Progress Magazine | September 2019

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

VOL. 40 | ISSUE 9 | SEPTEMBER 2019

PATHWAYS TO EDUCATION SUSTAINABLE GROUNDWATER COOKIES IN SPACE

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

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.

SEPTEMBER 2019 | CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Chairman

Steven Rank, Rank Investigations and Protection, Inc.

Past Chairman

Eric Tobias, F&M Bank

Vice Chair, External Operations

Tom Nielsen, Individual Member

Vice Chair, Internal Operations

Patricia Gillum, Patricia A. Gillum,CPA

DIRECTORS

Brad Blakeley, Edward Jones Investments Kirstie Boyett, The State Theater Michael Gaffney, PG&E Michael Howell, Blom & Associates Warren Kirk, Doctors Medical Center Naomi Layland, Huff Construction and Ardis Farming Craig Lewis, Lewis Capital Advisors DeSha McLeod, Community Hospice Inc. Kathy Monday, Squeeze In and Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios, Pacher & Silva Michael Moradian, Jr., Peace of Mind Pest Control & Home Inspections Peggy O’Donnel, Mid-Valley Productions Kristin Reza, Bank of Stockton Bill Robinson, Principal Financial Group Lucy Virgen, Bank of the West David Wright, Wright Insurance Company Pete Zahos, Sysco Central California

ADVISORS

Keith Boggs, Stanislaus County Chief Executive Office George Boodrookas, Modesto Junior College Melissa Williams, Modesto Irrigation District

COMMUNITY

Announcements

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Trish Christensen, Interim CEO/President Modesto Chamber of Commerce tchristensen@ModChamber.org

Publisher: Modesto Chamber of Commerce

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

209.634.9141 • hvanderveen@209magazine.com

In The Air

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Distribution: 209 Magazine 209.634.9141

Advertising Sales:

209 Magazine dsavage@209magazine.com 209.577.5757 Modesto Chamber of Commerce 209.577.5757

Message From Interim CEO

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Chamber Calendar

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Harvest Lunch

ADVOCACY

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Groundwater Update

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Green Team

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Space Cookies

EDUCATION

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Summer Interns

SERVICE

Cover Photo By: Virginia Still © Copyright 2019 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

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RELATIONSHIPS

Graphic Design: 209 Magazine 209.634.9141 • www.209magazine.com Printer: 209 Magazine

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Institute of Technology

People On The Move

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Staff: Membership Coordinator, Sabrinna Gonzales Staff Accountant, Jaime Lastra Administrative Assistant, Hope Gyorfi

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Leadership Modesto

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in

this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

Symphony Sounds

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

SEPTEMBER 2019

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A Message From The Interim President & CEO LOOKING FORWARD

By Trish Christensen

It is with great excitement that I share with you that on August 12th, I accepted an invitation from the Modesto Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Directors, to step into the Interim President and Chief Executive Officer position. In the time I have spent working here, I have come to understand many things about the chamber I did not fully appreciate before joining the organization. As I sit here today, I have great appreciation for the vast array of interests the chamber is involved in, is in support of, and desires to effect positive change in. As I have transitioned from Events Coordinator, to Programs and Events Manager, and now to this, I have also learned that the Modesto Chamber of Commerce – never sleeps. We are quite proud of that.

I have discovered that the individuals actively involved and engaged with our various programs, committees, and events we host, is an impressive collection of energetic and passionate people. It is inspiring to witness the depth of care and concern these citizens have for our community. Whether their individual focus is on businesses large and small, on non-profits, on governmental and civic agencies, on our community partners, or on our incredible education systems and institutions, they all truly want to see Stanislaus County, and its great cities, truly thrive.

On behalf of the Chamber, our Board of Directors, and our co-host, Stanislaus Community Foundation, CEO Marian Kannon, and her staff, I wish to thank Lenny Mendonca and Dr. Jeffrey Michael for sharing their vison with us, and to Kristin Olsen for her participation. We are very proud of the outcome of the State of the Region.

COMMUNITY

Looking forward, the staff and I are eagerly anticipating our fall events and activities season. The 58th Annual Harvest Luncheon is just around the corner on September 13th. We are always very proud to be able to grant the funds raised to the Voss-Berryhill - Modesto Junior College Ag Scholarship Program. We follow that up with the 36th Annual Oktoberfest, at its new venue location – the parking lot adjacent to the Center Plaza, on Friday, October 4th. We then round out the featured events for the year with the return of Disney Institute on Thursday, November 21st, once again held at the MJC West Campus, in the Mary Stuart Rogers Center. The focus for this event is Disney’s Quality of Service. Whether you wish to become a sponsor, or just reserve your space, you may do so directly now, via our website www.modchamber.org. Or, feel free to email or call the office for assistance 209-577-5757.

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I believe the strength and power of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce will grow from the positive pathways we build to one another. Building on our strengths, missions, and relationships. Helping to provide opportunities for people to come together, and to knit individual ideas into the fabric of a bigger vision. If we strive to work together, build together, solve together – we will organically thrive, in every way. The staff and I are looking forward to serving, and growing, our membership and the community we represent. We may not always have the answer or solution you need, but we are ready and willing to be a broker to the resources and services you are searching for. Our membership base is rich with assets and answers. Our greatest focus is you – our valued members.

We look forward to getting to know you more … our Chamber door is always open.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

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Kaiser Permanente spent almost $2 billion with diverse suppliers last year. If you would like to raise your visibility for future procurement opportunities, register your business in our Supplier Portal today!

Register your business at supplierdiversity.kp.org

AUGUST 2019

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CHAMBER CALENDAR SEPTEMBER HOLIDAY- LABOR DAY 2 *Office CLOSED 4

7:30 A.M. Adam Barth; Modesto City Transit Manager, & Dan Leavitt; Ace Train Manager of Regional Initiatives

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CHAMBER U California Payroll Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M.

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RIBBON CUTTING - People’s Remedy 16537 Highway 33 Patterson, CA

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OKTOBERFEST Modesto Center Plaza Parking Lot 5:30-10 P.M.

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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Academy Mortgage Corporation w/Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 3224 McHenry Ave Suite C, Modesto CA 5:30 P.M.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS McHenry Mansion 906 15th, Modesto, CA 5:30 P.M.

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58TH ANNUAL HARVEST LUNCHEON ACE Ag Pavilion, MJC 11:30 A.M.

STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM – TBD* Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M..

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STANISLAUS GREEN TEAM – TINA STERLING, PG&E Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M..

RIBBON CUTTING - Community Hospice Patient Services Center 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, Ca 95356 4:30 P.M.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE Dr. Sara Noguchi, Ed.D., Superintendent Modesto City Schools Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M

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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS Gather 2424 McHenry Ave, Modesto, CA 5:30 P.M.

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RIBBON CUTTING -People's Remedy 1359 Lone Palm Ave, Modesto, CA 12-1 P.M.

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SEXUAL HARASSMENT TRAINING - AgSafe Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 8:30 A.M. & 10 A.M. for Employees 1 P.M. for Supervisors

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COMMUNITY

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE Dan McElhinney Caltrans District 10 Director, Caltrans Projects in Stanislaus County Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 7:30 A.M.

OCTOBER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE 2 Modesto Chamber of Commerce*

CHAMBER U - CMF Leadership Consulting Modesto Chamber of Commerce* 12:00 P.M.

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BUSINESS AFTER HOURS - IHeart Media* 2121 Lancey Dr, Modesto, CA 5:30 P.M.

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GOVERNMENT RELATIONS COMMITTEE DARK for September

*See website for more detail. Please note that calendar events and details are subject to change. **The Modesto Chamber of Commerce is located at 1114 J St., Modesto

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

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

Modesto Area,economic regional businesses and community prosperity through advocacy, collaboration, access to leaders, development, connectivity and business education.

Toour execute our adopted mission have developed an acronym that helps keep us focused. access to leaders, economic connectivity and business education.

That To execute adopted mission we development, havewe developed an acronym that helps keep us focused.

That acronym is “CARES: Community, Advocacy, Relationships, Education and Service.” acronym is “CARES: Community, Relationships, Education andkeep Service.”

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

COMMUNITY

EDUCATION

COMMUNITY

EDUCATION

At its heart the Modesto Chamber is a community of likeminded

The Chamber serves the education community by hosting the

business owners who share the vision for enjoying a thriving economy

annual State of Business and Education event, by fund-raising for local

and creating and maintaining our community as a vibrant place to live,

students at the Ag Aware and Harvest Luncheon annual series, and

work and play. The Modesto Chamber is the go-to resource and

partnering with local schools and colleges to train and educate young

At its heart the Modesto Chamber is a community of likeminded

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. The Modesto Chamber is the go-to resource and

The Chamber serves the education community by hosting the

annual State of Business and Education event, by fund-raising for local

students at the Ag Aware and Harvest Luncheon annual series, and partnering with local schools and colleges to train and educate young

facilitator of ideas and communication for nonprofits, governmental men and women, all in keeping with our pledge to help provide a ready facilitator of ideas and communication for nonprofits, governmental men and women, all in keeping with our pledge to help provide a ready

agencies, and community leaders.

More More than than just ajust business club,club, the the workforce the Chamber Chamber agencies, and community leaders. a business workforcetotoserve serve local local employers. employers. Additionally, Additionally, the Modesto Chamber strives to affect its environment for positive educates its members on practical solutions and best practices through Modesto Chamber strives to affect its environment for positive educates its members on practical solutions and best practices through transformation by supporting change agents in the community. its Progress Magazine articles, monthly Chamber University and Seeds transformation by supporting change agents in the community. its Progress Magazine articles, monthly Chamber University and Seeds ofof Success speaker monthlycommittee committee Success speakerseries, series,workshops workshops and and seminars, seminars, monthly meetings, and SCORE counseling. meetings, and SCORE counseling.

ADVOCACY ADVOCACY

SERVICE SERVICE

Chamber Staff, Board of Directors and many of our topical

Chamber Staff, Board of Directors and many of our topical

committees, such as Economic Development and Government

committees, such as Economic Development and Government

Relations, are engaged and proactively representing our members by

Relations, are engaged and proactively representing our members by

The Chamber believes in service to the community and to its

The Chamber believes in service to the community and to its members. The Chamber Board and staff are active on many nonprofit

addressing business initiatives, addressing issues in our community members. The Chamber Board and staff are active on many nonprofit and government committees, donating their business expertise, time

and working toand relieve regulatory The burdens businesses due as to local statethe governments.

Modesto Chamberendure gets results, to local shown and state Modestomore Chamber gets results, as by governments. recent victoriesThe in forming rational ADA legislation, shown by recent avictories in measure, forming electing more rational legislation, defeating no-growth businessADA friendly candidates, working alongside otherselecting to passbusiness Measure L, a candidates, local self-help defeating a no-growth measure, friendly measure, for our workingtransportation alongside others to and passchampioning Measure L,fora more local water self-help agribusiness, industry citizens. By working together, transportation measure, andand championing for more waterour formembers our are stronger together than they ever be on their own. agribusiness, industry and citizens.

Bycould working together, our members

are stronger together than they could ever be on their own.

RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIPS

The Modesto Chamber specializes in building relationships among business and serving as the nexus to businesses, nonprofit

The Modesto Chamber in building relationships organizations, and specializes governmental agencies.

We hostamong monthly businessnetworking and serving the special nexusevents, to businesses, nonprofit events, as annual an annual trade show, and our long-running Gala. Membersagencies. also may serve committees or go organizations, and governmental We onhost monthly through the Leadership Modesto program wheretrade they will build longnetworking events, annual special events, an annual show, and term relationships with key leaders in the business world and or go our long-running Gala. Members also may serve on committees

andand government their resources. committees, The Chamberdonating also serves its business individualexpertise, members time by andhosting resources.

Thecuttings Chamber alsointroduce serves itsa individual members ribbon which new business to theby hosting ribbon cuttings introduce new business to the community, valuable and which cost effective (free) amarketing opportunities, community, costworkshops effective (free) marketing exposure valuable to social and media, and training for opportunities, our business partnersto andsocial their associates, and other free andtraining discounted exposure media, workshops and forresources. our business

partners and their associates, and other free and discounted resources.

C - Community

C - Community A - Advocacy

A - Advocacy

R - Relationships

R - Relationships E - Education

COMMUNITY

addressing issues in our community and business working toinitiatives, relieve theaddressing regulatory burdens businesses endure due

ES--Education Service S - Service

throughlocal the community.

Leadership Modesto program where they will build longterm relationships with key leaders in the business world and local community.

SEPTEMBER 2019

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Join us for the 58th Annual Harvest Luncheon!

Investing in the future of our area’s most prominent industry is the hallmark of this 58 - year event. Drawing upwards of 700 attendees, Harvest Luncheon brings national, state and local leaders of agriculture together with community leaders. The lunch features Valley products like: Mape’s Ranch tri-tip, beans, and locally grown produce.

Proceeds from the Harvest Luncheon are used exclusively for the Voss-Berryhill - Modesto Junior College Ag Scholarship Program.

Location: MJC ACE Ag Pavilion Date: Friday, September 13, 2019 Time: 11:30 am - 1:00 pm Ticket Price: $30 General Admission

COMMUNITY

For more information and tickets please contact the Chamber at 209.577.5757 or visit the website:

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

ANNOUNCEMENTS MODESTO PHOTOGRAPHER EARNS CERTIFICATION Carolyn Huff of Carolyn Huff Photography Studio and Gallery in Modesto, CA has earned the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) designation from Professional Photographers of America (PPA). Carolyn earned this designation after completing an intensive program that measures her artistic and technical competence.

Professional Photographers of CAROLYN HUFF America currently recognizes fewer than 2,500 CPPs across the nation.

Carolyn says, “I opened my portrait studio five years ago in downtown Modesto. In my previous career, I was licensed by the state and hold national certification as a Speech-Language Pathologist. I sought certification as a photographer because this holds me to a higher standard.

Just as doctors and other professionals seek certification in their industries, I want to show the public my qualifications to be the best photographer possible for them.

Professional Photographers of America (PPA.com/CPP) is the leading body for certifying imaging professionals. CPPs must complete a written examination, finish an image evaluation and adhere to a strict code of conduct. Certification must be renewed on a periodic basis, ensuring continued confidence in the professionalism of Certified Professional Photographers.

For more information on certification, visit PPA.com/CPP. Go to carolynhuff. org to schedule a consultation or for a portrait session or b o o k i n g information for Carolyn Huff, M.A., CPP.

HELPING VALLEY BUSINESS GROW

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

Oak Valley’s Mike Garcia, Commercial Banking Market Manager, 343.7607 with Dean and Amanda Brewer of Brewer Family Dentistry

Oakdale • Sonora • Modesto • Turlock • Patterson Escalon • Ripon • Stockton • Manteca • Tracy • Sacramento

“The Oak Valley team has been great to us. They made our entire loan process seamless and delivered outstanding results. Their personal attention to our needs and business are invaluable.”

COMMUNITY

866.844.7500 • www.ovcb.com

- Dean Brewer, DDS, and Amanda Brewer, DDS, Brewer Family Dentistry SEPTEMBER 2019

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COMMUNITY 10

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

12 MJC BASEBALL PLAYERS TRANSFER TO 4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES Modesto Junior College baseball is sending 12 Pirates to 4-year universities from its 2019 team that went 24-17 and earned a state playoff bid.

Each student athlete came to MJC from its local recruiting area.

Blane Abeyta, RHP, Ceres HS, University of Nevada Jackson Bennett, RHP, Escalon HS, Simpson University

“I am extremely proud of what these young men accomplished on the field and in the classroom as student athletes in our program. They were a huge reason why we had such a successful season, and I cannot wait to see what the future holds for them,” stated MJC head baseball coach Zeb Brayton.

The 2019 MJC baseball team also garnered several conference awards.

Freshman Sean Gingerich, infielder (Oakdale HS) was voted 1st-Team All-conference and also Freshman Hitter of the Year. Gingerich led the Pirates in hitting with a .367 batting average.

Jonathan Temple, OF, Turlock HS, Valparaiso University Brandon Booz, C, Turlock HS, Hawai’i Pacific University Landon Curtis, RHP, Turlock HS, University of the Pacific Tanner Shears, RHP, Enochs HS, Sacramento State University Brandon Peterson, RHP, Excel Academy (Stockton), Hawai’i Pacific University Ernesto Huizar, RHP, Patterson HS, Holy Names University Kevin Duffy, LHP, Beyer HS, Southeastern University Nick Singer, Util, Atwater HS, Vanguard University Marco Gonzales, 1B, Manteca HS, Sonoma State University

Tanner Shears, pitcher (Enochs HS) was voted 1st Team All-conference relief pitcher. Shears led the Pirates with 6 saves, a 1.38 ERA and a strikeout per 9-innings ratio of 14.33.

He also had a 3-1 record while finishing second on the team in strikeouts with 52, as a reliever.

Blane Abeyta, pitcher (Ceres HS) was voted 2nd Team All-conference starting pitcher.

Abeyta led all Pirate pitchers with 5 wins, 65.1 innings pitched and 60 strikeouts.

Head Coach Zeb Brayton also earned Big 8 Conference Co-Coach of the Year honors.

Vito Rodin, RHP, Oakdale HS, Sonoma State University

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Jack Roudebush is a leading crop insurance expert. His combination of industry knowledge and insurance company insight makes him uniquely qualified to help you navigate the intricacies of these programs. Call Jack today to learn how you can minumize your risk and protect your bottom line.

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COMMUNITY

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SEPTEMBER 2019

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Sustainable Groundwater Management Act Update Bill Lyons, the Agricultural Liaison to Governor Gavin Newson, lead the discussion on many pressing agricultural concerns for this region at the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) in August. Although Mr. Lyons has been a long-time Chamber member and supporter, even serving on the Chamber Board, this was his first time presenting to the EDC. Mr. Lyons primarily discussed the importance of water to agriculture, and to the related industries, especially in the Central Valley.

One of the major issues that will impact water in the near future is California’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), signed into law by former Governor Brown in 2014.

What is “groundwater”? “Groundwater” is simply water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock. This is in contrast to “surface water” which is water above ground, contained in creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes. Some surface water inevitably seeps below ground, filling up cracks in the rocks, or filtering through soil, sand and rock and creating underground aquifers. This seepage is called “recharge.” Not only does this occur through bodies of water, but also through practices like flood irrigation you often see locally in nut tree orchards.

SGMA creates a uniform, statewide process intended to protect future groundwater availability through long-term management. But why?

Scarcity. Although California has a great supply of water from its underground aquifers, melting snow pack, and flowing rivers and large lakes, the use of water is expanding as the population and economy grows. Conflict abounds – environmental and climate concerns vs. agriculture; industrial and commercial demand vs. residential needs; urban population centers vs. rural and suburbia; land and species conservation vs. recreation; row crops vs. fishing vs. front yard lawns.

ADVOCACY

For generations, wells have been drilled deep into the ground and water has been pumped out of these aquifers with little regulation.

Long-standing “water rights” have established this usage practice, and users are often tempted to only focus on today’s use, not tomorrow’s availability. Problems are created when the recharge rate does not keep up with the usage of wells that remove the groundwater from the aquifers.

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SGMA targets 6 “undesirable results” in relation to our groundwater, an understated term for “problems.” The 6 problems are (1) lowering groundwater levels; (2) reduction of water storage (think dams); (3) seawater intrusion inland into our rivers and lakes; (4) degraded water quality; (5) land subsidence; and (6) surface water depletion.

These results are more than undesirable, however; they are warning bells to a future California with major water troubles. SGMA’s overall thrust is to establish new responsibilities to share groundwater and its management.

SGMA requires the formation of local agencies to develop new plans to address and prevent problems in groundwater basins in more areas of the state. These local agencies are called Groundwater Sustainability Agencies (GSAs). These new plans are called “Groundwater Sustainability Plans” or GSPs.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

San Joaquin County and most of the Central Valley counties south of Stanislaus are due to submit their GSPs in January 2020. Stanislaus County will have to submit its GSP by January 2022, along with most of the other Central Valley counties north of San Joaquin. The state will then review and approve these plans, and then implementation will begin. GSPs will be reviewed every 5 years. All basins must achieve sustainability by 2042 at the latest.

The purpose of these GSPs is to protect groundwater as an essential resource. Since California has varied climates and conditions, and varied water resources, some GSPs will mainly focus on best practices to prevent these problems from occurring; however, other areas already are succumbing to one or more of these undesired outcomes, and so significant actions will need to be taken. The idea here is that these plans will reflect local conditions and locallyproposed solutions.

The GSPs will focus on balancing supply and demand, with various proposed options in each plan. The plans will develop water budgets, set objectives and measurable goals, create groundwater management standards, and identify actions and projects to meet those goals.

The local GSAs will regulate pumping, monitor and enforce the GSP objectives and goals, charge fees, and require reporting of groundwater use. The GSAs provide a level of regulation and accountability that has been unknown to agriculture and industry in California’s history.

The effects of SGMA will perhaps be felt most by the Central Valley, where significant actions will have to be proposed to correct and reverse some of the undesirable results that are already happening.

And “significant actions” equates to pain for large groups of people.

SGMA will no doubt regulate and restrict groundwater pumping from wells by cities, irrigation districts, farmers, and landowners. As water use is restricted, it will change how we use land and water, the value of farmland will likely fall, and food produced in the Central Valley will face shortages and an increase in price at the supermarkets.

Some estimates are that SGMA plans will remove 1-2.5 million agricultural acres out of production in the southern Central Valley, and land values there may drop over 25%. This could lead to higher unemployment rates, increasing bankruptcy cases, significant drops in property values, which would dramatically decrease funding for schools and other government programs due to less property tax revenues.

As the GSAs are being formed in our Central Valley counties, and as GSPs are being created, now is the time for residents and businesses to make their voices heard. To learn more, you can go to the California Farm Bureau Federation at www.ctbf.com, the Groundwater Exchange at www.groundwaterexchange.org, or the Department of Water Resources SGMA portal at www.sgma.water.ca.gov/portal.

If you would like more information about the Chamber’s Economic Development Committee, which focuses on economic development, land use, water resources, and transportation needs, please contact the Chamber for EDC meeting dates and times.

The Road to Sustainability

SGMA plans will reflect local conditions and can include local solutions. Once approved by the state, your local plan represents a commitment to future actions.

Let’s be clear: • SGMA will affect your groundwater pumping

Learn and Engage!

• SGMA establishes new responsibilities to share groundwater

Participate now to represent your interest. SGMA stresses local

• SGMA will change how we use land and water

group formation, local plans and local management.

• SGMA does not change water rights

Adopt Plan 2020 or 2022 SEE COVER MAP

+20Years

+10Years L ROVA APP PLANNING

+5Years

Your Groundwater Sustainability Plans will map out the road to sustainability

ME PLE PLAN I M

N TIO NTA

+15Years

TY BILI AINA S US T

All basins must achieve sustainability by 2042*

GSPs are reviewed every five years

Participate now by • Learning about groundwater • Contacting your Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA)

• Attending meetings • Contacting your county Farm Bureau

* The difference in timing to achieve sustainability between 2040 and 2042 is due to when the GSP is required. See cover map.

Terms to know Terms to know • Adjudicated Areas: Where disputes over legal rights to groundwater resulted in a court-issued ruling • Adjudicated Areas:have Where disputes over legal rights (known as an adjudication).

Adjudications can cover to groundwater have resulted in a court-issued rulingan entire basin, a portion ofAdjudications a basin, or a group basins. (known as an adjudication). can of cover an entire basin, a portion of a basin, or a group of basins.

• Basin Prioritization: Classification of California’s 517

• Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA): One or local agencies that implement the provisions • more Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA): One or of SGMA. more local agencies that implement the provisions

basins and subbasins into priorities517 based • Basingroundwater Prioritization: Classification of California’s primarily on the importance of groundwater to the area. groundwater basins and subbasins into priorities based The priority of basins and subbasins determines the primarily on the importance of groundwater to the area. schedule completing GSPs anddetermines whether SGMA The priority offor basins and subbasins the provisions apply in a given basin.

Highand mediumschedule for completing GSPs and whether SGMA priority basins must comply with SGMA. provisions apply in a given basin. High- and mediumpriority basins must comply with (BMPs): SGMA. Practices designed • Best Management Practices to help achieve sustainable groundwater management.

• Best Management Practices (BMPs): Practices designed BMPs are intended to be effective, practical, and based to help achieve sustainable groundwater management. on best available science.

BMPs are intended to be effective, practical, and based • Bulletin 118: science.

A California Department of Water on best available Resources (DWR) document outlining the locations and • Bulletin 118: A California Department of Water characteristics of groundwater basins in California.

Resources (DWR) document outlining the locations and • Critically Overdrafted: Basins and in subbasins identified characteristics of groundwater basins California.

by DWR to be subject to conditions of critical overdraft.

• Critically Basins and subbasins identified GSPsOverdrafted: are due in 2020.

by DWR to be subject to conditions of critical overdraft.

GSPs are due in 2020.

proposed by a GSA and approved by the state.

• Measurable Objectives: Conditions linked to the of the GSP, to be achieved the • sustainability Measurablegoals Objectives: Conditions linkedinto the basin within 20 years. sustainability goals of the GSP, to be achieved in the

To learn more Department of Water Resources SGMA portal at: Department of Water Resources sgma.water.ca.gov/portal SGMA portal at: sgma.water.ca.gov/portal

basin within 20 years.

• Sustainability Goals: Metrics established in the GSP planning process to ensure that a basin is operated • Sustainability Goals: Metrics established in the GSP within its sustainable yield. planning process to ensure that a basin is operated • Sustainable Yield: The amount within its sustainable yield. of water that can be extracted from a basin without causing problems to • Sustainable Yield: The amount of water that can be the groundwater basin. See undesirable results on extracted from a basin without causing problems to “Why SGMA?” page. the groundwater basin. See undesirable results on • Undesirable Results: The problems that SGMA strives “Why SGMA?” page. to solve or prevent. See undesirable results on • Undesirable Results: The problems that SGMA strives “Why SGMA?” page. to solve or prevent. See undesirable results on • Water estimated accounting of all the “Why Budget: SGMA?”An page. water (surface and groundwater) that flows into and • out Water An estimated accounting of all the of a Budget: basin. water (surface and groundwater) that flows into and

ADVOCACY

To learn more

of SGMA. Sustainability Plan (GSP): A local plan • Groundwater by a GSA and approved by the state.

• proposed Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP): A local plan

out of a basin.

Groundwater Exchange groundwaterexchange.org Groundwater Exchange

groundwaterexchange.org

California Farm Bureau Federation California Farm www.cfbf.com

Bureau Federation www.cfbf.com

SEPTEMBER 2019

13

READ BY

ADVOCACY

7,500

DECISION MAKERS EVERY MONTH

SALES OFFICES 14

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

Oakdale 209-847-3021

Manteca 209-249-3505

Turlock 209-634-9141

REGIONAL AIR TRAVEL REMAINS A CHAMBER FOCUS

By Cecil Russell The Modesto Chamber of Commerce has supported commercial air travel as part of Modesto and Stanislaus County’s overall transportation strategy. Over the last 10 to 15 years The Modesto Chamber has been a catalyst to help develop a meaningful approach to commercial air travel for both business and leisure travel. We have supported many efforts to acquire consistent and dependable service.

Two City Council members that are also on The Modesto Airport Advisory board agreed to meet in Stockton with Russell Stark and his team to start the discussion and planning to facilitate a joint effort to accomplish the goal of creating a regional partnership. On July 16th a meeting was held at the Stockton Airport, Doug Ridenour and Bill Zoslocki Modesto City Council and Airport Advisory members along with Steve Madison, Chairman of Modesto Chamber Governmental Relations Committee, Randy Clark Vice-Chairman of Modesto Chamber Economic Development Committee and Cecil Russell Chairman of Modesto Chamber’s Airport Sub Committee attended the meeting. There were two persons representing the Stockton Metropolitan Airport Advisory Group.

The meeting was very informative that also included discussions on acquiring a third airline to potentially serve Seattle, Salt Lake and Denver. The request at this time is for Modesto City and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce to promote and help market the air service. Doug Ridenour has taken on the task of scheduling additional meetings with all of the Airport Advisory Board members. We are all looking forward to working together for consistent and reliable commercial air service for our communities.

Doug Ridenour also reported that Sky Trek has sold their private air operations in Modesto to Axis Jet that is home based in Sacramento Executive Airport. They took control on August 1st. This is good economic news for Modesto, they will be adding six to eight charter aircraft at the Modesto Airport, they also plan an expansion of new hangers and will be the only maintenance provider for Pilatus aircraft These are all positive changes for the future of air travel for our region.

ADVOCACY

The plans to attract airlines to service the Modesto Airport have proven to be unsuccessful. With United Express dropping its flights to San Francisco, the consensus was to try to reach a partnership with the Stockton Airport. This would become a regional approach serving both Stockton and Modesto including all of San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties. This was the most consistent idea that was developed. The Modesto Chamber’s Economic Development Committee reached out to the General Manager of The Stockton Metropolitan Airport.

Russell Stark the Director gave a presentation at the June 5th Modesto Chamber Economic Development Committee meeting. His presentation was received with great enthusiasm.

He stated that creating a regional approach was in their plans and invited us to join the effort. Their current commercial service is with Allegiant Airlines that services with flights to Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Diego and he informed us that United Airlines started daily service with two flights per day to Los Angeles as of August 16th.

SEPTEMBER 2019

15

Join us for our up coming Green TEAM Meeting Thursday, September 19th, At NOON Taking place in the Chamber Conference Room

Our guest speaker will be:

ADVOCACY

Tina Sterling

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

People On The Move Austin Joins Grimbleby Coleman Becky joins our Business Advisory Team focusing on supporting business owners by addressing the unique challenges facing them, finding solutions, and taking advantage of new growth and profitability opportunities to increase the overall value of their businesses.

Grimbleby Coleman CPAs is proud to announce and welcome Becky Austin, previously Director of Women’s Ministries at Crosspoint Church, to our team of accounting experts as a Senior Accountant I. Becky is no stranger to the industry.

Prior to her time at Crosspoint, she was part of our team for nearly 4 years and has led a fruitful career in accounting for much of her professional life.

We are excited to have Becky’s talents in project management and organizational leadership to provide a fresh, objective perspective while guiding our clients at every stage of their business.

BECKY AUSTIN

Join us in welcoming Becky Austin to the Grimbleby Coleman CPAs family.

Promotions At Atherton & Associates Rebeca Baeza

Laurie Sanny

Atherton & Associates is pleased to announce the promotion of Rebeca Baeza, CPA to an Assurance Manager in the firm. Rebeca joined the firm in 2013. She graduated summa cum laude from California State University, Stanislaus with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance.

Atherton & Associates is pleased to announce the promotion of Laurie Sanny, CPA to a Tax Manager in the firm. Laurie joined the firm in 2016. She graduated from California State University, Stanislaus, with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration.

REBECA BAEZAR Rebeca’s six years of experience have allowed her to develop an expertise in financial statement audits, including audits in accordance with Government Auditing Standards and the Uniform Grant Guidance. She serves clients in the areas of agriculture, manufacturing, cooperatives and not-for-profit organizations. Rebeca also collaborates with various sized companies to monitor, test and implement internal controls. Her knowledge in these fields has helped the firm continue to grow and serve a larger range of clientele.

Rebeca is a Treasurer for Haven Women’s Center of Stanislaus and is involved in several community and professional organizations. She lives in Modesto with her daughter.

LAURIE SANNY

Laurie’s ten years of experience have allowed her to develop an expertise in agriculture tax, particularly dairies and other agricultural industries. She also has extensive experience working with not-forprofit organizations and preparing Compilation and Review Financial Statements. Her knowledge in these fields has helped the firm continue to grow and serve a larger range of clientele.

Laurie is a graduate of Leadership Modesto and is involved in several community and professional organizations. She lives in Modesto with her husband.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS ■ TAKAPA MEDIA 3848 McHenry Ave Ste. 135-122 Modesto 95354 http://takapa.net (209) 702-1313 ■ LOVE MODESTO 1401 F Street Modesto 95354 http://www.lovemodesto.com (209) 566-9343

■ STRAND ACE HARDWARE 3360 McHenry Ave., Modesto CA http://strandace.com (209) 488-4224 ■ PFSA (PORTUGUESE FRATERNAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA) 1100 14th Street, Suite E, Modesto, CA 95354 http://mypfsa.org (209) 702-6364 ■ THE SHIRE COMMUNITY SPACE 1509 K St Modesto 95354 http://theshire.space/ (209) 681-3596 SEPTEMBER 2019

RELATIONSHIPS

■ CECE HUDELSON (INDIVIDUAL) http://www.mjc.edu

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Going Where No Cookie Has Gone Before The DoubleTree Cookie will be first food baked in space, as Hilton sends hospitality into orbit aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

DoubleTree by Hilton will take its iconic warm welcome to new heights as its famous chocolate chip cookie is baked inside a prototype oven designed to make long-duration space flight more hospitable. Since its introduction in 1986, more than 443 million DoubleTree Cookies and counting have been shared with guests. The DoubleTree Cookie is the ultimate symbol of hospitality and a warm welcome. The simple gesture of offering a warm DoubleTree Cookie at check-in has become synonymous with the brand’s commitment to providing guests a warm welcome and comfortable stay. Scientists are now using this same welcoming gesture to pioneer the future of space travel, just as Hilton has continued to pioneer the future of hospitality over the past 100 years. Opening up the frontier of space to all means making it relatable to people’s everyday lives, and what could be more relatable than a freshly baked cookie?

In partnership with Zero G Kitchen – which creates appliances for micro-gravity use in long-duration space flights, and NanoRacks – a leading provider of commercial access to space, DoubleTree by Hilton will make aerospace history later this year (timing to be confirmed), when a batch of DoubleTree Cookie dough is launched along with the prototype oven bound for the International Space Station (ISS). The DoubleTree Cookie will be baked aboard the International Space Station (ISS) following the launch later this year

and will be available to watch online soon after. To learn more about the launch of the DoubleTree Cookie into space later this year and the technology behind the oven, please visit www.CookiesinSpace.com.

Hospitality and innovation are part of our DNA. As Hilton celebrates its 100th anniversary, it’s only natural that DoubleTree by Hilton continues our commitment to pioneering the future. At the height of the space race, Hilton announced plans for a hotel on the moon, and this technology furthers our goal of taking hospitality to new frontiers.

In its 100th year, Hilton is now the first hotel company to experiment on the International Space Station (ISS).

As DoubleTree by Hilton looks to the future, the brand is committed to inspiring the next generation of travelers and has partnered with NanoRacks and Scholastic to develop an educational program and student contest for 50,000 middle school classrooms across the U.S. related to hospitality in space. The program and accompanying curriculum, which includes a lesson and activity sheet, will focus on understanding the challenges of living and working in space and encourage students to think creatively about what innovations need to occur to ensure long-duration space travel is comfortable and hospitable.

The contest is open to U.S. middle school students from September 10, 2019 to October 22, 2019 (timeframe subject to change). Prizes will include a cash award, iPad and complimentary stay at any DoubleTree

by Hilton hotel. Full details and submission guidelines are available at www.scholastic.com/openingdoorsinspace.

Chamber Ambassador Highlight

Meet Carolyn Huff

RELATIONSHIPS

I come from a long line of photographers.

My great grandfather was one of the first photographers in Stanislaus County. His son and his grandson were also photographers.

I received my first camera at age six–a Kodak Instamatic! While I was still in high school, I enrolled in photography classes and experienced the “magic” of developing film in CAROLYN HUFF the darkroom. In fact, a couple of years ago, I had the privilege of creating portraits for my high school photography teacher and her family. I was thrilled to be able to give back to the one who first taught me about painting with light and shadow.

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In 2015, I opened Carolyn Huff Photography Studio and Gallery (www. carolynhuff.org), located in downtown Modesto. The focus of our studio is to create unique portrait artwork for business and homes.

The gallery is also a partner with the Modesto Art Walk, displaying work from local artists each month. To date, we have displayed the works of over 100 local artists.

I love listening to the stories people tell about their life. As a portrait artist, I sit down with each new client to discuss how they want to be portrayed. This teamwork helps us create personalized portrait art MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

that will truly reflect each client’s style. Most of our clients walk away from their portrait session as a new friend because of the time we spend together. The majority of our portrait art is finished either as an oil painting on canvas or as a portrait on watercolor. When I create portrait art, it is really like creating gold for people because our clients tend to treasure the artwork we design for them. My goal as a portrait artist is to be someone you can trust to capture moments of significance to you and create a work of art for you that will be in your family and on the walls of your home for decades.

Because I love working with children, we are also launching a new school photography division, called FacePaint Photography (www. facepaintphotography.com). Through FacePaint, we target all levels of educational photography, from preschool - college or tech ed.

For me being an Ambassador with the Modesto Chamber of Commerce is a great way to give back to the community I grew up in. I love that we are all looking for ways to make Modesto a better place, both for businesses and for families. As an Ambassador, I get to personally meet business owners and hear a little of their story. We have very talented people in our community and it is an honor to be a volunteer with the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

NEW MEMBER HIGHLIGHT ASPEN DENTAL With more than 750 locations across 41 states, Aspen Dental is the largest branded network of dental practices in the U.S., and every Aspen Dental location is owned and operated by a licensed, independent dentist. Together, Aspen Dental practices cared for more than 1.8 million patients in 2018 alone.

Our new Modesto office that opened this summer is the first of six new Aspen Dental offices to open in California this year. Dr. John Farah is the general dentist of the Modesto, California office. His mission is to provide patients with the highest quality dental care. He continually strives for excellence in the care he renders, and helps patients realize how good oral health can improve their overall quality of life. Dr. Farah received his Doctorate from the University of Florida College of Dentistry. He is a member of the ADA, CDA, the Stanislaus Dental Society and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce.

He knows all too well that dentistry isn’t at the top of most people’s “to do” list — patients tend to put it off until they are in pain or experiencing a dental emergency, but having access to care is essential. In fact, Aspen recently conducted a study that found nearly half of the population in the Modesto and Sacramento areas have experienced a dental emergency at one time or another.

Aspen Dental’s mission has always been to break down barriers to better care, better smiles and better lives. Now, our California offices will have the opportunity to participate in Aspen Dental’s Healthy Mouth Movement, a nationwide initiative in which the “MouthMobile”– a 42ft dentist office on wheels – travels coast to coast providing free dental care to veterans. On Veteran’s Day, November 11, the MouthMobile’s first-ever California stop will take place in Sacramento.

WISE GUYS PC Wise Guys PC opened in 2006 as a training center first to help “the adults left behind” when it came to using computers. Then on September 11, 2007 we received a call that would change everything, it was from a testing company representing Department of Homeland Security and they were looking for a company to do pre-employment testing in our area. When we got the call, at first it caught us off guard and we thought we had done something wrong, until we heard the whole story. That call changed our whole focus. Since then, we have continued to add testing contracts and now up to about 15 with close to 10,000 different tests offered. We recently moved back to Modesto to have more room and still space to “grow.” We are in the planning stages to start offering food/restaurant management certification training followed by certification testing as a 1-day event. We offer online training for those interested in the computer IT industry and are

looking into adding more training including cyber security soon.

Wise Guys PC started as a family owned and ran business and continues to this day the same way. Now owned by a secondgeneration family member with no plans on selling but plans to keep and hopefully continue to grow the business. Wise Guys is focused on education and community. In the past the family has belonged to Kiwanis and works with the Knights of Columbus in Ceres every year on their annual crab feed. We have also helped with the Oktoberfest for several years and plan on doing so again this year. By working with the community and supporting organizations that help children we feel that we are helping to make the world a better place for all.

RELATIONSHIPS

Ribbon C uttings

Strand's Ace Hardware 3360 McHenry Avenue SEPTEMBER 2019

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PRESIDENT’S CLUB CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE DIAMOND LEVEL Beard Land and Investment Co. Doctors Medical Center-DMC Pacific Southwest Container, Inc. Frito-Lay Co., Inc. Bank of the West (McHenry) Bank of the West (H Street) Bank of the West (Pelandale) Doctors Behavioral Health Physician Referral ServiceCapax - Giddings, Corby, Hynes, Inc.

GOLD LEVEL Crystal Creamery Doubletree by Hilton Modesto Sysco Central California Inc. Green Insurance Agency Sutter Health Valley Area Modesto Nuts Professional Baseball IHeart Media Encompass Health Rehabilitation of Modesto 5.11, Inc. Fiscalini Cheese Company

PLATINUM LEVEL Kaiser Permanente Walmart E & J Gallo Winery

SILVER LEVEL Oak Valley Community Bank Bank of Stockton - Modesto Main Branch O'Brien's Market W.H. Breshears, Inc. Yosemite Meat Co., Inc. Rizo-Lopez Foods, Inc. Aramark Uniform Services Atherton & Associates, LLP Union Bank

Clark Pest Control Collins Electrical Damrell, Nelson, Schrimp, Pallios, Pacher & Silva Del Monte Plant #1 Delta Sierra Beverage Solecon Industrial Contractors F&M Bank (McHenry) Grover Landscape Services, Inc. Gianelli Nielsen Gilton Solid Waste Mgmt, Inc. Sutter Gould Medical Foundation Mister Car Wash (Prime Shine Car Wash) Grimbleby Coleman CPAs, Inc. Modesto Toyota US Bank Turlock The Modesto Bee American Medical Response Gold Modesto Irrigation District O'Brien's Market Pacific Gas & Electric Co. Pepsi Bottling Group TSM Insurance & Financial Services Winton-Ireland, Strom & Green Insurance Agency Rogers Jewelry Co. Save Mart Supermarkets - Corp Office even-Up Bottling Co. of Modesto/Varni Brothers Corporation Valley First Credit Union Stanislaus Food Products Co. Stanislaus Surgical Hospital Storer Coachways Vintage Faire Mall/Macerich Company Warden's Office Products Center Wells Fargo Bank Wells Fargo Bank JS West & Companies International Paper Co. PMZ Real Estate

Congratulations

TO THIS MONTH'S MILESTONE MEMBERSHIPS

40 years +

DELTA SIERRA BEVERAGE AMERICAN AGCREDIT

WELLS FARGO ADVISORS

RELATIONSHIPS

DOCTORS MEDICAL CENTER-DMC

Oak Valley Community Bank Round Table Pizza #701 Central Valley Specialty Hospital Flowers Baking Co. of Modesto, LLC Care One Home Health and Hospice, Inc. Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Save Mart Supermarkets Maxx Value Foods Food Maxx Golden Valley Health Centers Flooring Liquidators, Inc. Lewis Capital Advisors Valley First Credit Union Administrative Offices Round Table Pizza #186 Round Table Pizza, Corporate Round Table Pizza #1033 Round Table Pizza #1034 Audi Modesto BURGERIM Residence Inn by Marriott Modesto North Caliber Collision Stifel Investment Services Winton-Ireland, Strom &

CONTACT THE CHAMBER TO LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR PRESIDENT'S CLUB LEVEL BENEFITS

15 + years

MODESTO JUNK CO., INC. OFFICETEAM MODESTO RADIOLOGICAL MEDICAL GROUP, INC. LAW OFFICES OF LESLIE JENSEN W.H. BRESHEARS, INC. MODESTO SEED CO., INC. YOSEMITE MEAT CO., INC. FRESH IDEAS FLOWER CO. MARIE B. KELLY & ASSOC. PANELIZED STRUCTURES INC.

FABRICATED EXTRUSION CO., LLC

VISUALLY IMPAIRED PERSONS SUPPORT

SANDERS CONSTRUCTION CO.

H.E.D. SEED PRODUCTIONS, INC.

25 + years MULTI BUSINESS SYSTEMS

FUNWORKS FAMILY FUN COMPANY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY YOSEMITE FARM CREDIT VISION FAIRE OPTOMETRY PRINCIPAL FINANCIAL GROUP STANISLAUS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT STANISLAUS COUNTY FREE LIBRARY PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE

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English Oaks Nursing & Rehabilitation Hospital Bank of the West (Dale Road) Valley BMW Panelized Structures Inc. COIT Services Inc. Solid Networks, Inc. American Chevrolet US Bank US Bank (Modesto Main) Valley First Credit Union (Dale Branch) Mocse Credit Union Valley Lexus Wells Fargo Bank Galletto Ristorante Mocse Credit Union Warden's Office Furniture Outlet Central Valley Automotive Oak Valley Community Bank Opportunity Stanislaus Rogers Jewelry Comcast F&M Bank (Carpenter Road) California State University, Stanislaus US Bank Turlock Irrigation District F&M Bank (Dale Road) San Joaquin Valley College Infiniti of Modesto Valley Children's Healthcare O'Brien's Market Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino Bank of Stockton - Dale Road Valley Children's Healthcare Mercer Foods Wells Fargo Bank Central Sanitary Supply Co. Central Valley Nissan Central Valley Volkswagen Hyundai Central Valley Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

5 + years

NICHOLAS POBLETE D.D.S., INC. HUFF RESTORATION PHYSICIAN REFERRAL SERVICE-DMC CAROL WHITESIDE BERTOLOTTI DISPOSAL DIRECT FLOORING & HOME CENTRAL CALIFORNIA ART ASSOCIATION/MISTLIN GALLERY INNOVATIVE PARADIGMS ERIN MILAN SALON & SPA

MODESTO SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA ENTERTAINS AND EDUCATES

By Virginia Still

Enjoying music is a great way to spend time with family and friends creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you are young, old, or in between, music brings people together and enriches our lives with beautiful harmonies and melodic sounds.

Bringing the community five classic concerts each year along with three Pops performances and two community concerts, the Modesto Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has been an iconic source of entertainment since 1931.

As a resident company at the Gallo Center for the Arts for the past 10 years MSO continues to bring a full ensemble of professional musicians to perform spectacular concerts for audiences.

During the next few months MSO will have a variety of concerts for guests to enjoy like the annual Picnic at the Pops! Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 7:30 p.m. on the E. & J. Gallo Winery Grounds.

The Beatles hits will be performed as well as a special salute to the 50th Anniversary of the revolutionary album Abbey Road. The Picnic at the Pops has been an annual event for the past 25 years.

Picnic at the Pops has been a huge hit with audiences. The outdoor event has become a tradition in Modesto and brings about 4000 people to the Gallo Winery.

On November 1, Beethoven & Dvorak at the Gallo Center for the Arts will kick off their 89th Classics series with Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 Eroica, then the MSYO Season Opening Concert will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 2 p.m. and in December the Holiday Pops! will help everyone get into the Christmas spirit.

Modesto Symphony hosts a number of educational programs as well, including educational concerts and interacting with professional musicians.

For more information on the Modesto Symphony Orchestra concerts and programs visit www. modestosymphony.org.

RELATIONSHIPS

Originally the organization started out with a group of people that came together and created a community orchestra. Through the years the orchestra has grown and to this day there are over 70 professional musicians from the Central Valley and Bay Area that entertain the masses.

SEPTEMBER 2019

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MODESTO INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY MEETING EMPLOYER NEEDS How does the Institute of Technology (IOT) in Modesto help employers meet their staffing needs? The Institute of Technology is committed to meeting the staffing needs of local employers through workforce development. The Institute of Technology provides training in a wide range of technical programs in the Culinary, Medical, and Criminology fields. IOT specializes in preparing our future workforce for the following careers:

The Institute of Technology strives to be the “go-to” College when employers have hiring needs.

Vocational Nursing Heating and Air Conditioning Criminal Emergency Response Management Culinary Baking and Pastry Medical Assisting Medical Billing Pharmacy Technician

Professional Development / Soft Skills / Résumé Workshops Mock Interviews / Group interviews Career Fairs / Program Advisory Committees Industry Guest Speakers / Field trips Program Specific hands-on-externships

Institute of Technology offers placement support and assistance to graduates to help them achieve their goal of advancing or starting a new career. Institute of Technology has a dedicated Career Services Staff. The objective of the Career Services team is to partner with local employers and develop long-lasting relationships allowing us to match motivated graduates with employers seeking employees.

The IOT Career Services Team is available to assist students with skills that will help facilitate a smooth transition from student, to graduate, to employee. This intense preparation includes:

Although Institute of Technology cannot guarantee employment, the Career Services Team has extensive experience in assisting motivated graduates with finding employment. The Career Services team sets up on site interviews for employers, works with hiring employers to provide résumés for qualified students and graduates, and host bi-annual career fairs which are open to IOT students, graduates, and the surrounding Central Valley community. To learn more about how the Institute of Technology can help meet your employee needs please call (209) 572-7800 or email the Director of Career Services, Tracy Stewart at tstewart@IOT.edu.

MOVING FORWARD WITH ADVANCED COLLEGE Advanced College was first founded in 1999 and was purchased by Jusrand LLC, dba Advanced College in Modesto, CA., to fulfill the organizational goal in providing quality education in the healthcare field.

A passion for healthcare and community involvement led a local physician and investor to bridge the gap between a lack of healthcare professionals in the area.

Advanced College believes providing quality education to students can lead in the medical field benefiting our local community.

EDUCATION

Advanced College is looking to expand the Surgical Technology program in the Central Valley area.

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Based on local research, medical facilities have expressed a need for homegrown surgical technologists due to high turnover rates. Our goal is to lower this rate by training our students to become highly skilled Surgical Technologists for local employers. Students are required to participate in 810 hours of externship to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge to be successful in the field.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

Upon successful completion, our students receive an Associate of Science Degree in Surgical Technology.

In addition, Advanced College – Salida Campus offers a certificate in Vocational Nursing and an Associate of Applied Science in Healthcare Management.

Advanced College also has campuses in South Gate, CA and Stockton, CA. The college offers the following programs: Computerized Accounting (South Gate) Phlebotomy (South Gate & Stockton) Vocational Nursing (all campuses) AS in Surgical Technology (all campuses) AAS in Healthcare Administration (all campuses) Advanced College would love to partner with our local businesses in hosting events or having our students partake in extracurricular activities in their field of study.

Visit us at 5258 Pirrone Ct., Salida, CA. 95368 or call at (209) 290-0333.

strategies that help create world-class service. Spend with Disney Institute and you’ll benefit from our insights

uality service and learn to think differently. Are you

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Attention to detail can be the difference between mediocre customer service and world-class, memorable experiences that drive repeat business. In this course, you will examine time-tested Disney strategies that help create world-class service. Spend one day with Disney Institute and you’ll benefit from our insights on quality service and learn to think differently. Are you ready to D’Think your customer experience?

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EDUCATION

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As to Disney artwork/properties: © Disney

SEPTEMBER 2019

23

EDUCATION IN STANISLAUS COUNTY

By Susan Rich, Retired Assistant Superintendent, Stanislaus County Office Of Education Because we have all been there – sitting in chairs before a teacher who was earnestly trying to teach us our ABC’s or our times tables, or when we were older, patiently explaining how to conjugate Spanish verbs or differentiate between the mysterious semi-colon and the comma – we know what education is. Perhaps as parents, we have gone to Back to School nights or Open Houses to meet teachers at the beginning of the school year or to view celebrations of student work in the spring and have a new perspective on education.

But once we get past our own classroom memories and parental obligations, have we ever thought of Education as a business?

the school with the matching programs so that students are no longer held captive by the designated high school of residence. Each site has more to offer but what follows is a small sample of choices. Beyer High School has Robotics/ Engineering and Small Engine Repair programs. Davis High hosts a Health Career Academy. Downey High School is home to an Ag Mechanics and a Culinary Arts Program.

Enochs High provides a Forensics/Biotech Science Academy; Gregori, a Global Studies; and Johansen, a DATA (Digital Arts and Technology Advancement) Pathway. Modesto High offers a Performing Arts Academy and the International Baccalaureate Program.

Well, it is a BIG business. Forty percent of the California’s current $144 billion budget is dedicated to education.

Approximately 314,000 teachers work with over six million students in the state’s 10,000 plus schools, organized in just over 1,000 districts. Stanislaus County has 109,000 students spread across 25 districts and the county office. Yes, indeed: education is big business.

For a beautiful example of a school system responding to the needs of local employers, you can turn to the Patterson Unified School District. Patterson sits on the edge of Interstate 5. Therefore, huge distribution centers for companies like Amazon, Kohl’s, Restoration Hardware and others have chosen to claim a very large footprint in the area. Creating a Supply Chain and Logistics Program made sense, and this exists, feeding graduates into entry-level jobs. But, there is more. Seizing on the local industries’ needs and a hidden gem in the ranks of the teaching staff, the district has launched a program to certify truck drivers. Starting in the fall of 2017, seniors at Patterson High School entered one of the nation’s first year-long programs available at a high school.

A former fourth grade teacher and experienced truck driver worked with district superintendent Dr. Phil Alfano, to form partnerships with local trucking firms, purchase simulators, and put students’ feet on a lucrative career path.

Locally, it is a funded venture. It has a defined “product.” With the advent of charter schools, alternative education programs, home schooling and on-line entities, schools now compete for “customers,” or students. Even the older, established neighborhood schools feel the need to “sell” their programs and develop “market appeal” to students and their parents.

“Declining enrollment” is often perceived as a death knell for educators because maintaining schools and programs for students with ever-increasing costs and shrinking revenue is an incredible challenge.

EDUCATION

Rampant changes in society impact schools, compounding the pressure of maintaining the fiscal bottom line. Teachers debate whether time is better spent teaching keyboarding skills or cursive handwriting. Don’t we want our children to have a chance at a comfortable, rewarding future by heading off to college and earning a degree? Meanwhile, Gallo is having a hard time finding employees who can repair small engines, and there are some impressive wages to be had as a plumber. How do we prepare students for the future – a future we probably cannot even envision – while ensuring that our local businesses have access to a prepared work force? On top of all that, capturing students’ interest is critical too. This is the big and complex challenge facing educators. How are local school districts responding?

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The good news is that Stanislaus County educators can lay claim to many innovative answers. The short list that follows does, in no way, capture all the options currently available but is revealing of the diversity of educational opportunities.

Our largest school system, Modesto City Schools, has seven comprehensive high schools, each housing unique programs.

Students with particular interests may choose to attend MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

The students of Newman Crows Landing Unified School District are in the almond growing business. In February of 2016, Orestimba High students planted over 580 almond trees, and now, in partnership with Stewart and Jasper Orchards, they reap the profits of the orchard’s yield.

Classes focused on Horticulture, Ag Mechanics, Welding and Fabrication maintain the orchard to take care of the very practical responsibilities of pruning, fertilizing, weed management, irrigation, pre- and post-harvest tasks and equipment repair. The school actively prepares its students for one of this county’s prime agri-businesses.

Nearby, Riverbank Unified School District is focused on ensuring students have the linguistic ability and cultural awareness to operate and compete in the global market.

Like many other districts, Riverbank students have access to dual immersion programs through which they develop fluency in both English and Spanish. With an eye on China as a developing business giant, Riverbank has folded Mandarin into the acquisition of language for students in the Riverbank Academy of Multilingual Education. This program starts early, and elementary students who opt into the Academy begin to explore Chinese culture and language in the early grades. This focus will continue throughout their middle and high school experience. Fluency in multiple languages allows students to stay connected to their own families both here and abroad, and to prepare for job opportunities on the worldwide market.

Districts in the southern portion of the county are on the innovative train as well. Turlock Unified School District (TUSD) supports and invites new partnerships with local industry by hosting a TUSD and Industry Business Symposium. The results of this increased collaboration are new internships for students with the City of Turlock and E & J Gallo Winery, for instance, and new employment opportunities for former students. Ceres Unified School District has a well-established Manufacturing and Green Technology Academy. With strong partnerships and a talented and dedicated teacher, the Academy has its students installing solar energy systems for low-income families, among other projects. Instructor Chris Van Meter indicated that Gallo and Frito Lay have placed hundreds of his students in manufacturing positions upon graduation from Ceres High School.

The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) has great plans for the recently-dedicated Tom Changnon Education Center. This building houses several Career Technical Programs. The Northern California Construction Training program is preparing adult-aged students with industryrecognized certifications. Forklifts and stacks of pallets, in the large, open space once dedicated to the Modesto Bee’s printing presses, provide evidence of another training program

dedicated to meeting the needs of local employers.

Home Health Care is a burgeoning industry with a new program destined for the same building. Bottom line, through partnerships with local employers and Opportunity Stanislaus, SCOE’s mission is to provide just-in-time training and certification programs that enable graduates to walk into hard-to-staff and wellpaid positions.

Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools, Scott Kuykendall is fully behind the creative and innovative programs destined for the Changnon Center. These programs represent the career end of a pipeline or continuum that is shaping up locally. He describes the Cradle to Career Partnership being launched in Stanislaus County as inspiring.

“By aligning systems and forging new partnerships, we can better and more creatively utilize our resources – fiscal, physical, and human – to ensure increased prosperity for Stanislaus residents.”

Both Modesto Junior College and CSU, Stanislaus have representatives at this same Partnership table ensuring that the large educational systems in the county are talking to each other, identifying obstacles for students who are navigating the systems, and problem solving together to remove the barriers.

While college is “not for everyone,” some college, or postsecondary training is. Yes, this county needs skilled workers who can fill our local industry’s unfilled positions as soon as possible, but it is also true that this county needs more degree earners. Whereas one in every three Californian adults has completed a four-year degree, only one in six Stanislaus County adult residents can say the same. It is important to note, CSU, Stanislaus has the largest percent of first generation college graduates in the California State University system. So educators are at work across several fronts: preparing students for careers and preparing students for college.

Like the talented acrobat at the circus who is spinning multiple plates while performing feats of flexibility and dexterity, educators are working hard to adapt to the technological times, provide employers with their immediate job needs, offer programs that meet student interests, and prepare those same students for the unknown future. Innovation starts with the youngest of students and continues through to programs that target adults. Through its various efforts, diverse programs and dedicated employees, the Business of Education strives to meet its bottom line: a thriving and prosperous Stanislaus County.

SEPTEMBER 2019

EDUCATION

Across the county, at the far eastern edge of Stanislaus, the Oakdale Joint Unified School District increased vocational opportunities for ALL students, with a particular emphasis on Agriculture Education. Superintendent Marc Malone knew that “The Agriculture Industry has a rich history in Oakdale and is currently one of the fastest growing industries in our nation.” The district doubled the staffing of the Agriculture Department to support student participation at twice the former rate. An agriculture pathway allows a student to meet all the UC/CSU prerequisites, while providing a wide spectrum of agricultural experiences. Oakdale is developing a School Farm, a 26-acre facility that allows students to literally get their hands in the dirt. The Farm offers students a course of study including: animal science, plant science, animal husbandry, crop production, hydrology, and agriculture (international) business.

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THANK YOU TO BUSINESS HOSTS Local businesses hosted a Stanislaus County teacher (or two) to intern for forty hours this summer. Stanislaus Partners In Education (SPIE) pays the teacher and Worker’s Comp is covered by the instructor’s district. This is an opportunity for business to have a direct impact on what the teacher/intern teaches in the classroom to students, who, ultimately, could be your future employee.

Development; Never Boring Design; City of Modesto PIO; Congressman Harder’s Office; The Modesto Nuts; The Village Butcher; Alchemy Bread; Community Hospice; Central Valley Ag Group; Burchell Nursery; United Cerebral Palsy; Stanislaus County; Stanislaus County Public Works; Greens on Tenth; Stanislaus County CSA; Sutter Health; Dairy Veterinary Services; Sierra Vista.

This summer 30 Stanislaus County teachers interned in businesses/industry.

Contact SPIE at: spie@thevision.net www.stanislauspartners.com

The SPIE Board sincerely thanks this year’s intern hosts: G3 Enterprises, Inc.; E & J Gallo Winery; Modesto Police Department; Center for Human Services; Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department; Turlock Irrigation District; The Modesto Bee; Sutter Health; United Way; Huff Construction; Workforce

WELCOME BACK TO MODESTO CITY SCHOOLS

EDUCATION

By Dr. Sara Noguchi, Ed.D., Superintendent, Modesto City Schools

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My first year as Superintendent for Modesto City Schools was a whirlwind – I was humbled and touched by the support and warm welcome I received a year ago, and I’m extremely proud of the partnerships that I’ve nurtured with the Board of Education, our staff, the students and their families, and the local community. Through these partnerships and collaborative efforts, we were able to accomplish great things and reach new heights … and we already have forward momentum propelling us into this new school year.

District Goal One: Increase academic achievement and ensure equitable access to enable all students to attain college and career readiness.

I spent a good portion of the first few months of the last school year on my “Looking, Listening, and Learning” journey. During this time, I remained focused on gathering and assessing data by meeting with as many stakeholders as possible to gain an understanding of how Modesto City Schools effectively accomplishes our endeavor to support students as well as to identify areas where we could grow and be more innovative.

The feedback I received from those meetings was compiled and used by a diverse set of stakeholders to create the following Strategic Goals for the District (more detail is available online at www. mcs4kids.com):

District Goal Four: Ensure the District is fiscally and operationally sound.

MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

District Goal Two: Ensure all employees have access to high quality professional development.

District Goal Three: Provide a safe, welcoming, and respectful learning environment for every member of the school community while ensuring effective district-wide communication for students, staff, families, and community partners.

District Goal Five: Recruit, hire, train, and retain high quality staff.

These goals align with our “Vision, Mission & Values” statements and provide a clear focus for all staff that will guide our work to improve student outcomes. Because at Modesto City Schools, we stand united – as educators, as staff, as mentors, and as resources to the students and families we serve – in our focus on making students’ learning experiences the top priority for our district.

How Leadership Rationalization Can Impact Performance and the Bottom Line Chris has been involved in training through CMF Leadership Consulting and the Modesto Police Department combined for over 20 years. He has been involved in leadership training since 2006 and have trained over 1000 public and private leaders of all levels from over 150 organizations in California, Nevada, Oregon, Montana, New Jersey, Texas, and are now certified in Arizona, and by several private companies.

"Clear, Meaningful and Focused Leadership Training" This highly interactive workshop is brought to you in partnership with CMF LEADERSHIP CONSULTING, Chris Fuzie, Ed.D. The key points: Recognize and understand the 3 foremost types of rationalizing behaviors How to avoid rationalization to better sustain accountability How rationalization impacts your business practices

Date: Time: Location: Facilitator: Details:

Wednesday, September 11th, 2019 12 Noon to 1:15 PM Modesto Chamber of Commerce Chris Fuzie, Ed.D. Drinks provided, bring your own lunch

EDUCATION

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*Please Register at modchamber.org* SEPTEMBER 2019

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Get The Fast Facts About Amtrak Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 1.1 million annual riders and 18 stations providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Amtrak San Joaquins runs 7 daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno. To book your next trip, visit www.AmtrakSanJoaquins.com or call 1-800-USA-RAIL.

Amtrak offers a more comfortable and convenient travel experience with free Wi-Fi on most trains, plenty of leg room and no middle seat. With our state and commuter partners, we move people, the economy and the nation forward, carrying more than 30 million Amtrak customers for each of the past seven years. Amtrak operates more than 300 trains daily, connecting more than 500 destinations in 46 states, the District of Columbia and three Canadian Provinces, and reaches 400 additional destinations via connecting bus routes.

Learn more at Amtrak.com.

SERVICE

TM

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

SERVICE SEPTEMBER 2019

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When: Thursday, September 19, 2019 Where: 2121 Lancey Dr. Time: 5:30 PM — 7:30 PM iHeartMedia and all of its more than 850 broadcast radio stations are dedicated to inspiring and creating positive change that improves the lives of others.

We look forward to telling you more~

SERVICE

Bring your business cards to be entered in the drawing… and be prepared to network!

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MODESTO CHAMBER OF COMMERCE I MODCHAMBER.ORG

CLASS OF

Modesto Chamber of Commerce Proudly Presents:

2019-20

Luke Anderson F & M Bank

Garrett Ardis Huff Construction

Becky Austin Grimbleby Coleman

Kara Bottler United Cerebral Palsy

Chris Brady Stanislaus County Public Works

Neidra Clayton Valley Mountain Regional Center

Meggan Clifford Downtown Streets Team

Kelly Covello Stanislaus County

Monica Garcia Gold Leaf Farming

Melinda Hamon Kaiser Foundation Hospital

Michael Howell Blom & Howell Financial Planning

Deverie Kennedy G3 Enterprises

Theresa Kiehn AgSafe

Willie LaBarbera Modesto Irrigation District

Marisol Marin West Modesto Community Collaborative

Krista Noonan Modesto City Schools

Joshua Park MHD Group

April Potter Opportunity Stanislaus

Dolores Sarenana Stanislaus County Treasurer - Tax Collector

Christopher Sauls PMZ Real Estate

Ninfa Smith SCOE

Eric Taylor Grover Financial Group

Rebecca Terpstra Atherton & Associates

SERVICE

Ann Amador Modesto City Schools

modchamber.org (209) 577-5757

SEPTEMBER 2019

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Committed to ensuring water supply and protecting environmental resources for years to come through the Tuolumne River voluntary agreement.

Learn more at mid.org/lastdrop AUGUST 2019

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