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Business Journal Health Care CENTRAL VALLEY

> RECOGNITION

Sutter ranks as top-performing medical system WHAT: Sutter Health and Sutter’s Valley Area ranked among the top-performing health systems in the country. WHO: Health data company Truven Health Analytics singled out 15 large, medium and small health systems for superior performance. DETAILS: Among the areas Sutter excelled in were saving more lives, fewer patient complications, spending 5 percent less per patient episode of care, shortening patients’ length of stay in the hospital and making fewer patient safety errors. It also scored a 7 or better on patient satisfaction surveys. QUOTE: “Truven’s recognition demonstrates that our team has rightly focused on the things that make a difference for patients and communities.” — James Conforti, president of Sutter Health’s Valley Area.

DMC rated high by surgical group MODESTO — The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons rated the three-year Orthopedic Residency program at Doctors Medical Center Modesto among the top 2 percent in North America. The group looked at 239 in-training programs across the United States and Canada. The program at Doctor’s Medical Center included six residents from across the country during the testing period in 2015. The program currently has eight residents but will jump to 12 in July. “Our residency program has progressed rapidly in a very short time period,” said Doctors Medical Center CEO Warren Kirk. “We are proud of this accomplishment and we are

> STATE-OF-THE-ART

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Doctors Medical Center’s Orthopedic Residency program was rated in the nation’s top 2 percent.

Dameron adds top X-ray machines

WHAT: Dameron Hospital purchased two state-of-the-art digital C-arm Xray machines. WHO: Dameron Hospital Foundation donated the money last year. DETAILS: The General Electric OEC

“Carlos Villapudua has consistently supported public safety; increasing officers patrolling our streets, adding criminal prosecutors, - he understands the role of mental health, drug rehabilitation and job training services in reducing crime” -James P. Willett, Former San Joaquin County District Attorney

proud of our orthopedic residents.” Program Director Dr. Marc A. Trzeciak, a hand surgeon, was recruited four years ago to initiate the program and build its curriculum. “In addition to being proud of the interns and their high level of achievement, I’m also pleased about what this program means to the Modesto community,” said Trzeciak. “The Central Valley has been underserved in the area of orthopedics for a long time. With this program we are providing much-needed services to those who have had limited access in the recent past.” Trzeciak believes the program has made Doctors a destination for established orthopedists.

9900 Elite digital mobile X-ray units, also referred to as C-arms or mobile fluoroscopes, use X-rays to obtain real-time, moving images of patients’ internal structure. “C-arm” refers to the device’s shape, which resembles the letter “C,” and allows the camera to freely rotate around the patient.

“Supervisor Villapudua is always willing to listen to both sides of an issue and approach his decisions with an open mind” - Joelle Gomez, Chief Executive Officer

QUOTE: “These new units ... will give us the ability to obtain superb image quality in the operating room. They will also provide us with faster scan times, and reduce patient’s X-ray exposure significantly.” — Dameron Chief Operating Officer Michael Glasberg

Veterans in our County are well-represented not only locally, but where our voices need to be heard; in Washington DC. Carlos Villapudua has worked alongside other officials to bring needed veterans services to our region. - Tino Adame, Member, Karl Ross Post #16 American Legion

May 2016

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Dameron discontinues maternity and child care STOCKTON — Dameron Hospital will no longer provide labor and infant services. The hospital stopped accepting admissions to its Maternal Child Health Services line on April 27. Services that are no longer offered include labor and delivery, postpartum units, neonatal ICU and pediatrics. The decision ends a history that spans more than 100 years of delivering babies, treating sick infants and caring for children up to age 14. The decision also resulted in the termination of 70 skilled workers out of the staff of 908 at the hospital. Those who lost jobs included nurses and respiratory therapists. Dameron has open positions that workers can apply for, but the hospital will still lose some workers, according to Dameron Hospital Association’s Marketing and Communications Director Scott Nariyoshi. “These staff are fantastic,” he said. “We are a small hospital. We do have some openings and we want them to stay. But we don’t have 70 openings. It will result in some people not being a part of Dameron.” The biggest factor leading to the decision was Kaiser Permanente’s decision to end a nearly three-decade relationship with Dameron, which remains an independent community hospital. Kaiser’s decision, which

took effect May 1, resulted in a drop in the number of admissions to the 200-bed facility. “Our Maternal Child Health service line will be the most affected by the Kaiser withdrawal on May 1 because so much of those services are utilized by Kaiser physicians and their patients,” said Dameron Hospital’s President and CEO Lorraine P. Auerbach in a statement. Nariyoshi said Kaiser’s decision exacerbated what had already been a steep decline in the number of deliveries and infants cared for at the hospital. Dameron saw a 26 percent drop in the number of children born at the hospital between 2011 and 2015. “We have a downward trend overall and now (with) the Kaiser patients that won’t be coming here, it will accelerate the downward trend,” he said. Other factors that influenced the decision included the hospital’s ability to maintain maternal child health patient safety, maternal child health competency and quality. The fact that Kaiser physicians provided nearly all of the hospital’s obstetrics, obstetrics anesthesiology, pediatrics, neonatal specialty coverage and on-call coverage for emergencies left the hospital with few options. Patients still have other options in the immediate area. Three other hospitals provide maternal child health

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Dameron will no longer offer maternity or pediatric care after losing its partnership with Kaiser Permanente.

services within 30 miles of Dameron Hospital including San Joaquin General Hospital, St. Joseph’s Medical Center and Lodi Memorial Hospital. St. Joseph’s Medical Center also has plans to add additional beds to its emergency department by December. “It (the number of beds) should be more than adequate,” said Nariyoshi. “When we made those decisions, we looked at will this put people at risk. If we were the only ones providing these services for 100 miles, we wouldn’t

have been able to make this decision.” Without Dameron’s facilities, the three remaining hospitals providing services will have 29 labor and delivery beds, and 48 Level III NICU beds. Dameron hopes that this will be the extent of the impact of Kaiser’s departure from the hospital, and more cuts won’t be needed. “In these three units we have a particularly high number of Kaiser patents,” said Nariyoshi. “This is where the greatest impact will be when Kaiser leaves.”

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STOCKTON — If there’s one industry in the Central Valley that’s struggling to meet the demand for qualified employees, it’s trucking. The trucking industry currently faces a nationwide shortage of about 35,000 drivers, according to the American Trucking Associations. By 2023, the shortfall could be 240,000. Positions for tractor truck drivers topped the list of jobs in San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced counties in June. In the Stockton area, there were 670 positions open. In Modesto, there were 570 and in Merced there were 196. There are a number of reasons for the shortage, some regulatory, some demographic and some personal. “The kind of statistics we’re getting back from various groups are that for every five to seven jobs there are available out there, there’s

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STOCKTON – The Stockton Conference and Visitor’s Bureau is looking at new ways to improve the city’s image and bring new visitors, businesses and residents to the area. That efforts will get a jumpstart by a new contract with Nashville-based North

Amazon to hire 700 more workers.

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MERCED — The Central Valley is mostly known as an agriculture center, so it comes as a surprise to some that Merced County topped the nation with the highest growth rate in manufacturing sector employment last year. Of the fastest growing U.S. manufacturing metro areas in 2014, two-thirds increased their manufacturing job base. MerTruck driver William Perry has worked at Antonini Freight Express last year. WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ ced grew the fastest however, Local businesses promote followed by Danville, Illinois one qualified driver to fill that He opened employee health. a motorcycle shop in and Flint, Michigan. know it’s high demand. I can get need,” said Greg Stanfill, re2008 but had to close within a year Merced County’s increase of a job anytime, anywhere I need cruiting manager for Turlockdue to the recession. After that 2,200 manufacturing jobs from so I won’t be worrying where based Northern Refrigerated experience, the steady work in January 2014 to January 2015 my paycheck’s coming from,” Transportation. trucking became more appealing. was 26.2 percent, far outstripsaid Perry. “I’ll always have food William Perry worked as a Page into 14 “I decided, let me go back ping second-place Danville’s driver for Pepsi from 1996-2000. truck driving again because I 14.9 percent. Please see TRUCKING Page 11 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Merced About 46 percent of 3 and 4-year-olds BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO in California attended preschool in 2013, County had 8,400 manufacaccording to the advocacy group Kids Count. turing jobs in January 2014. Star Destination Strategies By January 2015, those jobs said. It will be paid from money us define what is what is auin which the company will increased to 10,600 in a total Visit Stockton receives from the thentic, ownable and distinct develop a new “brand” for the workforce of 116,000. hotel tax and district assessments. about Stockton.” city of Stockton. “It was a surprise to find The first step includes surDefining that “DNA” is one “What we are looking for is Merced County leading the veying a variety of residents, of the most important parts of what any company wants,” said nation in creating and growbusinesses and assorted officials any rebranding effort whether Wes Rhea, CEO of the Stockton ing manufacturing jobs,” said about the community’s ameniit’s a city or a company, accordConference and Visitor’s BuChris Engle, president of Headinside our region’s By ties andGoculture. ingELIZABETH to Carrie STEVENS Sass, owner of Unified School District, legislareau/Visit Stockton said. “To light Data of Austin, Texas, the Pacific started its Beyond Our historical theaters.leads Business Journal “All that editor research Sass Public Relations to a find out what is the best way to in Stock-tors’ offices and others were on Gates Reading by Third company that did the data analestevens@cvbizjournal.com DNA for the community,” said Initiahand ton. to discuss She said ways to keep that gathering reach them (visitors).” ysis. “The area’s manufacturtive to address the problem. The North Star Destination Strateinformation the most impor-children from falling behind. The project will run four ing economy is comprised of purpose of the summit was to STOCKTON --isThe gies president and CEO Don UniverTesting shows many children months and cost $80,000, Rhea convince business leaders to sup- two-thirds food manufacturing sity of the Pacific hosted a McEachern. “That will help in the region are not performsee STOCKTON IMAGE Page 20 and one-third metal products. Page 20 businessPlease port it and to show them how. education summit in ing at grade level. The Literacy When commodities are packOne proposal was support for mid-June to address what it Report Card Pacific released aged or the original commodpublic spending on preschool. believes is one of the Central last summer found that only ity, say tomatoes, is changed Scan Lenny Mendonca, chairman of to Notes.............Page Valley’s most pressing issues Publisher’svisit 34 percent of third graders 2 into something else – like tothe child advocacy group Chil-- early childhood education. in San Joaquin County were On the Web.......................Page 4 and “Like” mato paste – that’s agricultural dren Now, said every $1 invested us at Representatives from the proficient readers. Research Briefs......................Pages 40, 41 manufacturing.” in early childhood education can advocacy group Children has found that children who Legals.....................Pages 42, 43 According to Engle, Merced save $7 in the long-term through Now, First 5 San Joaquin, are not proficient in reading by County has plenty of manufacreduced costs associated with Downey Brand, Wells Fargo, third grade fall behind and are turing businesses, including San Joaquin A+, Stockton at risk of never catching up.

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Merced back in high-speed rail’s first phase SACRAMENTO — California HighSpeed Rail Authority is reconsidering its plans to cut Merced out of the initial construction phase. Under the change to the business plan it approved April 28, the Authority will build track connecting Merced with the rest of the Initial Operating Segment. It will bring service online to Merced and Fresno simultaneously and connect both to San Jose in 2025. “For those of us who live in Merced, it’s now a 42-minute ride to San Jose, and that’s an incredible asset for our economy, for UC Merced and for the future,” said Assemblymember Adam Gray, who fought to get Merced included. In March, the California High-Speed Rail Authority announced it needed to reduce costs and make the initial phase of construction easier. So, instead of connecting Merced and the San Fernando Valley at a cost of $30 billion, it would instead connect Fresno and San Jose. Gray argued that thousands of people commute to the Bay Area every day from Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, so it made sense to run the train to Merced. “As I pointed out to the Authority, by not having Merced as the Initial Opening Segment along with Fresno, you

PHOTO COURTESY CALIFORNIA HIGH SPEED RAIL AUTHORITY

California’s High-Speed Rail Authority added Merced back to its Initial Operating Segment.

miss out on all the commuters that are in Merced, Turlock, Los Banos, Patterson, Modesto because no one is driving from Los Banos to Fresno to take a train to San Jose,” Gray said. According to Gray, the Initial Operating Segment will be key to leveraging the initial $20 billion investment in high speed rail. “If that’s a success, and everyone believes it will be, that will create

the revenue stream as well as the private sector interest to finish the entirety of system throughout California,” he said. Others in Northern California have been keeping an eye on High-Speed Rail as they argue for expanding other rail service. For Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa, High-Speed Rail’s connection from Merced to San Jose could

be an important piece of a network of railways in Northern California that also includes Amtrak and the Altamont Corridor Express. Chiesa is one of a group of politicians working to expand ACE south of Stockton and into Stanislaus County. He is a member of the Stanislaus Council of Governments where he says ACE has unanimous support. “Everyone thinks that there’s a place for ACE,” Chiesa said. “Everyone disagrees on how much money we can afford to put toward it, but everyone knows that if we get it, it will be transformational.” The questions surrounding the project are how far to expand it and how to pay for it. According to Chiesa, there are no plans to allocate money to ACE expansion from a proposed Stanislaus County sales tax increase. He said the 12 percent that was under consideration would only provide $4 million a year and would be better spent to improve roads. State Senators Anthony Cannella and Jim Beall have been working on capital funding for ACE, and Chiesa said he believes they are close. “No matter what, we need state or federal help,” Chiesa said. “When we have that state or federal help, then we have the conversation.”

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Assemblywoman Susan Talamantes Eggman’s bill would put the Delta tunnels project on a statewide ballot.

Bill would require vote on controversial tunnels SACRAMENTO — Stockton Democratic Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman introduced a bill April 19 that would require voter approval for construction of the Delta tunnels. AB 1713 would force the project, known as the California Water Fix, to be approved by voters before it could proceed. The Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee voted 6-2 to advance the bill to the appropriations committee. The bill was held so that other committee members could vote on it. “This bill rests on the simple premise that some projects warrant a statewide vote,” said Eggman. “Other projects have gone to a vote. The Water Fix should be no different. The voters should have a voice in it.” Southern California water interests had a decidedly different view on the subject. They argued that the project has been vetted publicly more than nearly any other state project. The project, which carries an estimated $17 billion to $20 billion price tag, has been a focal point of controversy since its inception. The battle lines in the April 19 committee meeting were largely geographical. Those representing interests in the southern part of the state opposed Eggman’s bill while those in the north supported it. Trade and construction unions have also supported the project and therefore opposed the bill. Agricultural interests in the Delta and throughout the northern Central Valley fear the tunnels would reduce

water available to them. They also fear reducing the amount of river water flowing into the Delta will allow more San Francisco Bay water to flow in. That would increase water salinity and lower water quality. Jeffrey Michael, director of the Center for Business and Policy Research at the University of the Pacific, also spoke in favor of Eggman’s bill. He said forcing a public vote on the project would give the public a better idea of the project’s true costs and benefit. “In addition to the vote, it directs the LAO (Legislative Analyst’s Office) to do benefit-cost analysis,” he said. “People don’t have the information they need.” Modesto Republican Assemblymember Kristin Olsen also voiced her support for the bill. She said the Water Fix was not the best solution to the state’s water issues. “We have to get much more inventive about our water,” said Olsen. “We need to give the voters a chance to decide on a major infrastructure project.” Opponents of Eggman’s bill have reason to fear for the project’s future if it does go before voters. California voters rejected a similar idea, the California peripheral canal, in 1982. The fact that a vote would put another delay on the project also presents a major headache for project proponents. The earliest the proposal would likely head to the ballot would be 2018. “At what point as a state do we move forward?” said Assemblymember Devon J. Mathis, R-Visalia.

May 2016

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Senate candidates introduced in first debate By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor

made up their minds. Here is where the candidates stood on other key issues:

estevens@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON — California voters got their first real look at the five leading candidates for U.S. Senate when they faced off in the first televised debate on Stockton’s University of the Pacific campus, April 25. “I think this debate is a chance for the candidates to define themselves,” said Pacific political science professor Jeffrey Becker. Attorney Tom Del Beccaro, California Attorney General Kamala Harris, Rep. Loretta Sanchez, attorney Duf Sundheim and businessman Ron Unz answered questions on issues ranging from immigration to the economy and crime. The candidates began by addressing the political gridlock that has plagued national politics. Sundheim said he would rely on his experience as a federal court approved mediator to bring different factions “together to work for the benefit of the country.” Sanchez, who has represented Southern California in Congress since 1997, said she is not part of the partisan problem. ”I’m not the status quo. Washington hasn’t changed me,” she said. “I know how to talk to people and they trust me.”

PHOTO COURTESY SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

Senate candidate Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez, rebukes fellow candidate Duf Sundheim, left, about his criticism of her committee attendance record during a debate at The University of the Pacific in Stockton on April 25.

Unz cited the minimum wage as an example of his skill at working both sides of the aisle. “I do work with conservatives and liberals — right wingers and left wingers,” he said. Harris said Californians want a leader who can get things done. Del Beccaro said large government was at the root of bi-partisan bickering because it picks “winners and losers.” The April 11 Field poll found that

most Californians were not paying attention to the race to see who will replace Sen. Barbara Boxer, who is not running for re-election. Harris led the candidates with 27 percent support followed by fellowDemocrat Sanchez who had 14 percent. Among Republicans, Unz led with 5 percent, Sundheim had 4 percent and DelBeccaro had 3 percent. But at 48 percent, there is still a huge swath of voters who have not

Immigration Del Beccaro and Sundheim favored cracking down on people who overstay their visas, although Sundheim said there should be a path to legal status for people who have been contributing and who admit to a judge they’ve broken the law. Sanchez said immigration was a personal issue for her and called for reform that would avoid breaking up families. She said neither the Bush nor Obama administrations have dealt with visa abuse. Unz said illegal immigration was down and that raising the minimum wage would entice Americans to take more of the jobs that would otherwise go to immigrants. Harris, on the other hand, called immigration “the civil rights issue of our time” and said undocumented immigrants should not be treated as criminals. Crime and guns Harris and Sanchez support making marijuana a Schedule 2 drug. They also favor background checks and tighter gun restrictions. “I think we’ve been offered a false Please see SENATE Page 11

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Port profits from organic corn import boom By BOB BALGEMANN Business Journal writer bbalgemann@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON — One indication of the growing popularity of organic food can be seen at the Port of Stockton, which took in 31,569 metric tons of organic corn from Turkey in 2015. Much of that corn was headed to poultry farms in California and elsewhere to feed Brill an increasing number of organic chickens and turkeys in production. In order for livestock to be certified organic, it needs to be fed organic food, but there’s a limited supply in the United States. “Because a very large percentage of domestic corn and soy are biogenerated, increasing domestic demand for these products are supplied by countries such as Turkey, Romania, the Netherlands, Argentina and India, where crops are largely free from bioengineering,” explained the Port of Stockton’s marketing director, Pete Grossgart. Driven largely by demand from Mil-

lennials for organic food, sales of organic products nationwide increased to $35.1 billion in 2013, an increase of 11.5 percent from 2012, according to the Organic Trade Association Organic poultry production is a growing area in agriculture. Over the past couple years, big producers including Perdue Farms, Tyson Foods and Merced County-based Foster Farms have committed to reducing antibiotic use and to increasing their offerings of organic chicken and turkey products. Foster Farms has been producing organic poultry since 2002 and expanded its line of organic products last year. “In order to be certified organic, our chickens are raised on organic, vegetarian feed and on organic, pesticidefree land with access to the outdoors,” said the company’s director of communications, Ira Brill. “Foster Farms organic products are certified by the USDA and a recognized, third-party certifying agency, Quality Assurance International.” Flocks are raised on feed composed primarily of corn and soy meal with vitamins and minerals added. “Because we own and operate our feed mills, our feed is always customized to address the specific needs of our birds at various stages of their

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Sales of organic food products, including chicken, rose to $35.1 billion in 2013.

growth to ensure optimum health and quality,” he said. Foster Farms expects the organic segment of its business this year to increase by 28 percent over 2015, Brill said. Imports of organic corn to the United States more than tripled in 2015 to 303,645 metric tons, mostly from Romania and Turkey, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That demand for organic feed has opened a new revenue stream for the

Port of Stockton where bulk food shipments arrive. The port has been actively courting that business by developing relationships with three companies that import corn and soybeans from Turkey and the Netherlands. So far that has represented 83,000 metric tons of cargo. “(We are) actively seeking to diversify our cargo mix to better insulate us from economic downturns in the future,” Grossgart said.

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May 2016

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Construction industry faces worker shortage By CRAIG W. ANDERSON Business Journal writer canderson@cvbizjournal.com

MODESTO — Construction, which boomed before the recession, has been slow at coming back, especially in the Central Valley. A shortage of workers, not demand for projects, is what is slowing the industry’s recovery. “There are fewer qualified laborers in today’s construction workforce,” said Chris Marr, director of business development for George Reed Construction in Modesto. “And it seems the attitude for doing hard work isn’t there in today’s younger generation.” Construction is a major contributor to California’s economy and to that of the Central Valley. In 2014 the industry contributed $75 billion, or 3.2 percent, of the state’s GDP of $2.3 trillion. Wages and salaries totaled $42.3 billion, according to a study by the Associated General Contractors of America. “Many parts of the country continue to see robust construction job growth as demand for projects rises,” said the organization’s chief economist, Ken Simonson. “Compared with the same time a year ago … construction spending continues to rise at a double-digit pace.” But for the industry’s jobs to expand

the labor needed to do the work must be available. Jim Hanley, president of Stockton’s Hanley Construction Inc., explained that the Valley’s current construction marketplace is a “mixed bag. ” Residential is slowly coming back, but commercial projects are somewhat smaller than they used to be. However, there is enough of them for Hanley to feel optimistic about 2016. “I feel this year will be as good as last year,” he said. “But the new minimum wage that will eventually reach $15 an hour will certainly affect us and all businesses over time.” Hanley said hiring from within and training individuals is becoming more popular. “It’s s now a challenging environment finding and integrating a labor force into your company,” he said. “However, if you’re skilled in construction, you’ve got a job.” Ryan Haggerty, president of Haggerty Construction, Inc. in Stockton sees signs of improvement in certain construction sectors. “Overall, construction’s picking up slowly, steadily and is up 6 to 7 percent over last year,” Haggerty said. “Industrial and education projects will be improving while office construction slows a bit.” Fewer high school and college

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Contractors say construction projects are increasing in the Valley, but skilled workers are still in short supply.

graduates are entering the construction industry, so there is a serious shortage of people to fill management and field positions. However, Haggerty said the construction industry has stepped up to establish various education programs and scholarships for construction-oriented students. Some high schools are also bringing back construction and other vocationaloriented programs. “It’s too bad that we as an industry

didn’t foresee these challenges as they began,” Haggerty said. Another challenge facing the construction industry in is California’s regulatory environment. Companies say residential-related construction has been slowed by high fees that are a disincentive for building in some areas. “I’m seeing 4 to 6 percent increase in costs due to regulations,” Haggerty Please see CONTRACTORS Page 11

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May 2016

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SENATE Continued from Page 7

choice on guns,” Harris said. “It’s not all or nothing.” DelBeccaro said that law abiding citizens who own guns are not the problem. He also blamed the current rise in use of heroin on leniency toward marijuana. Sundheim favored getting tougher on property crime. Unz said he didn’t believe that guns affected crime but that drug laws have been a failure. Student debt Pacific student body president Serena Welch asked the candidates about student debt and asked what they thought the federal government should do about it. Harris and Sanchez both spoke in favor of making community college tuition-free. Harris referred to her investigation of the for-profit school, Corinthian College, which she said was an example of a predatory school that goes after students’ loan money. She also said she was in favor of increasing Pell grants, which do not have to be repaid. Sanchez said she thinks tech is a way to reduce costs in college and make community college free. She was also in favor of making more fouryear degree programs available at the community college level. Sundheim said making tuition free would not reduce student debt. “Want to make something expensive?” he said. “Make it free.” He agreed technology could provide cost-cutting solutions and said he believes students loans should be discharged in bankruptcy.

DelBeccaro sees growing student debt as a supply and demand problem driven by the government, which subsidizes loans. He said he doesn’t believe cutting tuition costs alone will solve the problem. Following the debate, Pacific’s Becker said he didn’t think there was a clear winner. “I thought Harris came across as polished. Sanchez came across as very much a retail politician,” he said. “I thought that what you did see was sort of a split in the Republican party that you see nationally with Del Beccaro

in a lot of issues and taken forceful positions but is not tied into a political party as closely as the other candidates.” After the debate, Del Beccaro talked about his flat tax proposal, which he believes would be good for business. “Since I’m the only candidate who’s actually made proposals in that regard, I think the business community should take a look at me,” he said. The primary election is June 7. The top two vote getters, no matter what party, will go on to the general election in November.

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CONTRACTORS Continued from Page 10

said. “The federal and state governments churn them out and eventually consumers will have to pay for the upsurge of regulations.” “There are so many regulations, rules and mandates that we need consultants to advise us on all the regs,” said Hanley. “Their emphasis is on penalties and fines, not compliance.” Still, contractors believe the industry is on the upswing. Marr believes residential construction will experience growth and commercial will follow. “If residential continues to grow steadily the commercial folks will build, too,” Marr said. Haggerty sees education, industrial logistics and agricultural projects as “primary growth areas.” Agriculture perhaps will be the fastest growing, he said, as sheds, shipping and processing facilities, wine tasting rooms, storage, winery expansions and need to be built. “Ag is the future with its cherries, walnuts, almonds, wine and a vast selection of other products,” he said. “Can they retain their current popularity? Who knows? But the construction industry will be there to fulfill their future needs.”

sort of representing the older set of Republican values, Sundheim trying to figure out where he stood and Unz in a way tapping into those protest candidates you see supporting Trump and even Sanders on the left.” Unz believed the debate helped introduce him as the nontraditional candidate. “I hope people see the advantage of somebody who’s an outsider in the political world,” he said. “I think there might be an opening for somebody from the outside like me who’s been involved

* “Tobacco: The Business of Quitting,” National Business Group on Health, November 2011.

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

What’s driving the Valley’s seller’s market? By ELIZABETH STEVENS Business Journal editor estevens@cvbizjournal.com

MODESTO — For anyone who has been thinking of selling their home, now is the time. Area real estate professionals say it’s a seller’s market, especially for houses priced less than $200,000 where there are lots of first-time home buyers ready to purchase. “If you have a house under $200,000, it will have 10 offers on it,” said Roxann Dortch-Chakos, a broker with Matel Realtors in Modesto. What’s driving the market now? Low interest rates, which have created a big pool of buyers, particularly in the lower price points. “It makes it crazy with multiple offers,” said Realtor Patty Ortega of Keller Williams in Stockton. There is also a lack of inventory. In Stanislaus County, there were 2.8 months worth of inventory in March, according to the California Association of Realtors. That means that if no additional homes were to come on the market, it would take 2.8 months to sell the existing inventory at the current rate. In San Joaquin County, the number was 2.6 in March. A neutral market is 6.0. Anything under that — especially under 3.0 — is a seller’s market.

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

New home developments have been started in Tracy and Lathrop but are limited elsewhere in the Valley.

Ortega believes many homeowners are hanging onto their houses because they don’t realize the housing market has recovered. Less than 10 percent of San Joaquin County’s inventory is in distress. It’s possible homeowners have more equity than they think. “We’re not underwater anymore,” Ortega said. One indicator that bears that out is Freddy Mac’s Multi-Indicator Market Index, which assigns numbers on a

scale from 0-200 to housing markets based on payment-to-income ratios, employment data, the percentage of homeowners who are current on their mortgage and purchase applications. In February, Freddy Mac assigned the Stockton metro area a 91.0, which it considers “in range.” Lower numbers signal a weak market; higher numbers indicate an elevated market. During the worst of the housing crisis, in November 2010, Stockton’s

MiMi number was 37.0. Among the top 100 metro areas, Stockton ranked 19th. Modesto’s MiMi number was 91.9, up from its all-time low of 43.8 in November 2010. The lack of inventory and competitive bidding has driven prices up but not dramatically. Ortega said she’s not seeing as many cash sales as she used to, and the market doesn’t appear to be investor-driven. In March, the median price for an existing home in San Joaquin County was $297,370, up from $292,960 the month before, according to the California Association of Realtors. In Stanislaus County, the median price was $262,390, up from $253,350 in February. There is some new home construction, especially in Tracy and Lathrop, markets that see interest from Bay Area buyers. However, developers are not building entry-level homes. “Brand new homes are $200 a square foot,” Dortch-Chakos said. “They’re not building little ones, either.” A couple of factors are holding back new construction. One is that the permit process, especially in Stockton, is considered cumbersome and expensive. The other is the lack of skilled construction workers in the Central Valley. (Read more on page 10).

May 2016

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Central Valley Business Journal

Saving the bees

May 2016

How the almond industry, beekeepers are working to promote healthy hives By PATRICIA REYNOLDS Business Journal writer preynolds@cvbizjournal.com

MODESTO — The Almond Board of California, almond growers and beekeepers have joined forces hoping to solve honey bee losses suffered during almond bloom in recent years. With an estimated 80,000 hives affected in 2014, the industry reacted and boosted its collaborative efforts to develop practices targeted at reversing the trend. Studying the use of pest control techniques and their possible impact on juvenile bees was central to the collaboration. Based on input from the industry and the California Department of Pesticide Regulations, the Almond Board published its “Honey Bee Best Management Practices for California Almonds.” The multi-paged pamphlet details precautions that will help protect honey bee health during the almond pollination process. “We messaged about (best practices) on our website starting in 2013,” said Almond Board of California Agricultural Affairs Director

Bob Curtis. “But obviously we saw the need for a very extensive one stop shop if you will — one unified resource — so we published a pamphlet in 2015.” Included in the best practices are suggestions to avoid spraying insecticides during bloom and to spray fungicides at night only. The recommendations also stress the importance of maintaining proper communication among all parties involved in the pollination process, from the beekeeper to the pesticide applicator. The Almond Board has since condensed the information into two Supplemental Quick Guides, each highlighting key points for easy access. One guide is targeted at decision makers such as beekeepers, growers, farm managers and pest control advisers. The second is aimed at the tractor drivers who apply the pesticides. The guides are meant to be kept in pickup trucks and tractors for fast reference. In addition to publishing the best practices, the Almond Board has taken the message on the road. Representatives have given more than 70 pre-

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

An estimated 80,000 hives suffered bee losses in 2014.

sentations to what Curtis terms the “pollination stakeholder audience,” which includes beekeepers, county agriculture commissioners, growers, applicators and others. The response has been favorable but not perfect. “We’ve made great progress, but these (best practices) are voluntary. We’re going to just keep on messaging,” said Curtis who noted that while one grower may follow the recommendations, his neighbor might not.

Negligible bee losses were noted in 2015, but there was an uptick during the 2016 pollination season, which just ended. However, the losses still were significantly lower than those suffered during 2014, according to Curtis. “The core group of people that put these (best practices) together have been used to working together for a few years,” he said. “We’re following Please see BEE HEALTH Page 19

May 2016

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Stockton Arena ||Arena 248 St. Stockton | Fremont 248 St. Stockton Stockton Stockton Arena Arena Arena Stockton 248||W. W.248 Arena 248 Fremont St. 248 Stockton, CA Stockton, St. 95203 CA 95203 302W. 5W. 9 |AFremont CFremont ,no··tkStockton, cW. otSFremont · .tSt. S·tnStockton, o·CA meStockton, r95203 F .W· 8Stockton, 4CA 2 |95203 anCA erCA A95203 n95203 otkcotS GUEST SPEAKERS GUEST SPEAKERS GUEST SPEAKERS GUEST GUEST SPEAKERS SPEAKERS GUEST SPEAKERS SREKAEPS TSEUG Pamela Eibeck Pamela EibeckPamela Eibeck Pamela Eibeck Pamela Pamela Eibeck Eibeck University of Pacific University of the Pacific of the Pacific University ofof the University University of the the Pacific thePacific Pacific University President President President President President President

Kathy Hart Kathy Hart Kathy Kathy Hart HartKathy Hart Kathy Hart San Joaquin Delta College San Joaquin Delta College Delta College San Joaquin Delta College San San Joaquin Joaquin Delta Delta College College San Joaquin President President President President President President

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traH yhtaK egelloC atleD niuqaoJ naS $30 members ·· $40 non-members ·· non-members Sponsorships Available $30 LSAA members ··$40 non-members · Sponsorships Available Available tnediserP LSAA members $40 Sponsorships Available $30 LSAA LSAA$30 $30 members LSAA $40 members non-members $30 LSAA members Sponsorships ·n$40 non-members Available ·ASponsorships ·$Sponsorships Available e l b a l i a v A s p i h s r o s n o p S · s r e b m e m n o 0 4 $ · s r e b m e m A S L 0 3 James Mousalimas James Mousalimas www.lsalumni.com James Mousalimas James James Mousalimas Mousalimas James MousalimasINFO INFO|| & TICKETS | &www.lsalumni.com INFO & TICKETS www.lsalumni.com INFO & & TICKETS TICKETS INFO www.lsalumni.com INFO m o c . i n m u l a s l . w w w | STTICKETS E|KCwww.lsalumni.com IT & OFN| Iwww.lsalumni.comsamilasuoM semaJ SJC Office of Education SJC Office of Education SJC Office ofofEducation SJC SJC Office Office of Education EducationSJC Office of Education noitacudE fo eciffO CJS Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent tnednetnirepuS

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Do you want to vote for the President on June 7, 2016? All voters can vote in a primary election. Voting for President depends on the party you are registered with. If you are registered with a political party: You can vote for a candidate running for President in that party. If you are registered with no party preference, you can vote in the Presidential Primary for the following parties:

● Democratic

● American Independent

● Libertarian

You can select the party ballot at your polling place. If you vote by mail, you were sent a postcard to select a party ballot. If you registered with no party preference and want to vote in the Presidential Primary for one of the following parties:

● Republican

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● Peace & Freedom

You must re-register to vote with that party by May 23, 2016.

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

Agustin Roldan accepts his prize for winning the Entrepreneur Challenge with his energy-monitoring software.

UC Merced startups dominate challenge By SIM RISSO Business Journal writer srisso@cvbizjournal.com

June 7, 2016 Presidential Primary Election Key Dates and Deadlines Description of Event

Deadline

Military and Overseas Voter Vote-By-Mail Ballot Delivery Period

April 8 - April 23, 2016*

Vote-By-Mail Ballot Mailing Period

May 9 - May 31, 2016

Last Day to Register to Vote

May 23, 2016

New Citizen (sworn in after May 23, 2016) Voter Registration Period

May 24 - June 7, 2016

Last Day to Request Vote-By-Mail Ballot

May 31, 2016

Election Day (7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.)

June 7, 2016

Last Day to Receive Vote-By-Mail Ballot (Postmarked No Later Than June 7, 2016)

June 10, 2016

*Date falls on a weekend or state holiday; it does not move forward to the next business day.

San Joaquin County Registrar of Voters (209) 468-2890 | www.sjcrov.org | vbm@sjgov.org

STOCKTON — Innovation was on display at the San Joaquin Entrepreneur Challenge, with two different entrepreneurs from UC Merced taking home the top prizes. Agustin Roldan won first place for his energy-monitoring software, while Michael Urner took home second place for his ventilator reservoir. Roldan’s business, Sweep Energy, develops solutions that involve the use of energy-monitoring equipment that can predict equipment failure before it occurs. The equipment, which is a combination of customized hardware and software, works on food processing and other manufacturing industries. By forecasting problems before they arise, it can eliminate or reduce downtime for production facilities. Sweep Energy, which Roldan founded with fellow UC Merced students Yi Lu and Matvejs Fostiropuls, has been up and running since June 2015. “Winning is exhilarating just for the fact that I gave it my all and just to see that it was validated by actually getting the win. I felt very proud about that,” said Roldan. “But even more important, I think just going to the challenge itself kind of gave me a new perspective of how to think and look at things. There were a lot of questions they asked that are stuff that are going to come up in day-to-day business.” For their first-place finish, Roldan and his team will receive roughly $6,500 in cash and $6,500 worth of professional services to put toward their business. They plan to use the resources to develop strategic partnerships, which they hope will lead to more opportunities to test their energy-monitoring technology in the field. Urner won second place for his ven-

tilator reservoir. His product, which was first developed in 2013, takes the air that goes to infants in neonatal intensive care units and passes it through the reservoir. The reservoir sterilizes the oxygen and helps prevent the spread of lung infections. “I was surprised I won,” said Urner. “There was some pretty stiff competition. Other competitions have told us we are too much of a niche product, so seeing people recognize the importance of protecting infants is encouraging.” Urner and his team will receive about $3,500 in cash and $3,500 in professional services. According to Urner, the resources will go toward developing a prototype they can use in clinical trials. One portion of their prototype broke on the day of the competition, so hope to use the funding to make an improved version. Urner and his team have applied for a patent for their product. Once that’s final, they’re considering becoming more of an intellectual property-based business. “We do not have the capacity to manufacture the devices, so we are open to the option of leasing our intellectual property to companies that already have the infrastructure to manufacture the devices,” said Urner. Roldan and Urner are connected through the UC Merced Venture Lab. They were both selected to join the lab, which Roldan describes as an “incubator,” where they’ve developed their ideas. The lab encourages students to network with other members, which is how the two met. “Throughout the month we’ve seen each other grow and just give each other feedback,” said Roldan. “If anything, it’s just been a culmination of a year’s work, back and forth, working with all of the teams in the Venture Lab and just giving each other feedback. That’s Please see ENTREPRENEUR Page 19

May 2016

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Business Journal Education CENTRAL VALLEY

> GREEN COMPETITION

Morada Middle School places 1st in national event WHAT: Morada Middle School finished first in the 14th annual Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition. WHO: Morada’s Grape Stomp Bio-Fuel Project was sponsored by Caltrans’ Stockton office. DETAILS: Students prepared and presented their sustainable transportation project in the national videoconference competition. The students will be recognized at the annual Mineta Transportation Institute Awards Banquet, June 18, in San Jose. The class will receive a plaque and $1,000 for its efforts. The Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition is designed to promote interest in transportation careers and motivate students to take math and science classes in high school. QUOTE: “I am so proud of these students. Their creative minds went to work and gave a great and innovative presentation. Congratulations to the Morada Middle School.” — Caltrans District 10 Director Dennis Agar.

> HONORARY DEGREES STOCKTON — The University of the Pacific will honor two distinguished alumni with honorary degrees during its May 14 commencement ceremony. Douglass Eberhardt, class of 1959, will receive an honorary

CSU, faculty avert strike The California State University system and its faculty reached a tentative agreement, April 8, that averted a crippling strike planned for mid-April. Under the agreement, 26,000 faculty and other members will receive a 10.5 percent increase in pay over the next three years. “I am absolutely delighted that we have reached a tentative agreement,” said CSU Chancellor Timothy P. White during a joint news conference with California Faculty Association President Jennifer Eagan. “Nobody wanted a strike.” Under the agreement, which still must be approved by faculty union members, the salary increases will be distributed over three years: • 5 percent general salary increase on June 30, 2016 • 2 percent general salary increase on July 1, 2016

> GIVING BACK WHAT: Two UC Merced graduates have become the first alumni to create scholarship endowments at UC Merced. WHO: Jessica “JaeJae” Julian, who graduated in 2010 and Marko Zivanovic, who graduated in 2014. DETAILS: Julian and Zivanovic have pledged $10,000

• 3.5 percent general salary increase on July 1, 2017 • 2.65 percent service salary increase in the 2017-18 fiscal year The agreement also doubles the vesting period from five to 10 years for retiree health benefits for new employees hired after July 1, 2017. It also extends the collective bargaining agreement until June 30, 2018. “The faculty spoke up for 5 percent and got it,” said Eagan. She added that picketing and protesting were not something most “mild-mannered” teachers and librarians were used to doing, but said it had become necessary because they had been “languishing for a decade” with stagnant pay. The tentative agreement also boosts salaries for tenure-track faculty promoted into a higher rank. Under the proposed agreement, those

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Faculty and supporters picketed at Stanislaus State University during Chancellor Timothy P. White’s visit in March.

granted promotions would receive a minimum 9 percent salary increase versus the current minimum 7.5 percent. The Association represents 23,000 professors, lecturers, librarians, counselors and coaches who teach in the 23-campus California State University system, including

Stanislaus State University in Turlock. The ratification vote of the faculty association members began April 22 and continued through April 29. Results were expected May 3. See the Business Journal’s website at www.cvbizjournal.com for the final count.

UC Merced graduates donate to university each over the next five years. A 3-to-1 match by Foster Poultry Farms and Wells Fargo will increase the gifts to $40,000 once the initial pledge is fulfilled. The UC Merced Alumni Endowed Scholarship Match Program allows Foster Poultry Farms and Wells Fargo to match up to 10 alumni gifts of $10,000 each as an outright gift or over a multiyear pledge.

The scholarship will be available to students in the School of Natural Sciences who have at least a 3.7 grade-point average. The endowments will be called the Ganio-Julian Family Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of her family. Zivanovic’s pledge will fund the Zivanovic Family Endowed Scholarship Fund in honor of his family that came from Yugoslavia

nearly five decades ago. QUOTE: “I come from a privileged place because my parents could afford to send me to college. I know the majority of UC Merced students don’t come from that background, so I want to extend as much of an opportunity to current and future students as possible.” — Marko Zivanovic.

University of the Pacific to grant two honorary degrees Doctor of Business Administration degree. Kate Moses, class of 1984, will deliver the university’s commencement address and receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree. Eberhardt is president and

CEO of Bank of Stockton. He is a community leader, Pacific alumnus and regent. The Eberhardt family’s leadership and commitment to the university include the Eberhardt Teacher-Scholar

Award given for exemplary teaching and scholarship. Moses is an award-winning writer and founding editor of Salon. Moses recognized the importance of excellent faculty

in her 2010 book, “Cakewalk, A Memoir.” In the book, Moses recounted her time at the school and credited her mentor, the late Professor Arlen Hansen, with promoting her intellectual awakening.

employers.org 800.399.5331 Call today and mention CVN to receive your free gift of:

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May 2016

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BEE HEALTH

ENTREPRENEUR Continued from Page 14

up on these losses, and there’s been great collaboration and coordination among all the entities.” Orin Johnson, a second generation beekeeper in Hughson was one of several beekeepers among the group that developed the Honey Bee Best Management Practices. He agrees that communication about the best practices is essential. “I talk to my growers, and I know other beekeepers that discuss those practices with their growers and ask them what they’re going to spray and please none of these IGRs (insect growth regulators) mixed in while (bees are) in the orchard,” said Johnson. Still, Johnson is aware that not everyone is following the recommendations. He knows of fellow beekeepers who have had the best practices conversation with their growers only to suffer bee losses because neighboring operations didn’t follow the guidelines. “You can’t control your neighbor, and bees have wings and they fly,” he said. “What can you do?” Almond grower Mike Silveira, co-owner of B&S Orchards, Inc. in Oakdale, has taken steps to keep his bees from traveling to other farming operations. In addition to following all the recommendations involving spraying, irrigating and fertilizing, B&S planted forage crops within its orchards to provide an additional food source for pollinating bees. According to Silveira, bees travel in search of food during the afternoon when almond trees stop releasing pollen, so they risk exposure to pesticides if they migrate to farm operations that continue to spray. “As growers we spend a lot of money on those bees, so my thought process is, ‘If you’re going to spend all that money on those bees in your orchard, if you provide the food in your orchard, they’re going to stay,’” he said. With 100 acres of planted almonds, B&S typically keeps bee hives in its orchards for about three weeks during pollination. The operation follows the UC Davis recommendation of placing one-and-a-half to two hives per acre. At a cost of approximately $180 per hive, the investment is well worth protecting. “As growers, we spend so much money on those bees that we have a vested interest in them,” Silveira said. “We understand that we don’t have an industry if we don’t have bees.” The Almond Board’s next step in the effort to maintain a healthy bee population is to obtain improved data regarding affected hives. “All the people at the table are strongly encouraging the beekeepers to report their incidences to the local county ag commissioner,” Curtis said. “That needs to happen. That should happen. If it isn’t reported the regulatory officials have no record of it.”

Continued from Page 16

probably the biggest thing: the backand-forth nature of trying to figure out what’s the best thing to do and trying to start something new.” The competition they won is a twopart event put on by the Northeastern California Small Business Development Center, located at Delta College. The first round was held in March with 16 contestants, eight of whom moved on to the second round. The eight contes-

tants presented their business proposals to a panel of judges, which included a question-and-answer session. The judges then cut the group of eight down to four. In addition to Roldan and Urner, Jack Relva and his tattoo review website and Octavio Valencia with his talking piñata moved on. The next portion consisted of a simulated boardroom, where the judges threw different ethical and financial dilemmas at the contestants to see how they responded, after which the two winners were selected.

Small Business Development Center Director Nate McBride thought all eight of the participants performed well. “The whole purpose of this event is to facilitate business development and for people to move forward with their plans and their ideas,” said McBride. “So even though we can only have two winners, we have that wish and desire for everybody, not even just people making it to the last round, but anybody. So we really hope the process they go through to go through this is one that helps them move forward.”

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

TITLE COMPANIES

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

Company Name Address

Top Local Executive

Number of Local Staff

Number of Local Offices

Greg Martinez (209) 952-5500 chicagotitle.com

Diana M. Contreras (209) 955-2804 ortc.com

Phone

Geographic Focus

Year

Services offered

Established

San Joaquin Title Insurance

1847

San Joaquin County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1980

Jamie Corcoran (209) 529-5000 firstam.com

Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties Complete escrow and title Insurance

1889

Greg Martinez (209) 925-5500 chicagotitle.com

Web Address

Chicago Title 2021 W. March Lane, Ste. 1 Stockton, CA 95207

Old Republic Title Company 3425 Brookside Road, Ste. C Stockton, CA 95219

First American Title Company 1506 H. Street Modesto, CA 95354

Chicago Title 1700 Staniford Avenue, Ste. 110 Modesto, CA

Old Republic Title Company 1140 Sceinic Drive Ste. 110 Modesto, CA 95350

Cochelle Collins-Teague (209) 544-1823 ortc.com

Stanislaus County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1990

Old Republic Title Company 150 W. 10th Street Tracy, CA 95376

Christine Sunn (209) 835-1331 ortc.com

San Joaquin County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1980

North American Title Company 3520 Brookside Road, Ste. 151 Stockton, CA 95219

Pam Richardson (209) 956-6282 nat.com

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties Title and escrow

2009

First American Title Company 3303 W. March Lane, Ste. 110 Stockton, CA 95219

Dennis Wolfe (209) 929-4800 firstam.com

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties Complete escrow and title Insurance

1889

Old Republic Title Company 801 S. Ham Lane, Ste. F Lodi, CA 95242

Sue Matthews (209) 334-3367 ortc.com

San Joaquin County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1980

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties Title, escrow, 1031 exchanges, refinancing

1953

Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties Complete escrow and title Insurance

1889

San Joaquin County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1980

San Joaquin County Complete title and escrow services Sales, refinance, 1031 exchange, commercial and residential

1973

Merced County Complete escrow and title Insurance

1889

San Joaquin County

1974

Peg Lawler (209) 383-4660 transcounttitle.com

Merced County

1985

North American Title Company 810 Standiford Avenue, Ste. 6 Modesto, CA 95350 First American Title Company 4213 Dale Road Modesto, CA 95356

Debra Green (209) 236-1014 nat.com Jamie Corcoran (209) 238-9580 firstam.com

Old Republic Title Company 1215 W. Center Street, Ste. 103 Manteca, CA 95337

Lori Richardson (209) 239-9538 ortc.com

Placer Title Company 725 N. Main Street Manteca, CA 95336

10 11

14 15

First American Title Company 17 W. Alexander Avenue Merced, CA 95348 Placer Title Company 2800 W. March Lane, Ste. 100 Stockton, CA 95219

Mark Pitman (209) 823-9287 placertitle.com Jamie Corcoran (209) 388-1334 firstam.com James Johnston (209) 951-9170 placertitle.com

Stanislaus County Title Insurance

1847

Transcount Title Company 635 W. Nineteenth Street Merced, CA 95340

Chicago Title 1949 W. Kettleman Lane, Ste. 201 Lodi, CA 95242

Greg Martinez (209) 368-2434 chicagotitle.com

Chicago Title 1473 E. G Street, B-1 Ste. A Oakdale, CA 95350

Greg Martinez (209) 848-1315 chicagotitle.com

Old Republic Title Company 1156 Scenic Drive, Ste. 100 Modesto, CA 95350

Charmain Gonzales (209) 521-1458 ortc.com

Stanislaus County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1990

Stewart Title Company 809 Sylvan Avenue, Ste. 101 Modesto, CA 95350

Vicki Gardea (209) 529-8550 stewart.com

Stanislaus County

1893

Old Republic Title Company 2130 Geer Road, Ste. A Turlock, CA 95382

Christiane Martin (209) 669-9551 ortc.com

Stanislaus County Complete escrow and title services Mapping and lot line adjustments

1990

San Joaquin County Title Insurance Stanislaus County Title Insurance

1847

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. at (209) 477-0211 or email us at research@cvbizjournal.com. Copyright Central Valley Business Journal. Researched by Danette Conley 04/2016

May 2016

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Business Journal Startup Spotlight CENTRAL VALLEY

Taking business brands on the road By PATRICIA REYNOLDS Business Journal writer

> ROAD FINCH PROFILE

preynolds@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON — Pedro Avila wanted to develop a form of advertising that grabbed people’s attention and reached them on a personal level. So, he combined a billboard with a bicycle and in May 2014 launched Road Finch, a mobile billboard advertising business headquartered in downtown Stockton. The company recently opened a Sacramento branch and hopes to expand into San Jose this year. Named in part for the pet zebra finches Avila raises, Road Finch works with clients to promote their brands by designing portable billboards that can be towed on carts pulled by bicycles. “We are able to get right in the middle of crowds of people using a means they haven’t seen before,” said Avila. While the bicycle-billboard combination garners a lot of attention, the powerful advantage Road Finch offers clients involves the bicycle riders themselves. Known as brand ambassadors, these employees cycle through-

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER: Pedro Avila YEAR FOUNDED: 2014 HEADQUARTERS: Stockton NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES: 13 out targeted areas loaded with clients’ product information, brochures, fliers and coupons. “It’s that human touch, the ability to interact with people one-on-one that no other type of advertising can even touch,” Avila said. All of Road Finch’s 13 employees, regardless of their position, have acted as brand ambassadors, donning uniforms that consist of orange bike shirts that bear the finch logo, helmets, gloves, sunglasses and messenger bags. Together, Road Finch and clients determine where brand ambassadors should cycle to gain the most attention. Typical locations include areas within the downtown Stockton district that have frequent and heavy pedestrian traffic as well as farmers market

WAYNE DENNING/CVBJ

Road Finch riders tow mobile billboards behind bicycles to promote local businesses.

or events held at the fairgrounds or Stockton Arena. Brand ambassadors will change course, however, if a target area lacks people. Wherever they ride, the bicyclists

are always prepared to stop and talk with anyone who is curious about the products advertised on their towed billboards. Please see ROAD FINCH Page 29

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May 2016

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Waterfront Fridays to spotlight startups By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer khohlfeld@cvbizjournal.com

STOCKTON — Pop-up businesses have been around for decades. In the United States they have largely been a staple of the holiday season, when malls become crowded with small temporary kiosks. They are also a popular way to market the arts crowd. Now pop-ups have expanded and are coming to Stockton in a big way. The Downtown Stockton Alliance will host its first weekly Waterfront Fridays event from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., May 6 at the Brick & Mortar Entrepreneurship Center, located in the B&M Building at 125 Bridge Place. “It will be a mix of food and beverages, a book publisher, some other non-profits and sort of being able to reintroduce them to the public,” said Downtown Alliance Event Manager Emily Oestreicher. The goal is to recruit new startups to the downtown region. It also gives new businesses a chance to test an idea or product before diving into the process of building a permanent presence. “They can test their products and see how the community reacts to their idea,” said Downtown Stockton Alliance Communications Director Sylwia Lipeic-Qualls. “Maybe they aren’t

ready to settle in a permanent space. We are giving them an opportunity to exist in a temporary space.” Businesses can sign up for a week, month or more. The events will take place through October. “Stockton is ready for this to happen,” said Oestreicher. “We used what was happening in other cities to help plan the events.” These kind of weekly business events have become commonplace in other larger cities. The “pop-up” phenomena adds more than $2 billion to the U.S. economy and $3.5 billion in the U.K. where the idea is more established according to online resource, Pop-Up Republic. The plan is for the vendors to be located inside the building with music and lounge chairs outside in Janet Leigh Plaza. “We are going to start on a manageable scale,” said Oestreicher. “If we need it, we can go outside our brick and mortar.” Nationally, pop-ups saw a big rise after the 2008 economic collapse. Finite businesses turned from something edgy to more mainstream, attracting cash-strapped customers recovering from the crisis. It also allowed new businesses to get started with relatively little initial investment. “The main goal is to help as many people with great business ideas a

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Downtown Stockton’s B&M Building will host Waterfront Fridays to feature local startups.

chance to build a brick-and-mortar store as possible,” said Oestreicher. One added advantage for those taking part in the weekly events is that the Stockton Downtown Alliance will offer participants help to progress from pop-up to permanent. “Participants will get access to classes and seminars,” said Oestreicher. “We are giving people access

to networking seminars, helping them with discounted web and design consultations for their business.” Downtown ambassadors will also be available to walk customers back to their cars if they wish. The events will have continuing signups throughout the season. “People can continue to submit applications,” said Oestreicher.

Central Valley Business Journal

Business Journal Cover Story

May 2016

CENTRAL VALLEY

“This legislation was passed in the dark of

the night without full transparency. It was done with political malfeasance.” – Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, CEO Doug Wilhoit

nesses with fewer than 25 workers get Oregon Timeline OREGON TIMELINE Oregon Timeline until 2023 to reach the $15 mark. The legislation also allows the khohlfeld@cvbizjournal.com $14.75 15 $14.75 governor to postpone wages increase 15 in the event of an economic down STOCKTON — This is a story turn. The bill was signed exactly about two similar states, one prob$14 14.21 $14 one week from its introduction by 14.21 lem and two very different ways the the governor. state legislatures found to deal with $13.5 $13.5 “I think the context of it was the the issue. $13.25 Oregon Timeline 13.43 $13.25 proposition,” said Bob Alvarez, California and Oregon, despite 13.43 chief of staff for state Sen. Caththeir population differences, share $12.75 $12.75 leen Galgiani “If we ever want to more than just a $14.75 15 $12.5 $12.5 $12.5 $12.5 12.64 change the proposition, we would border. Early in Oregon Timeline 12.64 have had to go back to the voters. 2016, both states’ Portl $12 $12 $12 $12 $12 $12 This law has the off-ramps and can legislatures $14.75 $14 15their be changed by future governors and decided 11.86 14.21 $11.5 11.86 Oregon Timeline legislatures.” $11.5 minimum wages Mid$11.25 $11.25 Polls showing broad support for the $11.25 were too low. $13.5 $11.25 $11 proposition also motivated$14.75 wavering $11 Both states had 11.07 $14 $10.75 $13.25 14.21 11.07 legislators to act quickly. $10.75 $10.5 ballot measures 13.43 Fron “There was a likelihood that the $10.5 that threatened $10.25 $13.5 $10.25 ballot initiative $12.75 to raise the wage $10 10.29 was going to be $14 to $15 per hour $10 10.29 $13.25 Wilhoit $12.5 $12.5 $9.75 13.43 passed,” said Al12.64 across the state. $9.75 $9.5 varez. “That outPortland Both Oregon and California have $9.5 $12.75 $12 $13.5 9.5 $12 weighed every- $12 many of the same political dynamics. 9.5 July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, thing.$13.25 There $12.5 $12.5was Both are heavily Democratic, laborJuly 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, 12.64 11.86 really no oppor2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 friendly, have wide regional wage and $11.5 2017 Portland 2016 2018 2019 2020 Counties 2021 2022 Mid-Sized to present $12.75 cost-of-living disparities and a politi$12 $12 $12 tunity $11.25 $11.25 Dates other formulas.” cal divide between agricultural and Dates $12.5 $12.5 $11 One other forurban regions. 11.86 11.07 $11.5 mula might have $10.75 Despite the similarities, the ways State of Oregon Mid-Sized Counties Counties Portland State of Frontier Oregon been examined $12 Brown $12 $12 the two states dealt with their mini$11.25 $10.5 $11.25 was Oregon’s apmum wage laws were vastly different. $11 $10.25 agricultural interests and those from “This legislation [in California] was proach to the issue. Like the Golden 11.07 $10.75 $11.5 $10 Counties State, Oregon had a ballot initiative rural eastern parts ofFrontier the state balked Mid-Sized Counties passed in the dark of the10.29 night with$11.25 $10.5 $9.75that would have imposed a statewide at the idea. out full$11.25 transparency,” said Greater The map shows the percentage of After nearly a month wrangling, Stockton Chamber of$10.25 Commerce CEO $11 $15 wage which drove legislators to $9.5 act. But that is where the similarities what emerged was a three-tiered sysDoug Wilhoit. “It was done workers in each county who will be $10.75 $10with po10.29 Frontier Counties end. tem. The minimum wage for those litical malfeasance.” $10.59.5 impacted by increasing the minimum $9.75 Oregon with high-priced Portland In California, Gov. Jerry Brown July 1, July 1,Gov. Kate JulyBrown 1, met July 1, working July 1,in theJuly 1, July 1, wage to $15. In some cases, Valley $10.25 $9.5 area would be $14.75 per hour. Resinegotiated with labor and Democratic labor leaders and business trade 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 counties have twice as many workers groups to hammer out a deal that dents working in mid-sized cities such leaders to$10 come up with a bill that 9.5 making less than $15 now than Bay would have paid a those working in as Eugene and Bend would be paid at would avoid a costly and protracted $9.75 July 1, July 1, July 1, July Portland 1, July 1, July 1, leastJuly high-priced a minimum of Dates $13.751, per hour. ballot fight. Labor leaders got most of Area counties. $9.5 wage workers concession to rural, largely what their ballot initiative 2016 2017called for. 2018$14.50 while 2019minimum 2020 2021 In a2022 elsewhere in the state would have eastern sections of the ing to get.” What emerged was a statewide $15 State ofagricultural Oregon earned $13.25 by 2022. state, workers in so-called “frontier” That decision will have a big impact per hour wage that would be phased y 1, July 1, July 1, July 1, TheJuly 1, Dates July 1, July 1, plan was introduced in a “short counties would have their minimum on the Central Valley. A study by the in by 2022, one year later than in the 16proposed2017 2018Small busi2019session” 2020 2022 wage set at $12.50. The raises would of the state2021 legislature where University of the Pacific’s Center for ballot initiative. be phased in between July 2016 and Business and Policy Research found State of Oregon Jan. 2022. that 51 percent of jobs in San JoaDates While the proposal enraged some quin, 50 percent in Stanislaus and 59 labor groups and led to demonstrapercent in Merced counties will be State of Oregon tions outside the Capitol in Salem, affected by the wage hike. the new formula passed and was “The legislators completely ignored signed by the governor. their own district and supported their According to Alvarez, even if union-cut deal,” said San Joaquin there had been an opportunity to Farm Bureau Federation Executive look at options in California such as Director Bruce Blodgett. a tiered rate, the governor’s prefer He said the decision to raise the send your email address to: ence was clear. wage will impact the agricultural sec “You knew what the governor was tor in a variety of ways. The increase newsletter@cvbizjournal.com and put gong to support,” said Alvarez. “Usu- will also impact employees currently “please subscribe” in the subject line. ally when the governor comes out making $15 per hour. with a deal, that is what you are go “Everyone in that range will get

Wage

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Wage

By KENT HOHLFELD Business Journal writer

May 2016

www.cvbizjournal.com

MAP COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF THE PACIFIC CENTER FOR BUSINESS AND POLICY RESEARCH

increase as well,” he said. “It will spread throughout the entire industry. It will be tough considering who they will be competing with.” The fear is that in especially laborintensive industries, such as agriculture, crop prices from places like Central and South America will be more attractive. “The consumer usually buys what is cheapest not what’s local,” said Blodgett. “You will see more growers move to mechanized systems. They will go to commodities based on reduced labor.” The argument about a minimum wage hike costing jobs is one of the most hotly contested talking points

of the debate. Advocates of a $15 minimum wage argue that economic research has shown little or no job losses when the floor is raised. The U.S. Department of Labor cites a letter by more than 600 economists that says past increases have led to no job losses. However, those economists were advocating for a $10.10 wage, a far cry from those enacted in California and Oregon. Fears over the impact of such a large and sudden increase (Oregon’s minimum was $9.25) was among the reasons Oregon enacted its tiered system. Blodgett said that a similar tiered system would have been preferable to what California’s legisla-

ture passed. “Anything would have been better than what they did,” he said. Blodgett said he had little hope that future legislators would modify the deal to lessen its impact on rural and agricultural areas. “[Usually] the feeling is that that issue is behind us, and we aren’t going to deal with it again,” he said of future modifications. It was a tough choice for area lawmakers who had to decide whether to vote against the law and risk the ballot proposition or go with the governor’s plan. “You had a governor that was really adamant about this bill,” said Alva-

rez. “It was a vote for a law that can be changed, had a couple of off ramps and had the extra year for small business or take the chances with the ballot proposition.” The choice between the ballot initiative or the law was not popular among business leaders either. “It’s like asking do you want to be shot with a .45 or .44,” said Blodgett. “There is no good option there.” Still, some area business leaders wish California’s legislature had taken more time and studied other options. “There was no transparency,” said Wilhoit. “Our law should have looked more like the Oregon model.”

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

FLOORING AND WINDOW TREATMENT COMPANIES Window Treatments

Flooring

Rank

Number of Employees

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

Products and Services Offered

(209) 469-9055 cmcarpets.com

Yes

Full service flooring Carpet, hardwood floors, laminate, ceramic tile, vinyl and window treatments

1998

(209) 571-8583 astepaboveflooring.com

Yes

Sales and installation of hardwood, laminate, tile, carpet, vinyl and shutters. Refinishing and repair of wood flooring. Granite, marble and stone fabrication and installation

1994

(209) 334-4060 classicdesignftc.com

Yes

Carpet, hardwood, laminate, vinyl, LVT, VCT, area rugs, ceramic, porcelain, natural stone and more

2006

Retail and commercial flooring sales Window coverings Sales with optional installation available

1977

Carpet, vinyl, laminate, hardwood, ceramic tile, custom area rugs and luxury vinyl tile

1996

Company Name

Local Phone

Address

Web Address

CM Carpets Plus/Color Tile 1338 E. Miner Avenue Stockton, CA 95205

A Step Above Flooring, Inc. 823 N. Emerald Avenue Modesto, CA 95351

Classic Design Floor To Ceiling 2303 S. Stockton Street Lodi, CA 95240

Accent Carpet One 136 N. Main Street Manteca, CA 95337 141 W. 11th Street Tracy, CA 95376 431 S. Cherokee Lane Lodi, CA 95240

Big Foot Carpets 4500 Broadway Avenue Salida, CA 95368

House of Carpets-Carpet One 1120 McHenry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

accentcarpetonemanteca.com (209) 647-3089 accentcarpetonetracy.com (209) 200-8780

Yes

Year Est.

1974

(209) 334-5667 (209) 545-0747 bigfootcrpets.com

Yes

Floor coverings Carpet, laminate and vinyl Lodi, Turlock locations available

1986

(209) 523-5664 carpetonemodesto.com

Yes

Carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl flooring and area rugs Retail and commercial flooring sales and installation Window treatments available

1950

Lodi Tile Works, Inc. 130 N. Sacramento Street Lodi, CA 95240 Pinnellâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Flooring America 430 E. Kettleman Lane Lodi, CA 95240 Floors Plus 615 Kansas Avenue, A Modesto, CA 95351

(209) 369-9682 loditileworks.com

Yes

Tile showroom and tile installation

2003

(209) 642-4936 pinnellsflooring-america.com

Yes

Carpet, vinyl, ceramic tile, area rugs, hardwood flooring, laminates and window coverings

1982

(209) 577-0718 floorsplusmodesto.com

Yes

Commercial and residential flooring of all types Including carpet, vinyl, laminate, hardwood, porcelain/ceramic tile and natural stone

2002

Raphael Hardwood Flooring, Inc. 5 S. Sacramento Street Lodi, CA 95240

(209) 366-0664 centralvalleywoodfloors.com

Yes

A wide selection of wood floors, installation and restoration free in home estimates

2001

Tri County Flooring 1630 Fulkerth Road Turlock, CA 95380

(209) 683-5040 tricountyflooringamerica.com

Yes

Large showroom: Open Monday - Saturday Commercial and residential, all flooring types Atwater location available

2014

(209) 577-5642 rayscarpets.com

Yes

Full-service floor covering, offering carpet, hardwood, laminate, cork, bamboo, resilient, tile, natural stone and area rugs Window dressings and installations

1979

(209) 238-3000 directappliance.com

Yes

Full service flooring Hardwood, tile, stone, carpeting, luxury vinyl tile, plank, LVT fiber floor, laminate, oil finish hardwood, cork and bamboo flooring Lighting, bathroom, plumbing and accessories also available

2010

Yes

Carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate and vinyl flooring Commercial and minimal residential

1946

(209) 847-4676 walnutwoodsblinds.com

Yes

Complete line of flooring: carpet, tile, hardwood, laminate, vinyl and commercial flooring Window treatments, Hunter Douglas Gallery Free estimates

1986

(209) 491-0310 sheltonleeflooring.com

Yes

Carpet, vinyl flooring, hardwood flooring, tile, stone, laminate flooring, area rugs, specialty flooring, sand and refinish hardwood

1995

(209) 527-2100 coateswright@sbcglobal.net

Yes

Residential and commercial flooring Including: carpet, vinyl tiles, hardwood and laminate

1976

(209) 833-8590 haciendaflooring.net

Yes

Flooring sales and installation Commercial and residential

2003

(209) 952-2681 thegallerydesigncenter.com

Yes

Hardwood, natural stone, laminate and tile Vintage furniture and accessories

2002

(209) 369-1166 visionflooringlodi.com

Yes

Carpet, tile hardwood, laminate, vinyl and solid surface Hunter Douglas, Scandia window fashions Kitchen /bath remodels, consultations available

2001

7 8 9

Rayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Carpets Flooring Studio 200 Kiernan Avenue, Ste. A Modesto, CA 95356 Direct Flooring and Home Construction (Inside Direct Appliance) 2424 Mc Henry Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

H.W. Thompson 2580 Teepee Drive, Ste. B Stockton, CA 95205

(209) 948-3501 none

Oakdale Interiors, Inc. Walnut Wood Blinds 122 N. Sierra Avenue Oakdale, CA 95361

(209) 847-5786

Shelton Lee Flooring Specialties, Inc. 5170 Pentecost Drive, Ste. 1 Modesto, CA 95356

Coates & Wright Floor Coverings, Inc. 115 Mark Randy Place Modesto, CA 95350

Hacienda Flooring 2800 Auto Plaza Drive, Ste 130 Tracy, CA 95304

The Gallery 5940 Pacific Avenue Stockton, CA 95207

Vision Flooring and Interiors 13400 E. Collier Road Acampo, CA 95220

May 2016

www.cvbizjournal.com

Check out our different services that meet all your home needs at www.cmcarpets.com or give us a call at (209) 469-9055!

Servicing Central California for almost 20 years!

Come by and see our showroom at 1338 E. Miner Ave., Stockton, CA 95205

Central Valley Business Journal

Business Journal Jobs & Economy

May 2016

CENTRAL VALLEY

> BRIGHT FUTURE

New graduates see better opportunities WHAT: Job prospects for new college graduates are the best in nearly a decade. WHO: Job website CareerBuilder DETAILS: According to the survey, 67 percent of employers plan to hire recent college graduates this year, up from 65 percent last year and the highest outlook since 2007. When surveyed, 39 percent of employers said they look for a blend of technical skills and a liberal arts background. Among skills that are lacking in recent college grads, 42 percent cited leadership skills as lacking, 39 percent said teamwork, 37 percent found written and oral communications to be lacking. Creative thinking, project management, research and analysis, math and computer and technical skills were also sought after in new grads.

Brown expands paid family leave program SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown Jr. signed a bill, April 11, that will expand California’s Paid Family Leave program. The new law, AB 908, increases wage replacements from the current level of 55 percent to either 60 or 70 percent depending on the applicant’s income. The goal is to make it more affordable for workers to take up to six weeks off to bond with a new child or care for a sick relative. The new law also eliminates the program’s previous one-week waiting period for claims.

> JOBS NUMBERS The transportation industry was the leading sector to add jobs in March, according to data from the state’s Employment Development Department. San Joaquin County added

“Families should be able to afford time off to take care of a new child or a member of their family who becomes ill,” said Brown. “This expansion makes sense for employers and employees.” California’s Paid Family Leave program was established in 2002 and is entirely funded through worker contributions. It is administered by the Employment Development Department in cooperation with the State Disability Insurance program. AB 908 was sponsored by Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles. It takes effect Jan. 1, 2018.

Celebrating Jobs

BUSINESS JOURNAL PHOTO

Stanislaus Office of Education Superintendent Tom Changnon (second from left) is congratulated by Stanislaus Business Alliance CEO Dave White, Rep. Jeff Denham and Assemblymember Kristin Olsen field representitive Emily Allen at the Celebrate Stanislaus event March 30. The Oscar-themed event recognized 32 Stanislaus County companies that added 10 or more employees in 2015.

Transportation leads Valley job gains 700 jobs in the trade, transportation and utilities sector for a total of 57,300. Stanislaus County added 500 jobs for a total of 36,900. Merced County added 100. Its total was 11,600.

The unemployment rate in San Joaquin County rose slightly to 8.8 percent in March. Stanislaus County’s jobless rate was 9.6 percent in March, up from a revised 9.3 percent

in February. Unemployment in Merced County stood at 12.5 percent in March, unchanged from the month before. California’s jobless rate was 5.6 percent.

May 2016

www.cvbizjournal.com

Valley economy expected to grow along historic rates TURLOCK — Barring any surprises with interest rates or inflation, the San Joaquin Valley’s economy should continue to expand as it historically has, according to Stanislaus State economist Gökçe Soydemir. In fact, if there’s a break in the drought or Soydemir the Federal Reserve decides not to raise interest rates, the economy could grow even faster. Soydemir expects employment to grow 1.58 percent annually through the middle of 2018. He notes the Valley has been adding jobs at a faster than normal rate, although the drought has taken a toll on wholesale wholesale trade employment. That farm-related category had been the fastest growing, but it is now the slowest to add jobs.

The stronger U.S. dollar has been a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has increased consumers’ purchasing power. However, it has also hurt the Valley’s export of agricultural goods. Soydemir says that if the Federal Reserve pushes interest rates higher, that trend is likely to continue. Wages continued to increase faster than inflation. Soydemir expects that trend to continue unless inflation reaches an annual rate of 4 percent or more. The recent approval of a $15 minimum wage in California by 2022 should help keep wages ahead of inflation, Soydemir said. Bank deposits in the San Joaquin Valley continued to increase in 2015. Higher interest rates should help that trend to continue, according to the forecast. Those deposits will help make banking more profitable in 2016, and higher employment in the financial sector is expected to follow. Loans and leases are projected to rise through 2018 as deposits increase.

ROAD FINCH Continued from Page 22

“I was headed to the fairgrounds, and I was pulled over by a gentleman just to collect what I had,” said Road Finch graphic artist Shawn Alfaro. “He loved it and he said, ‘Great. I wouldn’t have known about it if I hadn’t seen you,’ and then he takes off.” Road Finch has a wide range of customers that include municipal organizations, restaurants, agricultural producers, legal firms, realtors and an author. Many of those businesses see a positive correlation between Road Finch’s mobile advertising and their sales — especially restaurants that can trace coupons handed out to the public by brand ambassadors. Author Nancy Brooks said her online book sales go up when she uses Road Finch’s services. “The books hold steady rankings when I use Road Finch,” she said. “I’ve even tried to see what happens if I don’t advertise for a few weeks, and my rankings drop. Considering there are millions of e-books out there, having an advantage makes a difference.” The ability to get on-the-spot information about her books is what helps sell them. “A lot of people don’t have time to Google the products in stationary ads,” said Brooks. “They’ll see it and forget about it by the time they get home. But if they can ask questions, right then and there, it makes a big difference.” The Downtown Stockton Alliance uses Road Finch to promote area events and agrees that the brand ambassadors add that effective extra touch to advertising. “I think that this is much more personal,” said Communications Manager Sylvia Qualls. “It’s much more in the

face and at the street level. The bikers are right there where people are walking and they’re very easy to notice. They are not only mobile so they can cover a large area of downtown, but they can stop whenever people seem interested and want more information.” Road Finch still relies primarily on word of mouth to promote its advertising services. “Most of the customers we’ve gotten to date, it’s just been organic. A client has seen our people on the road or heard about it from others,” said Avila. The firm is in the process of hiring a sales professional to help boost sales. Having started out with used bicycles found on Craig’s List and some PVC piping, recycled tires from children’s garage sale bikes and black 99-cent Walmart spray paint for the carts, Road Finch has relied on what Avila calls grassroots financing. The company has received no infusion of investment money, and operations have been strictly self-funded. Avila believes Road Finch is ready to go to the next level and hopes to expand throughout the United States and eventually worldwide. He considers financing the biggest hurdle in terms of reaching the firm’s growth goals. “We landed a big client that should be able to self-fund us even more,” Avila said. With the proper financing, Road Finch hopes to grow and invest in emerging technologies. Still, Avila believes the firm’s lean beginnings have helped make the business adaptable. “By not having money at the beginning, it’s made us extremely inventive, and it’s made us resilient,” he said. “By running on fumes, we keep going.”

New Modesto Office Open to Better Serve our South San Joaquin and Stanislaus County Clients

• 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 Est at e Plan n in g , Ta x a nd Business Attorneys

WWW.CALONEANDHARREL.COM 3509 Coffee Rd., Ste. D-10 Modesto, CA 95355

209.557.0138

1810 Grand Canal Blvd., Ste. 6 Stockton, CA 95207

209.952.4545

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

GENERAL CONTRACTORS

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

Company Name Address

Local Top Local Executive Employees Phone Contractors Web Address License

Services General contracting, earth work, underground, concrete, rebar, carpentry (rough & finish)metal studs, metal siding, metal building erections and metal roofs

Diede Construction, Inc. P.O. Box 1007 Woodbridge, CA 95258

Steve Diede (209) 369-8255 diedeconstruction.com

108 yr 150 pk 632667

Simile Construction Service, Inc. 4725 Enterprise Way, Ste. 1 Modesto, CA 95356

Guy Simile, President (209) 545-6111 simileconstruction.com

80 yr 794642

Commercial construction

Goerge Reed, Inc. 140 Empire Avenue Modesto, CA 95354

Ed Berlier, President (209) 523-0734 georgereed.com

75 yr 225 pk 211337

Grading, AC paving, concrete, asphalt and aggregates

Teichert Construction 265 Val Dervin Parkway Stockton, CA 95206

Dave Swartz (209) 983-2300 teichert.com

75 yr 290418

Meehleis Modular Buildings, Inc. 1303 E. Lodi Avenue Lodi, CA 95240

William Meehleis (209) 334-4637 meehleis.com

70 yr 125 pk 473488

TCB Industrial, Inc. 2955 Farrar Avenue Modesto, CA 95354

Dave Raybourn Bruce Elliott (209) 571-0569 tcbindustrial.net

65 yr 150 pk 383991

ACME Construction Co., Inc. 1565 Cummins Drive Modesto, CA 95358

Ross F. Carroll, Inc. 8873 Warnerville Road Oakdale, CA 95361

Paradigm Construction 1400 J Street Modesto, CA 99354

Roland Construction 3269 Tomahawk Drive Stockton, CA 95205

Huff Construction Co., Inc. 4917 Stoddard Road Modesto, CA 95356

Haggerty Construction Inc. 2474 Wigwam Drive, Ste. A Stockton, CA 95205

Patriot Construction, Inc. 4646 Quantas Lane, Ste. B-4 Stockton, CA 95206

Ford Construction Co., Inc. 300 West Pine Street Lodi, CA 95240

General contractor

Sean P. Carroll (209) 848-5959 rossfcarrollinc.com

50+ 606462

Grading, paving, concrete, underground utilities, residential, commercial, industrial and project management

Danny Savage (209) 614-4090 paradigm.cm.com Jim Hoagland (209) 462-2687 rolandconst.com

50 yr 75 pk 985391

General Contractor- Commercial, industrial, design and build

46+ 487654

General contractor specializing in preengineered metal buildings

Brad Ardis Gary Huff (209) 545-7505 huffcon.com

40 yr 45 pk 385014

General contractors, design-build, and restoration services

Ryan Haggerty, President (209) 475-9898 haggertyconstruction.net

38 yr 944274

General contractor

Christopher Cotta, CEO (209) 982-9900 patriotbuilds.com

37+ 905350

Nicholas B. Jones (209) 333-1116 ford-construction.com

30 yr 100 pk 391570

General engineering and heavy civil construction contractor

W. L. Butler Construction, Inc. 140 Frank W. Circle, Ste. 100 Stockton, CA 95206

Dan Warren, V.P. (209) 983-4890 wlbutler.com

18 355353

Commercial general contracting, industrial, medical, office, retail, multifamil, education and religious, TI and ground up

TMW & Associates, Inc. 1725 Sanguinetti Lane, Ste. A Stockton, CA 95205

T. Wayne Bogart (209) 943-2881 tmwandassociates.com

16 yr 20 pk 602019

Design, build commercial, retail, industrial construction and solar PV

Bob Leonard & Associates 1325 El Pinal Drive, Ste. D-4 Stockton, CA 95205

Bob Leonard (209) 931-4625 bob-leonard.com

19 yr 28 pk 347290

Commercial and residential remodeling and new construction, design build

Hanley Construction, Inc. PO Box 808 Stockton, CA 95201 Gabbert Construction, Inc. 1852 W. 11th Street, Ste. 337 Tracy, CA 95376

Jim Hanley, President (209) 462-2446 hanleyco.com Carl Gabbert (209) 833-5050 gabbertconstruction.com

9 yr 12 pk 434631

Commercial construction, metal buildings, site acquisition and design-build services

8 yr 735813

CON-TEK Construction, Inc. 1040 W. Kettleman Lane, Ste. 200 Lodi, CA 95240

Steve Holden (209) 368-2700 con-tekconstruction.com

5 yr 882843

18 19 20

1979

In Shape Health Clubs CA Tracy Chevy Remodel Stanislaus Health Center GMC Buick Dealership; HG MAKELIM Modesto Toyota, Payless Auto

1999

Mono way widening, Sonora River Oaks Unit3-B subdivision, Galt Galt interchange project, Galt

1944 1952

1986

1992

Sysco Fuel Island Expansion, Modesto Oak Valley Replacement Hospital, Oakdale CSUS Science Building, Turlock Joseph Gregori High School

1947

Upon request

1989

Center for human services, Del Monte parts and storage, central valley autism project, state Theatre, keystone pacific maintenance warehouse

2013

Stockton Jet Center, Stockton, Corto Olive office, Manteca USD, Mc Manis family vineyard Lathrop HS, Lathrop Spring Creek Golf & Country Club, Ripon Tower Health and Wellness Center, Turlock Cheese Cold Storage Facility, Hilmar Woodbridge Recreation Center, Manteca Holiday Inn Express, Modesto Waste treatment plant, Patterson Menlo worldwide logistics, 508,000 sf. Distribution facility

New construction, design build, Medical, CEMP Mather VA, Golden Gate National cemetery regular and historical renovations and Seismic retrofit SF VA, VMU SF VA

1986

1971

2010

2007

Merced river ranch fish habitat Presidio trust baker beach re mediation Beardsley recreation improvements in Stanislaus National Forrest

1979

Heinz seed facility, Grupeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s University park medical, Target, US foods, GMC, Charles Schwab

1975

Verona Office Building, Stockton Clark Pest Control Corp. Office, Lodi DMV, Tracy; Central Valley Community Bank, Lodi; University Park VMRC Office, Stockton Chevron Station Fremont-Stockton Cal water service center- Stockton St Marys Church Seismic, Stockton Retrofit TK Truck service center- Stockton Financial center Airport Way, Central State Credit Union renovations, Valley First Credit UnionOrangeburg

New custom homes, additions, remodels Many homes that have been completed and AG buildings Grading, paving and underground

Year Est.

Manteca transit center, Manteca animal shelter Manteca fire station No. 4 Stanislaus honor farm Tokay high school, Lodi

Underground pipeline, grading, concrete Golden Gate Auto Auction, Tracy Walker Ranch, Patterson and asphalt paving contractor Diablo Grande, Stanislaus County Tokay High science classrooms, Lodi Dolores Huerta Elementary Stockton General Contractor, construction Chavez High School, Stockton Specializing in modular Lake Boat House, Lodi; George W. Bush Elementary, Stockton Don Pedro hydroelectric unit rebuilds Industrial contracting, heavy mechanical Ameron plant expansion, Los Vaqueros Turbine services to industrial plants install, many projects for PG&E, MID, TID, SMUD, SCE

50 yr 100 pk B167130

Phillip Mastagni (209) 523-2674 acmeconstruction.com

Notable Projects

Auto Zone, Sacramento Little Saigon Plaza, Sacramento Vista De Lago Retail Center, Granite Bay

1986

1977

1954 1978

2005

May 2016

www.cvbizjournal.com

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

How to better secure your network in 5 days Like many things in business, it may seem like it will take hundreds of daunting tasks to address one single overarching fear of liability. That is why I thought it would be helpful to give you some hope with a few simple exercises to get your organization closer to being secured properly. Whether you use an outside IT provider or have your own internal IT team, these are good pracDavid tices to identify Darmstandler weak spots and CEO of prevent potential Datapath issues now or in the future.

Tech Top 5

Day 1 –Communication First and foremost, you have to communicate company-wide to your team that you are actively taking steps to better secure your technology. I like to steal a business principle from The Container Store for this part, “Communication is Leadership” (you can read more online at standfor.containerstore.com/our-foundation-principles/communication-is-leadership).

It’s important in this process that you define and relay why you are taking these measures, whether it’s to better protect your client’s information, protect your employees’ personal information, and/or just to prevent a future financial liability. It’s important that your employees understand this upfront as changes or requests are being made. Day 2 – Discovery The second day can be seen as a great exercise in discovery. Make a list of what IT assets you have, what applications are critical to running your business, where are files stored, IT equipment and any other relevant items (all the way down to camera systems etc.). It’s often best to brainstorm with your team on this. Put everyone in a room and whiteboard lists (bring in an outside expert, if possible). Once you have listed what’s important, pick the top three items and find out who has access to them and at what levels (i.e., administrator, standard user, etc.). Make a quick spreadsheet so you can keep track of your users and those assets. Keep it updated going forward as changes are made in the organization. Day 3 – Action With the information you’ve gath-

ered during your discovery, identify the most important potential liability. Make a one-day plan to update necessary changes to limit user access internally or externally. Identify levels of access – or just shouldn’t have it. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to make this a big manual effort. Allow your team or outside provider to make a small investment in tools and best practices to make immediate changes. For example, there are tools that can scan your whole network and layout documentation to identify what is connected and where it’s connected. Using a tool compared to spending hours of your staff time to manually figure this out prevents loss of valuable time and mistakes. Day 4 – Designate a point person You’ve now communicated that you’re trying to keep your organization more secure, and you’ve set in motion some action to make it secure. As improvements are happening, make sure your entire team knows who the internal point of contact is for potential security risks. For instance, I was part of a network security case in which someone received a suspicious email. Instead of sending this to a designated security person for review, they forwarded it to another employee who then

clicked on an attachment and infected their entire network. These situations can be avoided when your entire team is looking for and identifying potential security issues. Whether it’s something another employee is doing, that your spam filter is allowing too much through or maybe something much simpler, your team knows who to notify with concerns. Day 5 – Make the process fun At this point you’ve created some good groundwork for a more secure network, and you may have some buzz around the office. Use this to your advantage and have some fun with training your team to work toward a safe, secure network. I believe people follow incentives, so give people incentives to help — maybe give gift cards, prizes or cash for being the first to identify potential threats. Put up posters around the office that offer good advice, but maybe inject some humor at the same time. Get creative. It’s the best way to make sure your team is staying with you in the mission for a more secure workplace. – David Darmstandler is CEO of Datapath, an IT services company with headquarters in Modesto. You can reach him at david@mydatapath.com.

SPECIALIZING IN KITCHEN REMODEL AND DESIGN, HIGH QUALITY APPLIANCES AND CONTRACTOR SALES. STOCKTON — Commute Connection recognized the University of the Pacific with its first ECO Award for demonstrating excellence in commuter options. The school was honored for its efforts to foster an environment to promote sustainable transportation options at its worksite. “It is appropriate that the University of the Pacific be the first recipient of the SJCOG Commute Connection ECO Award,” San Joaquin Council of Governments’ Executive Director Andrew Chesley said in press release. “Pacific is not just a major community asset when it comes modeling best practices, but many in the community look to the university as an educational leader in sustainability and environmental stewardship.” The school earned the award by demonstrating and implementing strategies, promotions, and incentives to encourage employees to consider transportation alternatives. The university’s efforts included installing 25 carpool/vanpool/EV preferred parking signs and taking part in the Bike to Work Week Corporate Challenge. The university also houses a sustainability committee and implemented numerous telecommuting policies. The University of the Pacific was recognized at the San Joaquin Council of Government’s Board of Director’s meeting on March 24 and was previously honored by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce at its REXPO event on March 10.

May 2016

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New minimum wage affects range of employees When it wants to, the California Legislature can act with impressive speed. It did so earlier this month when, in less than 96 hours, it passed a bill to substantially increase the minimum wage in California. Gov. Jerry Brown promptly signed the bill, which will eventually raise the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour. AccordBruce Sarchet ing to the bill’s Attorney proponents, Littler Mendelson nearly six milLaw Firm lion California workers — more than one-third of the Golden State’s workforce — will receive a raise. A summary of the new law is provided below. However, as always, this article does not substitute for the advice of legal counsel. The current minimum wage of $10 per hour has only been in effect since the first of this year. Under the new law there will be six stepped annual statewide increases, starting on Jan. 1, 2017. The increases are delayed for one year for employers of 25 or fewer employees. The law does contain a new and unique feature. The governor may temporarily delay an increase during the six-year phase-in period for state general economic, or state budgetary,

Human Element

reasons. The possible delays, called “off-ramps,” may be used only twice during the phase-in period. Another dramatic difference in this new minimum wage law is the use of indexing for future increases. Starting Aug. 1, 2022, California’s director of finance will annually calculate the adjusted minimum wage to be implemented on Jan. 1 of the following year. The calculation will be based on a specified formula, which includes a version of the consumer price index. The indexing provision allows only increases to the minimum wage – no decreases. The new law also includes provisions to extend paid sick leave to the state’s estimated half-million in-home supportive services workers. The law does not bar counties and cities from enacting their own minimum wages that are higher than the state’s minimum wage. The enactment of SB 3 is expected to result in the withdrawal of the Service Employees International Unionbacked minimum wage initiative that already qualified for the fall general election, as well as a second initiative on the same subject that had not yet qualified for the ballot. The bill sets two minimum wage rates, depending on whether an employer has 26 or more, or 25 or fewer, employees. In addition to the minimum wage law itself, the increases impact other wage and hour requirements that are based on the state minimum wage. Some examples: • To be exempt from state overtime laws, the salaries of executive,

Date

26 or More Employees

26 or Fewer Employees

Jan. 1, 2017

$10.50

$10.00 (current rate)

Jan. 1, 2018

$11.00

$10.50

Jan. 1, 2019

$12.00

$11.00

Jan. 1, 2020

$13.00

$12.00

Jan. 1, 2021

$14.00

$13.00

Jan. 1, 2022

$15.00

$14.00

Jan. 1, 2023

$15.00

administrative, and professional employees, and private school teachers, must be no less than two times the state minimum wage for full-time employment (i.e., 40 hours per week). (Note: the federal minimum pay rate for overtime exemptions likely will be increased this summer, to a level in excess of two times California’s minimum wage at that time – See my column in the November 2015 Central Valley Business Journal.) • Certain commissioned salespersons’ earnings must exceed one-and-ahalf-times the state minimum wage to be exempt from state overtime laws. • Certain employees and sheepherders, can be required to provide and maintain hand tools and equipment customarily required by the trade or craft if their wages are at least two times the minimum wage. • For unionized employers, collective

bargaining agreement-based exceptions for numerous California laws require that employees’ regular hourly rate of pay not be less than 30 percent more than the state minimum wage. At this time, employers in the Central Valley should prepare to implement the new minimum wage rates next year, including: • Consider the impact of the increase on all rates of pay, and whether increases “up the line” are needed to avoid wage compression. • Evaluate whether the increase impacts your ability to classify employees as overtime-exempt. • Update minimum wage posters by the time a new rate takes effect. – Bruce Sarchet is an attorney with the firm of Littler Mendelson and represents employers in labor and employment law matters. You can contact him at bsarchet@littler.com.

Learning should be part of your success strategy Last month I discussed three important traits of leaders – goal setting, helping others to be successful, and continuous learning. This article will focus on the last trait. Continuous learning is paramount to our success, yet it is commonly overlooked or underrated. But there is one one particular skill that will catapult us further than any other in reaching our fullest potential in our careers, our families and life. The skill that we need to consistently refine is that of problem solving. The ability to critically and analytically assess situations coupled with real knowledge and the wisdom necessary to effectively apply a solution is a trademark characteristic of those who choose to continually learn. In 1597 Sir Francis Bacon was quoted as saying, “Knowledge is power.” Now a lot of things have changed in the past 419 years but that statement is more true today than it was in 1597. Every organization, from Fortune 500 corporations to local public service agencies such as the Stockton Police or Fire Departments, wants to hire people who can solve problems. At the University of the Pacific, especially at the Eberhardt School

of Business, we perform accomplishment-based interviews and routinely ask our job candidates to give us examples of problems they have solved at previous jobs and the impact that their solutions had on the business. In every goal and every part of our job there is a problem that needs to be solved. The more successfully we Peter Johnson solve problems, Pacific - Eberhardt the more successSchool of Business ful we are in life. For us to become better problem solvers we need to invest. Benjamin Franklin once said, “An investment in knowledge pays the best dividends.” Of course paying for this investment is not easy. I have a friend, Mary, who was assessing her future and realized she needed a significant increase in her knowledge of a particular field. She needed a better understanding so she would be able to ask discriminating

Clear Vision

questions and be able to choose an appropriate solution accordingly. At this stage in her life, she opted to earn a master’s degree in a field that would launch her career in a new, more meaningful direction. She spends more than 40 hours a week taking classes and doing homework, even though she has a full time management position and is active with her children and grandchildren. Mary is not in her 20s or 30s but over 50. Mary understands that she needs to make this investment in herself if she is going to continue to be successful in the future. She has plenty of legitimate reasons not to make such a huge investment, but she refuses to be dissuaded. Mary is an inspiration to anyone who thinks they don’t have the time, energy or money to learn update their skills. Of course Mary is at one end of the spectrum. The challenge is at every level to consistently strive to improve our knowledge and our ability to think. Ben Franklin has another quote that may apply to those on the other end:“We are all born ignorant, but one must work hard to remain stupid.” If you would like to see the poster boy for continuous learning throughout his

life, then Google Ben Franklin. Confucius once said, “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one’s ignorance.” Many times we lack an awareness regarding our own ignorance. After all, how can we effectively measure our own ignorance? Knowledge is much more than just having the data, it’s about knowing how and when to apply information, and then evaluating the success or failure of our application. According to Plato, “A good decision is based on knowledge and not on numbers.” I want to leave you with a final quote from one of the leadership gurus of the 20th century, Peter Drucker. “Knowledge has to be improved, challenged and increased constantly, or it vanishes.” Make sure you are continuously learning and updating your skills in all areas of your life. Otherwise you might find the knowledge and wisdom you have developed in the past is not enough to propel your success in the future. – Peter Johnson is the Director of the Westgate Center for Leadership Development and the Institute for Family Business in the Eberhardt School of Business at the University of the Pacific. He welcomes your feedback at peterjohnson@pacific.edu.

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE FIRMS

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

Company Name Address

Top Local Executive

Number of Local Licensed Staff

Number of Local Offices

Geographic Focus

Year Established

Michael P. Zagaris (209) 527-2010 pmz.com

600

Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Tuolumne, Calaveras and Merced Counties

1957

John Melo (209) 758-8184 c21mm.com

457

Oakdale and surrounding areas

1994

Gretchen Pearson (209) 526-4040 bhhsdrysdale.com

275

Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin Counties and surrounding areas

2005

Suzanne Candini (209) 323-2125 kellerwilliamsstockton.com

198

Central Valley

2012

Jerry Abbott (209) 955-5500 gogrupe.com

140

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties and the foothills

1973

John Myrtakis, Ken David Elving (209) 576-2835 matelprop.com

Stanislaus County and surrounding area

1985

Phone Web Address

PMZ Real Estate 1120 Scenic Drive Modesto, CA 95350

Century 21 M&M & Associates 1414 East F Street, Bldg. A, Ste. 102 Oakdale, CA 95361

Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Drysdale Properties 1101 Sylvan Avenue, Ste. A-7 Modesto, CA 95350

Keller Williams 3133 W. March Lane Ste. 1060 Stockton, CA 95219

Grupe Real Estate 3428 Brookside Drive Stockton, CA 95229

Matel Realtors 1562 Tully Road, Ste. A Modesto, CA 95350

Werner Properties, Inc. 306 Regent Court Stockton, CA 95204

Steven G. Werner (209) 944-9444 wernerproperties.com

San Joaquin County

1993

Cross Roads Real Estate Central Valley 319 N. Main Street Manteca, CA 95335

Beverly Housden (209) 823-8141 xroadsrealestate.com

San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Folsom Property management available

1982

Docter & Docter Realtors, Inc. 1212 W. Robinhood Drive, Ste. 2-D Stockton, CA 95207

Lorrie Docter (209) 478-8121 williamhumphreys.metrolistpro.com

San Joaquin County and surrounding areas

1973

Riggs & Associates, Inc. 4600 N. Pershing Avenue, Ste. D Stockton, CA 95207

Bob Riggs, President (209) 478-5900 allvalleyhomes.com

San Joaquin and surrounding areas

1970

Beck Realtors, Inc. 8102 Kelly Drive, Ste. E Stockton, CA 95209

David Beck (209) 957-1340 beckrealtors.com

Stockton, Manteca, Tracy, Lodi, Linden, and Elk Grove

1988

ReMax Executive Real Estate 3425 Coffee Road, Ste. 2-C Modesto, CA 95350

Matt Enriquez (209) 575-0231 mycvre.com

Art Godi Realtors 1150 W. Robinhood Drive, Ste. B Stockton, CA 95207

Art Godi (209) 478-5100 artgodirealtors.com

San Joaquin and surrounding areas

1992

Manzanita Ventures 204 N. Sherman Avenue Manteca, CA 95336

Rachelle Souza (209) 825-0825 manzanita.me

Central Valley

2009

Oakdale Realty 801 West F Street Oakdale, CA 95361

Pat Coons, Owner (209) 847-5931 oakdalerealty.com

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties

1973

Coldani Realtors, Inc. 1806 W. Kettleman Lane, Ste. J Lodi, CA 95242

Mike Coldani and Nick Kerns (209) 334-0527 coldani.com

Central Valley San Joaquin and Plumas County

1959

Innovative Realty 7843 N. Pershing Avenue Stockton, CA 95207

Karen Freeman (209) 952-1919 innovativerealtyonline.com

San Joaquin County

1996

Turlock Realty Group 1505 Geer Road Turlock, CA 95380

Larry Rumbeck (209) 634-0000 therealestateboys.com

Stanislaus County

2013

Sheri Midgley Realty 7843 N. Yosemite Street Stockton, CA 95203

Sheri Midgley (209) 943-3622 sherimidgleyrealty.com

Lodi, Stockton, Manteca, Tracy and surrounding areas

1990

Feather River Realty, Inc. 4512 Feather River Drive, Ste. E Stockton, CA 95219

Richard Calone (209) 477-3087 frrealty.net

San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Merced Counties

2005

San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties

1988

May 2016

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Good employees lead to customer retention You don’t need to read this article to know that retaining current customers saves your company money andis easier than acquiring new customers. But, sometimes, a refresher helps. The old adage is: “Let’s get customers in the front door faster than they go out the back.” But is that really how you want to run your business? Don’t you John Parker wonder if there’s Professional more you can Development do to retain the Adventures customers you already have? After all, attracting new customers involves advertising, explaining, selling, price concerns and account setup. On the other hand, building loyalty with your current customers provides increased referrals and repeat purchases. There’s no substitute for a loyal customer. Given the value of loyal customers, you’d think customer service would be improving across the board, but it’s not. A 2013 study by Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School

At Your Service

of Business found that 50 percent of American households had at least one bad customer experience over the prior 12 months, up from 45 percent in 2011. When recruiting and training new employees, a successful, growing businesses focus on customer service and retention. Let’s look at a few examples: Disney looks for a positive attitude in all of its employees, according to livechatinc.com. Everyone they hire is a “cast member” and their work is a “full-time performance,” not just a job. Some recruits opt-out when they comprehend this. All else being equal, Disney hires for attitude over aptitude, skill and ability. They know what they want. Drybar Salons, based in Irvine, California, also know what they want and hire for attitude. No divas need apply! Other salons have hair stylists who treat customers in a condescending way, but the founders of Drybar will have none of that! Like Disney, the owners hire only welcoming, engaging staff. The company is also very focused. Drybar’s motto is: “No cuts. No color. Just blowouts.” Its goal is to offer a great experience for women as they come in to relax, be indulged and have fun. Fun can include cocktails, and chick-flick movies. Women love

it. Drybar began with four stores in 2010. Now it has 56 locations around North America. Ace Hardware trains staff in helpfulness. “The Helpful Hardware Store” is a chain with 4,500 stores. It also trains employees to be courteous, but helpfulness is where Ace outshine the big box hardware stores. Kelly Spors of American Express blogs, “Shep Hyken, a customer service consultant, who’s written a book about Ace’s customer service practices, recalls one story of when an Ace customer wanted a specific lawnmower model that Ace didn’t carry. Rather than say, ‘Sorry, we don’t carry that,’ the employee said, ‘Let me check with my manufacturer’s rep,’ Hyken continues, ‘With a little extra effort, the Ace employee was able to locate and sell the requested lawnmower to the customer. Ace employees will also often deliver items they can carry themselves to customers’ homes. ‘That’s the kind of thing they do,’ Hyken says. ‘If you have the best product in the world but you’re not nice about how you deliver it, customers will go find somebody who will be.’” Apple Computer is the fastest growing retailer in history, with chart-topping 2014 retail sales per square foot of $4,798. (Tiffany & Co. jewelers came in second at $3,132 per square foot). Apple focuses on intensely training

employees in its sales culture which some critics allege is practically cultlike. Nevertheless, the company keeps its approach simple with this A.P.P.L.E. acrostic: A – Approach customers with a personalized, warm welcome. P – Probe politely to understand all the customer’s needs. P – Present a solution for the customer to take home today. L – Listen for and resolve any issues or concerns. E – End with a fond farewell and an invitation to return. Regarding Apple’s A.P.P.L.E., Humayun Khan observed on Twitter, “The whole point of creating one though is that it’s easy to recall and gives your staff a clear line of action to follow and fall back on as they encounter multiple types of customers, creating a consistent and branded experience.” We learn from example. Henry Ford got the idea for his famous auto manufacturing process from a Detroit meat-packing house’s assembly line. So, what can you adapt from these examples of successful service businesses that will help your company today? – John Parker is the founder of Professional Development Adventures and an instructor for the UC Davis Center for Human Services. You can reach him at coachingparker@comcast.net.

May 2016

www.cvbizjournal.com

Five ways to make your brand memorable Your product may be what started you off as an entrepreneur, but it’s your brand that’ll get the customers. It’s one of the first things you must establish once you open your doors. The sooner you build a recognizable and memorable image for your company, the sooner you can start rolling in customers. Here are five Dan Natividad things you can do Partner to make sure customers remember Port City Marketing your business:

Brand Building

self with the brand, or rather, have the brand align with you. What’s not so easy is making sure your visible partners are aligned with your brand. When you’re looking for partners to help with your company, keep your brand and values in mind. If they don’t align with it, it doesn’t matter how good they are. Their presence can

Have partners who share your values Your branding isn’t just about your company and its message. It’s about you. This is especially true for small and midsized businesses. How people perceive you will affect how your brand is seen. Fortunately, it’s easy to align your-

want people to learn about and love your brand as soon as possible. Fortunately, people want to talk. Everyone’s got a story they want to tell. All you have to do is engage them. It’s a tired message, but it’s still a relevant one: invest in social media. You don’t want your brand to Please see BRAND BUILDING Page 46

Did you hear about the banker who helped a nonprofit

save thousands of dollars a month?

Your brand must embody your vision and not a singular product Your business may only have one offering, but your offering is the functional benefit to your customer. When building a memorable brand, remember that you’re trying to introduce them not only to what you are selling but from whom they’re buying. This is when you introduce them to your culture and your core principles. It’s is especially true if this is your first start-up, and you don’t have any personal branding or experience to leverage. All you have is your brand. Think about what you want to do for your customers. How does your product improve their lives? What problems does it solve? How do you want your business practices to affect the world? These questions should help direct the brand-creation process. Find the company’s voice and community If you want to make a memorable brand, you’ll need to discover your voice and your community. Maintaining consistency lets your brand create loyalty and trust. Imagine someone whose attitudes and voice change every time you meet them, someone who treats you differently regardless of previous experience. It could be fun meeting them every now and then just to see who you’re hanging out with, but that’s not someone you can trust. Remember your voice includes your tone and your message. Figure out your company’s message and sort out how you can deliver that message effectively considering your audience.

undermine your brand, which often results in weakened consumer loyalty and trust. Constantly interact with your customers You’ll be told that one of your core objectives as an entrepreneur is to develop your brand. What many will forget to add is the adjective “quickly.” Much like hitting the market, you’ll

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

Business Journal Opinion Court case shows need for change in law CENTRAL VALLEY

There was a recent case before the Stockton court involving a local grower who employed a man for over 20 years whom we will call John. John was a good worker. John did, however, drink too much and too often. As a result John had ongoing domestic problems with his wife, including an incident in which he chased her through an orchard in the middle of the night. Another time the grower’s office manager had to take in John’s wife and children because they were afraid to go home. Numerous other incidents of spousal abuse followed. One year, during the critical harvest period, John was placed in jail for domestic violence and not released until after the crop was harvested. The grower was left in a terrible jam as the grower had no one else to run the specialized equipment John operated and which took some time to learn to operate. Indeed, John’s most important role to the grower was harvesting the crop, as John was the only one of the grower’s employees who could operate the specialized equipment. As a result of the attack on his wife,

John missed the entire harvest season after being arrested for domestic violence. The following August, just before harvest, the grower wanted John to make a commitment to behave himself and not get thrown in jail and thus be unavailable. John became upset because the grower was making this request, walked off the job and claimed he was fired. John was not fired. This was untrue. John refused more than 20 written requests for him to come back to work. John sued for wrongful termination and the matter went to a jury trial. The grower was in such bad shape physically that his deposition could only be taken for a very short period of time and could never be completed. Before actual trial, the grower was trying to get ready to be a witness, suffered a heart attack and passed away in the hospital. At trial, the judge ruled the grower could not let the jury know about John’s prior jail term, his wife-beating charges, or that he was in jail for any reason as this would be too prejudicial. Instead, the judge ruled that all the farmer could say was that John was

unavailable “for personal reasons,” which of course, could mean anything and most importantly was simply not true. The jury rendered a verdict of more than $90,000 in favor of John. In addition, the judge awarded almost $200,000 in attorney fees, which together with interest approached $400,000. John’s attorneys are still not satisfied and want to be paid even more money and are going back to court for additional attorney fees. After the trial, certain members of the jury were shocked to find out that John was not off work for personal reasons, but, in fact was in jail for beating up his wife the prior year. The judge told the jury John was off work because he was on personal leave, which was simply untrue. Subsequently, certain members of the jury were shocked to learn that all the grower wanted was the assurance that John would not beat up his wife anymore and get thrown in jail. Had the jury known the truth, the jury verdict would no doubt have been in favor of the grower and against John. This was terribly unjust by reason of the fact the jury was not permitted

to hear the true evidence. The grower and others, are shocked at this injustice, and are asking the legislature to change the law so that the relevant evidence of spousal abuse and domestic violence can be admitted in trial and the jury can hear all the evidence. This would be a modification of existing law which permits a judge to withhold evidence from a jury that the court feels is too prejudicial. – Michael Babitzke is a Stockton attorney who specializes in personal injury, real property, domestic, and business and probate matters.

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May 2016

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Everything you need to know about sales tax The state of California has three main agencies that collect taxes: the Franchise Tax Board, which collects income tax; Employment Development Department, which collects employment taxes; and the State Board of Equalization, which collects sales and use taxes as well as property and special taxes. You’re no doubt familiar Jason Harrel with the FranCalone & Harrel chise Tax Board Law Group after filing your income taxes last month. This article will bring you up to speed on the State Board of Equalization. The State Board of Equalization was established in 1879 to make sure that county property assessment practices were uniform throughout the state. Hence the name “Board of Equalization.” However, we’re going to concentrate on sales and use taxes.

exemption certificate could result in the seller being liable for the uncollected sales taxes. Seller’s permit In order to keep track of businesses that need to pay sales tax, the State requires business owners to obtain a seller’s permit for each of their locations. Both wholesalers and retailers must

apply for a seller’s permit from the State Board of Equalization. There is no fee for the permit, but the board may require a security deposit for new businesses in some cases. A security deposit could come in the form of a cash deposit, surety bond or personal guaranty. A security deposit would be the preferred method as it can reduce your personal exposure in the event of non-payment.

Audits The Board of Equalization conducts sales tax audits to confirm the right amount of gross sales were reported and the tax paid. A sales tax audit often leads to other state or federal audits. A determination by the board that gross receipts were understated for California sales Please see TAXING MATTERS Page 46

Sales tax payments Sellers must file a sales tax return with the Board of Equalization and pay the sales tax collected based upon gross retail sales. The Board of Equalization assigns a filing frequency (quarterly prepay, quarterly, monthly, fiscal year) based on the seller’s anticipated taxable sales at the time of registration. In most cases, sellers must determine the sales tax rate for the area of California where they conduct sales. Sales tax varies for different areas of California. For example, Stockton’s is 9 percent but Modesto’s is 7.625 percent. If sellers collected the wrong amount of tax, they have to pay the difference out of their pocket. To capture some of the tax lost to out-of-state Internet retailers, California passed AB 28 and AB 155, which require those retailers to collect and pay California sales tax if they maintain certain business connections within the state of California. Exemptions Like any tax law, there are many exemptions and exclusions from the collection of sales tax. For example, basic living essentials, such as food and health-related items are generally exempt. In addition, groups that provide a general public benefit — museums, religious, educational and other nonprofit organizations — also benefit from sales tax exemptions when they purchase or sell certain items. If a buyer claims a sales tax exemption, the seller must retain the buyer’s exemption certificate for at least four years. Failure to retain the

Taxing Matters

High efficiency motor rebates High efficiency Lighting rebates HVAC HVAC rebatesrebates High efficiency Lighting rebates motor rebates motor rebates Lighting rebates

HVAC rebates

Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016

ELECTRICAL CONTRACTORS

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

Company Name Address

Collins Electrical Company, Inc. 611 W. Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95203

Industrial Electrical Company 1417 Coldwell Avenue Modesto, CA 95350

Kirkes Electric 999 N. Golden State Boulevard Turlock, CA 95380

Best Electric 1322 7th Street Modesto, CA 95354

Bockmon & Woody Electric Co., Inc. 1528 El Pinal Drive Stockton, CA 95205

Access Electric 1990 Foundry Court Ceres, CA 95307

Pacific Metro Electric, Inc. 3150 E. Fremont Street Stockton, CA 95205

Number Top Local Executive of Local Phone Employees Web Address Yr Round/Peak Eugene C. Gini (209) 466-3691 collinselectric.com

240/350

Services Provided Biggest Projects Electrical contracting Kaiser Hospital campus, Modesto St. Josephâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Medical Center Women/Children Pavilion, Stockton Amazon fulfillment Center Full service electrical company, specializing in industrial electrical services for industry, commercial and institutional companies and projects

Year Est.

1928

David Howell (209) 527-2800 industrialelectrical.com

200/200 +

Kyle Kirkes, President (209) 634-9301 kirkeselectric.com

Commercial, design, industrial service, specialty home services, electrical design and lighting design

1949

Dimitri Guzman (209) 569-0120 bestelectricca.com

24-hour emergency service, commercial, industrial, residential, agriculture free estimates on new installations

1959

Gary Woody Jeff and Greg Bockmon (209) 464-4878 bockmonwoody.com

New construction, remodels and maintenance Qualified and approved control panel builder 24-hour emergency service

1990

Walter Resendes (209) 577-1491 accesstopower.com

Design/build, electrical engineering/design, new construction, commercial TI, network cabling, facility maintenance, and industrial construction

2001

Glen Rigsbee (209) 939-3222 pacificmetroelectric.com

Installation, maintenance, repairs, design/build, commercial tenant improvements, and stainless steel purge welding

1995

Acme Electric Company 1025 S. Kilroy Road Turlock, CA 95380

Buster Lucas (209) 667-2851 acme-electric.net

Electrical contractor for commercial, industrial, agricultural, and solar installation

1970

Brite Electric 490 S. Golden State Boulevard Turlock, CA 95380

Frank Lemos (209) 632-7291 brite-electric.com

All phases electrical service, including solar

1983

Carr Electric 3750 Wilcox Road Stockton, CA 95215

Richard Carr (209) 931-5910 carrelectricinc.com

Complete electrical services for both residential and commercial $500,000 job in Stockton

1979

Quantum Electric 1745 Mc Conmick Street Turlock, CA 95380

Lance Donaldson (209) 667-6574 quantumelectric.net

Full service electrical company, residential, commercial, industrial

1998

Big Valley Electric 19057 E. Gawne Road Stockton, CA 95215

James A. Coyle Jr. (209) 986-3550 bigvalleyelectric.com

12/25

Commercial, industrial, design/build and engineering services UPS data center, Tracy defense depo, SF data center

2004

S. D. Electric, Inc. 1852 W. 11th Street, Ste. 327 Tracy, CA 95376

Specializes in industrial and commercial work with an emphasis in public works

2000

American Power & Communications 1416 Mariani Court, Ste. 130 Tracy, CA 95376

BTS Electric 6 Sierra Vista Place Lodi, CA 95240

New Energy Homes 151 N. California Avenue Oakdale, CA 95361

Wilkinson Electric, Inc. 12321 Rodden Road Oakdale, CA 95361

Steve Hanson (209) 832-0870 sdelectricinc.com

1935

Dustin Wortham (209) 833-1369 americanpowercomm.net

8/20

Electrical, voice/data, solar Villa Tuscany Park, Stockton CA Starbucks - Various Bay Area locations

2004

Jerry Branson (209) 367-1403 btselectricservice.com

5/8

Electrical, mechanical, network, automation 7-11 television

2008

Energy efficient lighting LED, electrical contracting, solar

2011

Steve Vella (209) 321-0239 illuminex.com

Commercial, agricultural, residential, industrial 500,00000 Commercial PW jobs Free estimates, senior and military discounts 24 hours emergency services Residential, small commercial projects, mobile homes. Surface upgrades, work with real estate firms for home repairs and inspection upgrades

Matthew Wilkinson (209) 678-2161 wilkinsonelectriccompany.com

A.S.A.P. Electric, Inc. PO Box 692362 Stockton, CA 95269

Rick Carlson (209) 473-8555 asapelectric.info

Pacific Electric P.O. Box 5366 Stockton, CA 95205

James Clevenger (209) 456-1236 None

Commercial, residential, industrial, repairs, remodel, panel changes and new construction

2002

Gunsch Electric, Inc. 1086 Bessemer Avenue, Ste. B Manteca, CA 95337

Ed Gunsch Jr. (209) 823-7687 gunschelectric.com

Commercial, residential, and industrial

1987

2007

1991

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 04/2016

May 2016

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SOLAR CONTRACTORS

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

Company Name Address

Top Local Executive Local Phone Web Address

1st Light Energy, Inc. 1869 Moffet Boulevard Manteca, CA 95336

Justin Krum (209) 824-5500 1stlightenergy.com

The Solar Company 8010 W 11th Street Tracy, CA 95304

Mark Danenhower ( 877) 607-6527 thesolarco.com

SolarCity 2001 Arch-Airport Road Ste. 300 Stockton, CA 95206

Nick Armstrong Regional Vice President (888) 765-2489 solarcity.com

Panelized Structures Inc. DBA Panelized Solar 5731 Stoddard Road Modesto, CA 95356

Keith Coonce, President (209) 343-8600 panelizedsolar.com

Honeyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Air 5536 Pironne Road Salida, CA 95368

JKB Energy 941 E. Monte Vista Avenue Turlock, CA 95382

Acme Electric Company 1025 S. Kilroy Road Turlock, CA 95380

T.A. Krause, Inc. 11275 Leach Road Lodi, CA 95240

American Power and Communications 1416 Mariani Court, Ste. 130 Tracy, CA 95376

Dustin Wortham (209) 833-1369 americanpowercomm.net

Renewable Integrator, Inc. 455 Loma Verde Drive Tracy, CA 95376

Joe Silveira, CEO (209) 832-9463 renewableintegrator.com

Mid-State Solar 450 Glass Lane Ste. A-1 Modesto, CA 95356

Philip & Mary Yakligian (209) 551-7800 midstatesolar.com

TYMCO Electrical & Solar Contractor 5354 Eleanor Road Oakdale, CA 95361

BTA Solar P.O. Box 188 Linden, CA 95236

Lee-Way Custom Contractors 16350 Targowski Lane Tracy, CA 95304

Advanced Commercial Enterprises 702 Church Street Modesto, CA 95357

Eagle Energy Electric Company 1537 Mitchell Avenue Escalon, CA 95320

Solar Contractors Rank Out of County local contracts or bids 1

Suntrek Industries 5 Holland, Ste. 215 Irvine, CA 92618

SunnyCal Solar A division of Dollens Electric Corp. 842 East Hwy 88 Jackson, CA 95642

Ray Broman (209) 523-2345 honeysair.net James Brenda, President (209) 668-5303 jkbenergy.com Buster Lucas (209) 667-2851 acme-electric.net Troy Anthony Krause (209) 339-9165 takrause.com

Number of local employees year round-peak

Services Offered Notable Projects

Year Est.

200 yr

Solar panel sales and installation

2004

150 yr

Commercial, residential and agricultural solar design and installation for Northern CA. Rohdes Bean & Supply, Tracy Tuff Boy, Lathrop

1990

129 yr

SolarCity provides renewable electricity directly to homeowners, businesses and government organizations. The company offers solar power, energy efficiency and battery storage. We will design, permit, monitor and do maintenance.

2013

Multiple Walmart sites, Rabobank, the San Joaquin County Office of Education, Venture Academy, and hundreds of residential solar installations. 90 yr 110 pk 70 yr

55 yr 72 pk

32 yr 8 yr 15 pk 8 yr 20 pk 8 yr 16 pk 6 yr 10 pk

Solar system design and installation, photovoltaic roof and ground mounted systems Diamond Pet Foods, Ripon 1.1 mW Cal Almond Huller, Turlock 434 kW

1989

Solar systems between 6 and 92 panels

1980

Sales, design, engineering, procurement, installation, construction, service of solar power systems. Farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Co-Operative, Modesto 874 kW Spycher Brothers, Turlock 400kW Dave Wilson Nursery, Hickman (3 projects)

1981

Solar installation and service work Electrical Contractors

1970

Solar, roofing, specialty, coatings Commercial: 80 kw system in Thousand Oaks, CA Residential: 10.2 kw in Lodi, CA

1988

Commercial, industrial and residential installations, design, building and engineering Villa Tuscany Park, Stockton CA Starbucks - Various Bay Area locations

2004

Solar sales, design, and installation PV Solar System for the city of Tracy at the Tracy Police Department Boyd Service Center

2008

Solar thermal & photovoltaic systems Design, sales, installation an services for residential, commercial and Ag application, solar pool heating systems and equipment

1977

Michele Crook (209) 869-2707 tymcoelectricsolar.com

5 yr

Residential and commercial PV electric systems, components Solar water pumps, passive solar design or architecture services Energy system consulting, engineering, installation and service

2001

Rich Remington (209) 483-2991 btasolar.com

4 yr

Photovoltaic design and installation Grid tie or off grid systems

2004

Ron W. Lee (209) 321-7233 None

4 yr

Solar energy system design and installation

1981

Michael Flood (209) 581-1180 acesolarspecialists.com

3 yr

Photovoltaic technology installation Electrical contracting

1985

2 yr

Complete solar installation, from paperwork, pulling permits to handling electric company After system is installed its monitored via Internet All products made in America

1986

Dennis Nipper (209) 380-7110 None

Top Local Executive Local Phone Web Address Roy Heine, President, CEO (800) 292-7648 suntreksolar.com Steve Dollens, CEO (209) 772-1100 sunnycalsolar.com

Number of local employees year round-peak 50 yr

Services Offered Notable Projects Swimming pool solar, photovoltaic, solar hot water Yosemite National Park

15 yr

Solar power systems, energy management, and electrical contracting

19 pk

Major installation for local communications company, multiple contracts

Year Est.

1991

2005

Central Valley Business Journal

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SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY

BRIEFS Ripon’s McManis winery wins business award for sustainable policies

Manteca corrections officer appointed to commission SACRAMENTO — Manteca’s Brian Pinneo, 42, has been appointed to the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training. Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Pinneo, who has served as a correctional sergeant at the California Health Care Facility in Stockton since 2013. He served in several positions at the High Desert State Prison from 2005 to 2013, including correctional sergeant and correctional officer. Pinneo also served as a correctional officer at Salinas Valley State Prison from 2004 to 2005.

Governor appoints Stockton lawyer to state immigration post

RIPON — McManis Family Vineyards, from Ripon, won the Business Award of the second annual California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards. The award recipients were honored at a ceremony and lunch reception on April 20 in Sacramento. The California Green Medal was developed to showcase wineries and vineyards committed to sustainability. It is presented by a group of grape growing organizations including the Lodi Winegrape Commission. The McManis Family Vineyards won the Business Award for its devotion to smart business policies through efficiencies, cost savings and innovation from implementing sustainable practices. The vineyard’s water use efficiency measures include the use of soil moisture sensors, flow meters and distribution uniformity tests. The winery recycles water and averages one gallon of water to produce one gallon of wine. The winery has also decreased energy use, diesel use and tractor work and limited the impact on soil. Through its sustainability programs,McManis Family Vineyards has helped the environment, surrounding community and improved employee retention. McManis Family Vineyards has also streamlined processes in the vineyard, winery and office, resulting in economic gains that have made business more profitable.

Stockton Port to host 18th annual State of the City celebration STOCKTON — The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce will hold the 18th Annual State of the City address from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., May 19 at shed 20 at the Port of Stockton. Tickets will cost $40 each in advance. The event will feature exhibits, focusing on area services and products. Attendees will also be treated to lunch served by Outback Steakhouse. This year, guest speakers include Port of Stockton Commission Chairman R. Jay Allen, director of the University of the Pacific Center for Business and Policy Research Jeffrey Michael, CEO of the Downtown Stockton Alliance Cynthia Fargo and Stockton Mayor Anthony Silva. Sponsorships are still available. For more information click on the Chamber’s website at www. stocktonchamber.org, by calling (209) 547-2770, or emailing tquinn@stocktonchamber.org.

STOCKTON — Gov. Jerry Brown has appointed Marcela M. Ruiz, 40, of Stockton as chief of the Immigration Branch in the Welfare to Work Division at the California Department of Social Services. Ruiz has served as the deputy director at California Rural Legal Assistance Inc. since 2013. She has also been a regional director, directing attorney, staff attorney and a Berkeley Law Foundation fellow. Ruiz has also served as a law clerk at the East Bay Community Law Center from 2004 to 2005, was a cofounder and board secretary at Casa Mexico from 2000 to 2003 and assistant director of organizing at the New York Hotel Trades Council from 1999 to 2003. She is a member of the Legal Aid Association of California. Her new position will earn her $100,176 and the job does not require Senate confirmation.

Stockton horse racing reaches finish line

May 2016

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STANISLAUS COUNTY

BRIEFS Turlock powdered milk plant announces CEO TURLOCK — The new company that’s building a powdered milk facility in Turlock has named its CEO. Valley Milk announced it has hired Patti Smith as its first chief executive officer. In its announcement, Valley Milk described Smith as a veteran of the food and dairy industries with 25 years of global experience in the areas of quality, operations, supply chain, sales, consulting and business management for companies including Fonterra and Roquette Group. Valley Milk will employ 55 people at its plant that will be built in Turlock’s Regional Business Park. A groundbreaking ceremony was held April 29. The plant will feature an enSmith vironmentally sustainable design including the ability to minimize its water use by recycling and reusing as much as 87 percent of its water needs, according to the company. Valley Milk was established by five local dairy families and members of Progressive Dairy Solutions who have been doing business in the area for generations: the Machado, TeVelde, Vander Schaaf, deJager and Kelley families.

Oakdale bank adds to students’ financial understanding

STOCKTON — Declining attendance and financial losses led to the end of horse racing in Stockton. The California Horse Racing Board voted 4-1 to approve a request by the San Joaquin County Fair to move its horse racing dates this year to the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. The decision was expected and meant that a tradition dating back to the 1860s will come to an end. The last time the fair’s horse racing event pulled a profit was in 2014 when the event was held in September, separate from the San Joaquin County Fair. Attendance dropped dramatically in 2015 as the event competed with the Lodi Grape Festival, a number of wildfires and extremely hot temperatures. Fair officials believed that the financial picture for horse racing in Stockton was unlikely to improve, prompting them to make the request to move the event. It costs nearly $500,000 to stage the event each year. Stockton isn’t the only place horse racing events have struggled. There are currently only six county or state fairs that hold horse racing in the state. The Alameda County Fair, June 15-July 4, and the State Fair, July 8-24, in Sacramento are the closest for Valley horse racing fans.

OAKDALE — Oak Valley Community Bank’s schools-based financial education program is adding to area students understanding of financial issues, according to recent data. The improved financial knowledge was celebrated as part of financial literacy month. Information collected from nearly 1,100 high school students who completed the program in the 20142015 academic year showed that understanding of financial topics increased by an average of 41 percent. Oak Valley Community Bank’s University of Finance is a web-based course aimed at helping young people develop skills needed to make sound financial decisions. The program is available in four area high schools in Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties. “Oak Valley Community Bank believes that financial education during a youth’s formative years leads to positive financial behaviors later in life,” stated Chris Courtey, President & CEO, of the bank in a release. “By providing high school students with the knowledge and skills they need to make smart financial decisions, we are investing in the future economic well-being of the communities we serve.” The high school course offers more than six hours of programming focused on topics including credit scores, insurance, credit cards, student loans, mortgages, taxes, stocks, savings, 401k’s and other critical concepts that map to national finan-

May 2016

cial literacy standards.

Oakdale driver recognized as outstanding school employee SACRAMENTO — Kari Anderson, of Oakdale, has been recognized as one of six outstanding classified school employees for 2016. Anderson was recognized in the transportation category. She has been a driver and trainer for the Oakdale Joint Unified School District for 26 years. She was recognized for her attention to detail such as reporting overgrown trees in the road or road hazards that could hamper school bus trips and the smooth running of daily routes. “Our schools would cease to function without the classified employees who keep them clean and safe, who make sure our students get to school and receive the proper nutrition once they are there, and who contribute to an overall positive school culture and caring environment,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said in a release on the awards. “Our 2016 Classified School Employees of the Year represent the very best of the best. I applaud them and thank them for their important service to California’s children and families.” The 2016 Classified School Employees of the Year will be honored by Torlakson at a luncheon May 16 in Sacramento.

MJC nursing alumni to be honored MODESTO — The Modesto Junior College Nursing Alumni Association will celebrate nursing with its ninth annual fundraising dinner on May 5. “The registered nurses being honored are regarded as role models in the nursing profession,” said MJC Professor Emeritus of Nursing Bonnie Costello. “ Anyone can nominate a nurse for this honor whose dedication, kindness and generosity are remarkable and inspiring.” Four scholarships will be awarded during the evening. Two current nursing students will each be awarded a $1,000 dollar scholarship donated by the family of Lupe Perez, who was a graduate of MJC’s first nursing class in 1965. Perez worked as a nurse for many years in the community and was a charter member and president of the Nursing Alumni Association. Two additional nursing students will each be awarded $2,500 scholarships from the Health Plan of San Joaquin. To purchase tickets, donate money for the fundraiser or a basket for the drawing, contact Bonnie Costello at 575-6548 or costellob@mjc.edu.

Walgreens to install medication disposal kiosks TURLOCK — Walgreens is rolling out a new program to give customers an easy and safe way to dispose of unused or expired prescription medications. The chain has installed safe medication disposal kiosks in 50 of its stores, including one on Geer Road in Turlock It’s part of the drugstore chain’s program to combat opioid abuse. When the program is fully implemented later this year, the kiosks will be available at more than 500 Walgreens locations later this year. The kiosks at Walgreens pharmacies will be available during regular pharmacy hours (24 hours a day at most locations). The purpose is to ensure medications are not accidentally used or intentionally misused by someone else, Walgreens said.

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MERCED COUNTY

BRIEFS UC Merced chancellor honored for promoting Yosemite MERCED — UC Merced Chancellor Dorothy Leland has been named a Yosemite Centennial Ambassador. Leland and students Alejandra Guzman and Moses Chun are among a diverse group of supporters and advocates selected to help the National Park Service celebrate its centennial. UC Merced has been tied to the park for more than a decade and has a research facility in the park.The school works to study the park and its ecosystems, including the evolution of the monkeyflower on the slopes of the Sierra and the effects of climate change on the winter snowpack that stores the majority of California’s water. The park has projects that include the eating habits of bears to determine whether the park’s bear-canister program is protecting the wildlife and solar-powered composting toilets that will help the park be more sustainable. UC Merced’s Yosemite Leadership Program is a two-year co-curricular course study that includes a summer internship Leland in the park for UC Merced undergraduates that offers opportunities such as serving as bilingual interpretive rangers leading tours of the giant sequoias, managing invasive weeds in the park, saving lives as part of the Yosemite Search and Rescue Team and working with nonprofit park partners. “I’ve visited Yosemite since I was a child, and over the years I continue to be inspired by the natural beauty that I experience there,” Leland wrote for the ambassadors’ website. “And so, it is a special pleasure to be leading a university that is deeply connected to Yosemite.”

UC Merced Small Business Center receives accreditation MERCED — The UC Merced Small Business Development Center is now fully accredited by the Association of Small Business Development Centers. The accreditation will allow the Small Business Development Center to secure continued funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration. The honor is based on the Malcolm Baldrige Criteria for Performance Excellence. The Small Business Development Center met the technology accreditation standards as well as the general accreditation standards. That positions the school as one of only 12 out of 63 state and regional programs awarded the “T” designation for technology. There are only two other such networks in Califorwww.firstchoiceservices.com nia, the Northern Califor209.467.4426 nia Small Business Development Center Regional Network (San Francisco

region) and Orange County/Inland Empire Small Business Development Center Regional Network. “The UC Merced (Small Business Development Center) Network is to be commended for both its exceptional dedication and commitment to the pursuit of continuous improvement,” said Beth Melnik, chair of the accreditation team. “Congratulations are also in order for earning the Technology Accreditation for the first time.” In 2015, the UC Merced Small Business Development Center assisted more than 4,000 entrepreneurs bring their product or service to market. More than $20.9 million in new equity and loans were given to area clients which resulted in 126 new businesses and 664 jobs created and/or retained. The center has had $289 million in total economic impact since 2003.

Caltrans cleans up Merced County roadways

MERCED COUNTY — The California Department of Transportation held a statewide Litter Removal Day and Enforcement Day on April 21 to pick up litter, trash and debris along the state highway system and to educate the public about this costly issue. Caltrans workers picked up 224 bags of litter, trash and debris in Merced County at the following locations: • State Route 59 (SR-59) from Olive Avenue to Oakdale Road (near the Merced County Landfill); • Along SR-99 on the right shoulders between Hammett Avenue to Atwater Boulevard; • SR-99 from Hammett Avenue to Winton Parkway. In all, Caltrans District 10 employees picked up 1,552 bags of litter, trash and debris in its eight counties: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, Mariposa, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tuolumne. The best anti-litter campaign is to ensure trash never makes it onto the highways in the first place. Caltrans encourages everyone to carry a litter bag in their vehicles, never discard cigarettes improperly and to cover and properly secure loads on trucks. Last year, Caltrans spent $76 million to remove 153,000 cubic yards of litter, trash and debris throughout the State Highway System and collected enough litter to fill nearly 10,000 garbage trucks. Parked endto-end, those trucks would stretch more than 51 miles.

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Lodi, CA 95240

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Teocal Trucking Castillo Carlos Sr 435 S Windsor Ave Stockton, CA 95205 Fremont Health Center Dental Group Thind Ravi D 2043 East Fremont Street #1 Stockton, CA 94561 Aeinc1 Smith Armstead P 6436 El Capitan Circle Stockton, CA 95210

SJ COUNTY

LEGALS Fictitious Business Names Vierra Ranch Lp 500 No Jack Tone Road Stockton, CA 95215 California Classic Roofing 2294 Waterloo Rd Stockton, CA 95205 Pinoy Flip Arriola Vernon V Sr 7349 Hemet Ave Stockton, CA 95207 Sunny Day Spa Wei Song 3255 W Hammer Ln #6 Stockton, CA 95209 Iconic Wines 5573 W Woodbridge Rd Lodi, CA 95242 1 Touch Livescan Verduzco Juan Carlos 309 Cherry Lane Ste 105 Manteca, CA 95337

Rpm Auto Parts 2510 Monte Diablo Stockton, CA 95203 Jr Trucking Permits Sandhu Rajkamal 421 W 11th Street Suite 103 Tracy, CA 95376 Flag City RV Resort Gill Jasbir S 6120 W Banner Road Lodi, CA 95242 Helena Ranch Vineyards 960 South Guild Ave Lodi, CA 95240 B & C Trucking LLC 1611 Henry Long Blvd Stockton, CA 95206 Reys Window Tinting & Auto Sec Alvidrez Miguel 2256 N Wilson Wy Stockton, CA 95205 Defying Muscular Dystrophy 3031 W March Ln Ste 134 Stockton, CA 95219 Azul Trucking Frasquillo Jorge E 415 E Sonoma Ave Stockton, CA 95204

New City Transport Dhillon Makhan Singh 3735 Townshend Cir Stockton, CA 95212

Dress Preneur Salcedo Joel 1219 N Filbert Street Stockton, CA 95205

Park West Dental Group 10928 Trinity Pkwy Stockton, CA 95219

Rich Zombie Clark Terry 227 Goya Dr Stockton, CA 95207

Trinity Truck & Trailer Marchand Michelle Joy 3630 Whispering Creek Cir Stockton, CA 95219

Golden Valley Nursery Bice Kenneth W 26701 S Lammers Rd Tracy, CA 95376

Shaqspot Prop Mangmt Hackworth Marty 221 W Oak Street

On Time Prop Preservation Smith Lamar 216 Harding Way Stockton, CA 95204

Change Oil Now 720 E Hammer Lane Unit G2 Stockton, CA 95210 Jujubeads Collections Alvarado Jessica 9122 Cornwall Dr Stockton, CA 95209 Mariscos Elsinaloa Inc 725 S Cherokee Lane Lodi, CA 95240 Etzel’s Mobile Bookkeeping Service Etzel Mary J 512 E Churchill St Stockton, CA 952042217

Arash Eyebrow Threading Singh Jatinder 4141 Seashore Drive Stockton, CA 95206 Atp Painting Services Yniguez Arturo Luis 1825 Olivewood Ave Manteca, CA 95336 Acambaro Meat Market Rodriguez Antonio Ortega 320 S Eldorado Stockton, CA 95203 Nor Cal Rodriguez Manuel 2920 N “E” St Stockton, CA 95205

Fws Construction Sullivan Richard 111 South Guild Lodi, CA 95240

M & M Transport Meza Gerardo I 917 Wellswood Av Lodi, CA 95240

Silver Truck Services Martinez Silverio 2930 Juliet Rd Stockton, CA 95205

Studion B, The Beauty Lounge Bates Lisa M 118 E 11th St Ste B2 Tracy, CA 95376

Manteca Computer Services Karimi Safi 2164 Daniels St Manteca, CA 95337 All Seasons Business Resource Center Bewell Thomas A 1075 E Bianchi Stockton, CA 95210 Ser’ Ja’s Gonzales Shareefah 9416 Hickock Drive Stockton, CA 95209 Ks Jewelers Inc 8118 West Lane Suite 101a Stockton CA 95210 Ward Earnest Jr Trucking Ward Earnest Jr 724 W Magnolia St Stockton, CA 95203 No Limit Cheer & Dance Henry Antonique 9410 West Lane Stockton, CA 95210 Over The Vines 24849 E Milton Rd Linden, CA 95236 Sp Market Phengphanh Somphanat 541 N Sutter Street Stockton, CA 95202 The Creamery 5756 Pacific Ave #3 Stockton, CA 95207

May 2016

Sahota Express Sahota Jasvir K 3616 Genova Ln Stockton, CA 95212 Advance Bus & Truck Driving School Lucan Woodrow Jr 315 West Fyffe Ave Stockton, CA 95203 Gova Solutions Gomez Orlando 2733 Country Club Blvd Apt 154 Stockton, CA 95204 Stray10up Mcgee Kelly 22174 E Milton Rd Linden, CA 95236 Mkt Kauk Karamjit 1706 W Woodward Ave Manteca, CA 95337 Quinn Logistics Quintero Nicolas 3430 San Rafael Ave Stockton, CA 95204

Nexos Company Amaro Jose Angel Ibarra 1512 Sierra Ln Stockton, CA 95205 S And K Properties Smatsky Al 619 W Pine St Lodi, CA 95240 Handcraft Artisan Collection 12001 S Hwy 99 Manteca, CA 95336 El Gallo Jumpers Ceja Isabel 2443 Cherokee Rd Stockton, CA 95205 Therapeutic Massage Center 633 Lincoln Center Stockton, CA 95207 Sterling Salon Zaragoza Lorena Flores 2540 Pacific Ave Ste 6 Stockton, CA 95204

Domino 12001 S Highway 99 Manteca, CA 95336

Savage Bear Silva Trevor Ward 1715 Nehemiah Dr Manteca, CA 95336

Moe Consulting Estrada Mario 1554 Luck Ct Manteca, CA, 95336

Cpr Cert Pro’s Gilbreath Aaron M 235 N San Joaquin St Stockton, CA 95202

Blooming Minds Enrichment Academy 865 S Tracy Blvd Tracy, CA 95376

Harding Way Liquors Singh Sham 2040 E Harding Way Stockton, CA 95205

Captured By The Bridge Photography Brooks Bridget Cheree 2364 Douglas Rd Stockton, CA 95207

Big Valley Molds 6220 E Hwy 12 Lodi, CA 95240

Ebm Technology Machinery Meza Erving Adly Bribiesca 1048 W Fremont St Stockton, CA 95203

Delta Vending Company Leewright David L 527 E Frisbee Lane French Camp, CA 95231

Couture Events Cotton Melisha 5232 Foxglove Court Stockton, CA 95212 Tatu Cellars 1649 E Victor Rd Lodi, CA 95240 Tatu Cellars 220 S Cluff Ave Lodi, CA 95240 Charles Wine Co 17036 N Locust Tree Rd Lodi, CA 95240 Watson Bros. Trucking Wittler Stacey D 13918 Jack Tone Rd Manteca, CA 95336 Hudson Foods Mendoza Denise Lorene 3012 Riverside Ct Stockton, CA 95204

Tk Certified Kinberg Timothy 2267 Polk Way Stockton, CA 95207 Pre Peeled Prod Inc 1585 S Union St Stockton, CA 95206 Thai Nail Care Phi Thai 540 North Main St Manteca, CA 95336 Super Smoke Shop & More Khan Imran 1335 S Lincoln St Stockton, CA 95206 Reality Exposed! Nessel Timothy L 1401 Walnut Ave Escalon, CA 95320 Bright Futures Residential 5345 Barbados Cir Stockton, CA 95210

Diversified Capital Funding 95 W 11th Street Suite 203 Tracy, CA 95376 Altamont Mortgage Group 2880 N Tracy Blvd 5 Tracy, CA 95376 Larry Aaker Guide Service Aaker Lawrence 1512 Holly Drive Lodi, CA 95242 Mp Farms Mussi Garrett 3651 Saint Andrews Dr Stockton, CA 95219 Jon’s Ornamental & Air Service Hiller Jon 16486 Escalon Bellota Rd Escalon, CA 95320

May 2016

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Boardwalk Apartments / Campos Properties Campos, Guadalupe 155 E Minnesota Ave L-3 Turlock, Ca 95382 Millbrae, Ca 94030 Bobico Bavaro Torres Holdings, Inc. 1003 10th St Ste A Modesto, Ca 95354

STANISLAUS COUNTY

LEGALS Fictitious Business Names

C & S Enterprises Sinclair, Craig 529 South Ave Turlock, Ca 95380 CTI Chauhan Express 3585 Valley Oak Dr Ceres, Ca 95307 C.P. Law Channaveerappa, Naresh 621 14th Street Ste B Modesto, Ca 95354

A Cut Above Salon Reed Adalberta M 1010 W Las Palmas Ave Ste I Patterson, Ca 95363

California Glass Company Rambo, Cole 1009 Hawthorne Ave Modesto, Ca 95350

A.I.R.S. Mccullough, Darin Dale 4436 San Vito Dr Salida, Ca 95368

Cedar Investments Company, LLC Cedar Investments Company, LLC 1713 Savoie Way Modesto, Ca 95356

Aa Pre-Employment Center Barter, Eric Dean 1064 Woodland Ave Ste F Modesto, Ca 95351 Advanced Auto Body Gerald H. Ingles, Inc. 331 Bangs Avenue Modesto, Ca 95356 Backpack Wine Varni Brothers Corporation 400 Hosmer Ave Modesto, Ca 95351 Big Valley Investments Inc Big Valley Investments Inc 3521 Northampton Ln Modesto, Ca 95356 Blue Lotus Restaurant Khamchanh, Phomsawanh 3641 Mitchell Rd Ste F Ceres, Ca 95307 Blue Visual Media Group Smith, Stephen 840 E F Street Oakdale, Ca 95361

Dave’s Bookkeeping Babayoo, Rodney 1427 Standiford Ave Ste B Modesto, Ca 95350 David Eidson Real Estate Eidson, David 2412 Dels Lane Turlock, Ca 95382 Destiny Productions Cataline, Joseph David 2109 Gordon Ave Modesto, Ca 95350 Digital Real Estate Ochoa, Rafael 832 Van Norstrand Ct Modesto, Ca 95351 Direct Hit Carthan, Debra 2112 Silver Oak Ln Ceres, Ca 95307 Eastern Reflexology Therapy Dill, Meihua 140 Mchenry Ave Ste. 6 Modesto, Ca 95354 Educate Network Pineda, Adrian 3606 Virginia Ave Riverbank, Ca 95367

El Rincon Tapatio Aguayo, Juan 1751 Yosemite Blvd Modesto, Ca 95354 Elegance Transporation Hosseini, Saeid 3108 Center Court Dr Modesto, Ca 95355 Empowered Fitness Rotan, Emilie 1921 Hearthstone Ln Modesto, Ca 95355 Fast Lane Motors Tamraz, Vladimer 1060 North Goldenstate Blvd Turlock, Ca 95380 Forbidden Motorsports Stepps, Ryan C 5151 Pentecost Dr Ste D Modesto, Ca 95356 Foster Farms Dairy Foster Dairy Farms 529 Kansas Ave Modesto, Ca 95351 Freedom Boat Club Of Northern California Rb Boating 3612 Swain Dr Modesto, Ca 95356 Friendly Pediatrics Anuradha Dubey, M.D., Inc. 1524 Mchenry Ave Ste 520 Modesto, Ca 95350 Gca Financial Services Van Tassell, Bert 574 Priscilla Lane Waterford, Ca 95386 George’s Steakhouse Medina, Dolores 1001 Kansas Ave Modesto, Ca 95351 Grandma Meri’s Creations Mcelhannon, Mary Y 568 Edgetown Ave Oakdale, Ca 95361 Grant Davis Insurance Agency Inc Gdi Insurance Agency, Inc 801 Geer Road Turlock, Ca 95380 Gustavo’s Vinyl Works Lopez, Gustavo 3427 Railroad Ave Ste 9 Ceres, Ca 95307 Henry Rocha & Sons

Rocha, Antoinette M 4100 So Mitchell Rd Turlock, Ca 95380 Hercules Hauling Services Hercules Hauling Services 1116 Tern Way Patterson, Ca 95363 High Orchard Management Company, A High, Adam A 865 Geer Rd Turlock, Ca 95380 Hughson Chevron Kumria, Sunil Kumar 2468 3rd Street Hughson, Ca 95326 Hurtado’s Pool Service Gomez Orozco, Paulo Alberto 1424 Seneca Pl Modesto, Ca 95358 Integrity Motors Gutierrez, James 102 N 9th St Modesto, Ca 95351 Intelliguard Security City Spy Connection, Inc. 518 Charity Way Modesto, Ca 95356 Inter-Trans Jackson, Omar 2112 Silver Oak Ln Ceres, Ca 95307 Infinity Real Estate Logistics Pirinen, Pentti J 1518 G St Modesto, Ca 95354 J Tt Transporation Gonzalez, Jannett 701 Standiford Ave Apt 1 Modesto, Ca 95350 J C Auto Wholesale Cervantes, Javier 3256 Heatherwood Court Modesto, Ca 95354 Javiers Trucking Madrigal, Javier M 1609 Brookhaven Dr Newman, Ca 95360 Jbm Enterprises Hormozi, Benson 1522 Moonbeam Way Turlock, Ca 95382 Jeffery Accident And Injury Clinic Jeffery, Ralph W 1419 Standiford Ave Ste 1 Modesto, Ca 95350

Joe Cuts Landscaping & Tree Namowicz, Joseph 325 Emerson Ave Modesto, Ca 95350 Kansas Tire & Wheels Inc Kansas Tire & Wheels Inc 830 Kansas Ave B-1 Modesto, Ca 95351 Kevin Lakeys Wholesale Auto Finders Lakey, Kevin Dean 5451 Claimstake Court Riverbank, Ca 95367 Khadim Hussain Jewelers K S Jewelers Inc 1647 Lander Ave Turlock, Ca 95380 Kp Distributors Marketers Of Beverages & More Singh, Kamalpreet 1301 Richland Avenue #135 Modesto, Ca 95351 Kroma Web Studio Wilson, James A 1945 E Orangeburg Ave Modesto, Ca 95355 L.O.L. Auto Parts Luna Garcia, Jaime 5125 W Kiernan Ave Salida, Ca 95368 La Asociacion De Charros De Riverbank Barajas, Pedro 3720 Nevada Ave Riverbank, Ca 95367 La Bodeguita L B Garcia, Inc 221 E Glenn Ave Modesto, Ca 95358 Leo Cigar Cigarette And More Ghaleb, Abdul 3020 Floyed Ave Modesto, Ca 95355 Lian Joe Lian Joe, Llc 909 Changason Way Modesto, Ca 95351 Maria’s Taco Shop E & E Enterprise Inc. 2531 E Whitmore Ave Ste G Ceres, Ca 95307 Mas Auto Sales Adari, Maykel 2701 Patterson Rd Riverbank, Ca 95367 Metro A 1 Finance Pope, Joseph Neal 7213 Spy Glass Dr

Modesto, Ca 95356 Mid California Truck School Dosanjh, Kulwinder 671 B Mariposa Rd Modesto, Ca 95354 Mid Valley Tarp Service Modesto Tent And Awning, Inc. 4448 Sisk Rd Modesto, Ca 95356 Napkin X-Press Advertising (Nxa) Pulido, Arturo Diego 1350 Cabernet Ct Merced, Ca 95334 Nightingale Senior Placement Agency Tritean, Crina 5408 Liverno Dr Salida, Ca 95368 Norcal Trendz Moon, Christopher 7450 River Rd Suite 3 Oakdale, Ca 95361 Nrc Holistic Health Services Clinic Natural Remedies Consulting 5272 Jerusalem Ct Modesto, Ca 95356 Mydesto Never Boring Design Associates, Inc 1016 14th St Modesto, Ca 95354 Online Real Estate Ochoa, Rafael 832 Van Norstrard Ct Modesto, Ca 95351 Other Place, The Christoulakis, Mike 2003 Yosemite Blvd Modesto, Ca 95354 Pacific Dental Care Tae Een Park, D.D.S., Inc 1429 College Ave Ste U Ste D Modesto, Ca 95350 Pacific Equine Hoof Care Brooks, Stephen D 16212 Ward Ave Patterson, Ca 95363 Mountain Mike Photography Loomis, Micheal L 1027 Sierra Drive Turlock, Ca 95380 Party Helpers Vierra, Rosalinda L 1084 Hackett Rd Ceres, Ca 95307

Central Valley Business Journal

TAXING MATTERS Continued from Page 39

tax purposes may lead to a conclusion that gross receipts on a taxpayer’s state and federal income tax returns were also understated. The board has three years to audit a filed sales tax return and eight years to audit a company’s sales when no return was filed. The Board of Equalization is famous for tracking down flea market vendors suspected of failing to charge sales tax and then auditing them.

against the persons in control of filing and paying the sales taxes. Those individuals are then be personally liable and could have their assets seized to pay the tax. Often the Board of Equalization takes the legal position that if you are able to sign a check, you are personally responsible for the entity’s sales tax. Sellers who don’t obtain a valid seller’s permit before the first sales tax return is due may be subject to penalty and interest charges. Penalties include the failure-to-file or latetax-return penalties and the failureto-pay-the-tax due penalty, as well as

Penalties If a corporate taxpayer cannot pay the sales taxes it owes, the board may issue a “dual determination” in which it assesses the unpaid sales tax

negligence or fraud penalties. The board may also assess civil fraud or evasion penalties if there are badges of fraud. Lastly, the Board of Equalization can assert criminal charges against a business owner for sales tax violations. Though criminal sanctions are not common, I did see them filed against a local restaurant owner. On the flip side of the sales tax coin is use tax. When an out-of-state retailer doesn’t collect sales tax for an item delivered to California, the buyer may owe use tax, which is simply a tax on the use, storage or consumption of personal property in California. The use tax, which was created in July 1935, is a companion to California’s sales tax that is designed to level the playing field between in-state retail-

May 2016

ers who are required to collect tax and some out of state retailers who are not. A seller may be required to collect use tax from a buyer and pay it to the Board of Equalization. California’s sales tax rules are complex and nuanced. Sellers should seek professional help with sales tax issues. Be sure to choose a tax attorney or certified public accountant who has experience in sales tax matters. Professional fees charged by a tax attorney or certified public accountant are much cheaper than the penalties and interest the board will assess if a taxpayer violates the rules. – Jason W. Harrel is a Partner at Calone & Harrel Law Group, LLP. He is a certified specialist in taxation. Mr. Harrel may be reached at jwh@caloneandharrel.com.

BRAND BUILDING Continued from Page 37

seem distant and unapproachable. Invite customers into conversations by sharing stories and curating relevant items. Let them share their stories with you. How you do that depends entirely on your audience and your product.

you don’t innovate according to the market’s development and changing needs, you’ll become irrelevant. If your brand loses focus, it can become unrecognizable to the point of losing customers. Focus, however, doesn’t mean you can’t change your brand. Your message may not change, but how you deliver it can. Consider your audience. Are their communication methods changing? It could be something as simple as putting greater focus on your Twit-

Focus The problem many companies eventually face is message and brand drift. Given enough time, you’ll think about improving your brand. That’s great. It’s just like your product — if

ter account, but it could also be complicated as a different internal lingo you need to account for. Your brand is your company’s calling card. Part of your job is making sure the brand is as relatable to your target audience as possible. It’s a difficult but necessary part of running a business. –Dan Natividad, a Stockton native, is a partner at Port City Marketing Solutions along with Kristen Dyke and Erin Diego. Dan can be reached at dan@portcitymarketing.com.

When building a memorable brand, remember that you’re trying to introduce customers not only to what you are selling but from whom they’re buying.

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Central Valley Business Journal

May 2016