367-1000 visionsource-beckmanoptometry.com

0 1

Comprehensive eye examinations, contact lenses, pediatric vision care, vision therapy and optical services

1997

Dr. Derron Lee, O.D. Dr. Leanne Lee, O.D. (209) 239-3504 (209) 957-8000 mantecaoptometry.com midtownoptometry.com

0 2

Eye exams, contact lenses, vision therapy and LASIK

2006

Dr. David L. Gallagher (209) 523-2601 visionsource-drgallagher.com

0 1

Amin Ashrafzadeh, M.D. (209) 549-2020 modestoeyecenter.com

1 1

Ken Meyers (209) 476-0913 meyersoptical.com

0 0

Michael Martin, O.D., President (209) 575-2020 sylvaneyemodesto.com Jeffrey J. Ing, M.D. Alan Nakanishi, M.D. Andrew Chen, M.D. (209) 478-1797 deltaeyemedicalgroup.com Kenneth Miselis, M.D. (209) 465-5933 heritageye.com Craig Hisaka, O.D. (209) 951-0820 brooksideoptometricgroup.com Amin Ashrafzadeh, M.D. (209) 524-2020 modestoeyecenter.com David Moline, O.D., & Brian Yee, O.D. (209) 835-7446 tracyopt.com

Fred Stellhorn, O.D./Owner (209) 823-3151 mantecaoptometric.com Dennis R. Brewer, O.D. (209) 634-8591 drbrewer.net visionsource-mvo.com

Complete eye exams, fitting of contact lenses and spectacle lens. Co-management of LASIK surgery and fashion eyewear. Most insurance accepted Most advanced form of LASIK eye surgery and cataract surgery which is performed in our onsite surgery center. Also provides eyeglasses and contact lenses Eyeglasses and contact lenses

1977

2005

1988

These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal. Researched by Danette Conley 12/2014

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Beyond the%%%% %%%percentages What the unemployment rate doesn’t tell you about the Valley’s job picture By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor estevens@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON – Last fall, for the first time since before the recession, unemployment in San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties dipped into the single digits. It was taken as a sign that recovery from the recession was finally reaching the Central Valley. In May 2014, San Joaquin County had 272,800 employed residents, its highest number ever. Both counties last year were celebrating news of additional distribution centers and announcements of layoffs were becoming increasingly rare. But while much of the focus on reports about jobs centers on the unemployment rate, that figure only tells part of the story. To find what’s really significant about the Valley’s reversal of fortune, you have to look past the percentages. “The unemployment rate is probably not necessarily the best economic indicator in the world, and everybody knows it. Yet they continue to focus on that statistic,” said economist Jeffrey Michael of the Business Forecasting Center at the University of the Pacific. That is because the unemployment rate is calculated as a percentage of the labor pool -- people in a given community who are either working or actively looking for work. It does not take into account people who have given up looking for a job or have been unemployed for so long that they no longer qualify for unemployment insurance. Michael believes it’s better to look at actual job numbers. From month to month, job growth and decline fluctuates by as many as hundreds of jobs. In Stanislaus County, for example, jobs increase in May and drop in October because of harvests and food processing. However, longterm trends can be more telling. From 2007 to 2010, both counties were hemorrhaging jobs. San Joaquin County averaged 265,700 jobs and had an unemployment rate of 8.1 percent in 2007. By 2010, the labor force was climbing, but the annual average number of employed residents had dropped to 249,500, resulting in an unemployment rate of 17.3 percent. Employment climbed to 260,400 by 2013 and the unemployment rate was down to 12.8 percent. Stanislaus County began the recession with an average number of

207,500 employed residents in 2007 and an unemployment rate of 8.7 percent. The average number of employed workers fell to 199,300 and unemployment climbed to 17.2 percent in 2010. By 2013, jobs had climbed to an average of 207,300 and unemployment was down to 13.0 percent. David White, CEO of the Stanislaus Business Alliance, which helps attract and build businesses in Stanislaus County, said job growth in the county reveals an encouraging trend. “I think one of the most interesting things recently is how a lot of the job growth tends to be in the non-ag, non-food-related industries,” White said. “It’s in health care. It’s in retail and trades, distribution. I think that’s probably one of the best signs of an improving economy because we’re seeing diversification, which I believe this county really needs.” In his business forecast released last fall, Gökçe Soydemir, the Foster Farms Endowed Professor of Business Economics at California State University, Stanislaus agreed the San Joaquin Valley’s economy as a whole is diversifying. He wrote that the growth of education and health services employment now exceeds its pre-recession pace. There was growth in the service sector, too. “For the first time since the end of the recession, non-farm-related categories of employment such as leisure and hospitality services, and retail trade performed better than farmrelated categories such as wholesale and manufacturing,” Soydemir said. However, he added that some of that difference comes from the toll the drought has taken on some farming ventures. Hiring in health care picked up in the summer of 2013 when Central Valley Specialty Hospital opened in downtown Modesto, creating 400 jobs. A Veterans Administration clinic also opened in Modesto in February of that year. The biggest boost to health care employment in the region, however, came in July 2013 when the California Health Care Facility (CHCF) opened in Stockton. As of late December 2014, the hospital, which treats patients from the state’s prison system, employed 2,962 workers from warehouse and mail room employees to nurses and physicians. “Health care has definitely improved (largely because of the CHCF),” said San Joaquin County WorkNet’s Business Retention and Expansion Specialist Ed Wanket.

Education, health care and retail are among the fastest growing job sectors in the Central Valley according to the C

“In the long term it’s going to create more jobs.” In fact, one of the fastest growing jobs in San Joaquin County is psychiatric technician, which is expected to grow 50 percent by the end of the decade, according to the California Employment Development Department. Delta College has developed a program specifically to keep up with the demand. Wanket also believes the county should go after more e-commerce facilities, which tend to hire more workers and pay better than other kinds of logistics jobs. “Amazon is hiring more and paying better -- that’s what the county really

needs to look at,” Wanket said. The region has two Amazon.com fulfillment centers, one in Patterson and Tracy. The company is famously tightlipped about specifics but each facility is thought to employ about 1,000 workers. The location in the Central Valley has opened the door to other distribution centers, including one for Restoration Hardware which is under construction in Patterson. Both Wanket and White agree that the region needs to step up training efforts to adapt to changes in the economy and that not all the solutions will be found in four-year degrees. “One of the ideas that we have is to create a manufacturing training

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

QUICK FACTS

Fastest Growing Jobs (San Joaquin County)

- Helpers, carpenters - Home health aides - Psychiatric technicians - Physical therapist assistants - Physical therapist aides (Stanislaus County)

- Helpers, construction trades - Veterinary technologists and technicians - Heating/air conditioning and refrigeration workers - Dry wall, ceiling tile installers - Supervisors, construction and extraction workers

Jobs with Highest Wages (Stockton mean pay per hour)

- General internists, $116.30 - Natural sciences managers, $98.95 - Physicians, surgeons (all other), $94.36 - Pediatricians, general, $81.28 - Chief executives, $80.28 (Modesto mean pay per hour)

- Surgeons, $121.10 - Physicians, surgeons (all other) $119.42 - Internists, general $118.24 - Obstetricians and gynecologists, $95.37 - Family and general practitioners, $85.36 SOURCE: California Employment Development Department, 1st Quarter 2014

CSU Stanislaus Business Forecast.

center where we could get some of the companies to donate old equipment, then partner with somebody like Modesto Junior College to create a certificate program where they could train people how to become a maintenance mechanic on some of this machinery,” White said. Two jobs that go chronically unfilled in the Valley are for truck drivers and maintenance mechanics, which requires a more sophisticated skill set than one might think. “They have to have mechanical skills, but they also have to have computer skills because every piece of machinery they have is computerized. They’re using laser-guided systems,

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTOS

and it’s really a high skill base that’s required,” White said, adding that after visiting the Seneca Foods plant in Modesto he believes there is a lot of opportunity there for young people. “You look at the guys who are working there and they’re all in their 40s, 50s and 60s. I walked through the plant. Every person I saw was at least over 40 years old.” One of the big unknowns in the Valley’s employment picture is the number of discouraged workers, people who have dropped out of the labor force. “There are definitely people that are on the sidelines, and they haven’t come back in yet to the

extent that would be expected,” Michael said. “A little bit of that is because we’re slowly getting older and there are more people moving into that 60-, 70-year-old age cohort ... but a good bit of it is behavioral and people that have checked out and not come back.” Michael said one factor that may be keeping them out is that wages have not gone up in the Valley. “More attractive and higher paying job opportunities will help pull people back in,” Michael said. “Wages have been very stagnant.” White said he believes wages in Stanislaus County are not on pace with the recovery, particularly for people with higher skills such as maintenance mechanics and computer programmers. “We have employers who want to

pay a person who’s making six figures as a coder in Silicon Valley $60,000 a year,” White said. “There are two problems with that. One is, it’s probably not quite the same scale as the cost of living differential. And No. 2, there’s a psychological issue. When you’re in your career and you’re making money, it doesn’t matter what the cost of living is, if you have to go down, it’s a psychological issue. Who wants to do that?” Wanket said people looking for work need to shift their thinking, too, and improve their job skills as well as their work habits to show they can be dependable. “My personal viewpoint is that if an individual wants a job in San Joaquin County, they can get one. The jobs are out there. Sometimes it requires more training,” he said.

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

CSU Stanislaus leads Pacific students clock application increases 60,000 volunteer hours

TURLOCK – CSU Stanislaus’ increase in freshman applications for admission this year was the highest of any school in the CSU system, the university announced in early December. According to CSU, 6,973 first-time freshmen applied to CSU Stanislaus. That’s an increase of 13.4 percent from 2013. The two-year increase of 22.8 percent made it the highest in the CSU system. Applications from students who want to transfer to CSU Stanislaus increased 5.7 percent from last year. That represented the sixth-highest gain in the CSU system. “The university has significantly increased its outreach in the region in the past two years,” said Suzanne Espinoza, vice president for enrollment and student affairs. “More high school and transfer students are recognizing the value of a CSU Stanislaus education.” Across the 23-campus CSU system, applicants were up 2.3 percent last fall to 290,473. That was the sixth year in a row the system saw record highs. The vast majority of students -96 percent -- come from California. CSU said the pool of applicants for fall 2015 continues to reflect its mission to serve California high school

graduates and community college transfer students. CSU also touted its success at reaching out to the Hispanic community as undergraduate applicants from that community numbered 109,895, up from 104,486 last year. The University of California system reported a 5.8 percent increase in applications. The system said 193,873 students applied to at least one of its nine campuses this year. It is not clear, however, how many students the universities will be able to enroll. Both the UC and CSU systems have only budgeted for modest enrollment increases for the coming year. UC’s increase amounts to about 1 percent. CSU will increase enrollment by 3 percent.

STOCKTON – University of the Pacific students performed more than 60,400 hours of community service last year and raised more than $48,500 to help more than 20,000 people in underserved communities, the university announced Dec. 16. “Through their work in the community, Pacific students are both applying what they learn and learning as they apply their education through service,” said Erin Rausch, director of the university’s Center for Community Involvement. “Through reaching out, students develop values of civic engagement and community responsibility.” Students provided health care and legal services from the university’s three campuses. Here is how it broke down: • Pacific undergraduate students: 13,093 hours of community service to the Center for Community Involvement during the 2013-2014 academic year. Beneficiaries included Habitat for Humanity, Animal Protection League, Boggs Tract Community Farm, Stockton Shelter for the Homeless, and more than a dozen other agencies and organizations. • Greek community (tallied separately): 11,326 hours of service to the office of Housing and Greek Life. Greek organizations at Pacific also raised more

than $46,000 for philanthropic causes. • Law students from Pacific McGeorge School of Law: Law students provided more than 784 hours of pro bono legal service to 529 clients throughout Northern California. • Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry students: 5,200 hours volunteered. In addition, the school provided $10 million in uncompensated services throughout the state. Student groups, including Pacific’s American Student Dental Association chapter, also hosted on-campus fundraisers during the 2013-2014 academic year that generated more than $2,500 for local nonprofits, including City Youth Now. • Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences: 30,000 hours, for efforts ranging from early literacy to children’s health, including 8,000 screenings and medication therapy reviews to elderly patients through free school-sponsored Medicare Part D clinics. According to estimates of the dollar value of volunteer time developed by Independent Sector, an association of charitable nonprofits and foundations, the combined volunteer hours of Pacific students – 60,403 hours — are worth nearly $1.6 million to California’s economy.

Tossing Teddy’s January 24!

Tickets Start at $ Home Away

Teddy Bear Toss January 24 @ 7:30 p.m. Law & Order Night January 31 @ 7:30 p.m.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

BDCP changes don’t satisfy tunnel critics SACRAMENTO – Changes to the Bay Delta Conservation Plan (BDCP) were announced Dec. 17, but they did little to alleviate critics’ concerns about water quality and environmental impacts. The biggest change was the elimination of three proposed pumping plants along the Sacramento River near Hood. The controversial tunnels are still in the plan, but it now calls for moving water from the river into the tunnels by a single new pumping plant constructed 40 miles away, at the end of the tunnels on Department of Water Resources property near Clifton Court Forebay. The Department of Water Resources said the changes were a response to feedback from Delta residents and others. Critics, however, said eliminating the pumping stations isn’t enough. “While I am pleased to see that concerns from Delta communities are being taken into consideration by BDCP administrators, the proposal to remove pumps from the Sacramento River intakes will do little to prevent families and farms from being completely devastated both physically and economically by substantial loss of its most precious resource – water,” said Assemblymember Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto in a statement. “Several projects that are both low-cost and environmentally-sound have been proposed as an alternative to the $25

USDA to update organic survey The U.S. Department of Agriculture is updating its organic farm survey with the 2014 Organic Survey of Agricultural Producers. The last Census of Agriculture in 2012 showed that producers of organic products had increased by more than 80 percent. The USDA will mail surveys to 17,000 producers nationwide. To ensure the most complete accounting of organic agriculture in the United States, the 2014 Organic Survey will be a census of all known U.S. certified and exempt organic operations from the 2011 Certified Organic Survey and the 2012 Census of Agriculture, as well as new certified organic entities obtained from the Agricultural Marketing Service. According to the 2012 census, there were 34 USDA National Organic Program certified growers in San Joaquin County. There were 40 such farms in Stanislaus County. The survey will look at areas such as production of field crops, vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, berries, livestock and poultry. It will also examine production practices such as pest management, cover crops, crop rotation, rotational grazing, conservation tillage, water management and buffer zones. The survey will also ask questions regarding production expenses, marketing practices, including wholesale, retail and direct-to-consumer sales.

billion project, which is expected to drive-up user fees and property taxes as a means of back-filling cost overruns. I urge the governor to study the feasibility of these projects in order to safely and efficiently meet the needs of all regions of California.” The proposed massive water diversion tunnels are designed to take water from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and deliver it to canals and

pumps near Tracy that then send the water farther south have undergone a major design change. Three intakes will no longer require pumps, instead using gravity to move the water. The $25 billion project known as the Bay Delta Conservation Plan, has been in the works for eight years. By removing the pumps, there will be no need for new permanent high voltage power lines.

Still, critics of the project have major concerns. Area residents and farmers fear that giant intakes could reverse flows when runoffs of the Sacramento River are low. That could significantly diminish water quality in the Delta which supplies much of the water for farm and residential use in the Central Valley. There are also concerns about fish being sucked into the large pipes.

• Heart Attack

• Pneumonia

• Heart Failure

• Surgical Care

DMC MODESTO THE KEY TO BETTER HEALTH IN THE REGION

Doctors Medical Center Modesto understands what matters most to patients is safe, effective care. That’s why DMC is proud to be among a select group of hospitals nationwide to be recognized by The Joint Commission as a 2014* Top Performer on Key Quality Measures®. By acknowledging our excellence in accountability performance for heart attack, heart failure, pneumonia and surgical care, you’re assured exceptional treatment from the moment you enter our doors. And, that’s the key to a healthy community. This achievement was made possible by the dedicated physicians, nurses and employees at DMC, who continually raise the bar in healthcare performance. For more details on this important designation, visit dmc-modesto.com

facebook.com/dmcmodesto

*based on 2013 data

For a physician referral, call 1-888-284-6641

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

HOSPITALS

In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Patient Days of 2013. Ties Are Listed in Alphabetical Order.

Rank

Hospital Name Address

Patient Days Top Local Executive Available Local Phone Web Address Licensed Beds Total Discharge

Doctors Medical Center of Modesto 1441 Florida Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Emanuel Medical Center 825 Delbon Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

Sue Micheletti (209) 667-4200 emanuelmed.org

Memorial Medical Center 1700 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

Daryn J. Kumar, CEO (209) 526-4500 memorialmedicalcenter.org

St. Joseph’s Medical Center 1800 N. California Street Stockton, CA 95204

Oak Valley Hospital 350 S. Oak Avenue Oakdale, CA 95361

San Joaquin General Hospital 500 W. Hospital Road French Camp, CA 95231

Dave Culberson, CEO (209) 468-6000 sjgh.org

Manteca Medical Center A Kaiser Foundation Hospital 1777 W. Yosemite Avenue Manteca, CA 95337

Gregory Adams (209) 825-3700 healthy.kaiserpermanente.org

Lodi Memorial Hospital 975 S. Fairmont Avenue Lodi, CA 95240

Warren J. Kirk, CEO (209) 578-1211 dmc-modesto.com

Donald J.Wiley, CEO/President (209) 943-2000 stjosephscares.org John McCormick, CEO (209) 847-3011 oakvalleycares.org

Joseph P. Harrington, CEO/President (209) 333-5160 lodihealth.org Lorraine Auerbach, CEO/President (209) 944-5550 dameronhospital.org

Dameron Hospital Association 525 W. Acacia Street Stockton, CA 95203

Doctors Hospital of Manteca 1205 E. North Street Manteca, CA 95336

St Joseph’s Behavioral Health Center 2510 N. California Street Stockton, CA 95204

Sutter Tracy Community Hospital 1420 N. Tracy Boulevard Tracy, CA 95376

Central Valley Specialty Hospital 730 17th Street Modesto, CA 95354

San Joaquin County Mental Health 1212 N. California Street Stockton, CA 95202

Victor Singh (209) 468-8660 co.san-joaquin.ca.us

Stanislaus Surgical Hospital 1420 Oakdale Road Modesto, CA 95355

Douglas Johnson, CEO (209) 572-2700 stanislaussurgical.com

Nicholas Tejeda, CEO (209) 823-3111 doctorsmanteca.com Paul Rains (209) 461-2000 stjosephsanhelp.org David Thompson, CEO (209) 835-1500 suttertracy.org John Lovrich (209) 248-7700 centralvalleyspecialty.org

Outpatient Visits Avg Length of Stay (days) Occupancy Rate

122,114 459 23,478

135,593 5 72.90%

97,341 403 9,906 82,286 423 17,307 69,084 359 15,232 41,737 150 1,480 36,395 196 8,506 33,986 239 9,169 32,216 214

127,847 5.1 66.00% 107,798 4.8 53.30% 491,292 4.5 52.70% 112,122 3.6 76.20% 152,913 4.3 50.90% 64,159 3.7 39.00% 201,098 4.9 41.20% 108,807 3.9 41.50% 58,169 3.9 52.30% 8,767 6.5 90.90% 35,322 3.1 37.90% NA 45 16.10% NA 8.5 88.70% 29,355 2.4 20.20%

6,600 30,858 202 7,833 13,924 73 3,534 11,609 35 1,792 11,339 82 3,606 5,889 100 131 5,182 16 612 1,699 23 700

Gross Patient Revenue Services and Specialties Net Income From Operations

Year Est.

$3,702,633,156 $45,545,457

DaVinci Robotic Surgical System, Behavioral Health at Doctors Behavioral Health Center, emergency and level II trauma services & transport, imaging services, nuclear medicine, pediatrics, level III neonatal intensive care unit, Valley Heart Institute, women’s and children’s center

1962

$1,028,273,317 ($394,094)

Critical care, imaging, medical and radiation oncology, pediatric, birthing center, women’s health cardiology, rehabilitation and more

1917

$2,256,527,386 $42,866,026

24-hour emergency care, inpatient/outpatient surgery, obstetrics, pediatrics, nuclear medicine, dialysis therapy, diagnostic imaging, intensive care services, physical therapy and home health

1970

$1,821,742,683 $15,783,332

ACOC Accredited Regional Cancer Center, Heart Center (top 10% nationwide for heart attack treatment) Women and infant services

1899

$215,376,269 $1,918,325

Emergency services, maternity, imaging and radiology, surgical services and outpatient services

1968

$770,505,015 $9,533,373

24-hour emergency and urgent care, family maternity center, intensive care unit, medical surgical unit, progressive care unit, pediatrics, surgery, intensive care nursery, physical medicine and rehabilitation

1857

24-hour emergency, adult medicine, surgery clinic, ob/gyn and pediatrics

1945

Acute care, primary care, specialty care medical practices, outpatient surgery center and outpatient endoscopy center, robotic surgery and bundled payment plans

1952

Orthopediecs, cardiology/cardiac surgery, bariatric surgery, OB/GYN, outpatient primary care and occupational medicine

1912

$615,601,906 $6,244,681

Maternity, emergency services, pediatrics and comprehensive diagnostic and surgical services

1962

$37,829,907 None

Psychiatric non-profit services Behavioral Evaluations Inpatient and Outpatient services

1988

$423,254,258 $20,389.449

Full service and acute care hospital

1948

$18,305,335 NA

LTACH, long term acute care Transitional Care Care for medically complex patients who have catastrophic illness

2013

$5,537,034 None

Crisis Intervention 24hr Hotline (800)273-8255 Mental Health and substance abuse services Clinics also available in Lodi and Tracy

1981

Gynecology, ear, nose and throat, pain management, plastic surgery, oral surgery, gastroenterology and more

2000

NA NA $1,174,947,730 ($7,837,448) $1,024,339,170 ($9,650,867)

$129,664,383 $1,880,222

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

YOU DON’T YOU DON’T PROFIT PROFIT FROM SICK FROM SICK EMPLOYEES. EMPLOYEES. WHY DOES WHY DOES YOUR HEALTH YOUR HEALTH PROVIDER? PROVIDER? In an industry built on fee-for-service care, In an industry built on fee-for-service Kaiser Permanente succeeds becausecare, we’re Kaiser Permanente succeeds because we’re built around prevention and the highest built around prevention and the highest quality care. One Harvard Business Review quality care. One our Harvard Review article described care Business as “untainted article careof asinterest.” “untainted * by any described economic our conflict * by any And in economic an industryconflict report of byinterest.” The Economist, And inPermanente’s an industry report by The Economist, Kaiser care was described Kaiser Permanente’s careand wasquality described as promoting economy care as promoting economy quality care with “no financial motiveand to order † order with “no financial motive to unnecessary procedures.” unnecessary procedures.”†

Discover a better way. Discover a better way.

* Lew McCreary, “Kaiser Permanente’s Innovation on the Front Lines,” * Lew McCreary, “Kaiser Permanente’s Harvard Business Review, Innovation on the Front Lines,” September 2010. Harvard Business Review, † ”Another American Way,” September 2010. The Economist, May 1, 2010. † ”Another American Way,” The Economist, May 1, 2010.

kp.org/choosebetter kp.org/choosebetter

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

ADA reforms would focus on violation fixes By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer

khohlfeld@cvbizjournal.com

MODESTO – Assembly Republican Leader Kristin Olsen, R-Modesto and Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced introduced bills in the California Legislature on Dec. 1 that would curb frivolous lawsuits associated with the Americans with Disabilities Act. (ADA). The ADA has helped millions of disabled Americans gain access to services, jobs and activities that they might otherwise be excluded from. However, in California it has also given rise to a legion of lawyers who have filed what many businesses call frivolous lawsuits. “The ADA law was intended to make public and commercial buildings and businesses accessible to persons with disabilities,” said state Sen. Cathleen Galgiani, D-Stockton, who supports Olsen and Gray’s bills and plans to introduce one of her own in January. “Unfortunately, California’s version and implementation of the federal law has some serious flaws.” Olsen’s bill, AB 54, would give businesses 60 days to update facilities once a violation is spotted. Gray’s bill, AB 52, would significantly reduce damages if violations are corrected within 180 days. “These get-rich-quick lawsuit schemes violate the spirit of the ADA

and shouldn’t be tolerated. That’s why in response, we introduced legislation in December to curb these unnecessary lawsuits and help our small business communities,” Olsen said in a press statement when she introduced the bill. Kim Stone, president of the Civil Justice Association, says ADA-related lawsuits in California have skyrocketed because plaintiffs don’t have to demonstrate they’ve been harmed by ADA violations and because the state’s anti-discrimination laws make damages high and leave the defendant liable for attorneys’ fees. “In California, the state says that every violation, no matter how small, provides a $4,000 penalty and lawyer fees,” she said. “So you have a lot of lawsuits where there is just a transfer of money from the business to the lawyer.” Reform efforts, such as Gray’s and Olsen’s have often died in the Legislature in the past. “The fact is the trial lawyers have had more power than the small business in the Legislature in the past,” said Stone. Stone advises businesses to hire a specialist to make sure they are in compliance with every single aspect of the law. Unlike other regulations, such as complying with safety or building codes, there are no inspectors to tell businesses if they aren’t in compliance of some aspect of the ADA.

ELIZABETH STEVENS/CVBJ

Disabled parking signage is among the most cited violation in ADA lawsuits.

In December, Stone held a workshop in Stockton to inform businesses in San Joaquin County how to comply with the law. “The point of the workshop is helping businesses avoid lawsuits,” said Stone. Among the most common violations are signage in parking lots and other issues related to disabled parking, counters that are not the correct height and

restroom doors that are not accessible. Stone said that while the implementation of the law needs reform, no one is trying to eliminate it. “What is important for people to know we are not anti-disabled,” said Stone, whose group advocates for reforming the state’s law. “Many of these lawsuits are just about giving money to lawyers and do nothing to improve access.”

Your Benefits Plan…Your Way. Strategic Network Design I Customized Employee Communications Reducing Barriers To Access Quality Care I Population Health Management Fully Insured To Self-Insured I Wellness Initiatives

Workers Comp I Agricultural I Health & Benefits I Professional Crop I Commercial Packages I Home & Auto MODESTO (209) 529-3480 l TURLOCK (209) 667-0995 l LIVINGSTON (209) 394-7925

wintonireland.com l Since 1913 l Lic # 0596517

Mike’s Grillhouse is a fusion between fine dining and casual fun. When you walk through our doors, you are welcomed into an industrial chic restaurant, one like no other in the Valley. Through our travels (owners Mike and Shelly Nelson), we have experienced many types of dining experiences and our new restaurant is a collaboration of all the things we have found to be our favorites. 3801 Pelandale Ave, Modesto, CA | 209.545.4500 www.mikesgrillhouse.com

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Covered California activity up in first enrollment month SACRAMENTO – Nearly 600,000 people were determined eligible for private health insurance and eligible or likely eligible for Medi-Cal in the first month of open enrollment, Covered California and the California Department of Health Care Services announced in December. “We saw tremendous momentum during the first month of open enrollment, with more than 25,000 people completing enrollment on Monday alone,” Covered California Executive Director Peter V. Lee said. “This is further proof of the great demand that Californians have for quality, affordable health care coverage. With only two months to sign up, all Californians should be considering their options now so they can get covered in 2015.” Peter Lee Here is how the eligibility numbers broke down: 157,361 people were determined eligible with an additional 144,178 who selected plans for private coverage; 216,423 were enrolled into Medi-Cal coverage; 74,965 were deemed likely eligible for Medi-Cal, California’s version of Medicaid. During all of 2014, more than 2.2 consumers were enrolled in Medi-Cal. “Even though Medi-Cal enrolls throughout the year, it’s important for those without insurance to apply as soon as possible, so they can

CVBJ

start enjoying the security of health care coverage,” said Department of Health Care Services Director Toby Douglas. “We’re encouraged that more and more Californians are taking advantage of these coverage opportunities through Medi-Cal and Covered California.” In a press conference before open enrollment began Lee told reporters Covered California learned from last year’s health care exchange rollout so this year’s open enrollment period would be smoother. Computer services and Covered California’s web site have been upgraded and more workers have been added to streamline enrollment. In just one month this year, more Californians selected a Covered California plan than in the first two months of last year’s open enrollment — with 144,178 plan selections this year, compared with 109,296 plan selections in the period from Oct. 1 to Nov. 30, 2013. According to data, about 31 percent of new enrollees in the current openenrollment period signed up through “self-service” for a Covered California plan, with the others getting help with in-person assistance or through the Covered California Service Center.

HOMELESS Continued from Page 20

hygiene center.” He said that many members of the population they serve face severe barriers to rebuilding a stable life. “A lot of our clients are chronically homeless,” he said. “While we haven’t had the spike like we did at the start of the recession, we also haven’t seen a decrease in the need.” Services provided at the St. Mary’s complex include doctors, optometrists, podiatrists and a host of other specialties. “We have people that donate eyeglass frames that we can use and doctors and dentists donate their time to operate the clinic,” said Rebecca Glissman, St. Mary’s Dining Room’s director of development. “Here (at the hygiene center) people can get a shower and clean clothes. One of the biggest compliments came when a client came back from a

job interview and said that they didn’t even know the person was homeless.” Providing that sense of personal pride is a big part of what the shelter and dining room try to do. “When people can get a shower and some clean clothes, they feel good about themselves,” said Glissman. “When you feel good, you present yourself better.” Despite the efforts of shelter and dining room, there are still dozens of homeless that line the streets in the surrounding the area. They stay outside the shelter for reasons ranging from not wanting to follow the rules to having animals or loved ones they don’t want to be separated from. Despite their efforts, both organizations know they have have a continuing challenge. “This homeless thing is not going away anytime soon,” Gage said.

Is your money in a bind? • Tax Litigation (and Controversies) • Tax Planning to avoid Controversies • Estate and Wealth Management Planning • Post Mortem Estate and Trust Administration • Trust and Estate Litigation • Business and Commercial Transactions • Real Estate Law/Exchanges • Bankruptcy Planning and Filing

Calone & Harrel Law Group, LLP Es t at e Planning, Tax and Business Attorneys

209.952.4545

WWW.CALONEANDHARREL.COM

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

TAX PREPARATION FIRMS

In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Firms are Ranked by Number of Employees. Ties are Listed in Alphabetical Order. Name Address

Grimbleby Coleman CPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Inc. 200 W. Roseburg Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Bowman & Company, LLP 10100 Trinity Parkway, Ste. 310 Stockton, CA 95219

Kemper CPA Group, LLP 3031 W. March Lane, Ste. 133 Stockton, CA 95219

Iacopi, Lenz & Company 3031 W. March Lane, Ste. 300-E Stockton, CA 95219

DeGregori, Gormsen & Ringer, LLP 1401 N. Hunter Street Stockton, CA 95202

Bill Pollard Jr., CPA 79 E. 11th Street Tracy, CA 95376 2575 Grand Canal Blvd., Ste. 300 Stockton, CA 95207

Total Top Executive Returns Electronic Number Phone Filed Filings for of Local Services Provided Web Address for Employees 2013 2013

Year Est.

2,100

2,000

Tax return preparation, accounting, auditing, bookkeeping, business advisory Agriculture, construction, health care, estates and trusts, employee benefit plan audits

1973

Individual, partnerships, corporations, limited liability companies, trusts, estates

1949

Lammert Van Laar, Partner (209) 473-2001 kempercpa.com

2,000

1,850

Accounting, auditing, tax, business valuation and litigation support services, payroll, bookkeeping, investment advisory and employee benefit plans

1958

John Iacopi & Susan Lenz (209) 957-3691 iacopi.com

2,509

Tax preparation, auditing and accounting services, business consulting, litigation support, forensic accounting and Quickbooks support

1978

John H. DeGregori, Partner (209) 944-0740 dgr-cpas.com

1,782

1,657

Income tax research and return preparation for individuals, businesses, trusts and estates Estate planning, accounting write-up services, business valuations and accounting consultations

1974

Bill Pollard Jr., Owner Kimberley Washer, EA, CAA (209) 832-5110 billpollardcpa.com

6,114

6,087

Tax preparation, IRS audit representation, IRS collections, bookkeeping, payroll

1990

Tim Schwartz (209) 474-1084 sfgac.com

1,634

1,340

Tax for corps, S-corps, fiduciaries, individuals, partnerships, estates and exempt organizations; Auditing, accounting, bookkeeping

1989

John E. Blomberg, President (209) 466-3894 none

2,328

2,164

Tax, audit and accounting services

1981

Clive Grimbleby, CPA/MBA (209) 527-4220 gccpas.net Daniel Phelps (209) 473-1040 cpabowman.com

3 offices

17 2 offices

Schwartz, Giannini, Lantsberger & Adamson, CPAs 4578 Feather River Drive, Ste. D Stockton, CA 95219

Blomberg & Griffin, A.C. 1013 N. California Street Stockton, CA 95202

De Vaney Business Services 1050 N. Carpenter Road, Ste. I Modesto, CA 95351

Karen De Vaney, Owner (209) 524-4345 devaneybusiness.net

1,200

1,100

Tax preparation, payroll and accounting

1975

Kalfsbeek & Company, Accountancy Corp 4529 Quail Lakes Drive, Ste. C Stockton, CA 95209

Donna Hammel an Jane Kalfsbeek (209) 235-1040 kalfsbeek.com

1,050

925

Tax preparation and planning, accounting services and Consulting

1983

Patenieks, Bucheli & Falasco, LLP 1301 L Street Modesto, CA 95354

Eileen Pastenieks (209) 529-5515 pbfcpa.com

938

All business an individual tax services, audits, accounting, bookkeeping, payroll, forensic accounting

2010

Dougherty CPAs, Inc. 3031 W. March Lane, Ste. 210 Stockton, CA 95219

Steve Dougherty, CPA/MS-Tax (209) 476-1111 doughertycpas.com

390

350

Tax preparation, tax planning,Quickbooks training and service Professional serices, real estate and construction

1978

Priest Amistadi CPAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 1021 14th Street, Ste. 2 Modesto, CA 95354

Howard Priest, CPA, CFP (209) 544-7090 priestamistadi.com

970

950

Tax preparation, financial planning and audit services. Bookkeeping, payroll and Quickbooks support

1974

Rea & Associates, LLP 1937 Coffee Road Modesto, CA 95355

Walter T. Rea Jr., CPA (209) 521-2727 reaassociates.com

800

Individual, partnership and corporate tax preparation s Corp., LLC,LLP tax prep Payroll, accounting and consulting

1986

Richesin Accountancy Corporation 7510 Shoreline Drive, Ste. B-1 Stockton, CA 95219

Chuck Richesin (209) 477-4834 none

490

470

Accounting and tax services Estate and wealth management

1983

Wardell & Rall, Accountancy Corporation 3031 W. March Lane, Ste. 320-E Stockton, CA 95219

Michael M. Rall (209) 952-5392 wardellrall.com

626

617

Accounting and tax services, tax planning, business planning

1990

Edward J. Schneider Jr., CPA 4655 Quail Lakes Drive Stockton, CA 95207

Edward J. Schneider, Jr. (209) 952-4411 ejschneider.com

299

279

Tax preparation, tax planning, Quickbooks accounting, bookkeeping/payroll and financial statements

1984

Ron G. Rishwain, CPA 3439 Brookside Road, Ste. 201 Stockton, CA 95219

Ron Rishwain, CPA (209) 951-9999 none

500

400

Tax planning & preparation, estate planning and IRS audit presentation

1998

Gary L. Woehl 3439 Brookside Road, Ste. 201 Stockton, CA 95219

Gary L. Woehl, CPA (209) 951-9999 none

231

206

Tax preparation, auditing and bookkeeping

1989

5 2 offices

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

Voted Best of San Joaquin 2014 “Look to Iacopi, Lenz & Company for your business and personal finance matters - we are here to help”

IACOPI, LENZ & COMPANY

Accountancy Corporation

John T. Iacopi, CPA • Susan H. Lenz, CPA • Michael S. Butler, CPA • Michael D. Luis, CPA • James J. Acosta, CPA • Paula M. Frago, CPA • James H. LaForest, CPA • Constance D. Logan, CPA, Esq. • Tami K. Horita Louie, CPA • Louis B. Machado, CPA • Dina P. Marasigan, CPA • Kathy L. Morris-Marr, CPA • Kathleen M. Solari, CPA • Revo Somersille, CPA • Sunny Y. Williams, CPA • Amber E. Hibbs Bell, CPA • Myra Garcia, CPA • Shelley Crivello, E.A. • Patricia Melton, E.A.

This resourceful and innovative accounting firm provides comprehensive services in a timely manner to clients in a wide range of industries. Since 1978 it has remained dedicated to delivering the highest quality, personal service to its clients, as well as giving back to its community.

• Tax Planning & Preparation • Accounting & Auditing Services • Business Consulting • Business Acquisitions & Sales • Business Valuation Services

• Litigation Support Services • Marital Dissolution Accounting • Quickbooks Support • Estate Planning • Estate and Trust Tax Preparation

3031 West March Lane • Suite 300 - E • Stockton, CA Phone: (209) 957-3691 • Fax (209) 957-0841 • www.iacopi.com

Central Valley Business Journal

Owls return to port nests

PHOTO COURTESY PORT OF STOCKTON

The barn owls have returned to their homes at the Port of Stockton and people can watch them through the port’s network of owl cams. The port says the owl cams were very popular last year, so it has upgraded the cameras and wiring so the picture quality is better and more reliable. This photo shows a family in its nest box on Daggett Road. Owls are nocturnal, so the best time to watch them is at night. You can watch them online at www.portofstockton.com/owl-cams.

January 2015

Gas price drop sets new record MODESTO – The steady decline in gas prices broke a record in December, according to AAA. Nationwide, gas prices fell every day since Sept. 25 to an average of $2.39 by Dec. 28 -- a total of 87 days. That was also the lowest price for regular gas since May 2009. In addition, the week-over-week drop of 15 cents from Dec. 21-28 was the largest such decline in more than six years. Nationally, drivers in December were paying 43 cents less than they did in November and 85 cents less than in December 2013 to refuel their vehicles. On Dec. 28, drivers in Modesto were paying $2.50 a gallon for regular compared to $2.91 Nov. 28 and $3.49 the previous year, according to the crowdsourcing site GasBuddy.com. In Stockton, the average price per gallon for regular was $2.57 on Dec. 28, GasBuddy said. The month before, it was $2.94. On Dec. 28, 2013 gas was selling for $3.51 a gallon. All told, lower fuel prices have allowed consumers to save more than $450 million per day on gasoline compared to the highs earlier in 2014. It led to a 4 percent increase in holiday driving in December. AAA estimated 98.6 million Americans planned to travel 50 miles or more for the holiday season, the most on record.

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

At the end of December, gas prices were down nearly a dollar per gallon compared to a year ago.

Abundant global supply and sluggish demand growth have helped push the global price of crude down by more than $50 per barrel since June, AAA said. Crude oil prices have seen dramatic price swings in recent years, but this year’s drop has been even more extreme and has triggered speculation surrounding the impact of sustained low prices for crude. The drop in oil prices could lead some oil-producing countries, including the United States, to slow production. Falling oil prices are not good for everyone, experts have cautioned. A number of countries depend on oil income to balance their economies, and sustained low prices could lead to instability and civil unrest as those governments struggle to deal with lower revenue streams.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

ACA makes tax season challenging By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer canderson@cvbizjournal.com

MODESTO – Americans have been living with the benefits and the mandates of the Affordable Care Act for a year. Now individuals and businesses are about to face the tax implications. It is perhaps the biggest -- but not the only -- issue to watch for when preparing taxes this year. “The individual mandate under the Affordable Care Act began in 2014,” said Eileen Pastenieks, managing partner at Modesto’s Pastenieks, Bucheli & Falasco. “Not only are all individuals required to have insurance but all people filing a tax return must report their insurance on that return, and they may have to pay a huge penalty if a return isn’t filed correctly. They’ll also be penalized if they didn’t have health coverage in 2014.” Pastenieks said the ACA presents the greatest challenges for both tax preparer and taxpayer, especially because the tax implications are just beginning. She believes the days when returns were simple enough for taxpayers to prepare on their own may be over. “Taxpayers can expect changes to keep coming over the next three years,” Pastenieks said. “The ACA

will provide a host of new deductions, lost deductions, new credits, new taxes and entirely new tax concepts. Tax returns will never be the same.” The end of the year can be tough for tax preparers as Congress and the administration often wait until December to confront tax-related bills. That was the case in 2014 when Congress passed, and President Obama signed the tax-extenders bill. “Fifty-four expired tax breaks have been reinstated,” said Connie Logan, tax manager for Stockton’s Iacopi, Lenz & Co. in Stockton. “Tax preparers are ramping up now getting all the education they need to properly prepare tax returns that now include new government requirements.” That includes Section 179’s expensing allowance. Farmers and other businesses held off buying new equipment until they knew whether the allowance would be extended. The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) is still in place but modified, Logan said. In recent years more middle-income taxpayers found themselves subject to the tax because it wasn’t updated for inflation. In 2013, a permanent patch to the AMT was passed so exemption amounts are now indexed to rise with inflation. The beginning of a new year is not just the time to get returns ready from

2014, it’s also a time to prepare for paying taxes next year. “Planning is vital, and we encourage clients to call when they are involved in anything affecting their finances because we can help them with our knowledge in a comfortable environment,” said Logan. Help from a tax preparer may be more necessary than ever, now that the IRS is facing cutbacks. In December, $346 million was cut from the IRS’ budget. It’s the fifth consecutive year the agency’s budget has been slashed, and the $10.9 billion budget the IRS will receive for 2015 is the lowest it’s had since 2007. “The IRS budget cuts means less assistance for taxpayer’s questions and slower responses to those who get assistance, but the impact of electronic filing could release a lot of man hours for customer service,” said Jeff Coleman, partner in Grimbleby Coleman CPAs Inc. Still, the IRS is warning taxpayers not to expect their refunds to arrive as quickly as they have in the past. Coleman says the key to a smooth return process is not waiting till the last minute. “Taxpayers need to keep in touch with their tax professional,” he said. “So much of what we do is associated with planning, and it’s best to do it early.”

CHOOSING A TAX PREPARER Tax returns are becoming more complicated. If you want to hire someone to prepare your return, here’s what you need to look for, according to the Internal Revenue Service: Preparer Tax Identification Number All tax preparers are required to have a PTIN. Make sure your tax preparer includes the number when signing your return. Credentials Tax return preparers are not required to have a professional credential, but with the ACA and changing tax laws making returns more complicated, continuing education is important, so make sure you understand the qualifications of the preparer you select. Fees Ask about fees upfront and avoid preparers who base their fee on a percentage of your refund or those who say they can get larger refunds than others can. Refunds Always make sure any refund due is sent to you or deposited into your bank account. Taxpayers should not deposit their refund into a preparer’s bank account. Review your return It seems obvious, but the IRS says you shouldn’t sign a blank or incomplete return. Make sure to look over the form and ask questions about things you don’t understand. You can learn more about choosing a tax preparer on the IRS’ website at www.irs. gov/Tax-Professionals/Choosing-a-TaxProfessional. Source: IRS

Westgate Westgate Center Center for for Leadership Leadership and and Management Management Development Development Westgate Center for Leadership and Management Development

Are you part of a Are you part of a Family Business? Family Business? Join us for our next Join us for our next Join BUSINESS us for our next FAMILY PROGRAM FAMILY BUSINESS PROGRAM FAMILYJanuary BUSINESS PROGRAM 29, January 29, 2015 2015 January 29, 2015 CALL CALL TO TO RESERVE RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY! YOUR TODAY! CALL SPOT TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY!

17 17 years years of of helping helping families families work together to build their 17 years of helping families work together to build their business and relationships work together to build their business and relationships business and relationships

success doesn’t success doesn’t happen by accident.

happen by accident. It takes high It takesleaders high . performing performing leaders.

For For 20 20 years years the the Westgate Westgate Center Center has has helped helped thousands of leaders and managers become thousands ofthe leaders and managers become For 20effective. years Westgate Center has helped more Our Management Certificate more effective. Our Management Certificate thousands of leaders and managers become Program is up of facing Program is made made upManagement of the the top top issues issues facing more effective. Our Certificate managers today including: managers today including: Program is made up of the top issues facing • Creating Strategy managers today including: • Creating Strategy • •• • •• • •• •

Exceeding Customer Expectations Exceeding Customer Expectations Creating Building Strategy Leadership Effectiveness Building Leadership Effectiveness Exceeding Designing Customer InnovativeExpectations Organizers Designing Innovative Organizers Building Leadership Effectiveness Designing Innovative Organizers

FOR LEADERSHIP AND FOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT FOR LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT

and and more. more... and more..

ENROLL ENROLL TODAY! TODAY! Our next program begins TODAY! OurENROLL next program begins February 25, 2015 OurFebruary next program begins 25, 2015 February 25, 2015

For For more more information: information: 209.946.2956 209.946.2956 •• Westgate@Pacific.edu Westgate@Pacific.edu •• Pacific.edu/Westgate Pacific.edu/Westgate

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

INSURANCE: LIFE, HEALTH, PROPERTY & CASUALTY In San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. Ranked by Number of Brokers. Rank

Company Name Address

Top Local Executive Local Phone Web Address

Number of Brokers Number of Support Staff

Number of Companies Represented

Percentage of Business Property/ Life/ Casualty for Employee Personal & Benefits Commercial

Other Services Offered Company Headquarters

Year Est. Locally

New York Life Insurance 3255 W. March Lane, Ste. 300 Stockton, CA 95219

Roland R. Ghazal, CLU, CHFC, LUTCF (209) 955-2400 stocktongo.com

100 16

100%

Retirement and financial services New York City, NY

1960

Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency 627 E. Canal Drive Turlock, CA 95380

Mike Ireland Sr., CEO (209) 667-0995 wintonireland.com

33 100

100

75%

25%

Risk management Turlock, CA

1913

Dohrmann Insurance Agency 3255 W. March Lane, Ste. 200 Stockton, CA 95219

George & Greg Dohrmann (209) 478-1400 dohrins.com

16 19

101

80%

20%

Claims analysis Stockton, CA

1868

TSM Insurance & Financial Services, Inc. 1317 Oakdale Road, Ste. 910 Modesto, CA 95355

Guy Miligi, Vice President (209) 524-6366 tsminsurance.com

15 22

100+

70%

30%

Financial services Modesto, CA

1945

Truex Insurance Agency 2291 W. March Lane, Ste. A-100 Stockton, CA 95207

Larry Lee (209) 477-1111 truexins.com

14 9

20+

80%

20%

Wide array of competitive personal and business insurance products; risk management Stockton, CA

2010

DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Agency, Inc. 1560 Cummins Drive, Ste. A Modesto, CA 95353

Matthew D. DeFendis, Principle (209) 578-0183 dibu.com

11 13

100+

98%

Risk management Fresno, CA

1960

Daugherty Insurance Services 10100 Trinity Parkway, Ste. 300 Stockton, CA 95219

Scott Daugherty, President/CEO (209) 475-4400 daughertyinsuranceservices.com

10 12

150

90%

10%

5% is personal insurance Non-traditional risk management Stockton, CA

2008

Omega Pacific Insurance Solutions Inc. 445 W. Weber Avenue Stockton, CA 95203

Charles Doll (209) 451-9010 trustomega.com

10 8

75%

25%

HR and Payroll services Modesto, CA

2011

Allstate Agency of Myles Harris 8807 Thornton Road, Ste. D Stockton, CA 95209

Myles Harris, Owner (209) 472-8585 allstate.com/myles

7 9

90%

10%

Voluntary benefits, health In. (Covered CA), workers comp. Northbrook, IL

2000

Larry Benson Insurance Agency, Inc. Nationwide Insurance 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. A Stockton, CA 95219

Larry Benson, President (209) 337-0241 larrybenson-insurance.com

7 1

90%

10%

Annuities, bonds and health Columbus, OH

2006

Micheletti & Associates Insurance Services 515 Lyell Drive, Ste. 102 Modesto, CA 95356

Robert Micheletti, CPCU, CIC, CRM, CRIS (209) 576-2808 michelettiins.com

7 8

80%

20%

Alternative market solutions-group captives Modesto, CA

1990

Todd Garibaldi Insurance Agency, Inc. 641 S. Ham Lane Lodi, CA 95242

Todd Garibaldi, President (209) 334-3030 garibaldiins.com

6 14

100+

85%

15%

Crop insurance, loss control Lodi, CA

2002

Automotive Risk Management & Insurance Services, Inc. 1919 Grand Canal Boulevard, Ste. C-7 Stockton, CA 95207

Marvin McDougal, President (209) 473-8937 armonline.com

5 12

95%

Web design and software development Stockton, CA

1962

USI of Northern California 2021 W. March Lane Stockton, CA 95207

Jon Bush, President (209) 957-6800 usi.biz

5 6

100

20%

80% (health)

Retirment consulting

1997

Nationwide Insurance-Don Maffei 2540 Pacific Avenue, Ste. 1 Stockton, CA 95204

Don Maffei (209) 957-9433 maffeid@nationwide.com

4 4

10+

99%

Insurance and financial consulting Columbus, OH

2005

Ritter Insurance Agency, Inc. 2880 N. Tracy Boulevard, Ste. 1 Tracy, CA 95376

Paul G. Ritter, Owner (209) 835-0776 ritteragency.com

4 4

85%

15%

Wide array of personal and business insurance products

1923

Randolph & Klein Financial Solutions 1625 W. March Lane, Ste. 101 Stockton, CA 95207

Phyllis Klein an Norm Randolph (209) 956-1212 tamingyouroctopus.com

3 2

100%

Life/disability/health insurance, employee benefits, retirement planning, investments, medicare supplements, legal shield Stockton, CA

1985

Big Valley Insurance Agency, Inc. 1550 Tracy Boulevard, Tracy, CA 95376 310 S. Crescent Avenue, Ste. B, Lodi, CA 95240

Bill Crawford (209) 835-5253 (209) 365-9600 bigvalleyinsurance.com

3 4

15+

90%

10%

Insurance solutions for home, farm and more Revenues of more than $900,000

1970

Jeff Kroll/State Farm Insurance 8855 Thornton Road, Ste. A Stockton, CA 95209

Jeff Kroll, Owner/Agent (209) 473-7104 statefarm.com

3 1

80%

20%

Retirement solutions Northbrook, IL

2003

Life, disability and long-term care insurance, estate and financial 100+ 0% 100% planning, 401K and special needs 2001 20 planning Modesto, CA These lists are provided as a free service by the Central Valley Business Journal for its readers. As such, inclusion is based on editorial consideration and is not guaranteed. If you would like your business to be included in a list, please write to: Research Department, Central Valley Business Journal, 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E, Stockton, CA 95219, fax your information to Research Dept. (209) 477-0211 or email research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal. Researched by Danette Conley 12/2014 Zeiter Financial & Insurance Services 1111 J Street, M-109 Modesto, CA 95354

Michael E. Zeiter (209) 566-1366 zeiterfinancial.com

3 4

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

BiLL crawford AAI; LUTCF, AFIS PRESIDENT

Full Line Insurance Agency • Auto • Home

• Life • Health

• Commercial • Annuities

Lodi | 310 South Crescent, Ste. B (209) 365-9600

• Farm & Ranch • Long Term Care

Tracy | 1550 Tracy Blvd. (209) 835-5253

CA Lic# 0E22532

Serving San Joaquin County’s Insurance Needs For Over 40 Years!

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

Business Journal Community Voices Farmington Fresh: a legacy of innovation CENTRAL VALLEY

With California known as the “the food basket of the world” I thought it would be a great idea to reach out to David Rajkovich, the managing partner at Rajkovich Family Farms, and talk farming. What I found was a farming business that has continued to successfully grow and diversify over the years. Now the John Anderson family doesn’t just grow food, Construction it packages and Industry Consultant distributes as well. The Rajkovich brothers, Randall, Garrett and David, are third-generation farmers and businessmen with strong ties to the Stockton area dating back to the late 1950s. Their grandparents were all Croatian immigrants who arrived in America in the early 1900s and initially worked in the orchards of the Santa Clara Valley. The Rajkovich brothers’ father, Nick, began his own farming operation when he returned home from World War II. He raised cattle and grew plums and apricots in the foothills of the Almaden Valley south of San Jose. He expanded the family orchards to the San Joaquin Valley in 1959. Nick diversified and added cherries and walnuts to the variety of crops produced. Currently, the family farms orchards in the Waterloo and Morada areas as well as Fresno County. The key to the Rajkovichs’ success has been innovation. “Since I started in the business after college in the 1970s, most of our crop yields per acre have doubled, and we will need to double them again in the

Big Picture

www.firstchoiceservices.com 209.467.4426

next 30 years to remain in business,” said David Rajkovich. In the 1980s the family started planting apples. That decision eventually led to the establishment of Farmington Fresh in 1995 when several local apple and cherry growers decided to join forces to pack and market their crops. Now wholly-owned by the Rajkovich family, Farmington Fresh has become a leading producer of fresh-cut fruit snack items distributed throughout the western United States. In 2014, the company completed a major expansion and reorganization as a result of its recent ownership consolidation. The facility now has a 25,000-square-foot, cutting-edge automated sliced fruit processing room, which has provided for the introduction of an expanded line of fresh-cut fruit snack products. San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Federation executive director Bruce Blodgett described it as a state-of-theart facility that is a real benefit to the county. “It’s tougher and tougher to build facilities like that in California, so the fact that we have one here in San Joaquin County is a real asset,” Blodgett said. Blodgett added that Farmington Fresh has participated in the farm bureau’s ag-education program by demonstrating the technology side of the agriculture industry and the fact that there are a variety of avenues open to students who want to pursue a career in agriculture. “They show what it takes to keep ag moving forward,” Blodgett said. In addition to several apple products, the company now offers individual serving packs of fresh cut oranges, pears and de-stemmed grapes. It also has other fruit items under development. School lunch programs in the western United States have been Farmington Fresh’s largest market,

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Farmington Fresh is a leading producer of fresh-cut fruit snacks.

with new retail variety packs being sold with two of the country’s largest foodservice distributors for nationwide distribution. This past year also saw the merger with Onions Etc. to further expand Farmington’s business portfolio. Onions Etc. is a local family-founded business that specializes in onion and potato products. Retail packs of red, yellow, white and pearl onion varieties are packaged in a variety of sizes. As innovation continues, a new retail line of potato packs labeled “Just Enough” has recently been introduced. The first is a package containing four large Russet potatoes that will be marketed in the meat section of retail grocery stores. When I first saw the packaging and cross-marketing strategy of this new “Just Enough” concept, I believed it would be a game changer as a marketing concept. Innovation is not limited to the company’s packing business. It extends to its orchards as well. Farmington Fresh recently obtained the exclusive United States rights to grow, pack and market a new apple variety named Modi, which was developed in Italy and is now patented and trademarked worldwide. Modi is an extremely firm and juicy red apple, with a balance of sweetness and acidity. It remains crunchy and does not become mealy like many other apple varieties. Modi is also unique in that it develops a full rich red color in the hot and dry climate of California’s Central Valley. There are other advantages as well. “One of the major benefits of our

new Modi apple is that it requires 50 percent less inputs of insecticides and fungicides than other apple varieties,” Rajkovich said. 2014 also marked the addition of fourth-generation Rajkovich family members joining the company, helping to expand the fruit growing and processing business. David stated that the Rajkovich family is proud of their family’s long tradition of involvement in the farming and agribusiness industries, but it is their late father’s legacy of honesty, integrity and fairness in the way they treat customers and employees that they are most proud. After talking with Rajkovich, it’s clear Farmington Fresh will remain innovative to develop new products to meet the demands of the ever changing marketplace. The brothers’ goal, which began in the 1950s with their dad and remains to this day, is to provide customers with a variety of fresh products of the highest standards and quality. Throughout these decades of change and growth, Rajkovich made it clear that many things may continue to change, but one thing will remain constant: loyalty and dedication to long-term employees, some of whom have been with the family business for almost 60 years. Farming families such as the Rajkovich family farm are what creates the fiber of our farming success in the Central Valley. They create jobs, innovate and bring quality agricultural products to the marketplace, adding consistency to our economy.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

not-for-profit not-for-profit and and SErVinG SErVinG CEntraL VaLLEY VaLLEY faMiLiES faMiLiES SinCE SinCE 1996 1996 CEntraL Nearly Nearly 280,000 280,000 members members in in San San Joaquin Joaquin and and Stanislaus Stanislaus Counties Counties experience experience improved improved access access to to health health care care through through Health Health Plan Plan of of San San Joaquin. Joaquin.

1-888-936-pLan 1-888-936-pLan (7526) (7526) hpsj.com hpsj.com

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

What tax reform could look like in 2015 On Dec. 11, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp officially introduced H.R. 1, the Tax Reform Act of 2014. The bill was provided the designation of H.R. 1 to signify the importance of the legislation in the 2015 Congress. As we saw with the Affordable Care Act, the devil is in the details. “At its core, the Tax Reform Act of 2014 is about making the tax code simpler and fairer for hardworking taxpayers, Camp said. After all the deception we experienced with the Affordable Care Act, can Camp’s statement be trusted? This article will review some of the income tax reform provisions related to individuals. Next month I will explore some of the business provisions. Individual income tax rate The new provisions would reduce the current seven tax brackets down to three brackets: 10 percent, 25 percent, and 35 percent. The 35 percent bracket would replace the 39.6 percent bracket. The new 25 percent bracket would begin at $71,200 for joint filers. The new 35 percent bracket would begin at $450,000 for joint filers. The special rate structure for net capital gain would be repealed. Instead, non-corporate taxpayers could claim an above-the-line deduction equal to 40 percent of adjusted net capital gain. Adjusted net capital gain would equal the sum of net capital

gain and qualified dividends reduced by net collectible gain. Standard deduction The basic and additional standard deductions would be consolidated into a single standard deduction of $22,000 for joint filers. Single filers with at least one qualifying child could claim an additional deduction of $5,500. The standard deduction and itemized deductions would phase out for joint filers with income in excess of $517,000. Child tax credit Jason Harrel The child tax Calone & Harrel credit would Law Group be increased to $1,500. A reduced credit of $500 would be allowed for non-child dependents. The credit would be refundable to the extent of 25 percent of the taxpayer’s earned income. The credit would begin to phase out until modified adjusted gross income exceeds $413,750 for joint filers. Personal exemptions Currently, taxpayers may deduct $3,900 for each personal exemption. The rationale is that the higher stan-

Taxing Matters

dard deduction will factor in the loss of this exemption. You lose if you itemize your deductions. Various tax credit repeals The following tax credits would be repealed: adoption expenses; dependent care credit; credit for nonbusiness energy property; credit for residential energy efficient property; credit for qualified electric vehicles; alternative motor vehicle credit; alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit; credit for new qualified plug-in electric drive motor vehicles; credit for health insurance costs of eligible individuals and the first time homebuyer credit. Sale of principal residence Under the act, a homeowner would have to own their principal residence for five out of eight years to exclude up to $500,000 of gain, rather than two out of the last five years. Charitable deductions There would be many changes to charitable deductions. Most notably, the 50 percent and 30 percent AGI limitations for cash contributions and capital gains property would be consolidated to 40 percent. Medical expenses Under the act, you will not be able to itemize any medical expenses. Business of being an employee The miscellaneous itemized deduction for expenses attributable to the trade or business of performing servic-

es as an employee would be repealed. Taxes not paid or accrued in a trade or business Under the act, individuals would only be allowed a deduction for state and local taxes paid or accrued in carrying on a trade or business or producing income. (You mean we can no longer deduct those high income taxes we pay to the state of California?) Tax preparation expenses Since under the act it will be so easy for everyone to prepare their own taxes, you will no longer get a deduction to have a professional prepare your return. Alimony payments Under the Act, alimony payments would not be deductible by the payor and would not be included in the income of the payee. Effective for decrees entered into after the act is passed. Of course there are many additional provisions, but the space for this article is limited. This bill has not been passed or even been voted on yet. However, it is the opening shot at tax reform. Who knows what the final legislation will look like after the conference meetings between the House and Senate and the special interests get involved. This is the first step in talking about tax reform. Major tax reform will be a significant challenge which is why we have not seen it since 1986.

Are you getting the most from your employees? In talking with managers from all types of industries the one question I am consistently asked is, “How do I motivate my employees?” Actually, an incredible opportunity exists to increase motivation, develop trust, build loyalty and enhance the strength of your team by asking a few simple questions and taking a few necessary steps. Let me ask you an important question. Do you trust your boss? Is he or she there for you? Do they understand what motivates you and where you want to go in life? Do they give you assignments that will challenge and engage you in ways that will help you grow? Do they respect and value you? Do they communicate openly with you? Now flip this around. Are you the boss, manager or owner and do you have people who report to you? How would they answer the above questions about you? First, do you know what each of your team members bring to the party? What skills, experiences and knowledge do they have that if harnessed would add value to your organization? For some employees it could be organizational skills; others may have the ability to sell anything and others may know how to get things done. Do you identify skillsets that engage your employee’s skills and abili-

ties? In a recent Gallup poll only 13 percent of workers feel engaged at work. That means 87 percent (most of the employees in an organization) don’t feel connected or engaged. Guess what they are doing when you’re not around. Anyone up for Words with Friends? In another study, Society for Human Resource Management identified the Peter Johnson most important Pacific - Eberhardt items related to School of Business job satisfaction. The No. 1 driver of employee satisfaction was how often they used their skills and abilities in their job. For the past six years that top driver had been job security (which slipped to No. 2 this year) followed by compensation, communication with upper management and the quality of the relationship with their direct supervisor. Employees during the great recession did not expect much from work. A steady job was of key importance and employees were less concerned with gaining fulfillment from their job. As

Clear Vision

unemployment drops, more employees want to step it up. They want to feel like they are being utilized. They want to feel like they are part of the team where they are valued and appreciated. They want more opportunities and more compensation. This is why communication with upper management was ranked in the top five drivers of employee satisfaction. Unlike mushrooms that want to be kept in the dark and fed a line of bull, employees want to know what’s going on and how they fit into the big picture. The more workers know about the big picture, the better they understand where they may fit in and add value. If you discover that your employees couldn’t care less about the big picture, it might be time to find some new employees. Do you want employees who punch the proverbial timecard or those who have bought into the mission of the organization and feel a sense of ownership in accomplishing organizational goals? What about the employees we label as “lots of potential?” If they are not engaged and fully utilized at their current job, they will go elsewhere. More and more, other organizations are creating opportunities for their employees to grow. David Bernauer, the former CEO of Walgreens, shared the main reason

In a recent Gallup poll only 13 percent of workers reported feeling engaged at work. That means most employees don’t feel connected.

he stayed at Walgreens for almost 40 years was because of the trust he felt toward the company. While Bernauer was there, the company grew from 500 drug stores to more than 6,000. He felt that he was a valued member of the company and took ownership of the success or failure of the business. This trust motivated him to treat Walgreens as if it were his company. Without trust he would have moved on. Trust is a two way street -- to be trusted we first need to trust others. In the end everyone wants to feel valued. By engaging your employees, you build trust and motivate them to take ownership of the success and failures of the organization. This leads to employees who are more satisfied, more productive, stay longer, and it all leads to a better bottom line.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

JACKSONCASINO.COM 800-822-WINN

Family Owned & Operated

SINCE 1985

at Jackson Rancheria

BLUES TRAVELER FEBRUARY 6 at 7 P.M. GRAND OAK BALLROOM

AARON LEWIS

JANUARY 15 at 7 P.M.

CHI-LITES

FEBRUARY 19 at 7 P.M. GRAND OAK BALLROOM

GRAND OAK BALLROOM

EASY RIDER

EDGAR WINTER & RICK DERRINGER

GRAND OAK BALLROOM

DINNER AND A MOVIE AND A

JANUARY 30 at 6:15 P.M. it’s game time!

BIG GAME PARTY

BIG GAME PARTY FEBRUARY 1 at 2 P.M. GRAND OAK BALLROOM

MARCH 5 at 7 P.M.

GLOBAL KNOCK-OUT 3 MIXED MARTIAL ARTS MARCH 21 at 7 P.M. GRAND OAK BALLROOM

Tickets available at the Casino Cashier’s Cage or at JacksonCasino.com. Events are subect to change. Management reserves all rights.

Management reserves the right to modify or cancel any promotion or event.

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

How to jumpstart your online marketing efforts It felt like 2014 flew by. I started the year with a list of marketing campaigns and goals, but only a few of them saw the light of day. What I did have in 2014 was a lot of conversations with people about online marketing. Even now, many owners of small to medium sized businesses do not understand the value of online marketing. These days, positioning yourself correctly on the Internet can be more important than where your business is actually located. Many San Francisco restaurants are poorly located, but they are busy because of word of mouth and online marketing. One fallacy I would like to put to rest is that online marketing means spending a lot of money. I started a photography business in 2006 and used the Internet to market myself. I did not spend one single dollar until 2008. Through social media and my website I was known locally as a professional photographer and had photographed more than 100 weddings, events and portraits. That’s 100+ clients who came to me through online marketing. In late 2008, I started running targeted Facebook ads, which at the time did not cost a lot of money. The point I want to make is that online marketing is not always expensive. It might cost more for, say, an attorney to market himself online than it would a photog-

rapher, but it’s possible, and it’s something you should not overlook in 2015. Here are some ideas to jumpstart your online marketing plan for 2015: • Website: Your website is very often the first impression a customer has of your business. Back in the day, people would come through your front door and you would give them a Jerad Hill brochure when Owner they asked for Hill Media Group information. These days, people don’t even come through your front door that often. They are too busy to drive around looking for a business to sell them a product or service. They research it online. The customer experience starts there. • Mobile is only getting bigger. Everybody has a smartphone and is using it to get information at the exact moment they need it. This makes taking your website seriously even more important. That website also needs to

Social Maverick

be optimized for mobile so people can easily navigate to find what they are looking for. • Social Media: I am probably one of the few marketers who will tell you that you don’t always need a social media presence. I do believe it will help if you can commit the time it takes to cultivate a presence on social networks. Social media, for the most part, is time stamped. Everything has a posted date and time. If you do not keep your social media presence up to date, it looks like you have abandoned it. If I am researching a company and they have not posted in six months, I wonder if they are even still open. Having a presence on social media is important and should be part of your plan for 2015. You should commit to consistently spending about 10 minutes in the morning and 10 before you go home on social media. What you talk about and where you post it will depend on what kind of business you have and who your target market is. If you do not feel that you can commit to spending at least a few minutes a day on social media for your business, I recommend not creating profiles at all. • Video: Did you know YouTube is the No. 2 search engine next to Google? That means that each day people go to YouTube to search for things, and let

me tell you, it’s not all cat videos. People are searching YouTube to get information, and they are hoping to find that from a professional. That is why I create videos about everything I do professionally. Most people like to learn from others, and that is why YouTube needs to be part of your online marketing strategy for 2015. If you are like me, you don’t like being in front of a camera but don’t let that stop you from sharing what you know with other people. I am a believer in the 80/20 rule. Give away 80 percent of the information and sell the other 20 percent for a premium. We all know that 80 percent of our income comes from 20 percent of whatever it is you spend most of your time on anyway. It’s science! We are not simply service providers anymore, we are also educators. Clients and customers want to be informed. If you don’t inform them, they get the information somewhere else and that entity dictates the sale. Make 2015 the year you take online marketing seriously by getting your website in line, creating a social media strategy and uploading some videos. The search engines will smile down on you for providing quality content, and you will be rewarded with organic search traffic that you didn’t have to pay per click to receive.

Building a better email list for your business Some marketers would have you believe that email is no longer a viable marketing tool, and they cite the emergence of social media as the reason. While I believe social media is an important marketing channel, I also believe that a well thought out email strategy will provide higher ROI than social media alone. According to McKinsey & Company, email marketing is nearly 40 times more effective in acquiring customers than Facebook and Twitter combined. And it makes sense. More than 90 percent of consumers check their email daily, and there are over 3.6 billion email accounts today. More importantly, every single aspect of an email can be controlled by the marketer. The same can’t be said for Facebook. With email marketing you own 100 percent of the data. The first step in email marketing is developing an email address list. As your list grows, you need to think about quality, segmentation, and database management. Quality over quantity If you’re just starting your email marketing efforts, it’s OK to start small. In some cases it’s OK to prune contacts who haven’t engaged in a while. Sending a webinar invitation to 100 contacts who have agreed to receive your newsletter is much more effective than sending it to thousands who have no need for your services and will more than likely mark it as spam.

Being labeled as a spammer decreases future deliverability of your emails. A focus on quality over quantity improves deliverability of your emails over time and ensures a targeted list of prospects who are more likely to answer your email’s call to action. Segmentation The beauty of today’s marketing tools is that they facilitate one-to-one auto- Dan Natividad mated conversa- Partner Port City Marketing tions with your customers. You have the ability to send marketing messages that appeal to specific customer groups, and thus are more likely to elicit positive responses. The first step to achieving this is through list segmentation. In other words, categorizing your contacts by interest, demographics and purchase behavior. For instance, a clothing store that segments its list by gender and size can send a targeted “buy one shirt, get one free” offer in order to unload an old box of men’s XXL shirts. There are many ways you can segment your lists. Some common catego-

Brand Building

ries include sales cycle stage, geography, age, industry and job function. What’s important is to find category segments that best pertain to your organization and how you do business. Database management Managing the integrity of your email list is just as important as developing click-inducing emails. Email marketing databases naturally degrade by more than 20 percent annually because clients move their companies, abandon old email addresses or opt out of your email communications. Keeping track of all of this while managing your customer segments can be a daunting task, so I recommend investing in a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system to serve as your “single source of truth.” Once you determine how you’ll managing your email contacts, you should start focusing on growing your email database. Here are five ways to build your business email list: Point of sale – Ask customers to join an email program at point of sale. This tactic is gaining more traction in the retail industry and is pretty much standard for online businesses. Before asking customers for their information, spell out the frequency and benefits of your email program (e.g.: member only special discounts and events). Gate – Create, promote and gate compelling content. Gating is a digital tactic in which an educational resource, such as a white paper or case

study, is only accessible if a customer fills out a form and agrees to subscribe to your email list. Added benefits of gating include identification of anonymous web visitors and additional insight on a lead’s hot button issues. Webinars and seminars – Hold an educational webinar or seminar. While technically a subset of the gated content tactic, registration forms inherently don’t feel like an email gate. In addition, a well-produced webinar focused more on customer education rather than product marketing will position you as a consultative thought leader as opposed to a sales person. Subscribe buttons – If you have a killer blog, take advantage of it. Inserting a button to “subscribe to blog posts over email” is an easy way to gather emails. For your top blog posts, offer to email the post in another format like pdf. Contest or giveaway – Promote a contest or giveaway either offline or digitally. To ensure that you are getting quality leads, make sure to only offer prizes that are consumer targeted. For example, offering an iPad will solicit leads from a wide range of demographics and interests, whereas a high end car detailing kit will encourage automobile enthusiasts. These are some simple things you can start today to increase your email database. Above all, the key is to attack email list-building from as many angles as possible.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

COME SEE OUR WE HAVE A WORLD CLASS, COME SEE OUR WE HAVETRAINED A WORLDSERVICE CLASS, REMODELED SHOWROOM FACTORY COME SEE OUR WE HAVE A WORLD CLASS, REMODELED SHOWROOM FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE DEPARTMENT READY TO COME SEE OUR WE HAVE A WORLD CLASS, REMODELED SHOWROOM FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE DEPARTMENT READY TO SERVICE YOUR GM VEHICLE REMODELED SHOWROOM FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE DEPARTMENT READY TO SERVICE YOUR GM VEHICLE A Driving Force in theSERVICE Community Since 1936 DEPARTMENT READY TO YOUR GM VEHICLE SERVICE YOUR GM VEHICLE

COME SEE OUR REMODELED SHOWROOM

WORLD CLASS, FACTORY TRAINED SERVICE DEPT. READY TO SERVICE YOUR GM VEHICLE

I-CAR TRAINED AND OEM LARGEST GMC, BUICK, AND I-CAR TRAINED AND OEM LARGEST GMC, BUICK, AND CERTIFIED COLLISION CADILLAC INVENTORY IN I-CAR TRAINED AND OEM LARGEST GMC, BUICK, AND I-CAR TRAINED AND OEM LARGEST GMC, BUICK, AND CERTIFIED COLLISION CADILLAC INVENTORY CERTIFIED COLLISION CADILLAC INVENTORY ININ REPAIR FACILITY THE CENTRAL VALLEY CERTIFIED COLLISION CADILLAC INVENTORY IN REPAIR THECENTRAL CENTRAL VALLEY REPAIRFACILITY FACILITY THE VALLEY REPAIR FACILITY THE CENTRAL VALLEY I-CAR TRAINED AND OEM CERTIFIED COLLISION REPAIR FACILITY

LARGEST GMC, BUICK AND CADILLAC INVENTORY IN THE CENTRAL VALLEY

90349961_060614

90349961_060614 90349961_060614

90349961_060614

ALFRED MATTHEWS ALFRED MATTHEWS ALFREDMATTHEWS MATTHEWS ALFRED

www.alfredmatthews.com McHenry(at (atUnion) Union)ininModesto Modesto • 577-0140 www.alfredmatthews.com •• 3807 3807 McHenry • 577-0140 www.alfredmatthews.com • 3807 McHenry (at Union) in Modesto • 577-0140 Prices plus government fees & taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document charge, any electronic filing & any emission testing charge. All vehicles subject to prior sale. Offer ends within 24 hours of publication. Prices good through 6/14/14. Prices plus government fees & taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document charge, any electronic filing & any emission testing charge. All vehicles subject to prior sale. Offer ends within 24 hours of publication. Prices good through 6/14/14.

Central Valley Business Journal

www.cvbizjournal.com

“Stockton is a city with challenges and opportunities,” said Fares. “It is a great city with wonderful history, and I am very much looking forward to being part of an existing successful leadership team and providing leadership as we move the city forward.” Fares’ annual salary will be $165,000.

Pacific hires Mills as general counsel

SJ COUNTY

BRIEFS Business grants available through city of Tracy TRACY – Businesses and organizations that help with job creation, emergency food and shelter, aid to domestic violence victims or provide services to seniors are encouraged to apply for a grant through the city of Tracy. The funds for the Community Development Block Grant come from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The city estimates it will have $457,746 to award. In addition, an estimated $65,648 in federal HOME Investment Partnership Program funds will be available for general housing activity including homeowner and rental construction and/or rehabilitation, and first-time homebuyer assistance. The city will host an informational meeting to help guide applicants through the process and answer questions at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 7 at Tracy City Hall, 333 Civic Center Plaza, on the first floor in room 109.

STOCKTON – The University of the Pacific has added to its legal team, the university announced. Kevin A. Mills joins Pacific as its first general counsel Jan. 5. “Kevin brings remarkable experience in a broad range of private higher education matters,” said President Pamela A. Eibeck. “We look forward to having him join the Pacific Mills family.” Mills has 15 years of experience in higher education law. He’s worked most recently in Alameda where his practices focused on the law of higher education and nonprofit operations. According to the university Mills has provided strategic guidance on compliance and governance; advised directors of human resources and student life on such issues as policy development, accommodations, discipline and NCAA policy; coordinated outside counsel; negotiated contracts; and worked with local, state and federal authorities. He received his B.A. from UC San Diego and his J.D. from University of Michigan School of Law. Mills will report directly to the president and will serve on the president’s cabinet.

Stockton, Manteca celebrate Restaurant Week

Stockton hires Fares as city’s new IT director STOCKTON – Nabil Fares is the new Information Technology director for the city of Stockton. He officially started Jan. 1. Fares will will lead the IT Department, which, until recently, was a division of the city’s Administrative Services Department, according to Fares a press release from the city. He will be responsible for all of the city’s technical products and services and technology solutions and implement the city’s Strategic Plan for Information Technology. Most recently Fares was the deputy director and chief information officer of the State of California’s Department of Public Health.

STOCKTON – Stockton and Manteca will celebrate Restaurant week in January as part of California Restaurant Month. It’s a chance to showcase the area’s agricultural diversity and highlight tourism. Manteca’s Restaurant Week is Jan. 11-17. Stockton’s is Jan. 16-25. Restaurants will offer special discounts and promotions. “From fresh seafood at coastal cafes to ‘just-picked’ produce statewide, visitors and locals will find a cornucopia of culinary experiences,” said Caroline Beteta, president and CEO of Visit California. “Restaurant Month

January 2015

gives everyone the chance to discover why California is one of the world’s premier dining destinations.” You can learn more about local promotions by visiting the web pages Manteca Restaurant Week and Stockton Restaurant Week.

Local students advance in spelling bee

STOCKTON – Two San Joaquin County students have spelled their way to victory at the 18th annual spelling bee championship. Caleb Terpsma, a sixth-grader at Ripon Christian School and ninthgrader James Quiaoit from Sierra High School in Manteca were the winners in the two divisions. Terpsma won with the word “bludgeon” and Quiaoit’s winning word was “tetanus.” The runner-up in the elementary division was Sepenta Shirvan, a sixthgrade student at Brookside Elementary in the Lincoln Unified School District. Both Terpsma and Shirvan will move on to participate in the California State Elementary Spelling Bee Championship on April 18 at the San Joaquin County Office of Education. The runner-up in the high school division was Trinity Rico, a ninthgrader from Middle College in the Lodi Unified School District. Quiaoi and Rico will participate in the California State Junior High Spelling Bee Competition on May 2 at Miller Creek School in San Rafael, California. The SJCOE Educational Foundation will pay the $350 entry fees.

Three students win Tracy art competition

TRACY – Tracy high school students Angel Romero, Joel Mejia and Lauren Felix took the top three places in Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt ’s 2014

second annual art competition. The competition featured more than 270 entries and earned approximately 3,000 votes from Menchie’s guests. The customers selected the top three finishers from the 270 entries submitted by two local high schools. Winners at each high school received Menchie’s gift cards for finishing in the top three at their high school round and citywide winners received additional Menchie’s cards of $20 for first place, $15 for second and $10 for third place. Romero and Felix, both seniors at West High, hope to attend the San Francisco Art Institute after graduation. Mejia, a junior at Kimball High School hopes to attend UC San Diego after he graduates. Bob and Adele Bloch, owners of Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt, have seen the competition grow from 100 students last year to 270 students this year and the total votes increase from 1,000 last year to 3,000 this year.

Meza appointed to County Fair Board of Directors Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Daniel Meza, 33, of Stockton to the 2ndDistrict Agricultural Association, San Joaquin County Fair Board of Directors. Meza has been the vice president and Commercial Lender at Farmers and Merchants Bank of Central California since 2011. He has also served in various finance positions at Community Bank of San Joaquin, Wells Fargo and AgriCredit of California. He was also an assistant grower and manager at L&L Transplant Company and a logistics supervisor at Pacific Coast Producers. The position does not require senate confirmation and there is no compensation for the post.

County gets funding to repave part of Highway 12 STOCKTON – San Joaquin County has received more than $7.7 million to repave part of Highway 12, the California Transportation Commission announced Thursday. The money will pay to replace pavement on Highway 12 from east of Interstate 5 to the Potato Slough Bridge with rubberized asphalt concrete. The funds are part of $254 million allocated for 41 projects throughout the state. The allocations included $116.2 million from Proposition 1B, the transportation bond voters approved in 2006.

DO YOU HAVE AN UPCOMING EVENT? IF YOU ARE A BUSINESS, CHARITY OR ORGANIZATION... ...YOU CAN POST YOUR EVENT ON OUR WEBSITE FOR FREE!!! Our new and improved website has a dynamic calendar that you can post on, and it only takes a couple of minutes! CVBJ is here to serve you! www.cvbizjournal.com

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

www.cvbizjournal.com www.cvbizjournal.com

vehicles each year. “We have been very successful in the RV business for over ten years and want to help others lead successful lives as well,” said Co-Owner, Nile Ammari in a release. “Shoppers visit our dealership from all over California and this is one way we can give them something back that will make a difference throughout the Central Valley.”

Video highlights Stanislaus River project

Giving Tree makes children’s holidays a little happier

STANISLAUS COUNTY

BRIEFS Grimbleby Coleman hires new accountants

Bains, Bateman, DeBoer

MODESTO – Two associates have been hired by Modesto accounting firm Grimbleby Coleman, the company announced Dec. 17. Lori Bateman, CPA, has joined the firm as a senior associate. She has worked as a senior auditor and accountant and has industry experience with nonprofits and small businesses. Manoj Bains has been hired as an associate. He received his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in accounting from CSU Stanislaus. He is studying for his CPA exam and expects to take the test soon, the firm said. In addition, Grimbleby Coleman announced the promotion of Doug DeBoer. He began working with the firm in 2011 as an intern. He worked his way up to associate and was recently promoted to senior associate.

United Way to benefit from Turlock RV sales TURLOCK – Best RV Center in Turlock will donate $100 to the United Way organizations serving the Central Valley for every vehicle they sell during the month of January. United Ways from Sacramento to Fresno will benefit from this. Best RV Center has been a partner for nonprofit organizations in Stanislaus county in efforts to help needy residents living in the community. The Best RV Center sells over 1,500

and has strong ties in the community. She is currently a member of SEAPA Safe Banking and a former Learning Quest-Stanislaus Literacy Center board member. Oak Valley Community Bank was established in 1991 and is based in Oakdale with branches in 15 locations, including Oakdale, Sonora, Turlock, Stockton, Patterson, Ripon, Escalon, Manteca, Tracy, three branches in Modesto, and three branches in their Eastern Sierra Division, which includes Bridgeport, Mammoth Lakes, and Bishop.

OAKDALE – Those interested in the ongoing restoration project on the Stansilaus River may want to check out a new YouTube video entitled “Replenishing a River: Stanislaus River Honolulu Bar Restoration.” The video highlights the Oakdale Irrigation District and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s $1.1 million effort to address the steep decline in salmon and steelhead trout populations in the river. The work was done over two years by biologists, engineers and technicians at FISHBIO. Historically, tens of thousands of salmon return to the river to spawn. Only about 6,000 returned to spawn this year. The Honolulu Bar project focused on a two-and-a-half acres site that was part of a dredge bar halfway between Oakdale and Knights Ferry. The goal was to restore the habitat so that juvenile fish could thrive and continue their trek through the Delta to the San Francisco Bay and eventually into the Pacific Ocean. The film shows heavy equipment being used to improve the habitat as well as removal of non-native vegetation. Though it is too early to tell if the efforts have been successful, it is believed that the new habitat will improve the fish populations over the long term.

Oak Valley hires Lowry as new vice president

OAKDALE – Oak Valley Community Bank has hired Teddi Lowry as its vice president and business development officer, the bank announced. Lowry will work at the McHenry branch in Modesto to drive business development and growth in the Modesto area. She has worked in banking for 34 years

CERES – EXIT Realty Consultants and Ceres Partnership for Healthy Children partnered over the holiday season on a Giving Tree to give 93 children a far merrier Christmas than they would have had otherwise. EXIT Realty Consultants sponsored a giving tree where members of the community could take the name of a child and arrange for that child to get a present. All gifts were wrapped by the staff at the Partnership office and then presented to the children from Santa on Friday, Dec. 19 at the Ceres Community Center. “Wow! The community’s help and involvement was overwhelming with their generosity and support!” said EXIT broker and owner Kris Klair in an email release. “Having agents, family, friends and clients that are willing to give back with no question, allows giving back to be possible, we couldn’t do it with them.” This was the second year that the two had paired up. Last year the two organizations helped 80 children in need. Plans are already in the works to continue the efforts in 2015.

Patterson man wins car in FIAT sweepstakes

May 18, and sailed between Aug. 2 and Dec. 27. Travel agents were also eligible to enter the sweepstakes if they initiated new cruise bookings between April 4 through May 18. David Huff of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. won in the agent’s category.

Gemperle Farms donates eggs to help feed hungry

TURLOCK – Gemperle Family Farms and its affiliates donated more than 100,000 eggs over the holiday season, the company announced Dec. 26. The egg donations supported 20 organizations throughout the Central Valley, including the United Samaritans Foundation and Turlock Together. “At Gemperle Farms, we believe in coming together to help local families and children in need,” said Gemperle Family Farms President Steve Gemperle in a press release. “It’s part of our responsibility as a local familyrun business to help others out during these difficult economic times, especially with such high unemployment and increased food costs.” Gemperle said that helping the hungry is a year-round focus for the company in light of the fact that 22 percent of families in Stanislaus County live below the poverty line and nearly 30 percent of the county’s children live in poverty. In 1994, Ernie Gemperle helped found the United Samaritans Foundation. Part of the organization’s mission is to deliver food to those in need. United Samaritans Foundation will use the Gemperle Farms eggs to serve 300 families with emergency food boxes.

Price promoted to Deuel Vocational Institution warden

PATTERSON – Rockne Green, of Patterson, brought home a brand new FIAT 500c POP, after winning the MSC FIAT giveaway sweepstakes. Green entered the sweepstakes when he took an MSC cruise in October. Guests were entered when they booked a seven-night Caribbean cruise on board MSC Divina during the promotional period of April 7 to

TURLOCK – Jerome Price of Turlock has been appointed warden at the Deuel Vocational Institution, where he has served as acting warden since 2012. Price, 57, has held several positions at Deuel since 2011, including chief deputy administrator and correctional administrator. He served in a number of positions in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as a corrections officer and as an administrator. This is not Prices’ first time serving at Deuel. He was as a correctional officer at the facility from 1987 to 1990. His annual salary is $135,828.

HAVE NEWS? OPENINGS? HIRINGS? We here at the Central Valley Business Journal like to keep up-to-date with everyone in the business community. With your help we can! Email press releases and other news to: editor@cvbizjournal.com

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015

What you need to know about sick leave New sick leave law means businesses must provide three paid days per year to most employees starting this July At the start of each year, business owners frequently complain of an “epidemic” of new legal regulations and requirements. 2015 will be no exception. Of particular concern is California’s new mandatory paid sick leave law known as the Healthy Workplaces, Healthy Families Act of 2014. Prior to this law, sick leave for private secBruce Sarchet tor businesses Attorney, Littler was always a Mendelson Law Firm matter of contract between employer and employee. Many employers provide paid sick leave, but there has been no requirement to do so. Under the new law, however, virtually all employers must provide at least three paid days of sick leave per year. This article provides a brief summary of some of the key provisions of the new law. Each situation is unique, however, and this general discussion is not meant to substitute for the advice of counsel. Covered employers/employees Under the new law, nearly all California employers will need to provide their employees with at least 24 hours of paid sick time per year. The law covers any California employer with at least one employee (including parttime and temporary employees) who works more than 30 days in a year. Limited exceptions apply for unionized employers, employers in the construction industry, providers of in-home supportive services and air carriers. Accrual and caps Under the law, hourly workers accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours worked. Employees begin to accrue paid sick time after they have worked for 30 days and can accrue a maximum of six days of leave. Numerous other requirements govern accrual, use and carryover of sick leave. Options The options available to an employer depend on an employer’s current approach to sick leave. Most California employers fall into one of three categories: (1) those who offer no current sick leave policy; (2) those who offer a sick leave policy that provides at least three days of sick leave per year along with a separate paid vacation policy; or (3) those who offer a Paid Time Off (PTO) policy that combines traditional sick leave and vacation.

Human Element

Under the new law, hourly workers accrue sick time for every 30 hours worked.

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Serving Stanislaus County

For employers who currently have no paid sick leave, the answer is simple: comply with the new law by implementing a sick leave policy that meets legal requirements. For employers who currently provide sick leave/vacation or PTO, the challenge will be integrating the new requirements into the existing policy. For example, a current policy may require that sick leave be used one full day at a time. This requirement does not comply with the new law, which allows for sick days to be used in twohour increments. For most employers, the most practical and realistic option is to modify current policies to include the law’s definitions of “accrual, use and carryover.” If an employer currently provides 12 days of sick leave per year, the new accrual, use and carryover provisions should apply to all 12 days of sick leave provided, not just to the first three days of sick leave. Other options exist, such as elimination of current policies and creation of new ones, or adding three more days to an existing leave policy. These likely will prove impractical for most employers. Effective date The new law does not specifically identify its effective date. Ask a legal expert when this new law becomes effective and you might get one of three answers: some have suggested that the law is effective on Jan. 1, 2015. Others assert it is not effective until July 1, 2015. And still others say that some parts of the law go into effect on Jan. 1 and other parts are effective on July 1, 2015. Given this debate, some employers have taken a “wait and see” attitude. The California Labor Commissioner, which has responsibility for enforcement of the law, recently issued documents on its website, including a new “Notice to Employee.” Significantly, the Labor Commissioner has stated that the new notice must be used beginning on Jan. 1, 2015. The notice contains a “check box” section – employers must check the box identifying how they will comply with the new law. If you are reading this article and you have not yet provided the new notice, you should take steps to come into compliance as soon as possible. Conclusion Small business owners and giant corporations alike should act quickly to assess their options and implement changes needed to comply with the new requirements for paid sick days. While initial compliance might give employers headaches, the goal of the law is to provide California with “healthy workplaces” for years to come.

January 2015

www.cvbizjournal.com

For our patients, 13 is a lucky number! For our patients, For our patients, For the 13th consecutive year, we want to THANKis YOUa for lucky selecting Memorial Medical Center number! 13 aof lucky 13 as the is winner the Consumernumber! Choice Award! For thesaid 13th we want toMost You’ve weconsecutive are Stanislaus year, County residents’

For the 13th consecutive year, we want to Center THANK YOU forinselecting Memorial Medical Preferred Hospital overall quality and image for 2014/2015, THANK YOU for Memorial Medical Center as the winner of selecting the Consumer Choice Award! based on a composite score of four categories: best as the winner of the Consumer Choice Award!overall

2014/2015

2014/2015 2014/2015

quality, best we image/reputation, best doctors, andMost best nurses. You’ve said are Stanislaus County residents’ You’ve said we are Stanislaus County residents’ Most Preferred Hospital in overall quality and image for 2014/2015, We take very seriously our commitment to provide safe, Preferred Hospital in overall quality and image for 2014/2015, based on a composite score of four categories: best overall quality, affordable care to our of patients, and put your at based on a composite score four categories: bestcare overall quality, best image/reputation, best doctors, and best nurses. the heart of every decision we make. quality, best image/reputation, best doctors, and best nurses. We take very seriously our commitment to provide safe, We take very seriously our commitment to provide safe, quality, affordable care to our patients, and put your care at quality, affordable care to our patients, and put your care at the heart of every decision we make. the heart of every decision we make.

memorialmedicalcenter.org

memorialmedicalcenter.org memorialmedicalcenter.org

822

Central Valley Business Journal

January 2015