The Board Room for Monday, May 25

Announcements

▪ Valley Business Bank has been ranked as one of the top 200 community banks in the nation. The Fresno bank was one of only two Central Valley community banks to make the list. The bank achieved the ranking from American Banker by having a 3-year return on average equity average of 9.63%.

▪ The Clovis Rodeo Association elected its 2016 Board of Directors. They are: Greg Gillard, president; Gary Bower, vice president, Susan Frantzich, secretary; Joan Lassley, treasurer; and members Lynn Armstrong, Joe Billalba, Lynn Button, Ron Dunbar, Richard Egan, Ken Elliott, Ben Genco, Vince Genco, John MacIsaac, Justin Menard, Charles Rigsbee, Dan Rigsbee, Radar Ryan and Mark Thompson.

Awards

▪ Michael P. Mallery of Fresno was selected for the 2015 “Nation’s Top One Percent” by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel. Recipients of this prestigious award have demonstrated the highest ideals of the legal profession. He is lead counsel for Gerawan Farming Inc.

▪ Brett Camacho, Fresno City College welding instructor, received the Bill F. Stewart Achievement of Excellence Award. This award recognizes leadership, innovation, vision and hard work.

▪ Madera County Economic Development Commission received an Award of Merit by the California Association for Local Economic Development. MCEDC’s new website and related app were cited by the award judges.

▪ Gar Tootelian Inc. was selected as the Western Regional winner of the Environmental Respect Award honoring stewardship, safety and philanthropy efforts of the world’s leading agricultural retailers and distributors.

Donations

▪ The Rotary Club of Hanford presented 11 scholarships ($650 each) to students from Hanford High, Hanford West and Sierra Pacific.

▪ The Sequoia Region Porsche Club of America donated $1,750 to the CSUF Bulldog Student Organization Automotive Race Team, $1,750 to the Fresno-Madera Agency on Aging (Meals on Wheels) and $500 to the Clovis Botanical Garden for a sensory garden for special needs children.

New Faces

▪ Susan Manuel is the director of resource development for United Way of Tulare County.

▪ Dianne Cox joined Kaweah Delta Health Care District as vice president of human resources. The Fresno State graduate brings 30 years experience in human resources at three hospitals.

▪ Baker Manock & Jensen has added five to its firm. They are: William E. Chaltraw Jr., corporate and general business, health care, nonprofit and real estate law; Norman D. Morrison, professional liability, personal injury, business litigation and agribusiness; Alex A. Lozada, business litigation and professional liability; Amanda S. Patterson, corporate and general business, employment, and health care law; and Peter N. Zeitler, commercial finance, corporate law and real estate, with an emphasis on transactional matters.

▪ Don Kelly joined Central Valley Community Bank as vice president and assistant team leader, South Valley Agribusiness Lending Group to the Agribusiness Lending Department. He brings 26 years of banking and agricultural lending experience and is responsible for developing and maintaining new agribusiness relationships in addition to managing a portfolio of agribusiness loans and lines of credit.

▪ Donna Bausano joined Producers Financial Group West as vice president of the independent agent distribution channel.

▪ Danny Garcia is the vice president of sales at Visalia-based residential builder San Joaquin Valley Homes. He brings over 21 years experience in real estate sales management, land development and construction, including 12 years exclusively in new home sales.

New Locations

▪ The Visalia Chamber of Commerce will move to 222 N. Garden St., Suite 300 effective June 1.

Promotions

▪ Rogelio Caudillo was promoted to full-time district representative in state Sen. Andy Vidak’s district office.

▪ Michael Lulejian has been named president of Producers Financial Group West Brokerage General Agency.

▪ Barbara Carpenter has been promoted to customer service agent in the nonprofit and religious institutions department for Der Manouel Insurance Group.

This story was originally published May 24, 2015 at 3:50 AM with the headline "The Board Room for Monday, May 25."