On Tuesday, Dec. 10, The Business Journal hosted its 11th annual Best of Central Valley Business Awards Dinner. Some of the Valley’s biggest business names were in attendance at Pardini’s Catering to celebrate their accomplishments and be featured as one of the Valley’s top honorees, as voted on by readers of The Business Journal.
Today, The Business Journal highlights its core services and community impact award recipients. Congratulations to all the winners.
Best Nonprofit: Marjaree Mason Center
First runner-up: Food Bank of Central California
Runner-up: Hinds Hospice
Written by: Ben Hensley
For the first time since 2022, the Marjaree Mason Center finds itself again in first place for the top nonprofit category of this year’s Best Business Awards, beating out finalists Central California Food Bank and Hinds Hospice in the voting this year.
“Being a finalist in the Best Nonprofit category of the Best of Central Valley Awards is a true honor and a testament to the incredible work being done to serve domestic violence survivors in our community,” said CEO of Marjaree Mason Center, Nicole Linder. “This recognition not only highlights our commitment to survivors and their children, but also celebrates the collective efforts of our team, our partners and our donors who share our vision for a community free of domestic violence.”
Founded in 1978 after the murder of the center’s namesake – Marjaree Mason – The Marjaree Mason Center advocates for victims of domestic violence, helping to provide shelter, resources, legal aid and more to those in need.
The Isnardi Foundation’s Marjaree Mason Center’s new Community Resource Center is slated to open its doors this month, doubling the center’s non-residential service capacity. The building will house the nonprofit’s 24/7 trauma center, drop-in center, non-residential survivor services, group therapy and more.
The organization has been tirelessly fundraising for several years since it bought the building, formerly the Milan Institute, organizing match donation drives for the $21 million project.
Coinciding with the anticipated opening of the Isnardi Foundation building, the Marjaree Mason Center also unveiled its new logo this year. Their new logo, featuring a butterfly, represents transformation, resilience and freedom, reflecting on the challenging journey faced by survivors of domestic violence.
Best Local Construction Firm: Harris Construction
First Finalist: The General in Search
Runner-up: Pickett & Sons Construction Inc.
Written by: Frank Lopez
This is the second year in a row that Harris Construction has been voted Best Local Construction Firm.
Since its founding in 1914, Harris Construction has grown its legacy spanning over five generations, becoming a preeminent builder in many sectors, including education, civic and public safety, health care, industrial and private enterprise.
A statement from Harris Construction said the repeated recognition as the best local construction firm is a testament to the company’s commitment to honesty, integrity, customer satisfaction and community involvement.
The Harris team has spent years dedicated to building strong relationships, delivering exceptional projects and giving back to the community.
This year, Harris Construction successfully completed several projects, including the Child Development Center for Fresno City College, Fairmont Elementary School Ag Farm For Sanger Unified School District and the Video Broadcast Center at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Significant progress has also been made on new school projects, including Phase III of Sanger West Middle School, the Terry Bradley Ed Center for the Clovis Unified School District, and the just-started new King Hussein Elementary School for the Madera Unified School District.
“As we look ahead to 2025, we are optimistic about the future. We will begin new construction on two civic buildings (Reedley and Clovis) at the end of the year, among other new educational and civic projects, plus the continuation of our other major educational and civic projects. Our goal is to continue to deliver outstanding results and build our reputation as a premier contractor in Central and Coastal California,” said a statement from Harris Construction.
Best Local Credit Union: Education Employees Credit Union
First runner-up: Noble Credit Union
Runner-up: Golden 1 Credit Union
Written by: Gabriel Dillard
The 2024 Best Credit Union category represents a homecoming for EECU (Educational Employees Credit Union) as it won the category for the 10th year after missing out on the top spot in 2023.
EECU is the Central Valley’s largest member-owned credit union, with $4.6 billion in assets and 367,087 members as of 2023. Elizabeth Dooley is CEO.
The win is extra special for EECU as it celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, founded in 1934. With new branches, ATMs, loan products and other services, the credit union aims to serve members where their needs live. their financial
At EECU, we are always looking for ways to better serve our members. Earlier this year we launched our mobile branch, which helps us make banking services more accessible – especially for those in more rural areas who cannot easily visit a branch or ATM,” said Mark V. Perez, Deputy “We also opened an ATM in West Fresno – the only full-service credit union ATM in the 93706 zip code. In addition to expanding services, we offer free financial wellness education to people of all ages and continue to support organizations, numerous community programs and events, as we prioritize giving back to the communities we are so proud to serve.
Best Hospital: Clovis Community Medical Center
First runner-up: Valley Children’s Hospital
Runner-up: Saint Agnes Medical Center
Written by: Ben Hensley
Clovis Community Medical Center (CCMC) has been named “Best Hospital” for the tenth time in this year’s competition, reflecting a quality of care and commitment to excellence demonstrated by the team.
CCMC has been voted “Best Hospital” in all but one of The Business Journal’s 11 years of Best Awards presentations. Last year, Kaiser Permanente took home the title, with CCMC honored as the first runner-up.
“We are humbled by this honor, knowing it represents the efforts of our physicians, nurses, support staff and the community we serve,” said Alan Christianson, VP, chief operating officer at CCMC. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and unwavering commitment of our entire team, where each member plays a vital role in creating an environment of healing and hope, and it inspires us to continue to push the boundaries of excellence in healthcare. “
CCMC is one of four Community Health System inpatient hospitals in the area. The hospital was first established in 1965 and has seen several expansions. It was renamed Clovis Community Hospital in 1982 and opened in its current location in 1988.
Over the past decade, CCMC has seen expansion in its emergency department, pharmacy, laboratory and other services, as well as expansion of the ambulatory care center, parking facilities and more to meet the growing care needs in the area.
Best Women-Owned Business: La Tapatia Tortilleria Inc.
First runner-up: Designs of facilities
Second Finalist: JP Marketing
Written by: Alex Light
In 1969 La Tapatia Tortilleria started as a side business after Helen Hansen bought her first set of tortilla making equipment, making tortillas in the evenings and weekends after her shift at the wheat factory.
Decades later, the company has become a Central Valley staple and nothing less than a household name with products sold in grocery stores up and down the Central Valley. It has won the Best Women-Owned Business category for the fifth time – and the first since 2022.
For Yvette Cuellar, Hansen’s daughter and director of public relations and marketing for the company, this achievement is an honor.
“To be a finalist, or even to be included in the voting to begin with, feels like a very humbling and prestigious honor,” Cuellar said. “It really means a lot to us that our company is relevant or meaningful to others, especially because we are a locally based family company.”
While growing, La Tapatia Tortilleria has had the opportunity to give back to the community through sponsorships, donations to non-profit organizations and participation in community outreach events. Cuellar attributes this, along with maintaining a face-to-face relationship with customers, to the success of the business, which ships globally.
“I think being out and participating in the community has helped put a face on the company and keep us in the forefront of people’s minds,” Cuellar said.
Best Family Owned Business: Wawona Frozen Foods – The Smittcamp Family
First Runner Up: Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant-The Harris Family
2nd Finalist: De Young Properties-The De Young Family
Written by: Frank Lopez
This is the sixth time Business Journal voters have chosen Wawona Frozen Foods, owned by the Smittcamp family, as the Best Family Business. This is their first win since 2021.
Since 1963, Wawona Frozen Foods has been a supplier of a variety of frozen fruits, including peaches, pears, strawberries, plums and more.
The company is an industry leader that ships more than 100 million pounds of frozen fruit annually.
The company was founded by Earl Smittcamp, and was later run by his children. Bob Smittcamp died in 2021 and Wawona Frozen Foods is led today by CEO Bill Smittcamp.
Wawona Frozen Foods employs approximately 300 full-time employees.
Each year, employees raise money for Valley Children’s Hospital, with Wawona matching those funds.
Marketing manager Blair Smittcamp said the family is extremely honored to be nominated for Best Family Owned Business. She said they are proud to be a third generation family business.
The family would like Bill to retire and take some time for himself, but “it’s not in his blood,” Blair said.
“We love the opportunity to share the fruits of our labor, literally and figuratively. The Fresno/Clovis area has been so good to us and we want to give back. The support we have for the community is unwavering,” Blair said.