January Progress 2023

THE CARE YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU WANT IT.

THE CARE YOU NEED, THE WAY YOU WANT IT.

Health care should be hassle-free. At Kaiser Permanente, it is. With connected teams and flexible ways to access care, it’s easy to get the support you need to stay healthy — when and where you need it.

Health care should be hassle-free. At Kaiser Permanente, it is. With connected teams and flexible ways to access care, it’s easy to get the support you need to stay healthy — when and where you need it.

kp.org/centralvalley kp.org/centralvalley

Mission stateMent

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to serving the greater Modesto Area, regional businesses and community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, economic development, connectivity and business education.

executive coMMittee

Chairman - Michael Gaffney, PG&E

Past Chairman - Steve Rank, Rank Investigations and Protection, Inc.

Vice Chair, External Operations - Michael Moradian

Jr. - Peace of Mind Pest Control

Vice Chair, Internal Operations, Treasurer - Patricia

Gillum Pat Gillum CPA

Chairperson Elect - Kirstie Boyett Zacharias, Executive Director at American Leadership ForumGreat Valley Chapter

board of directors

Garrett Ardis- Huff Construction Company Inc.

Brad Blakeley, Edward Jones Investments

David Halvorson Jr.

Debra Hendricks - Debra Hendricks Consulting

Amy Jefferies - Gianelli Nielsen

Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center

Rachell Le Viege - Lift-A-Hand Home Care Agency

Eric Mangal, Grimbleby Coleman CPAS Inc.

Brian McDermott

Kymber Miller- Sysco Central California Inc.

Peggy O'Donnell, Mid-Valley Productions

Edgar Perez - F&M Bank

Jason Pineda, Freshpoint Inc.

Bill Robinson, Principal Financial Group

Kari Santos - I.J. Larsen Pumps

DeJeune Shelton- Modesto Junior College

Madhu Singh, Bank of Stockton

John Villines- Modesto Gospel Mission

President & CEO

Trish Christensen

Modesto Chamber of Commerce tchristensen@modchamber.org

Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce

209.577.5757 • Progress@ModChamber.org www.ModChamber.org

Graphic design: 209 Magazine 209.634.9141 • www.209magazine.com

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distribution: 209 Magazine

209.634.9141

advertising sales: crogers@oakdaleleader.com

209.845.4074

© Copyright 2021 Modesto Chamber of Commerce. Some parts of this magazine may be reproduced or reprinted, however, we require that permission be obtained in writing. 209.577.5757, Progress@ModChamber.org

staff:

Administrative Assistant, Stephen Shaw

Sustainability Coordinator, Jolene Camarena

Events Coordinator, Felicia Lopez

Membership Coordinator, Lizeth Rocha Staff Accountant, Jaime Lastra

Happy NEW Year!

A Message From The President & CEO

2023 AnticipAtion

By Trish Christensen

January is such an interesting time and space. The start of a new year leads us to make resolutions, to commit to take steps to improve ourselves, and to strive for new goals and successes. Yet, January is the darkest, coldest, and if we are so fortunate, wettest month of the year. January is also a quieter month. It seems it takes a bit to get going again after the joy, family and friends, and noshing of the holidays. That allows us a little space to plan as we look ahead. The Modesto Chamber of Commerce has been developing actionable goals for our business members and contributing to our greater community. We are very excited to see many of these come to fruition throughout 2023.

One target that has been met, and is about ready to come fully to life, is our new 501c3 foundation. It has taken many months to build. To engage the right people that will design the vison for the foundation has been a key piece. This group has come together as the inaugural board of directors, and each has invested great levels of heart, experience, and time to develop the roadmap for our foundation. We are confident great things will come from this new non-profit. Meet our Foundation Board: Kristi Ah-You, Nate Benninger, Kirstie Boyett-Zacharius, Fallon Ferris, Michael Gaffney, Theresa Kiehn, Eric Mangal, Kristin Mostowsky, Dejeune Shelton, and Foundation Advisor George Boodrookas.

After three years of conceptualizing, January 19th brought our first in person Inspire Youth-Inspire Dreams Career Exploration Expo! This has become a powerful engagement opportunity between 8th graders and business and industry. The idea that students can interact face to face with those who are doing the work, after taking interest inventories, and asking questions, seeing samples or examples, to have a chance to “explore” careers and jobs, is invaluable. This inspires students whether university, trade, tech, or apprentice bound. This effort will directly lead to enriching the pipeline of our future local workforce and show our young people there are fabulous career opportunities right here at home!

Our Annual Awards and Anniversary Soiree is January 26th, and we anticipate it will be an exceptional experience for all! Please join us at Center Plaza for a wonderful evening of food sampling, mingling, celebrating accomplishments, honoring anniversaries, and meeting our esteemed volunteer groups. This will prove to be the classiest event in town which will kick start 2023!

The Modesto Chamber of Commerce has voted in our 2023 Board members. We look forward to working with each of these amazing individuals: Garrett Ardis – Huff Construction Company Inc., Christine Schweininger – Valley Builders Exchange, Inc., Brad Blakely – Edward Jones, Kirstie BoyettZacharias – American Leadership Forum-Great Valley Chapter, Aphreiekah DuHaney-West – Kaiser Permanente, Michael Gaffney – PG&E, Pat Gillum – Pat Gillum CPA’s, David Halvorson, Jr. - Independent, Debra Hendricks -Debra Hendricks Consulting, Amy Jeffries – Gianelli Nielsen, Warren Kirk – Doctor’s Medical Center, Rachell Leviege – Lift-A-Hand Homecare Agency, Eric Mangal – Grimbleby Coleman CPA’s, Brian McDermott – NTT, Kymber Miller – Sysco Central California, Michael Moradian Jr. – Peace of Mind Pest Control & Home Inspections, Peggy O’Donnell – Mid Valley Promotions, Edgar Perez – American AgCredit, Jason Pineda – FreshPoint Central California, Bill Robinson – Principal Financial, Kari Santos – IJ Larsen Pumps, Dejeune Shelton – Modesto Junior College Community Education, Madhu Singh – Bank of Stockton, John Villines – Modesto Gospel Mission.

Auxiliary members: Stephen Qualls – Central Valley Division of the League of California Cities, Kelly Tallant-Martin – Vintage Faire Mall

The Leadership Modesto Class of 2023 is about to head out on their retreat which kicks starts the program each year. This is the 40th year of this incredible program. We had the largest group of applicants we can recall. This full class will have as impactful an experience as all the others before it. Congratulations to our incoming class members: Gabriela Fernandez, Andrew Ratto, Trey Regalo, Sonya Severo, Eric Wessendorf, Melonie Albino, Joshua Cruz, Tami Davis, Sergio Espindola, Jesse Franco, Roy Grizzle, Benjamin Johnson, Samantha Jones, Dawn Kelly, Kemoyah Levi, Courtney Morse, Linh Son Nguyen, Cerina Otero, Jason Poisson, Felicia Romo, Sonia Serrano, Kalani Souza, Lin Touch, Laura Weaver.

We have many more announcements to come over the next few months. Please stay tuned, and stay well~

With warm regards,

Trish

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

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

C - Community

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

A - Advocacy

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

R - Relationships

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

E - Education

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

S - Service

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

CHAMBER CALENDAR

january

3 rising professionals - Dark

4

eConomiC Development Committee - Dark

*Register on website, in person & Zoom 11:30 A.M.

12

teCh ConneCt mixer Location TBD

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM

16 martin luther king jr. Day- offiCe CloseD

17

Women in business Coffee & Conversations

Location TBD

8:00 AM – 9:00AM Register on website

18 ribbon Cutting Dhillon healthCare group 5380 Pirrone Rd. Suite 301 A, Salida, Ca 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

19

inspire youth inspire Dream expo Modesto Center Plaza 1000 L St, Modesto, CA 95354

9:00 AM – 4:00PM – Expo

5:00pm – 7:00pm Parent Experience

19

20

20

26

stanislaus green team meeting

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

ambassaDor & WelCome team meeting

*In person & Zoom 8:00 A.M

government relations CounCil

*In person & Zoom 11:30 A.M. Register on website

109th annual members ChoiCe aWarDs & anniversaries soirée Modesto Center Plaza 1000 L St, Modesto, CA 95354

5:30pm - 8:30pm Register on website

february

1 eConomiC Development Committee

*Register on website, in person & Zoom 11:30 A.M.

2 rising professionals – rise & shine With Ceo’s Location TBD

7:45am check in - 8:00am – 9:00am

9 members mix anD mingle - DireCt applianCe 2412 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 95350

5:00pm -6:30pm

16 stanislaus green team meeting

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

17 ambassaDor & WelCome team meeting

*In person & Zoom 8:00 A.M

17 government relations CounCil

*In person & Zoom 11:30 A.M. Register on website

20 presiDent’s Day- offiCe CloseD

21

Women in business lunCh & learn

Location TBD

12:00 PM – 1:00PM

Register on website

*See website for more detail.

Find Zoom Registry links and more at www.modchamber.org

Please note that calendar events and details are subject to change.

Blue Diamond Growers Board of Directors selects Kai Bockmann as next Chief Executive Officer

Bockmann brings 25 plus years of global experience growing renowned brands and consumer packaged goods companies to the cooperative

Blue Diamond Growers Chairman of the Board, Dan Cummings, announced that Kai Bockmann will join the agricultural cooperative and global consumer packaged goods (CPG) leader as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) on January 17, 2023.

The Board selected Bockmann after working with executive search and leadership advisory firm, Egon Zehnder, to recruit and consider candidates from across the country. Bockmann will succeed Mark Jansen who announced his plans to step down after a very successful 12-year tenure as CEO.

“The search process went well, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome,” said Cummings. “Kai has more than a quarter of a century of global experience growing CPG companies, and we believe he is the leader we need to keep building our business and brand domestically and internationally, while continuing to deliver superior returns to our growerowners.”

Bockmann most recently served as President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Saputo Inc. – one of the world’s largest dairy companies – where he led operations that included 67 plants and 18,000 employees across the United States, Canada, Australia, Argentina, and the United Kingdom.

From 2017 to 2021, he and his team grew revenue from $11 billion to $14 billion. From 2012 to 2021, the international business he led grew from less than $500 million to more than $4 billion.

Prior to Saputo Inc., Bockmann was at McCain – the world’s largest producer of frozen potatoes – where he served as President of the International Division and accelerated international sales across 60 export markets, doubling revenues over four years.

“I’m excited by this phenomenal opportunity to join one of the most consistent and fastest-growing food and beverage companies in the world,” said Bockmann.

“I look forward to learning from growers and team members and keeping our immediate focus on maintaining business continuity and growth momentum.”

Cummings said the Board, Bockmann, Jansen, and the entire experienced executive team at Blue Diamond will work closely together to ensure a smooth transition in leadership over the next few months.

“We’re grateful for Mark’s support during the search and his commitment to helping set Kai and the cooperative up for continued success,” said Cummings. “We’re building from 112 years of success, and we know the future is bright for Blue Diamond because no one knows how to get almonds from growers’ farms to families worldwide better than us.”

Cummings said Blue Diamond’s snack almond business has more than a 50% market share in the United States and that Blue Diamond’s Almond Breeze is the leading almond milk brand in the United States, South Korea, Thailand, Brazil, and South Africa. In 2021, the company’s net sales totaled $1.6 billion.

Kai Brockmann

hilmar Cheese Company Visitor Center free school tours

Denise Skidmore / Director, Education & Public Relations

Hilmar Cheese Company’s Visitor Center excited to once again offer free school tours to public and private school students. Pre-Covid, the Visitor Center would host about 17,000 students on school tours.

School tours are intra-curricular and meeting state teaching standards. During the pre-K through 3rd ice cream making tour each student makes his/her own ice cream with a lesson that integrates science, math and reading while developing listening and direction following skills. The 4th grade and older cheese making tours follow the scientific method to make cheese; measuring volume, weight, time and temperature. The lesson integrates reading, writing, critical thinking, teamwork and decision making to achieve results.

All tours include watching the Cheese Theatre MOOvie and the visitor center is the only place in the world to see “the Big Cheese,” employees packaging a 640-pound crate of cheese. Interactive exhibits use multiple senses, activities and skills to learn about the technology on today’s dairy farms, how farmers care for cows, careers in agriculture, recycling and the health benefits of dairy.

Teachers can learn more about the free educational program or schedule a tour at www.hilmarcheese.com – visitor center, tours.

Tours are offered at 9:30 am, 11:00 am and afternoon times as needed by after school programs. Tour rotations allow for group sizes of 10 to 150 students. For additional information email tours@hilmarcheese. com.

for their continued contribution to enriching our community!

January 26th, 2023

January 26th, 2023 :30pm - 8:30pm :30pm - 8:30pm

Modesto Centre Plaza

1000 L St, Modesto, CA 95354

Nominations are now open! Nominations are now open!

To see how you can be a sponsor,

To see how you can be a sponsor, nominate a member or register to attend nominate a member or register to attend please go to www.modchamber.org or please go to www.modchamber.org or contact info@modchamber.org! contact info@modchamber.org!

Upon their arrival, students will go through a safety tailgate talk before entering the exhibition halls. *Please note student lunches are not included.

Silver Sponsor:

Trades Day introduces high school youth to industry career opportunities in construction, design, sub-contracting, heavy equipment, engineering, and other skilled trades.

We hope you will join us to inspire local students to pursue careers in construction. Your students will be able to explore all the industry has to offer through engaging hands-on exhibits put on by local industry; some examples of exhibits include how to swing a hammer, try their hand at mixing cement, scale a wall for roofing, or throw on some PPE and get them welding. Anything to get their hands and minds moving!

Amy Collier Carroll, Golden Valley Health Centers / Vice-President & Chief Communications Officer

A little-known fact about Golden Valley Health Centers (GVHC) is that we are part of the largest network of primary care providers in the nation, serving 30 million people per year. This national network of federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) is more vital now than ever, particularly as the nation grapples with overlapping health, economic, and climate crises that are disproportionately impacting the underserved communities we care for and support.

As the need for our services continues to grow, health centers like GVHC are facing one of the most challenging and uncertain times in the past 50-years. In a matter of months, we are approaching the expiration of our federal funding while simultaneously navigating unprecedented workforce and infrastructure challenges. We need our leaders in Congress to act swiftly in making critical investments in the Health Center Program. These critical investments will support community health centers like GVHC in sustaining essential operations, infrastructure, workforce, and innovation efforts.

Historically, Health Centers have seen strong bipartisan support from policymakers at the federal level. We have a proven track record and have been dependable, consistent stewards of taxpayer dollars for generations. We deliver quality health care services to 30 million patients each year with more than 90% of those patients living at or

below 200% of the federal poverty line and nearly 70% uninsured or receiving Medi-Care.

Community Health Centers are good for the economy, saving taxpayers billions every year. Every dollar invested in health centers has returned value to American taxpayers. The program generates annual system-wide savings of $24 billion annually because fewer health center patients require emergency room visits and hospitalizations. Nationally, health centers employ 250,000 people annually and save the health care system $24 billion each year. Here in the Central Valley, GVHC employs more than 1,000 individuals and serves as the health care home to 140,000 patients.

What makes our work impactful and unique is that our governance model, commitment, and approach to caring for the community is grounded in being responsive to the shifting demographics and cultural identities represented in our community. We don’t just serve this community; our providers, staff, and even our board members live in and are a part of the community. That same consumer majority board of directors helps to inform the true needs and challenges that exist within the community for our patients. Under their leadership, and with ongoing community engagement and input, we innovate constantly to provide programs and tailored services to our patients.

Our purpose it to cultivate supportive relationships among the business women within our community.

Phillip ha – d.d.s member highlight

Hello! We at Rise Orthodontics are in the business of making people happy and giving them the confidence they need to achieve what they want in life. We do this by providing high-quality orthodontic services for all ages, excellent customer service, building genuine relationships, and using cutting edge technology in a comfortable, fun, boutique environment.

Although we want our practice to grow, it is never going to be our goal to be a large practice. I personally feel that I provide the best care when seeing a limited number of patients each day so I am able to focus my energy on each individual patient that I treat. I do my best to be as understanding, personable and relatable as possible so patients are able to comfortably communicate their wants and needs to me without feeling judged or insecure. We use the most up-todate, cutting edge technology and techniques such as custom braces and aligners, digital scanners, and provide complimentary services such as esthetic tooth reshaping and laser gum sculpting. Like the orthodontic mentors that I admire, I strive to improve myself as a clinician and a leader each day so I can make my patients happy.

I became interested in dentistry after a dental mission trip in high school, where I saw the positive impact dentistry could have on people’s lives and was moved to pursue dentistry as a career. Like many other orthodontists, after experiencing a boost in self-confidence after having braces, I was inspired to become an orthodontist. I earned my doctorate from Loma Linda University after four years. I then completed an additional two and half years of specialized education, earning a Certificate in Orthodontics and Master of Science degree in Orthodontics.

I took elective steps to become a diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, something that about 50% of orthodontists achieve.

Our employees and I love serving people and our ultimate goal is to make our patients happy. As we grow as a practice and as people, we want to give back and become more involved in our community.

We are nothing without the people around us and we want to show our appreciation and support for the important causes in our community. I am fully dedicated to our patients and practice and look forward to our journey in this community! Thank you for this opportunity to introduce our practice!

TO OUR NEW MEMBERS!

Visit Modesto (209) 526-5588

www.visitmodesto.com

1008 12th Street, Modesto, CA 95354

Sparkle Cleaning Service (209) 353-3150

www.sparklecleaningservice-janitorialservice.business.site

332 Queencrest Court, Oakdale, California 95361

Rise Orthodontics (209) 238-9800

www.riseorthodontics.com

1700 McHenry Ave. #16B, Modesto, CA 95350

Bio-One of Modesto (209) 771-0071

www.bioonemodesto.com

2401 Orangeburg Ave Suite 675-257, Modesto, California 95355

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation - Briggs Specialty Center

209-521-6097 ext.68304

1409 E. Briggsmore Ave, 2nd Floor Briggsmore Specialty Center Modesto , Ca 95355

Sekhon Investments Inc dba Pizza Twist (209) 483-6771

www.gnnrealtors.com

3401 Oakdale Rd Suite 615, Modesto, CA 95355

Declutter with Dawn (209) 605-0050

www.declutterwithdawn209.com

6701 Varni Way, Hughson, CA 95326

For more information or to get involved please contact flopez@modchamber.org or visit our events calendar or follow us on Instagram and Facebook to join one of our meetings.

To engage, empower and connect rising professionals in the

To empower and professionals in the Modesto region through civic engagement, professional Modesto civic engagement, development and community involvement opportunities. development community involvement

As a program of the Greater Modesto Chamber of Commerce, we serve as a catalyst for promoting Modesto as an enjoyable and vibrant place for young professionals to live, work and experience life, ultimately encouraging talent retention and the growth of our future leaders.

Lynn Miller Takacs new membeR

Music, art, and writing have always been Lynn’s passions. She was born and raised in Northern California and lives in Modesto. She studied fine arts and graphic design in college, has taken many workshops in painting and drawing and has exhibited her work in a number of art shows, including solo exhibits. Her art career started taking off in 2010 when she sold her first painting then started painting in front of audiences for a short span of time and followed with entering numerous art contests, taking more art classes and learning business development.

Lynn has been a member of various art leagues and associations and has had the excitement of leading some paint nights when their popularity sprang up. In 2016, her Healing Hearts Tree painting was used for the front cover of a booklet for grieving children.

Select gift shops along the Pacific Coast Highway in Northern California sell postcards of her Redwood trees sketches. She credits her Humboldt County collection to the local photographers for her inspiration.

With her mother’s influence, Lynn established her face painting business in 2009, and works at corporate events, grand openings, birthday parties, weddings, baptisms, special events and celebrations, as well as, onboard cruise ships touring the Caribbean islands. Her business has opened doors to exciting experiences and opportunites such as painting for over 150 corporation celebrations, being part of the enrichment staff painting passengers onboard the Royal Carribean, meeting worldwide famous artists, body painters and authors, traveling to Europe with her face painting earnings,

In May of 2022, she became a newly-published author of the book What Makes My Heart Sing: An Artist’s Journey and is working on a second. Her book encompasses both her art and face painting experiences.

What Makes My Heart Sing is a story about the adventures, travels, insights, and reflections of the author. It will take readers along on her journey as an artist, music lover, entrepreneur, writer, and face painter. Lynn was a shy and quiet child growing up who wanted to be an artist but always doubted herself because she thought artists should be held to a higher standard.

A recent book review: “A thoughtful account of a young girl's journey into the world of the arts. With vivid and colorful descriptions of people she meets and places she travels, Lynn continues her quest to discover more about herself and how she relates to the art world as well as her relationships. Her book explores an artist's emotional and physical manifestations, as well as the bond between music and visual creation.”

Modesto’s Supply Chain Shines

By Chris Murphy / CEO, Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group / chrism@spwg.com / www.spwg.com

Our region is amazing, loaded with great history, flavors, technology, and innovation. “Smart Ag” is where we are headed with aseptic beverages, amazing wines and spirits, varieties of nuts and cheese, the worlds’ best tomato products and so much more. The logistics industry and our complex food supply chain makes us a unique and powerful example across the world, but most importantly, it is the heart of this community. Our local economy can “stand alone” in that we really do not depend on the health of the Bay Area. We make and produce so many important food items regionally that are shipped globally. This independence is something we need to continue to foster, promote, grow and protect.

The greater Modesto area is really valuable. What made Modesto important in 1870 - irrigation, central location, diverse demographics - keeps it important today. As a connection to both of the main railroads, the Union Pacific and the BNSF, we have a unique and important place in logistics. Many of the other high traffic markets have only one choice and these options are great for both exporting our products and importing key ingredients that power our local food manufactures and good that need to reach the West Coast retailers.

In 1987, Mike McNulty and Roy Atkins founded Sierra Pacific Warehouse Group “SPWG”. With two locations, we can service many needs across the area. In Patterson, we focus on frozen warehousing supporting our regional growers and packers and many of the food service distributors. In Modesto we specialize in ambient storage to support our local tomato manufacturers, ingredients producers and have become a key distribution point for national food brands distributing to the West Coast.

Today, we continue the foundations Roy and Mike built with more items, better technology, bar codes and conveyors, shorter lead times, more variety and direct to customer shipments all shipped at nearly 100% accuracy. One thing you can count on is that our food supply chain is safe.

We are audited and certified by Global Food Safety organizations and also Organic Certified as well. From the grower to the customer, people can have confidence in our supply chain.

In March 2020, America’s supply chain received a shock. As the world and the USA started to shut down from COVID, the people that move the food and goods were hard at work. As independent as we are, the market is all connected and shock waves reverberated. The morning of March 20, 2020 our customers made sure that we were working, ocean containers were coming in, and that orders were being picked to get food to the grocery stores and production facilities. It was crazy and pushed us all to the edge. It was all hands on deck, everyone was on the pick lines and it was all we could do to take care of our customers, working through quarantine, distancing, and protecting our workers, families, and products.

So here we are in 2023. These last two years have made many logistics companies better, more efficient, and more reliant on their strong team. Our SPWG team was amazing and working together, we made it. Our goal is to make both our end customers and our employees feel successful and like their contribution makes a difference.

SPWG is connected to our community, giving back where we can to make Modesto better. We are a familyowned company with our third generation in place, already leading us into the future. It is very exciting to see where we can go.

Chris Murphy

120 + years

Bank of a merica

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90 + years

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Po W ered B y Wave valley B U ilders e xchange

c os T co Wholesale ( m odes T o)

c hris T ina r o T ondo - sTaT e farm a gen T

v en U e 833

h ands on c en T ral c alifornia

l iz d onegan - hU mana i ns U rance

PRESIdENT’S cLub CirCle Of influenCe

Elit E

E & J Gallo Winery

Kaiser Permanente

K E yston E

Beard Land and Investment Co.

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

International Company

Doctors Behavioral Health Center-DMC

Doctors Medical Center-DMC

Frito-Lay Co., Inc.

Pacific Southwest Container, Inc.

Physician Referral Service-DMC

Visionary

Blue Diamond Growers

Crystal Creamery

Doubletree by Hilton Modesto

Fiscalini Cheese Company

IHeart Media

Modesto Irrigation District

Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball

Sutter Health Valley Area

Sysco Central California Inc.

E nthusiast

Alpine Protective Solutions

American Chevrolet

American Medical Response

Astound Business Solutions Powered by Wave

Atherton & Associates, LLP

Audi Modesto Bank of Stockton

California State University, Stanislaus

Care One Home Health and Hospice, Inc.

CareOne Home Health

Central Valley Automotive

Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

Central Valley Nissan

Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Clark Pest Control

COIT Services Inc.

Collins Electrical

Comcast

Del Monte Plant #1

Dhillon Healthcare Group

English Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Hospital

Exceed GPR & Locating, LLC

F&M Bank

Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC

Food Maxx

FreshPoint

Gianelli Nielsen

Gilton Solid Waste Mgmt, Inc.

Golden Valley Health Centers

Grover Landscape Services, Inc.

Infiniti of Modesto

International Paper Co.

JS West & Companies

Legacy Home Care

Maxx Value Foods

Mocse Credit Union

Modesto Toyota

Nine3One

O'Brien's Market

Oak Valley Community Bank

Opportunity Stanislaus

Pacific Gas & Electric Co.

Panelized Structures Inc.

Pepsi Bottling Group

PMZ Real Estate

Residence Inn by Marriott Modesto North

Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc.

Rose Bouquet

San Joaquin Valley College

Save Mart Supermarkets

Save Mart Supermarkets - Corp Office

Seva Hospice

Solecon Industrial Contractors

Stanislaus Food Products Co.

Stifel Investment Services

Storer Coachways

Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

The Century

The Farmacy

The Modesto Bee

The Parks Group

TSM Insurance & Financial Services

Turlock Irrigation District

Union Bank

US Bank

Valley BMW

Valley Children's Healthcare

Valley First Credit Union

Valley First Credit Union (Dale Branch)

Valley First Credit Union Administrative Offices

Valley Lexus

Varni Brothers Corporation

Vintage Faire Mall/Macerich Company

Walmart

Warden's Office Products Center

Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency

ContaCt the Chamber to learn more about our president's Club level benefits

Guests Can Feel The Spotlight at The Spotlight Café

BY VIRGINIA STILL

After several challenges over the past few years Angela Huerta has reopened Spotlight Café once again. The café is located at 603 H Street and is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Monday and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They offer a variety of beverages including hot and cold coffee, teas, blended drinks, and some edible items like sandwiches and pastries.

The cafe originally opened in October 2020 with a grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting. Huerta explained that it took her about a year and a half to turn it into the café she envisioned. They redid the floor, built the kitchen, installed the plumbing, and brought in the bar and tiled it.

“It was a lot,” said Huerta about the new business. “I had anxiety and we really struggled with not having very many customers so I was only opened three days a week. We were using more electricity than serving customers. If it flies it flies and if it dies it dies. Right now, I plan to stay open.”

The lack of customers propelled Huerta to be creative and she started renting out the space for private parties and pop-up events.

It was previously Townsend Opera house. She has plans for the drama to continue at her café as they have a stage for open mic nights, comedy nights, and live music.

“I want to aim at some high school kids to come here and check it out,” remarked Huerta. “It is an art café. If you want to come in and do music, drawing, painting, whatever your art is come and share it with the café, I got walls to display things.”

Although she is an owner of a café, Huerta has several jobs to make ends meet and is also a student at Modesto Junior College. She is also a caregiver, works with the homeless and people in need. Her husband is the janitor, her daughter is the barista, and her son fills in making it a real family affair.

With the pandemic and several deaths of friends and family the business venture was a bit bleak and they had closed off and on. They planned to reopen in April 2022 but in March a drunk driver crashed into the café causing major damage.

“I cannot walk away from all the blood, sweat and tears I put into this place,” stated Huerta. “To me I already did the hard part so now I feel like I need to stay here and market and get people in here.”

They finally got through several hurdles and reopened in early November. Huerta has hopes that her vision of an art café and possibly a place where she can open Halo Consulting which would include a variety of things like assistance for those that are in danger of losing their home and immigration.

They serve hot and cold sandwiches like chicken pesto and roast beef paninis, sandwich wraps, bagels, and pastries. She is working on getting a grill so that she can offer customers breakfast burritos and other items.

Spotlight Café has Mexican Concha’s that are vegan and gluten free.

▶ ContInued on page 23

Huerta expressed that they have received several compliments on their caramel Frappuccino’s stating they are better than other places. They also have organic teas, smoothies, and flavored lemonades. A guest favorite during the warmer days is their Mango Bombers which is blended sorbet with Tajin and Tamarindo.

▶ continued from page 22

Things have been challenging owning a business but Huerta noted that “it feels awesome” owning her own business and that “it feels like it is not real.”

In January they will host a paint night and other events. They use Door Dash, and Grub Hub. For more information visit them on Facebook @thespotlightcafemodesot or Instagram @thespotlightcafemodesto.

Expertise Makes the Difference

Our partnership with HUB International has made it possible to offer our clients more than ever before. The combination of our local knowledge and expertise along with the resources of one of the nation’s premier insurance companies allows us to bring you creative and cost-effective solutions that are right on target for your businesses needs. Talk to us and see what the advantage of real expertise can do for you and your business.

Holiday Visitors in Modesto: The More the Merrier!

Kristin Galloway / Business Development Manager / Visit Modesto

Holidays are a time for abundant cheer and good will. This extends out to visitors and travelers as well.

The roadways are busier. Retail, event spaces, restaurants, and seasonal activities are bustling. But the extra activity in and around town is not just from locals. It is important to remember why visitors should be embraced and welcomed during the holiday season.

Merriment flows more rampant between November through January. The season of cheer and giving lifts spirits and casts a warm, favorable hue on so many interactions through that timeframe, including visited destinations, organizations, and shops. Modesto has so many unique attractions and events during the holidays including Modesto on Ice, Rockin’ Holidays, Holiday HQ, the Celebration of Lights Parade, and the brilliant arts and entertainment shows done in our venues around town.

Many places within our region and beyond do not and cannot offer the variety and affordability of attractions, shopping, and specialty events/ purchases that Modesto has which is why travelers flock to absorb all the Mo Cheer season has to give.

A merry and bright experience by guests and travelers to Modesto in the holiday season affords a favorable impression for repeat visits.

Therefore, as you are planning your own holiday hustle and bustle, know that visitors will be in and among you through tree shopping, picking the perfect poinsettia, selecting the superb gift, or igniting nostalgic wonder on the ice rink, embrace the holiday magic for you and others and remember that Modesto holiday visitors really means more merriment now and throughout the year.

EXPLORATION FOR 8TH GRADERS

BY THE MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BUSINESS AND EDUCATION COMMITTEE

JANUARY 19TH, 2023

9:00AM - 3:00PM - EXPO (CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC)

4:00PM - 6:00PM - FAMILY OPEN HOUSE

DREAMS INSPIRE YOUTH

IN partnership with

CONNECTING OUR FUTURE COMMUNITY’S WORKFORCE WITH TODAY’S BUSINESSES

PRESENTED

The Top Social Media Platforms for Tech Companies in 2022-2023

By Kathryn Kim Ramos, Sisbro Innovation Online Marketing / Modesto, CA

The top social media platforms for companies in 2022-2023 are what you'd expect. That doesn't mean you should ignore them as a possible place to market yourself.

Below are the top platforms for your brand, no matter your industry. Give each one a try to discover which one suits you the best.

TikTok

We know – you're not into dance challenges and weird robot voices. Yet TikTok's popularity doesn't seem to slow down, despite starting in 2016. More and more businesses are using TikTok to educate their customers and reach new customers.

Another reason to join is TikTok has the advantage of licensed music. They also utilize various filters that put Snapchat's AR to shame.

Most videos are short, personal, and have some message for millions of monthly users to view. Best of all, you can download TikTok for both Apple and Android platforms.

Meta (Facebook's Parent Company)

Meta has combined the sheer might of Facebook and Instagram into one family tree. As a result, they have streamlined content creation for both apps.

Unfortunately, things aren't always user-friendly, nor do they seem polished.

Tiktok has smoothed out most bugs and issues for a more stable app.

Yet Facebook and Instagram tout millions of monthly users and a prominent presence online. You can also use your Facebook/Instagram/Meta account to sign into other websites.

YouTube

The Google-owned video site is still a top contender for gaining traffic online. While watching videos is its primary focus, there are many opportunities for community building.

Content creators typically have a Patreon to fund their videos, but it's not always necessary. Other businesses use YouTube for behind-the-scenes information or to show off their skills.

Best of all, YouTube videos can easily get shared on many other platforms. You may find it the ideal hub for all your brand's social media accounts.

For more information on managing your online presence, go to www.sisbroinnovation.com or call Sisbro Innovation at (800) 291-9102

Why BBB accreditation Matters to your Business

Kyle Dean, Lead Copywriter, BBB serving Sacramento & Northeast California

Consumers today are inundated with data about every product and service available. While this benefits consumers, it can leave honest, hardworking businesses in the data dust. With so much clutter in the palms of consumers' hands, how can you ensure your brand gets ahead?

For most small businesses, the solution usually lies in print marketing, search engine optimization, social media, or countless other solutions. Regardless of the solution you choose, one of the most crucial things you can do for your business is to focus on trust. And nothing evokes trust like an Accreditation from the Better Business Bureau.

What Is BBB Accreditation?

While the BBB lists businesses of all kinds, companies can make sure they stand out by applying for BBB Accreditation. Customers find value in this kind of acknowledgment, with one study noting that consumers are 62% more likely to trust a business with accreditation than one without.

Giving your business a step up over the competition is always something to desire, and aiming for BBB Accreditation is a beautiful way to do this. As an honor that requires trustworthiness, customer respect, and integrity, there’s no better way to help your business stand out.

How BBB Accreditation Works:

• Greater Exposure

° Your company is listed as a BBB Accredited Business, putting you in front of potential customers looking for a trustworthy business.

•

Enhanced

Credibility

° The BBB Accreditation Seal adds additional credibility to more than 400,000 businesses across North America.

• Differentiation

° Accreditation shows that your company is committed to the BBB Standards for Trust, fueling customer confidence and sticking out from the competition.

• Business Tools

° BBB provides access to business tools and resources to make it easier for you to run your company and thrive in a competitive marketplace.

• BBB Get a Quote Program

° Consumers can instantly request a quote from BBB Accredited Businesses directly from your customized business profile page.

• BBB Business Profile Page

° Build your business profile to showcase your products, services, and track record in the marketplace.

If you’re interested in advancing marketplace trust, visit BBB.org/get-accredited.

The California Poultry Federation

Bill Mattos / President

The California Poultry Federation (CPF) represents the state’s turkey and chicken producers and marketers, some egg producers, the largest squab processor in the world right here in Modesto, game birds and Peking and Muscovy Ducks.

A trade association formed in 1990, the CPF represents all segments of the industry including growers, hatchers, breeders and processors. The CPF’s major members are Foster Farms (largest poultry company in the West), Pitman Family Farms, Petaluma Poultry Processors, New Stockton Poultry, and may state of California ethnic processors in Los Angeles and Northern California.

CPF President Bill Mattos was hired and moved from his family newspaper business (Mattos Newspapers, Inc.) to lead the new trade association. He had just served on the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors as well. Key staff includes Monica Della Maggiore, Vice Present of Health and Welfare and Art Razo, Vice President of Member Relations and Communications. The CPF is represented by the lobby firm West Coast Advisors in Sacramento.

Mission Statement

“Through united work and action, promote the California Poultry Industry and its ability to responsiblyproduceandmarketthehighestquality poultry food products in a competitive manner.”

Government Affairs

CPF is actively involved in educating local, state, and federal government about the issues that are of concern to the California poultry industry. CPF members travel to Sacramento for an Annual CPF Legislative Day each March, to personally meet with state legislators and inform them about issues of concern.

On an ongoing basis, CPF members communicate with members of the Legislature on legislation affecting the poultry industry. Industry members are constantly educating legislators about the many complex and far-reaching issues that affect their industry. In past years, successful legislative efforts have been waged on elimination of the sales tax on poultry litter, elimination of the sales tax on medication applied through water, and the sales taxes on new poultry barns.

One of its biggest successes was when the USDA changed the definition of poultry to 26 degrees or higher, when the law allowed chicken to be frozen at 1 degree and labeled fresh. Chef Wolfgang Puck traveled to Washington, DC with Mattos and the California Secretary of Agriculture in the mid-90s to testify. In the end, California won the battle, led by CPF, Foster Farms and Zacky Farms.

Health Board/National Poultry Improvement Plan

CPF is also the official headquarters for the California Poultry Health Board, the state agency which administers the National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP). The NPIP is a testing program for turkey, chicken, game bird breeders and hatcheries that ship throughout the nation and the world.

The California Poultry Health Board works closely with the federal Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

rEPSCO Continues to Be an Industry Leader

George Isaac, Sales Director

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

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

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

REPSCO continues to be the front-runner in developing turn-key solutions for reducing customer shipping and storage costs, while increasing load handling capacity. The company has become proficient in the production of the slip sheets with specifications that can meet any unitized load size, weight and application. Additionally, they are unique in the sense that they understand the transportation and storage business as well as the recycled plastic industry. This is a perfect example of how environmental stewardship can lower the cost of doing business.

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

How is this possible?

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

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

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

• By operating a closed-loop recycling system, REPSCO ensures sustainability with its product. With the millions of wood pallets in America’s warehouses today, it’s time for an alternative –it’s time to partner with REPSCO!

- For more information, contact George Isaac, Sales Director, at 209-375-7190 or at gisaac@ repsco.com

- #itsallaboutrecycling

- #sustainability

George Isaac

Make your mark. Web Design

In today’s mobile world, it’s more important than ever for companies to have instant, mobile-friendly information available as easily as possible, or else people tend to move on to someone who does. Life moves too quickly to look for hard-to-find stuff.

Embracing Holidays

In February 1923, Miriam Minton, a senior at Lodi Academy, took a trip to the Sierra Nevada for her 18th birthday. After graduating, Miriam studied nursing at Loma Linda University where she met and later married fellow medical student, Lawrence Peterson. e two would settle in Lodi, where Miriam managed her husband’s medical practice and successfully raised ve children. At the time of this photo, the Bank of Stockton had been serving customers for 56 years.