Fresno developer Tom Richards named recipient of 2022 Leon S. Peters Award
Local developer Tom Richards is the 2022 recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award.
Richards is chair and CEO of The Penstar Group, a Fresno-based real estate investment, development and construction company.
The award, presented by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce to honor outstanding leadership and philanthropy, was presented during a surprise announcement by chamber CEO Scott Miller and retired Fresno County Superior Court Judge Robert Oliver at Terry’s House in downtown Fresno on Monday.
Terry’s House, where families of patients at Community Regional Medical Center can stay to be close to their loved ones, was a project that Tom Richards contributed to in honor of his brother, Terry, who was injured in a car accident at the age of 5.
“Everything that I’ve ever really strived to be has been led by my brother,” Richards said in accepting the honor. “He was amazing and always in my heart everyday.”
Miller said Richards “has been on every board and committee that this county has to offer” including as current chair of the California High-Speed Rail Authority board of directors and former chair of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corp.
“We’re just very pleased to present him with this award,” Miller said.
With Richard’s leadership, The Penstar Group has developed and constructed office complexes, senior living facilities and nursing homes, said Oliver during his introduction of Richards, emphasizing that much of that work has been in downtown Fresno.
The award is named for businessman, civic leader and philanthropist Leon S. Peters, the son of Armenian immigrants who became owner of Valley Foundry & Machine Works.
The award will be officially presented during the first televised Valley Business Awards, airing Feb. 24, 2022 on KSEE 24.
This story was originally published December 20, 2021 at 6:09 PM.
