| Newsletter |
December 2005 |
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| December 2006 Southern California Edison and Mario’s Auto Sales Selected Businesses of the Year At its Twelfth Annual Installation of Officers & Business Awards Dinner on November 19, the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recognized Southern California Edison and Mario’s Auto Sales as the Large and Small Business of the Year. The formal/semi formal event took place at the Visalia Convention Center. Southern California Edison Through a partnership formed between the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber and Southern California Edison, the Hispanic Small Business Institute was formed in 2005. The goal of the Institute is to promote the general well being of small businesses and to develop measures that will assist in business success and prosperity. Outreach was made to the communities of Tulare and Kings Counties to educate small business owners, including non-profit organizations and women-owned businesses, on issues pertaining to business success and development. Several Workshops and Seminars, in conjunction with the Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Center, were presented in Spanish. Southern California Edison provides a broad selection of services to assist business customers make informed choices with energy efficient |
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technologies and incentives, rate options, and energy “best practices”. In addition to one-on-one consultations through their Business Customer Division, seminars and classes are offered year-round at Edison AGTAC. Examples of courses offered are electricity safety training, basic electricity, motors and control systems, lighting, HVAC, and compressed air systems. Most classes are free or provided at a nominal charge.
Mario's Auto Sales. Mario Plasencia owner
Mario’s Auto Sales is a very active member of our community (Dinuba, Cutler, Orosi and Northern Tulare County Areas) promoting Hispanic business. Owner Mario Plasencia constantly provides support to a variety of community organizations, promoting business and youth activity programs. Mr. Plasencia is a very active member of the Northern Tulare County Chapter of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber and demonstrates to its membership the importance of teamwork, values, and being goal-oriented by providing information about the Chamber, providing his business experience, providing support to under privileged youth organizations, involvement in Cinco de Mayo Activities, involvement in the 1st Annual Fiestas Patrias Celebration, supporting and participating in Dinuba’s Raisin Day Parade, and supporting events in the Cutler-Orosi Area.
Mr. Plasencia is a unique individual who continually supports youth as a whole, in addition to supporting the Hispanic Community. Furthermore, he is a genuine person who never forgets his beginnings in business and is persistent in assisting other businesses to prosper. His commitment to supporting new business, simultaneously with the Hispanic Chamber, is evident with the rooting of new Hispanic business in Dinuba and surrounding communities.
Coupled with the aforementioned accomplishments, the exemplary service and product delivered by Mario’s Auto Sales to its customers has distinguished this company from the competition. The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber recognizes Mario’s Auto Sales as a strong asset in our community.
Please refer to the TKHCC newsletter for the Edison AGTAC calendar, or call 1-800-77 AGTAC for registration information.
Assemblymember Bill Maze (left) and California Senator Deborah Ortiz (right) present Mario Plasencia owner Mario's Auto Sales with the Business of the Year award.
President's Message
Vincent Salinas
President TKCCC
Citibank
We are finishing another exciting year of
delivering services to our membership. This could not have happened
without our Corporate Sponsors, who provide us with fiscal stability
in our operating budget. I would like to thank Southern California
Edison, The Gas Company, and Ruiz Foods (who was this year’s
Business of the Year for the State Hispanic Chamber), and I would
like to give a special “Thank You” to Citibank/Citimortage for
not only being a Corporate sponsor, but for allowing me time
to devote to the Chamber. Many thanks must also go out to our 350
members, who are the backbone of the
organization, from the smallest to the largest.
Regarding the “State of the Chamber,” the future looks great. With the help of Southern California Edison, we began offering our workshops/seminars in both English and Spanish, providing services to members in starting a new business, operating, and management. We will be submitting a proposal to the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for one of the 20-incubator programs being set up in the nation with the help of SBC. And, we are hoping this coming year to partner with a financial institution on a micro-enterprise loan program to complete our third phase of our Business Development for our members.
During the next year, with the help of Del Valle Homes and Sal Gonzales, Director of Planning, we will be working with groups such as the Mariachi Heritage Foundation, Centro Cultural, and the Hispanic Roundtable on the possibility of building a Cultural Center, which would include a permanent Chamber office. On a different note, congratulations to Del Valle Homes for its commitment of approximately $100,000 to the Parent Institute for Quality Education initiative in Visalia.
Finally, I would like to thank the Board of Directors, especially those who are leaving the board, Ernie Flores (Cutler-Orosi School District), Leticia Garcia (Visalia Convention Center), and Leo Espino (Resource Lenders). And to welcome our new board members, Bill De Lain (Southern California Edison), Georgina Espino (Tulare County Workforce Investment Department) and Arcy Haynes (Citibank).
I would also like to share with you that the President’s Award went to a Board Member whose dedication has been outstanding this year, Karen Olivares (Family HealthCare Network). Karen has helped on all of our major events, the Business Conference, Chile Verde Golf Tournament, and the Installation of Officers Dinner, and she served on several of the board committees, such as the Executive and Membership Committees. Karen also serves as the Central Region Representative for the State Hispanic Chamber.
Del Valle Homes, Inc. entered into collaboration with the Parent Institute for Quality Education (PIQE) with a commitment of $100,000 to sponsor 13 additional schools K-12 in the San Joaquin Valley. PIQE launched the initiative at the Visalia Learning Center (Cruz Bustamante Building), on Friday, November 18, 2005.
PIQE is a nine-week parent involvement program held at the host school at no cost to the parents. It teaches parents how to create a good learning environment at home and how to navigate the school system on behalf of their children. The schools pay half of the program costs and private funding and contributions cover the balance. PIQE has served more than 350,000 parents in 1,400 K-12 schools throughout California since 1987.
Del Valle Homes began sponsoring the PIQE program earlier this year in Modesto, California with a pledge of $72,000 to support 9 schools during 2005. Mr. Scott Myers, President and owner of Del Valle Homes stated that, “A quality education must be the highest priority for providing a better future of all children and parent involvement is an essential and critical factor in obtaining that goal.”
According to Michael D. Lane, School Board Member for Visalia Unified School District, “we appreciate the partnership with Del Valle Homes and PIQE. This grant will assist us in our efforts to engage parents in the education of their children. This is very important for the success of our school district”.
PIQE welcomes this collaboration with Del Valle Homes and looks forward to expanding its presence and services to the families and schools of the San Joaquin Valley. David Valladolid, PIQE’s President & CEO stated, “Del Valle Homes, Inc. has demonstrated with this additional generous contribution of $100,000 that it strongly supports the families and the education of all children in Visalia, and the San Joaquin Valley.”
PIQE’s mission is to bring parents, schools and the community together in a meaningful partnership to ensure a quality education for all children!
Holiday Inn Hosts Mixer
The Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, 9000 W. Airport Drive, Visalia, will host the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber networking mixer on Friday, December 16, 2005. The event will take place from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.
There will be entertainment, door prizes and refreshments. Public is welcome. $5.00 admission charge. Please bring your business cards. For more information please call (559) 734-6020.
The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber will also be joining the Lindsay Chamber of Commerce for a “Three Business Mixer” on Monday, December 19. The businesses, Elegant Attic, Friendly Flooring, and Michelle’s Angels, are part of the Lindsay “business incubator” program. The event will take place at 133 W. Honolulu St, Lindsay. Public welcome. No charge.
In addition to recognizing the Businesses of the Year, and thanking the membership for its support, the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber recognized a Man and Woman of the Year. This was the first time the Chamber has made this award.
Woman of the Year was Lori Pompa
As Ad Assistant for the South Valley Fresno Bee, one of Lori Pompa’s key responsibilities is ad sales and coordinating the TKHCC Hispanic Times newsletter. In August of this year, the Hispanic times was selected “Newsletter of The Year” at the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce State Convention for the second consecutive year. Lori is also the Chambers Head Ambassador and presides over Chamber ribbon cuttings, plaque presentations and networking mixers. She is also been on the annual Chili Verde Golf Classic committee for the past 2 years. In her spare time, she volunteers to help with the youth dance group, Ballet Folklorico Corazon y Alma.
Man of the Year was Louie Luna
A mainstay in the Hispanic community, Louie is widely recognized as furthering the cause and Hispanic culture. His community involvement includes approximately 85 projects over the past 16 years and an admirable note of being active in 10 projects in one year! Louie's community involvement includes: Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Knights of Columbus, Centro Cultural, Hispanic Round Table, American Legion Post 785, Los Potrillos Mariachi group, numerous dances and cultural events including Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, Mariachi Concert, Annual Valentines Dance, and most recent has been Tejano Dances. As co-chair of this year's Installation Dinner, he's been instrumental in all aspects of getting the event on track.
Hispanic Times is published by the Tulare-Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in conjunction with The Fresno Bee.
Editor: Gil Jaramillo
Layout/design: The Fresno Bee
Contributing writers:
Gil Jaramillo, Executive Director TKHCC
Karen Olivares, Proof Editor
The Hispanic Times is the official publication of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. All views expressed in articles or columns are the views of the author and not necessarily of TKHCC or its members.
For information, please call the chamber office at (559) 734-6020 or fax (559) 734-6021. Send correspondence to Hispanic Times, 711 N. Court St. Suite C., Visalia CA 93291 or email tkhcc@tkhcc.com
Chamber Silent Auction Successful
The Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 12th Annual Installation of Officers and Business Awards Dinner / Dance was a huge success, and part of its success is because of companies and organizations providing donations to our silent auction. The Chamber has been serving Tulare and Kings Counties for over a decade by promoting business development and growth of business within the Hispanic Communities in which we serve. The continued support enables us to also provide opportunities for our youth to help to enhance their education and exposure to the business community.
The Chamber would like to recognize the following companies that donated items for the auction: Tifco Industries, California Stockman's Bank, the Chowchilla Travel Lodge, Los Angeles Angels, Quality Jewelers, Woodlake Police Department, Distinctive Assets, The Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center, Sequoia Beverage Company, Visalia Convention Center, Citimortgage, Tucoemas Federal Credit Union, The Pines Resort, Dinuba Flower Shop, Frank's Appliances, Dreyer's Grand Ice Cream (Haagen Dazs), Jackie Guerra, First 5 Tulare County, Diverse Staffing Solutions, Hector Elizondo, Palomino's Music & NFL Shop, Health Net, Sequoia Flowers, Irwin Street Gift Garden, Ruiz Food Products, Inc. and Karen Olivares,
“On behalf of the Tulare Kings Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution. We appreciate the partnership we have with you and look forward to working with you again in the New Year,” Karen Olivares, Chairperson, Silent Auction Committee.
Local Mariachi Youth Group Performs at State Capitol
Mariachi Nueva Generation pictured in front of Governor Schwarzenegger, from left to right: Karen Flores, Dezirae Gonzalez, Celina Huerta, Miranda Huerta, David Huerta, Jesus Navarro, Daniel Verduzco and Alejandro Navarro.
On September 28, 2005 the Casa De Musica Y Tradicion & advanced group, Nueva Generation was personally invited by the California Museum Latina's for History, Women in the Arts at the State Capitol in Sacramento. Performing during the reception they were recognized for the Spirit of California.
Latina women throughout California as well as chairperson’s Governor Schwarzenegger and his wife Maria Shriver attended the afternoon reception. The students were able to view the exhibits and visit with the women being honored. Olga Duran, President of Mariachi Heritage Foundation stated, "The students were so excited to meet and speak with the governor and his wife; this is an event performance they will never forget!"
Parent chaperones and students also were able to meet with singer, Vicki Carr, Dolores Huerta from the Cesar Chavez Organization and Laura Sovrino from Mariachi Mujer Dos Mil. The school's advisor Hortencia Aguilera shared it was a "Wonderful experience for everyone! Every student felt it was memorable as well as educational for them all."
Christmas Eve Food & Toy Distribution
As one holiday passes preparation for the Christmas Eve Toy and Food Distribution at Visalia Emergency Aid Family Assistance Center (VEAC) is well underway. Visalia Breakfast Rotary has already delivered the good news that they have purchased over 200 bikes with helmets and will be assembling them prior to Christmas Eve and distributing them through Visalia Emergency Aid.
Over 40 Rotarians led by local construction company owner Michael Moore of Moore Construction, current President of Visalia Breakfast Rotary, gather just days before Christmas and begin assembling bicycles of all sizes. According to Moore it’s become a tradition for his members.
In addition to the bicycles, VEAC distributes 20 or more 50-gallon green barrels to various businesses willing to be toy collection sites. The community can drop of new unwrapped toys, clothing, and blankets wherever they see a Green Barrel featuring the Visalia Emergency Aid logo. 70 volunteers will be assemble over 4000 bags of groceries and sorting the items that will be distributed to pre-qualified economically challenged families on Christmas Eve. In addition, each family will receive a Christmas roasting chicken with all the fixings destined for their dinner tables.
1200 families have been pre-qualified to date. 14,000 families rely on relief services annually through the Visalia Emergency Aid Family Assistance Center at 217 N.E. Third St. Visalia. For additional information contact Charlie Wolff, Director of Fund Development at (559) 732-0101 or visit VEAC.ORG.
Miller Memorial Chapel Presents a Jazzy Christmas
Miller Memorial Chapel invites you to join them for a “Jazzy Christmas” on Sunday, December 4, at 7:00p.m.
Enjoy the Sounds of festive Holiday Music with live Jazz in the Chapel. Local musicians performing include: Richard Garoogian-Keyboards; Larry Allen-Bass; Gregg Gunday-Drums; and Brian Meitzenheimer-saxophone.
Miller Memorial Chapel is located at 112o West Goshen Avenue, Visalia (next to the Visalia Cemetery). Monetary and canned food donations will be accepted for Visalia Emergency Aid. For information please call 732-8371
Dena Cochran Honored by Association of Healthcare Philanthropy
Dena Cochran has been honored at the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) Annual Education Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia at the AHP Chairman's Reception and Fellows Awards Dinner. The 30th class of AHP Fellows were honored during the evening for their contribution to philanthropic community endeavors. Elevation to the status of Fellow in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy is the highest level of achievement in the field of health care philanthropy. Conferring of the Fellow designation is not so much an award, as it is recognition of individual professional distinction, well earned through dedication and continual self-advancement.
Dena Cochran, FAHP, is vice president of development at Kaweah Delta Health Care District. In this capacity, she is responsible for fund raising, marketing, property acquisition and disposition, The Lifestyle Center, community outreach programs, Quail Park senior independent/assisted living project, and the hospital auxiliary.
Dena has led the hospital Foundation in raising more than $2.5 million in 2001 and more than $1.1 million in 2002. She is currently the campaign director for the Foundation's $5 million capital campaign to raise funds for the 87 -bed expansion of the Emergency Department, the cardiac surgery program, and the maternity program, which will start construction in January of 2006. Dena created and developed the Foundation's Heritage Club, whose future gifts to the hospital total nearly $10 million. She directs community outreach programs for which Kaweah Delta won the national Foster McGaw Prize for excellence in community outreach award by the American Hospital Association and the Baxter Allegiance Foundation in spring, 2001.
Dena is involved on many community boards and is currently serving as President of the Visalia Rotary Club, and a board member of the Friends of the Fox Theater and Visalia Community Bank. Dena has been part of the community of Visalia since 1974 and a part of the Kaweah Delta Health Care District staff since 1987.
TKHCC Head Ambassador Lori Pompa presents a membership plaque to Teresa Vizcarrra, Agent/Broker, at Morgan Kleppe & Nash Insurance (MKNI). In the background pictured from left to right are Greg Suyadi, representing TKHCC, Vincent Salinas, TKHCC Board President, Keith Kleppe, Ruth Martinez, TKHCC Board member, and Maria Naranjo, TKHCC Office manager.
MKNI provides Personal Lines and Commercial Lines. Also, Health Insurance and service for investment and protection. “See me for travel insurance to Mexico,” says Teresa, “yo hablo Espnaol.” MKNI has a convenient location at 600 W. Acequia, Visalia, Ca. 93291. For information call (559) 732-3436. California License Number: 0629199.
Wells Fargo
recently announced that Tim Rios has been promoted to Senior Vice
President. As Senior Vice President, Rios is responsible for
implementing the company’s community and economic development
programs and services in Northern and Central California. Rios also
serves as National Spokesperson for Wells Fargo’s $5 billion Latino
Business Services Program.
Rios joined Wells Fargo in 1997. During the course of his career, he has held various positions in retail, wholesale and business banking.
A native of Guadalajara, Rios earned his bachelors degree in finance from California State University, Fresno. He currently resides in Fresno.
Wells Fargo & Company is a diversified financial services company with $435 billion in assets, providing banking, insurance, investments, mortgage and consumer finance to more than 23 million customers from more than 6,000 stores and the Internet (wellsfargo.com) across North America and elsewhere internationally. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. is the only bank in the United States to receive the highest possible credit rating, “Aaa,” from Moody’s Investors Service.
Fred Ruiz, co-founder and Chairman/CEO of Ruiz Foods, was inducted
into the Tortilla Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame during the
2005 annual meeting at the Gaylord Texas Resort & Convention Center
in Grapevine, Texas on Saturday, November 12, 2005.
Ruiz Foods, the largest frozen Mexican food manufacturer in the
United States, is ranked 3rd among the Top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned
manufacturing firms and 2nd among the Top 10 U.S. Hispanic-owned
food manufacturing companies, according to the June, 2005 issue of
Hispanic Business.
Nominees to the TIA Hall of Fame may be a producer or supplier, have
a minimum of 10 years of service in the industry and should have
made positive contributions to the industry such as: technical
innovations, recognized industry leadership, business success within
the industry, positive influence to the industry or significant
innovations in creating products, equipment or ingredients. Fred’s
father, Louis, was inducted into the TIA Hall of Fame in 2004.
Ruiz Foods began in 1964, when Fred and his father, Louis, decided
to make and sell frozen Mexican food. Father and son worked hard,
very hard. The business grew, from the original small factory in
Tulare, California to the current 350,000 square foot facility in
Dinuba, California. To meet the growing need for capacity, Ruiz
opened a satellite manufacturing facility in Tulare, California and
is in the final stages of renovating a 265,000-square-foot
manufacturing facility and distribution warehouse in Denison, Texas.
Corporate offices will remain in Dinuba, California.
Ruiz Foods currently employs over 2000 people with the heart of the
manufacturing process consisting of line after line of Team Members
who that take a lot of pride and care in preparing each product to
meet exact specifications of quality, consistency, weight and size.
Ruiz Foods is dedicated to premium quality, authentically prepared
frozen Mexican foods selling to all channels of distribution:
retail, convenience store, clubs, vending, national accounts and
foodservice. The signature brand is El Monterey. Ruiz is the market
leader within the frozen Mexican food category and manufactures the
#1 Brand of frozen Mexican food in the United States.
D. Linn Wiley, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVB Financial Corp. and its principal subsidiary, Citizens Business Bank announced the formation of the Financial Advisory Services Group. This group, managed by R. Scott Racusin, Executive Vice President will include the Personal and Institutional Trust Groups, Asset Management Group, Personal and Institutional Investment & Brokerage Groups and the Wealth Management Group.
Mr. Wiley also announced the promotion of John R. (Jack) Gurley to the position of Chief Investment Officer. “'Jack brings forty-seven years of successful investment management to the Financial Advisory Services Group at Citizens Business Bank. Under his direction, the Asset Management Group has outperformed the Standard & Poor’s 500
Index for the past one, three, five and ten-year periods. During this time his department was recognized as a "top money manager" by Nelson Information, a firm that tabulates investment performance of money managers worldwide."
Mr. Racusin commented that, "This group will provide the integrated financial and estate planning advice that our clients need so that they can remain focused on their families and businesses. We will then oversee the process and coordinate the implementation of a sound strategy through our experts in trust, investments, tax, credit, real estate, and insurance." The Financial Advisory Services Group has over $2.5 billion in assets under administration.
CVB Financial Corp., with $5.0 billion in assets, operates Citizens Business Bank. It serves 34 cities with 40 business financial centers in the Inland Empire, Los Angeles County, Orange County and the Central Valley areas of California. Its subsidiary, Golden West Financial Services, provides vehicle leasing, equipment leasing and real estate loan services.
Shares of CVB Financial Corp. common stock are listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol of CVBF. For more information, please visit their website at
www .cbbank.com.