OFFICIAL NEWS RELEASE
Kristin Connelly,
[email protected], 925.246.1880 Molly A. Walker,
[email protected], 510.428.9291
Fourteen Outstanding Small-Business Owners to be Honored at East Bay Leadership Council’s 15th Annual Awards Luncheon Featuring Rachel Dunn of Rachel Dunn Chocolates and Dan Ashley of ABC7/KGO-TV News
CONCORD, CA., April 22, 2015—In honor of their exceptional entrepreneurial achievements and community spirit, 14 small-business owners, selected by Contra Costa County and TriValley Chambers of Commerce, will be honored at the East Bay Leadership Council’s 15th Annual Small Business Awards Luncheon on Friday, May 8. The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 45 John Glenn Drive, Concord. (Register at www.eblcsmallbiz.eventbrite.com.)
Delivering the luncheon keynote will be the renowned Concord chocolatier Rachel Dunn, whose company, Rachel Dunn Chocolates, has been praised by Williams-Sonoma, the Food Network, the San Francisco Chronicle, Diablo Magazine, the Philadelphia Inquirer, and television shows including Oprah, QVC and The Rosie O’Donnell Show. Dan Ashley, ABC7 News anchor, will be master of ceremonies.
The event is hosted each year by the Council’s Small Business/Entrepreneur Task Force, which is co-chaired by Angela De La Housaye of De La Housaye & Associates and Jenny Kohler of the Bay Area News Group. 1
The luncheon coincides each year with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s National Small Business Week, May 4-8, 2015, when business owners across the nation are saluted.
Here are the 2015 honorees who were selected by their respective chambers. •
Antioch Chamber: Paula and Chris Franchetto-Trotta, owners of Paula’s Family Florist, a family-owned florist business that has served Antioch, Pittsburg, Oakley and Brentwood for three generations. Paula Franchetto-Trotta grew up in the business and runs the florist shop with her husband, Chris, in the same building that her parents worked in at the corner of A and 15th streets in Antioch. The business often donates floral services to local nonprofits and special city events.
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Concord Chamber: Ed and Dawn Roth, owners of R-Computer, an award-winning, authorized dealer of leading industry computer systems, offering solutions, services and support to large and small companies. Ed and Dawn Roth founded their business in their home garage in Concord in 1986 and now have offices in north Concord and a staff of 15 people. For many years, R-Computer has supported children and youth in foster care and organizations for the elderly. Dawn Roth is the founder of Operation Secret Elves, which gathers and delivers thousands of dollars worth of practical gifts to young adults in foster care.
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Danville Area Chamber: Tim Argenti, general manager, Republic Services, in the Danville area, providing solid-waste and recycling services to local businesses and residents for over 20 years. A supporter of numerous local organizations, Republic Services was a major sponsor of the CVS/Longs Drugs Challenge golf tournament that attracted top women golfers from around the world, and the firm donated generously to the First Tee Program, allowing young golfers to meet professionals. Tim Argenti is a past chair and current member of the chamber’s board of directors.
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Hispanic Chamber: Maggie Wulff and Maria Galicia, independent business representatives of Legal Shield, providing affordable legal and identity theft protection for individuals and small businesses. As board members of the chamber since 2012, the honorees actively promote the organization’s mission and recruit new members, resources 2
and donations. Maggie Wulff is the chamber’s San Ramon Valley director and Maria Galicia serves as East Contra Costa director. •
Lafayette Chamber: Katie Santos, Louise Johns and Claudia Moose, proprietors of Absolute Center in downtown Lafayette, providing “the best fitness experience possible” through personal training and classes in fitness, pilates, yoga, barre, suspension and more since 2003. Katie Santos is a board member of the Lafayette Chamber and works with people dealing with neurological disorders, cancer, amputations and injuries. Louise Johns is a six-year bone-marrow-transplant survivor, and Claudia Moose conceived and directed the development of a trademarked movement approach.
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Martinez Chamber: John and Paula Viano and family, owners of Viano Vineyards and Conrad Viano Winery, a third-generation Martinez winery founded in 1920. The winery serves as the venue and sponsor of numerous community fundraisers and events, including the Boys & Girls Club summer gala and the Contra Costa Historical Society fundraiser, and annually presents three Clement Viano memorial scholarships to Alhambra High School graduating seniors.
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Moraga Chamber: Lynn McAuliffe, principal of Champagne Design / Spell-It-Out Photos / Wall of Quotes. Lynn McAuliffe founded Champagne Design in 1997, a virtual design studio for print and web applications featuring a network of designers, programmers and production artists. Her retail home décor businesses, Spell-It-Out Photos (founded in 2008) and its spinoff, Walls of Quotes (launching this year), are co-owned with her business partner, Sue Tenerowicz. Lynn McAuliffe is active in the chamber and has played a key role in the success of the Moraga Community Faire over the past several years.
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Orinda Chamber: Dan McDonnell and Sarah McDonnell, owners of McDonnell Nursery, a multigenerational, family-owned nursery since 1933. The father and daughter team are longtime chamber members and assist the community with little fanfare, lending the plants needed to decorate for annual promotion ceremonies at local schools, sponsoring community events and contributing to the Shop Orinda bags program.
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Pleasant Hill: Jeff Clark and Steve Clark, owners of Steven’s Printing since 1996, offering integrated marketing solutions to businesses and nonprofits that incorporate the old-world craft of print and new digital media services. Jeff and Steve Clark are active 3
members of the chamber and the community, and often give back by providing in-kind labor and services to local nonprofits. •
Pleasanton Chamber: Todd and Carol Moberg, owners of Insignia Signs, manufacturer since 2012 of high-quality, custom-made, interior and exterior commercial signs for businesses and organizations of all sizes. Carol Moberg is a member of Pleasanton North Rotary and directs community service for the club. Todd Moberg is an active member of the Pleasanton Chamber, serving on the board of directors and chairing the Ambassadors Committee.
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Richmond Chamber: Jacqueline Majors of J. Majors & Associates, assisting public and private agencies with community relations, public outreach and event management coordination, including projects for the city of Richmond and the West Contra Costa Unified School District. Jacqueline Majors is active in the Richmond community and is a dedicated chamber volunteer, currently serving on the board of directors and chairing the Ambassadors Committee and the PAC Committee. With her son Brandon Fredzess and her daughter Gabrielle, she established the Majors Foundation in 2012, a nonprofit supporting the JMA Richmond Bulldogs Travel Baseball Team for Richmond youth.
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San Pablo Economic Development Corporation: Michael Evans, DVM, owner of Animal Care Clinic, offering a full range of affordable veterinary care, including a pharmacy and insurance services, since 1990. The clinic has grown from a staff of seven to 65 fully benefited jobs, with a number of staff members who started as teenagers in entry-level assignments advancing to management positions. Already working with various East Bay animal rescue groups, the business seeks to develop a 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm to work with disadvantaged animals and to become a full-service vet hospital with 24-hour services.
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San Ramon Chamber: Melanie Bartoletti, owner of Gianni’s Italian Bistro, a popular San Ramon restaurant, offering a menu of Italian dishes and showcasing fresh, seasonal ingredients since 2012. (Melanie’s husband and business partner, Gianni Bartoletti, is the founder and former owner of Incontro.) Gianni’s supports San Ramon Valley communities by partnering with local nonprofits through “Tips for Change” events. In 2014, Gianni’s held 23 of these events and helped raise $50,000 for local charities,
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including such organizations as Paws In Need, Soroptimists and the National Coalition Against Prescription Drug Abuse. •
Walnut Creek Chamber: Diablo Publications, Barney Fonzi, president, which for 35 years has captured the heartbeat of the community, covering topics ranging from travel, culture and personalities to entertainment, recreation and food. Its award-winning publications include Diablo Magazine, Napa Sonoma magazine, Diablo Weddings, the Diablo City Book Series, Diablo Arts, Concierge East Bay and the Tri-Valley California Visitors Guide. Diablo Publications became an employee-owned company in August 2014.
About the East Bay Leadership Council: The Council, also referred to as the EBLC, is a private sector, public policy organization with a membership that includes business, nonprofit organizations, government, education and labor. The mission of the Council is to provide advocacy on public policy issues affecting the economic vitality and quality of life in the East Bay region. For more information, see www.eastbayleadershipcouncil.com and follow us on twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
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