gilroy business focus – may | 2015 edition
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A publication of the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce | May 2015TRANSCRIPT
WATCH THE EVENING NEWS, read the newspaper or scan the internet and what do you find but corrupt politicians who are not only ruining the system, but demoralizing the American voter. From the Speaker of the House of Representatives buying votes, to the former Secretary of State whose attitude is, “the law doesn’t apply to me,” the idea that elected officials are “public servants,” has been dealt a severe blow. When the former Senate majority leader shrugs off false statements he made on the Senate floor about another individual running for president with no regard for the truth, we have a serious issue. With stories about US Senators facing federal indictments and a former local County Supervisor admitting to, “concocting a vicious and deceptive campaign,” against another candidate in order to help his buddy win an election, we have a severe problem with ethical behavior.
Practice Ethical Behavior or Be ReplacedFor many, politics and ethics is an oxymoron. But should it be? Shouldn’t the office in which a politician serves be held in such high esteem that no behavior unbecoming to the office should be tolerated? Shouldn’t we demand the very best ethical behavior from our elected officials? In fact, shouldn’t “we the people,” the voters,” demand more of ourselves? Unethical behavior gone unchecked will only breed more unethical behavior. Elected officials who have been given the high honor of the public’s trust must be held to the highest of standards and any elected official who fails to uphold that trust must be replaced, not rewarded with multiple terms.
Good People Must Step Up With so much on the line, good people must be willing to step up and step in. Now is the time to begin considering how to get involved. Serving on City commissions, school boards, councils, and other organizations can begin to prepare one for future public service. Most politicians at the State and Federal level began their careers serving locally.
Local Politicians Do a Much Better Job One needs to look no further than our very own City Council to see a group of individuals who give the very best they have to offer. It can, at times, be a thank-less job. Public service isn’t something to pursue for personal accolades. It’s often a
sacrifice of energy and time for the cause of the community and its people. There will be discussions, debates, agreements and sometimes disagreements about the best plan and approach to solving problems, but at the end of the day, it’s the very best we pursue and should demand of others.
Gilroy Chamber of CommerceOFFICERSCHAIR OF THE BOARD LISA FARIA • Coldwell Banker
PAST CHAIR DEBBI SANCHEZ • Fortino Winery
CHAIR OF THE BOARD-ELECT TERRY FEINBERG • Moxxy Marketing
SECRETARY/TREASURER DAVID MATUSZAK, Ed.D.
VC OPERATIONS & DEVELOPMENT TERRY NEWMAN • Gavilan College
VC PUBLIC AFFAIRS TERRY FEINBERG • Moxxy Marketing
VC BUSINESS PROGRAMS & SERVICES JAY MENCHACA • Menchaca Law Offices
VC MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS CHERYL ELLEMBERG • ABD Promotions
BOARD OF DIRECTORS JASON RABY • Articulate Solutions DAVID JEWELL • Syngenta Flowers ERIC GEBHARDT • Hilton Garden Inn PAM GARCIA • Affordable Solar Roofs GINA LOPEZ • State Farm Insurance
CHAMBER STAFF Mark Turner • President/CEO Michelle Garcia • Administrative Assistant Chris Bevilacqua • Administrative Assistant Sue Thurman • Business Relationship Manager
WELCOME CENTER STAFF Jane Howard • Executive Director Pam Gimenez • Office Manager
EDC STAFF Tammy Brownlow • President/CEO Candace Van Sambeek, Administrative Assistant
FOCUS PRODUCTION STAFF EDITOR • Mark Turner, President/CEO Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
PRODUCTION & DESIGN • J. Chris Mickartz InfoPOWER Communications
PHOTOGRAPHY • Larry Mickartz InfoPOWER Communication
7471 Monterey Street • Gilroy, CA 95020 web: gilroy.org e-mail: [email protected] phone: (408) 842-6437
Page 2 Gilroy Business Focus I May 2015
LISA FARIA2015 Chair of the BoardGilroy Chamber of Commerce
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR OF THE BOARD
Yes the first quarter is over and the second one is well underway. It is never too late to plan for and achieve your success. If you don’t have a business plan it is time to write one. Get your goals on paper and keep them in front of you. Plan your daily activities that are the highest and best use of your time. You will want to schedule your days off and plan your vacation time as well. Decide what you want to acquire this year and go for it! Achievers always work from a clear sense of priority.
“If you cannot measure it, you cannot improve it” Lord Kelvin. You must have a way to track your business numbers. If you cannot track your numbers you are
2015 Your Best Year Ever!running your business by your feelings and feelings will let you down. Set systems in place and business will start to flow. You have to do the hard up front so it is easy later. You need to get into the slip stream where the wind is pushing you!
How can the Gilroy Chamber of Commerce help you have your best year ever? If you need some marketing ideas, meet with Sue Thurman and she will suggest some marketing options available at the Chamber. Need an accountability partner? Come to the networking events and connect with like-minded people. Education goes a long way in business so come to our Power Lunches, Government Relations Committee meetings and Social Media
trainings. Want to learn about our community so you can be more involved? Attend a Breakfast Club, Mixers and ribbon cuttings and find out what other members are doing, not only in their business but in our community.
The One Thing by Gary Keller is my book of the month. Get it and you won’t be disappointed. It discusses pinpointing your focus, the myth of multi-tasking and it truly inspired me in all areas of my life.
Your Business is Our Business – let’s partner together to create success for both your business and our business!
MARK TURNERPresident/CEOGilroy Chamber ofCommerce
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO
Has Politics and Ethics Become an Oxymoron?
For Information About Our
Member Businesses, Visit Us On Facebook
What’s New With Chamber Businesses!
May 2015 I Gilroy Business Focus Page 5
SUE THURMAN Business RelationshipManager, Gilroy Chamber of Commerce
The Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) is a state agency that provides services to individuals who have significant physical or mental health impairments. The DOR provides training to help the consumer reach an agreed upon employment goal, leading to financial independence. Individuals eligible for DOR services work with a counselor to develop an employment preparation plan and are then guided through this process where they learn how to complete job applications, write resumes and cover letters, develop their interviewing skills, job search skills, dress appropriately for job interviews, and sell themselves in the competitive job market. These consumers are motivated, capable and ready to work and have employment strengths that will be a good investment for employers. If you are interested in employing their consumers, please contact David Cabrera, the local DOR Employment Coordinator, at 408-846-6576 or email [email protected]. The DOR also provides services to consumers in the Morgan Hill area and San Benito County.
Join Community Solutions for a day of fun, fashion and philanthropy at the 9th Annual Hearts of Gilroy Women’s Luncheon & Auction on Saturday, May 30 from 11:30 am – 2:30 pm at Eagle Ridge Golf Club. Each year, community members, donors and volunteers join together to raise funds for local women and children who have been victimized by abuse. Prizes are awarded to the women wearing the best shoes and a guest is surprised with the Heart of Gilroy award recognizing her active involvement in making Gilroy a better place to live, work and thrive. For informa-tion and tickets, visit communitysolutions.org
KSBW 8 is pleased to welcome Cecilia Rios as their new Account Executive for the Santa Clara and San Benito County areas. Cecilia has seven years of experience working in advertising with the Hollister FreeLance. She was elected City Treasurer of Hollister in 2014 and has lived in Hollister for 12 years. She is now represent-ing KSBW mobile, on-line (ksbw.com) and Television. You can reach her at 831-758-7737.
Come and meet local authors on Saturday, May 2 at the Gilroy Museum, 195 Fifth Street, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. They’ll be holding forth, chatting and signing their books about our history. They hope to see you there for this festive occasion.
Featured will be: Elizabeth Barratt - A Country Doctor in the Valley of Heart’s Delight; Claudia Salewske - Gilroy, one of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America Series; Ian Sanders - Views of Morgan Hill; Ian Sanders - Mineral Springs of Santa Clara County; Ian Sanders and Michael Brookman - 100 Years of Gilroy Hot Springs, and Donna Brodsky - San Martin, Then and Now
Pamela Garcia, CEO of Affordable Solar Roofs, is pleased to announce they are changing their company name to better reflect their deeply held company values and the vision they have for the future of their company. Their new name, “Simmitri,” brings their values to the forefront of their image and showcases their unique holistic approach to solving their customers’ needs. At their core, they are still the same, but now they are better positioned to provide expert solutions to their customers and be the advocate they need when addressing their energy demands. They are striving to restore the balance of power in favor of their customers. Some of their services include: Solar, Energy Storage, Energy Optimization and Roof systems. Simmitri, Inc. will empower their customers through a holistic approach to efficient, sustainable energy solutions. For more information, call 408- 779-3333.
FORE! That’s the action word for Gilroy Sunrise Rotarians and their friends this time of year, as they are preparing for their annual Scholarship Golf Tournament on June 5 at Eagle Ridge. Check-in Begins at 11:00 am. Warm up with a bucket of balls on the driving range, practice putting and then grab lunch. Official tee off is 12:30 pm. This best ball tournament combines other “fun” activities on the course includ-ing a chance to win a new car by hitting a hole-in-one, sponsored by Gilroy Nissan Hyundai. Enjoy a no-host bar, delicious BBQ tri-tip dinner and a chance to win door prizes afterward. Tournament fee is $155 per person ($620 for a team of 4). Tee sponsorships are also available. (Sponsor one tee for $100 or 3 tees for $200). Have fun golfing while raising money to support local youth. Give Tony a call at 408-710-5974 or visit the website at gilroysunriserotary.org.
On Saturday, May 9, the Gilroy Branch of the American Association of University Women will mark its 50th year with a gala luncheon at Old City Hall Restaurant.
All former members, current members, prospective members and friends are invited to join the celebration. It begins with a social hour at 11:00am when guests will have a chance to visit and enjoy displays of the history and achievements of the branch. Information about Tech Trek, scholarships and membership will be shared. A beautiful handmade Opportunity Quilt will be displayed and raffle tickets will be sold for the chance to win the quilt. Cost of the luncheon is $25. Please RSVP by May 3 to Marianne Peoples at [email protected] or 408-842-9022 or Carol Smith at [email protected] or 408-848-2475.
Robert Trout, Project Director of South County Cal-SOAP, has been in his position for over a decade and has seen some amazing changes to the organization. They have always been pre-college program designed to help low-income and first-generation students reach college. The ways that they have made that happen vary according to the season and what opportunities are provided. Financial aid has been the focus of this most recent season for South County Cal-SOAP. The Year-End Celebration to recog-nize outstanding scholarship recipients is coming soon. For the first time in 9 years, Cal-SOAP will only be able to recognize renewal scholarships from their main program funds. Despite this setback, Cal-SOAP is actively seeking local partners to continue the program. One such partner is the Community Foundation for San Benito County, who has enabled scholarships for eight San Benito County Cal-SOAP high school seniors. There is a need for much more in Santa Clara County too. Find out how you can make a difference for these deserving kids by calling 408-846-7504.
Today’s business owners and managers need many skills to develop and maintain a thriving business. Gavilan College Community Education offers many courses that can help you learn or master those skills. Their online courses are open to everyone, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for your learning convenience. Check out their website at GavilanCE.com to learn about their expert courses in Accounting, MS Office Applications, Project Management, Business Finance for Non-Finance Personnel, Customer Service and so much more. If you are looking for courses to meet your personal needs, they have those too. From Mastering Your DSLR
Camera to Interior Design, Genealogy Basics to Speed Spanish, they’ve got you covered. Classes begin every month so it’s never too late to get started. Don’t see what you want? Give Gavilan a call at 408-852-2801. They are looking forward to hearing from you.
Come on out Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday, May 23 through Monday, May 25 and check out The Barn at Hoey Ranch’s new digs. New floor, new lighting, AND, best of all, Jim and Debbie just got back from a big Texas buying spree. Lots of great primitive furniture and awesome farm and garden “Barntiquities.” The Barn is open one weekend a month for special sales, and as always by appoint-ment. Check them out on Facebook, or sign up for their newsletter to find out all the latest “Barn Dirt.” Go to thebarnathoey-ranch.com, 2480 Hecker Pass Rd. or call 408-309-1179 for more details. Come on down y’all and visit and see all the great “new” stuff.
Women tend to put everyone’s needs before their own, but when it comes to a financial plan you must make your needs the priority. Women are more likely to out-live men and are less likely to be financially prepared for their retirement years. Explore and incorporate the components of a comprehensive financial plan to help ensure your value, security and future are well protected by calling Jeff Orth of Integrated Financial Benefits Network, today at 408-842-2716.
