Port O Call - June 2012

GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.stocktonchamber.org JUNE2012

Vol. 58 No. 2

Leadership StocktonEmpowering Stockton’s Community

DeltaFusion Is Back

Business Awards Luncheon 2012

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PORT CALL

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Progress_PortOCall_June_9.25x11.75.indd 1 5/15/12 12:04 PM

CONTENTS

PORT CALL

Leadership Stockton 13

Don’t Miss!Networking Mixer

Hilton Stockton

2323 Grand Canal Blvd, StocktonJune 7, 5:00-7:00 p.m.

Steven D. Crabtree, Financial Vice President of the ChamberHerum Crabtree

When asked why my business is a member of the Chamber, the answer was simple. While

the Chamber does provide networking opportunities, the reason to be a member involves

so much more. Our Chamber is a tireless advocate for business in our community. Without

the Chamber, the voice for business would not be heard. If business people through

the Chamber do not work together to promote a better business climate, then who will? A strong business

environment means not just more profit, but a stronger community and a higher quality of life, which is

something that should be of interest to everyone.

8

6

DeltaFusion Is Back


From Your President 4

From Your CEO 5

Events 6

Leadership Stockton 7

Convention & Visitors Bureau 8

Programs and Public 10 Policy Department

New Members 11

Cover Story 13

Ribbon Cuttings 15

News Briefs 16

Calendar 17

PORT CALL

GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 220, Stockton, CA 95203

209.547.2770 fax [email protected]

Official publication of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Serving the Greater Stockton area business community since 1901.

CHAMBER OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Debbie Armstrong, Old Republic Title Company

SR. VICE PRESIDENT Gary J. Long, Gary J. Long Jewelers

FINANCIAL VICE PRESIDENTSteven Crabtree, Herum Crabtree

VICE PRESIDENT Blain Bibb, ServiceMaster Building Maintenance

VICE PRESIDENT Judith Buethe, Judith Buethe Communications

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Rick Goucher, C B Richard Ellis Commercial Real Estate

CHAMBER DIRECTORSStephen Barney, F&M BankMichael Cera, SMG/Stockton Arena/Bob Hope TheatreDonna DeMartino, San Joaquin Regional Transit DistrictDan Durst, Durst Contract InteriorsPat Filippone, Stockton Ports Baseball ClubLewis Gale, Eberhardt School of BusinessClint Harless, Stockton Auto Glass/Quick’s Glass ServiceDan Keyser, Grupe Commercial CompanyKenneth Levy, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLCSonya Morgan, External Resources, Inc.Darryle Oakman, San Joaquin County Rental Property AssociationBakul Patel, Dorfman PacificTina Williams, Pacific Gas & Electric CompanyDiane Vigil, Dameron Hospital FoundationBob Young, Stockton Golf & Country Club

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERDouglass W. Wilhoit, Jr. 209.547.2766

PROGRAM & PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR/ BEAFrank Ferral 209.547.2763

SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTORHeidi Altamirano 209.547.2764

OPERATIONS/FINANCE DIRECTORSandy Dwyer 209.547.2770

MEMBERSHIP SALESMatt Anderson 209.337.2723

SPECIAL EVENTS/ LEADERSHIP STOCKTON COORD.Timm Quinn 209.547.2960

SCAP COORDINATOR/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMikki Gilbert 209.337.2730

SCAP-SE COORDINATORMichael Morales 209.337.2716

BEA/ SCAP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTKarla Gonzalez 209.547.2770

RECEPTIONIST/ CUSTOMER SERVICEMai Vang 209.547.2770

PUBLISHER Stockton Chamber of Commerce 209.547.2770

GRAPHIC DESIGNNever Boring Design Associates 209.526.9136

ADVERTISING Kristin Bowker 209.423.4940

PRINTINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

MAILINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

Greater

THERE’S NO PLACE

LIKE GNOME!

Doug Wilhoit Garden Gnome Giveaway

Purchase tickets using promo code “Wilhoit” and proceeds will benefit local non-profits

SATURDAY, JUNE 30 – 7:05 PM

Presented byBe one first 1,000 to Banner Island Ballpark and get the much talked about and highly sought after, Doug Wilhoit Garden Gnome.

For Tickets Call 644-1900

Hello to all my fellow

Chamber members. With my

year as Chamber President

coming to a close, I cannot

express enough how truly

blessed I am to have had this

experience. I have met so

many wonderful people who

care about Stockton and what

our future holds, as well as

so many of you who see the

bright future we can attain with hard work and perseverance.

Throughout my journey, with every passing day, I have learned a

little more about all of you; there is a lot of work to do and we will

get it done, one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. This

month, we celebrate Leadership Stockton’s 30th Anniversary.

Twenty-nine years ago, the members of the Greater Stockton

Chamber of Commerce led a committee of people to Denver to

review a concept in developing community leadership, the result of

that trip was Leadership Stockton. The idea that we could transform

communities by developing our own leaders still holds true today.

Since its inception, more than 700 participants have graduated

from the program and countless organizations benefit from the

Leadership Stockton program. To get involved and become a

Stockton Leader, contact the Chamber today!

Please ALWAYS remember that this is your home and your

MONEY should stay here, so shop local. May God truly bless all of

you and our great home Stockton!

From Your President...by: Debbie Armstrong

JUNE2012 4www.stocktonchamber.org

OAK VALLEY COMMUNITY BANKWe Mean Business

“Oak Valley understands the importance of taking care of their customers and helping them �nd solutions. They’re a true partner with a genuine desire to help

our businesses grow.”

– Phil and Jan Tilbury, owners of Almond Ace Packing and Tilbury Farms

Phil and Jan Tilbury of Almond Ace Packing and Tilbury Farms with Frank Middleton, VP Commercial Lender, 209.844.7563

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

1.866.844.7500 www.ovcb.com

From Your CEO...by: Doug Wilhoit

By the time you receive the June Port

O Call you may have already voted by

absentee ballot or are preparing to

vote in person at your polling place.

Congratulations if you have/are

exercising your right and obligation

to vote and did so with the full

examination of the candidates and

ballot measures that will be in the

best interest of all. By that, I mean

do not just vote with emotion

or political bias; look deeply

into the candidates/ballot

measures abilities to really

get the job done, who is

backing them and are they

backing them for the benefit

of the entire population of the

city, state or nation or are they

just looking out for themselves

and their own benefit!

Each and every vote

counts and it saddens me

to see the low percentage

of LEGAL voters who turn

out each election cycle. From my past elected official experience,

I’ve seen that some of those who do not vote on a regular basis can

sometimes be the most vocal as to what is going wrong without

lifting a finger to help fix the community ills. Again I state: “If you

are not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem!”

Since 1979, I have had in my office the following reminder

of the importance of each and every vote: in 1645, ONE VOTE

gave Oliver Cromwell control of England; ONE VOTE caused

Charles I of England to be executed; in 1776, ONE VOTE gave

America the English language instead of German; in 1845, ONE

VOTE brought Texas into the Union; in 1868, ONE VOTE saved

President Andrew Johnson from impeachment; in 1876, ONE

VOTE gave Rutherford B. Hayes the Presidency of the United

States; in 1876, ONE VOTE changed France from a Monarchy to

a Republic; in 1923, ONE VOTE gave Adolph Hitler leadership of

the Nazi Party; and in 1960, a ONE VOTE change in each precinct

in Illinois would have defeated John F. Kennedy. So if you do not

think that YOUR VOTE makes a difference, please reconsider and

vote with purpose, thinking, gratitude and proper and thorough

research as you exercise a right so many TRUE AMERICANS

have given their lives to protect, and keep in mind that there are

so many around the world who do not have the right to vote and

suffer the consequences for the violation of a basic human right –

FREEDOM from oppression!

The weekend of Mother’s Day saw the new Stockton Police Chief

and his street crime task force take on the problem head on! He

and the men and women who put themselves on the line are to be

commended and thanked!

In my March 2012 column, I wrote the following about reducing

crime in Stockton: “It must start in the homes, families and

neighborhoods to really make it work! It must be known and

shouted in neighborhoods across this fine city that those who

affiliate with gangs or commit crimes are nothing more than thugs,

cowards and irresponsible jerks (same as those who know who

commit the crimes and are just as bad for not reporting them to

law enforcement) and we will not put up with it anymore.”

I have a true story that illustrates the cowards who are a very

small part of our community, but are causing the vast amount of

the problems: Over the past several years, my parents have spent

time in one of our fine local hospitals and, on several occasions

upon visiting, I have met an employee who knew I served on the

Youthful Offender Parole Board and, due to her far past gang

affiliations, would tell me of her progress. After my father’s passing,

my mother was in the hospital a few weeks ago and I ran into this

employee who has now been promoted due to hard work. She has

also “been clean” of gangs and raising her family to be law abiding

and responsible. She relayed the following story, in writing to me:

On 5-1-12 we made a police report: My two sons (A) 15 years

old & (B) 13 years old and two of their friends

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce5

continued on page 9

Eventsby: Heidi Altamarino


Congratulations to all our Business Award recipients. On June 7,

at the Hilton Stockton, we will be recognizing:

• Business Person of the Year: Raymond Ross Smith, EZ Network Systems

• Small Business Person of the Year: Gary Hansen, G-Force Productions

• Business Manager of the Year: George Lerner, Port of Stockton

• Business Employee of the Year: David Hurst, Health Plan of San Joaquin

• P3 Stewardship Award, Policies Practices Purchasing: Diamond

Foods, Inc.

• SBA Minority Small Business Champion of the Year: Nate McBride,

• NEC Small Business Development Center, San Joaquin Delta College.

These exceptional honorees will be recognized for their

achievements and contributions to our community. We will also

be honoring our yearly Volunteer Hall of Fame award winners

and 25-year Chamber members: Advanced Mini Storage,

Assistance League of Stockton, Carpetland, Ganzer & Williams,

San Joaquin County Department of Aging, Sierra Veterinary

Clinic and Stenson’s Engraving & Gifts.

Luncheon tickets are $30 per person by May 30, and $35 each

thereafter. For more information, call 209.547.2770.

Taking Care of Business Program 2012-2013

The Taking Care of Business Program offers our member

businesses a wealth of marketing and sponsorship opportunities

for the upcoming year. This popular program was created to

give Chamber members an excellent way to receive exposure

throughout the year at a dramatic discount off normal pricing.

Taking Care of Business Sponsors Help Fund Key

Chamber Programs

Taking Care of Business also ties closely to the Chamber’s

work in business retention and development activities, and

helps fund committees and programs designed to keep

Greater Stockton businesses healthy and growing. Committees

supported include the Manufacturers Industrial Distribution

Roundtable and other business development programs.

Sponsors receive recognition at such events as the Industrial

Technology Barbecue, State of the City, Annual Golf

Tournament, Chamber Tradeshow & Showcase Mixer and

Chamber Business Awards. Popular Awards programs such

as ATHENA Award are also included, as well as the Annual

Installation Dinner.

Advantages Available to Taking Care of Business Supporters

Sponsoring companies typically select several options

from the events line up. The Chamber allows its members to

wisely choose a yearlong program that meets their marketing,

consumer exposure and community involvement goals. Package

prices enable sponsors to select from several marketing and

promotional opportunities at a significant savings.

For more information on stretching your marketing dollars

through Taking Care of Business, call Heidi Altamirano, Events

Director, at 209.547.2764, or e-mail [email protected].

Annual Installation Dinner 2012

One of the highlights of our year is the Chamber’s Annual

Installation Dinner. It’s the perfect

Business Awards Luncheon 2012 Sponsors

Gold Sponsor:Kaiser Permanente

Silver Sponsors:F&M BankHilton Stockton

R & S Erection of Stockton, Inc. San Joaquin Delta CollegeSutter Gould Medical Foundation

Bronze Sponsor:United Way of San Joaquin County

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce proudly recognizes the following companies for

their year round support of the Chamber

Taking Care of Business Sponsors 2011-2012A.G. Spanos CompaniesBank of Agriculture & CommerceBuilders Exchange of StocktonCalifornia Water Service Co.F&M BankFinancial Center Credit UnionGrupe Commercial CompanyKaiser PermanenteLincoln CenterNeumiller & BeardsleeOak Valley Community Bank

Pacific Records ManagementR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc.San Joaquin Delta CollegeSt. Joseph’s Medical CenterStockton East Water DistrictSutter Gould Medical FoundationThe Record/San Joaquin Media GroupUnited Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of the Pacific

JUNE2012 6www.stocktonchamber.org@ Heidi Altamirano: [email protected]

continued on page 10

Green Your Bottom Line with Product Stewardship!

Economic benefits abound: reduced operating costs, energy savings, reduced disposal costs, the creation of green jobs.

www.CalPSC.org

Design it Green | Make it Clean | Conserve Resources | Reduce | Reuse | Eliminate Toxics | Take it Back!

Become a Certified Green Business! Save money & gain customers by:

Reducing waste Conserving water and energy

Protecting public health Using recycled-content in your products

www.GreenTeamSanJoaquin.com

SMALL BUSINESS HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL*

Affordable Hazardous Waste Management for Your Business A Program of San Joaquin County Public Works

www.SJCrecycle.org (209) 468-3066

i Low cost way to safely dispose of hazardous materials. (Costs depend on your waste types.)

i Documentation that you properly manage hazardous waste.

i Assurance that the material will be disposed of properly. *Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG)

We also accept universal and electronic waste.

Leadership Stocktonby: Timm Quinn

Leadership Stockton Health Care Session

Leadership Level Sponsor: Financial Center Credit Union

Session Sponsor: Health Plan of San Joaquin

Health care continues to be a topic that impacts each and

every one of us, and each year Leadership Stockton takes a look

at the challenges and successes in health care throughout San

Joaquin County.

The day began at the Health Plan of San Joaquin offices on

Manthey Road with a panel discussion with Carol Farron,

of Lodi Memorial Hospital; Mike Ricks, COO of St. Joseph’s

Medical Center; Dr. Brad Reinke, Chief of Staff at Dameron

Hospital; Dr. Moses Elam, Physician in Chief of Kaiser

Permanente; David Culberson, CEO of San Joaquin General

Hospital; and John Hackworth, CEO of the Health Plan of

San Joaquin. The panelists gave a glimpse into each of their

organizations and then shared their opinions on the state of

health care with the class. The class then asked many questions.

Each panelist was very open and the discussion was very lively

and informative.

Following the panel was Dr. Dale Bishop, Medical Director at

the Health Plan of San Joaquin. Dr. Bishop explained to the class

what Health Plan of San Joaquin does, and how they do it. The

Health Plan was very generous in allowing the class to use their

wonderful facilities.

After a great lunch, the class heard from Becky Gould (LS

Class of ’89), Deputy Director of San Joaquin County Behavioral

Health Services. Becky spoke to the class about what Behavioral

Services means and all the great work they do to help those in

the community and make it a better place to live.

The day ended with a tour of San Joaquin General Hospital.

The class split up into two groups and got an all-access tour of

the wonderful facility.

A BIG thank you to all the speakers who took the time out of

their busy schedules to come and speak with the class. Thank

you to the Health Plan of San Joaquin for hosting the session and

to Dan Natividad (LS Class ’09) for all your help in coordinating

the day.

Leadership Stockton Accepting Applications for the

2012-2013 Class

Leadership Stockton, California’s oldest adult community

leadership program is accepting applications for the class of 2012-

13. Tuition for the 11-month program is $900. Applications and

class schedule can be found at www.leadershipstockton.com or by

calling 209.547.2770. Deadline to apply is June 15, 2012.

Leadership Stockton, a program founded in 1981 by the

Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce, prepares the next

generation of men and women who will assume leadership

roles in the greater Stockton community. Established as the

first community leadership program in California, Leadership

Stockton has graduated 701 community members, many of

whom now serve on local boards, commissions and in other

community leadership roles.

Leadership Stockton participants embark on a journey that

puts them in touch with the greater Stockton community, as

well as each other, and develops their personal leadership skills.

Participants are also involved in addressing the needs of our

community through hands-on service projects that focus on

solutions to real community problems.

This 11-month community leadership program offers

participants an opportunity to increase their community

knowledge, civic network and service to the community.

Participants are exposed to key issues facing Stockton and the

surrounding region.

Selection involves a written application and personal

interview. The selection process will identify approximately 26

applicants to be chosen to attend the program; representing a

cross-section of the greater Stockton community.

For information or an application visit

www.leadershipstockton.com or call Timm Quinn at

209.547.2960 or email [email protected].

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce7 @ Timm Quinn: [email protected]

Convention & Visitors Bureauby: Wes Rhea

A Unique Art and Cultural Event Returns to Victory Park on June 30

DeltaFusion is a community celebration of the natural and

cultural diversity of Stockton and the San Joaquin Delta region.

Giant puppets, music and scores of community performers will

join in to tell the story of where we are and why we came here.

Join the fun on Saturday, June 30, in Victory Park. Giant

puppets come to life in a parade around the park followed by a

pageant. More cultural and musical performances will continue

throughout the day.

Don’t miss this food, fun and art-filled event. Admission is

free. Conceived in 2011 and sponsored by the University of the

Pacific in partnership with the Haggin Museum and the Cultural

Heritage Council of San Joaquin County, this event is supported

in part by grants.

For more information about the community workshops and

June 30 event, call Joanna Albala at 209.470.6980 or email

[email protected].

JUNE2012 8www.visitstockton.org@ Wes Rhea: [email protected]

Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Stockton.CVB

CEO Cont’d from pg. 5

were walking through the park when they were approached by

a gang member. The gang member asked the boys if they were

from a gang, but they can’t remember the gang name. Son (A)

told him they don’t do that! The gang member walked away and

called someone. A couple of minutes later a car came with three

men inside. They hopped out of their car and approached son (A)

and one of them asked him if he was “messing with his brother.”

My son told him no, but the guy began hitting on son (A) and

another pulled out a knife and warned him not to fight back. One

of the other gang members flashed a gun at son (B) and his friends

when they were trying to call me. All the gang members ended up

jumping my son (A). Then they left. Thank God they stopped. The

descriptions of the men were three Hispanics and one White male

who was the driver. They were driving a green four door Honda

with dents all around, some paint missing to where you could see

silver, tinted windows with no rims!”

Someone knows who they are for COWARDS like to brag so

I rest my case that not only are the perpetrators sick, despicable,

idiotic and cowardly, but so are those who know them but do not

come forward! I will be looking for that car, and when I see it, I

will report it to the fine men and women of the Stockton

Police Department.


PARTICIPANTS/LOCATIONSTidewater AT The County Administration Building

San Joaquin County Law LibraryThe Mexican Heritage Center

The Pride CenterFathers and Families

The Downtown Stockton Alliance

Artists demonstrations and musical/dance performances along the route will connect the host galleries and other venues with a “family festival” atmosphere, including

children’s activities, portrait-sketching, chalk art, spoken-word, ceramics, jewelry and much more.

“Summer 2nd Friday” Downtown Stockton Art Events!FRIDAY | JUNE 8 | 5-7pmFRIDAY | JULY13 | 5-7pm

FRIDAY | AUGUST 10 | 5-7pm

1016 14th Street, Modesto, CA l wintonireland.comSince 1913 l Lic # 0596517

Marc O’NeilDan Mello

Programs and Public Policy Departmentby: Frank Ferral

Green Team San Joaquin Member Making Headlines

On March 29, VIPs from around California met in Stockton

at the San Joaquin County Office of Education to celebrate the

completion of their 500-kilowatt photovoltaic carport project.

This is the largest, educational solar photovoltaic installation in

the county and will be used by teachers and students in Venture

Academy’s two newest Career Technical Educational programs:

the New Energy Academy and the Clean Transportation

Technologies Academy, which open this fall.

The project is funded with a Qualified Zone Academy Bond

(QZAB), which requires an educational component. To meet this

requirement, students in two green sector academies will track the

solar production data, perform energy audits, plan and implement

energy conservation action plans and become energy ambassadors

to the community.

The project was supported by a $200,000 gift from PG&E and

$50,000 in support from Solar City, the contractor, which included

five, level II electric vehicle charging stations, the first of their kind

in the county.

Local auto dealers brought electric vehicles, including the

Nissan Leaf, a Chevrolet Volt and an E-Mega manufactured in

Stockton by Electric Vehicles International, one of the industry

partners of the Clean Transportation Technologies Academy.

Special visitors included the California State Superintendent of

Public Instruction, Tom Torlakson; Ezra Garrett and Leah Casey,

of PG&E; Mary Spruill, Executive Director of the NEED Project;

Glen Kizer, of the Foundation for Environmental Education and

several elected officials and their representatives.

There was even a Tesla Roadster brought to the dedication

ceremony by a local owner. The Tesla owner was kind enough

to provide rides to students and teachers, and even gave

Superintendent Torlakson a ride!

EVENTS Cont’d from pg. 6

opportunity to thank our hard working and dedicated board

members and committee chairs for their exceptional contribution

to our organization. On Thursday, June 21, we’ll gather at

Stockton Golf & Country Club to thank Debbie Armstrong with

Old Republic Title Company for her outstanding performance

as Chamber President from 2011-2012, and to welcome Gary

Long with Gary J. Long Jewelers as our 2012-2013 President.

The evening will include an installation ceremony and the

presentation of awards.

No-host cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:45

p.m. Reservations are required and space is limited. Sponsorships

are still available. For more information, call Heidi Altamirano at

209.547.2764, or e-mail [email protected].

Annual Installation Dinner 2012 Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors:F&M BankGrupe Commercial CompanyKaiser Permanente

Gold Sponsors:Bank of Agriculture & CommerceFinancial Center Credit UnionLincoln CenterNeumiller & BeardsleeSan Joaquin Delta CollegeSt. Joseph’s Medical Center

Stockton East Water DistrictThe Record/San Joaquin

Media GroupUnited Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of the Pacific

Silver Sponsors:Builders Exchange of StocktonR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc. Sutter Gould Medical Foundation

JUNE2012 10www.stocktonchamber.orgFor more info, contact Frank Ferral at [email protected]@

New Members For more information on becoming a new member, please call Matt Anderson

at 209.547.2770. Please allow up to 90 days for your listing to show.

Business Machines/Copying Machines, Supplies & Service

A – TEC1220 N. Union Street, Stockton

209.465.5606 www.atecofficesolutions.com

Warehouses Storage & Distribution/Transportation

Allen Distribution4727 Fite Court, Stockton

717.258.7743 www.allendistribution.com

Legal Services

Almost Free Legal Clinic343 E. Main Street #702, Stockton

209.323.2614

Legal Services/ Tax Consultants/ Estate Planning

Beattie & Aghazarian, LLP3031 W. March Lane #211W, Stockton

209.222.3686 www.legacy-law-group.com

Photographers/ Photographers - Commercial & Aerial/Photographers

- Corporate & Special Events

Captivating Photos4304 Cruden Street, Stockton

209.406.1845 www.captivatingphotos.net

Insurance

DiBuduo & DeFendis Insurance Agency Inc.1901 W. Kettleman Lane, Lodi

209.340.5400 www.dibu.com

Fuel Policies/ Non-profit

Fueling California1017 L Street, #408, Sacramento

916.204.6715 www.fuelingcalifornia.org

Lighting Specialists/Planting Equipment/Planting Products

Homegrown Indoor Garden Supply681-A Grider Way, Stockton

209.477.4447 www.bestinhydroponics.com

Physical Therapy/ Occupational Health

Pine Street Physical & Occupational Therapy2357 W. March Lane, Stockton

209.477.9300 www.pinestreetpt.com

Advertising & Marketing

Tube-Dude5910 Landview Drive, Stockton

941.650.5826 www.tube-dude.com

Dentists

Village Dental Care1710 E. March Lane #2B, Stockton

209.474.1000 www.villagedentalcarestockton.com


I attribute a lot of my success to the

confidence I built and the partnerships I made in Leadership

Stockton.

-Joelle Gomez

COVER STORY

Leadership StocktonEmpowering Stockton’s CommunityBy Justin Souza

Thirty-one years ago, a handful

of members of the Greater Stockton

Chamber of Commerce traveled to

Denver, Colorado to review a creative

concept in developing community

leadership. The concept: to empower

up-and-coming community members

to make effective, positive changes for

their area by providing them an

understanding of their region’s

challenges, assets and infrastructure.

This concept developed into

Leadership Stockton, the first continuous

leadership program west of the Rockies

and the prototype for many such

programs throughout California.

Since its foundation, more than 700

people have graduated from Leadership

Stockton’s immersive 11-month program

with a firm foundation from which to

make a real and lasting difference in the

community. Over the years, the nonprofit

program has expanded into a remarkable

course that connects community leaders

with essential resources and teaches them

how to set, pursue and achieve their goals.

Chamber CEO Doug Wilhoit was

one of the program’s founders, and

has remained an instrumental voice in

directing Leadership Stockton through

the years, including in differentiating

Stockton’s program from Leadership

Denver in the early days. “The Denver

Leadership program was more geared to

grooming people to run for office,” said

Wilhoit. “But early on we identified that

developing community leaders doesn’t

necessarily mean grooming elected

officials. Empowering the community

base is more important because it’s the

everyday citizens working to help

people that make the

biggest difference.”

According to Wilhoit,

Leadership Stockton was designed to

provide candidates a 360-degree look at

the Greater Stockton area. Graduates get

a wide view of the issues and resources

of the community, with informative

lectures from experts across a huge

variety of industries, including elected

leaders in the government, the CEOs of

major companies, the Directors of local

nonprofits and essential members of the

educational community, all balanced with

hands-on sessions where class members

get immersed in the daily realities of the

session’s subject. “Participants don’t just

learn where help is needed, they learn to

identify where their help can do the most

good for their community,” said Wilhoit.

Making a Difference

Graduates of the Leadership Stockton

program say that the lessons don’t end

with the 11 whole-day sessions scheduled

once per month from August to June.

Each year’s class also includes a retreat

which helps participants to bond and

is capped off by a major yearly project

to help a local nonprofit. Last year,

the graduates pitched in to help the

Transitional Learning Center (TLC)

accomplish a number of goals,

including supplying coats to children

in need, providing resources to

enable two field trips and giving the

facility a major facelift by updating the

Center’s landscaping. This year’s class

worked to revamp Pixie Woods and

prepare it for its May 5 opening.

According to Joelle Gomez, Executive

Director of the Women’s Center of San

Joaquin County, Leadership Stockton

was an eye opening experience. “When

I signed up for the 1994-1995 class, I

thought I already knew Stockton, but it


ended up being one of the most impactful

experiences of my life. I still get so much

from those relationships that I made.

I attribute a lot of the success of our

agency—and my own success—to the

confidence I built and the partnerships I

made in Leadership Stockton.”

Gomez added that Leadership

Stockton, “teaches people in the

community how they can step up and

become leaders. What we could do in

our own disciplines and how we can get

involved in others. [The program] helps

you get out of your comfort zone, meet

new people and give something back to

the community.”

Lindy Turner-Hardin said Leadership

Stockton helped her, as well. Turner-

Hardin, who is the Executive Director

of the Child Abuse Prevention Council,

graduated from Leadership Stockton

in 2001. “Eleven years later, I still know

who to call about a particular issue. Those

contacts have remained a great resource

for me throughout my career, but one of

the most valuable things I’ve taken from all

of the sessions is a different perspective.”

Leadership Stockton helps participants

to build empathy and understanding, said

Turner-Hardin. “It’s easy to be critical of

something when you are only looking at it

from a limited perspective, but when you

meet people who are in those positions

and faced with those challenges, it gives

you a deeper understanding of the issue

and the challenges that service providers

in Stockton face.”

Spreading Leadership

Since its first sessions back in

1981, Leadership Stockton’s model of

fostering community leaders has spread

throughout the State. Many long-running

Leadership programs in major areas

including Sacramento and Modesto to

Fresno and Bakersfield have patterned

their programs after Leadership Stockton.

David Diskin, who serves as the

Steering Committee Co-Chair for

Leadership Lodi, mentioned that

Stockton’s program has been an

inspiration for Lodi. “Having coordinated

Leadership Lodi for some time, we looked

at Stockton’s program with curiosity and

admiration,” said Diskin, who graduated

from Leadership Stockton in 2010. “I

enrolled because I wanted to see how

Leadership Stockton compared to Lodi’s

program. Although Leadership Lodi

has been running successfully for nearly

20 years, I know that there’s always

opportunity for improvement.”

Diskin said that participation in

Leadership Stockton has given him more

respect to those who work behind the

scenes to serve the public. “Being a part

of a Leadership program—in any city—is

something every citizen should consider.

After completing the program, I definitely

have more respect for the breadth of

people involved.”

With over 700 graduates so far,

Leadership Stockton’s alumni list reads like

a who’s who of the Stockton area. “There

have been so many people who have taken

Leadership Stockton to heart,” said Wilhoit.

“They know that this isn’t just a résumé

builder, this is meant to help Stockton.

And they’re all winners in my book.”

Wilhoit added that Leadership

Stockton relies heavily on donations

from past graduates who help sustain the

program. “It’s so important that people

know there’s a potential leader in all of

us. The way to grow it is to become part

of Leadership Stockton and not only help

the community, but get out there and

make a difference.”

“Our community needs more people

rowing the boat in the same direction,

Leadership Stockton can put the paddle

in your hand.”

For more information or to find

out how you can register for a future

Leadership Stockton class, call Director

Timm Quinn at 209.547.2960 or visit

leadershipstockton.com


Ribbon Cuttings For additional information go to www.stocktonchamber.org

Attending Ambassadors

Blair HakeAmeriprise Financial Services INC

Carol ClemensAngel’s Caring Helpers

Chester LumABC Wallace Funeral Services

Cindy WardXango

Dora LuizEZ Network Systems

Ed WanketWorkNet

Ellen PowellAssembly member Cardoza’s Representative

Fernando RuelasKaplan College

Gary GhanBrookfalls Water

Gillian MurphySmall Business Development Center at SJ Delta College

Glenn JoseH.O.P.E

Gloria BlaineBasket Caravan & Gourmet Gifts

Gregory WaltherPress F1 Computer Services

Jennifer LewisHilton Stockton

John PavalKansas City Life

Marilyn MasonRHA

Mark McDonaldLegal Shield

Michelle SherlockOptimal Hospice Care

Melanie SpeerCostco

Nick HarbutEco Chic Salon

Ojesa Asejo-ClarkRabobank

Patti GulickNew Image Signs

Phyllis KleinKlein Insurance

Reggie MartinezUEI College

Rick & Cherie PruittRP Painting Specialists

Sam WardXango

Shannon DingAssembly Member Berryhills Representative

Tim AragonQuick Connect Wireless

Vince RosatoNew Image Signs

Zach SharkeyStockton Ports

Networking MixerMay 3, Pacific Records Management


Blood Source

6385 Pacific Avenue Stockton

Beauty Garden Salon

4103 East Morada Lane Stockton

EZ Network Systems

4203 Coronado Avenue, Suite 1 Stockton

Yasoo Yani

1050 Elkhorn Drive Stockton

Grupe Commercial Company, CSU Stanislaus

and Kaiser Permanente School of Allied

Health Sciences

610 E Magnolia Street Stockton


News BriefsSubmission Guidelines: News Briefs must be submitted before the first of each month to [email protected]. Please put “PORT O CALL” in the subject line. Submissions must be no longer than 50 words total and should include contact information. News Briefs will be included on a space available basis and may be edited for content.

The Courtyard by Marriott – Stockton is Proud to Announce

That it has Been Named “Hotel of the Year” by Marriott

International, Inc. The hotel beat out 846 Courtyards throughout

North and South America. The hotel’s exceptional service,

combined with a fresh new look, vibrant lobby, value-added

amenities and expansive guestroom suites allowed the hotel to

gain its top standing within the brand and shed a bright light on

the community of Stockton. For additional information visit

www.marriott.com.

Valley Temporary Services, Located at 1150 W. Robinhood Dr.

Stockton, Celebrates 25 Years Serving Our Community. They are

here to assist clients in finding the right person for their personnel

needs and helping those looking for jobs find one. Valley Temps

will continue to be committed to quality service and hopes to be

of service for another great 25 years. Visit www.valleytemps.net

for more information.

Fine Feathered Friends is on Display at The Haggin Museum

through June 17. Using photographs, artifacts, bird specimens,

artwork and interactive elements, the exhibition tells the story

of how man’s relationship with the many birds of the Delta

has evolved through the decades. Call 209.940.6300 or visit

hagginmuseum.org.

Lorikeets! is a Seasonal, Interactive Experience Featuring Over

45 Colorful Lorikeets Representing Several Different Species.

Through September, Micke Grove Zoo guests will have the

opportunity to feed the lorikeets a special “nectar” that meets their

nutritional needs while enabling use of their unique brush-like

tongue. We hope you can join us to welcome Lorikeets! to Micke

Grove Zoo, where you can participate in the feeding experience

and get an up-close look at these fascinating, and beautiful,

parrots. For more information call the Micke Grove Zoo Office at

209.331.2010.

1145 W. Charter WayStockton, CA 95206209.466.5192

Construction LEED paperwork

Waste Disposal

Recycling Services

Same day service

J E W E L E R SGary J. Longyour jeweler for life’s celebrations

320 lincoln center, stockton 477-6881 gjlongjewelers.com320 lincoln center, stockton 477-6881 gjlongjewelers.com

GOLD IS AT AN

ALL TIME HIGH! –

NEARLY $1,400

AN OUNCE

Bring in broken, damaged, unused or unwanted jewelry and get top dollar!

- Local business for over 25 years- We buy gold year round- No waiting to get paid by mail

Don’t risk being paid by out of town checks that might bounceWE PAY CASH!

We Buy Gold & Old Jewelry

CalendarJune 2012

Highlights6/7 - Networking Mixer – 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

@ Business Tradeshow @ Hilton Stockton

2323 Grand Canal Blvd, Stockton

also don’t miss... 7/5 - Networking Mixer

@ St. Theresa’s Comprehensive Cancer Center

4722 Quail Lakes Drive, Suite B, Stockton

27 Business Education Alliance – 3:30 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

22 Government Relations Council – 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

20 Chamber Executive Meeting – 7:30 a.m. @ Stockton Golf & Country Club

21 Installation Dinner – 6:00 p.m. @ Stockton Golf & Country Club

14 Manufacturers Industrial Distribution Roundtable 7:30 a.m. @ TBD

14 Leadership Stockton Closing Session – 8:00 - 11:30 a.m. @ Stockton Chamber Conference Room

14 Leadership Stockton Graduation – 6:00 - 9:30 p.m. @ Hilton Stockton

8 Government Relations Council – 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

7 New Member Meeting – 10:00 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

7 Business Awards Luncheon – 11:30 a.m. @ Hilton Stockton

13 Green Team San Joaquin – 9:00 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce17 Contact the Chamber at 209.547.2770 for more info*

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Port O Call - June 2012

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