Ed Kashian, center, was surprised with the Leon S. Peters award Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 in Fresno. Photo by Dylan Gonzales

In what CEO Scott Miller called “long overdue”, the Fresno Chamber of Commerce announced 96 year old. Edward M. Kashian, CEO and principal of Lance Kashian & Co., as the 2026 Leon S. Peters Award honoree.  

The honor recognizes Kashian’s exceptional leadership, philanthropy and long-standing commitment to the Central Valley and communities beyond, according to a news release. 

He is the son of Armenian immigrants Michael and Sarah, was born in 1929 in Philadelphia and moved to Fresno in 1946. A Navy veteran of the Korean conflict, he returned to care for his parents, married Jeanne and founded Lance Kashian & Company in 1964, transforming Fresno through major real estate developments.

As head of Lance Kashian, Kashian has played a defining role in shaping Fresno’s economic growth and built environment through the development of significant commercial, health care and mixed-use projects including River Park, Campus Pointe and the Fancher Creek Town Center.

The honor comes as Lance Kashian has built momentum as 2026 got underway. In December, Campus Pointe celebrated the opening of Hyatt House.  In the two months prior, Lance Kashian celebrated the openings of Target and In-N-Out at Fancher Creek. 

“This is an exciting time,” his daughter-in-law Tracy Kashian, Public Relations for Lance Kashian said.  “That momentum has been really great. We’re so excited to see all these come just make our town and our community, even better.”

Equally impactful is Kashian’s commitment to giving back, said the Chamber, which surprised Kashian with the award Wednesday at the Lance Kashian offices in north Fresno.

With his wife, Jeanne, he has made transformational philanthropic contributions to education, health care and community institutions locally and globally. His support of higher education, medical advancement and
community development reflects a deep belief in opportunity, service and long-term investment in people, said the Chamber.

“Kashian’s leadership is marked not only by professional achievement, but by integrity, generosity, and a dedication to improving lives, qualities that fully embody the spirit of the Leon S. Peters,” said the Chamber in its announcement.

The Leon S. Peters Award honors individuals who exemplify the qualities of its namesake. Leon S. Peters was widely respected as a businessman, civic leader and philanthropist who came from Armenian immigrants. He grew up on a family farm and began his career as a salesman for Valley Foundry after losing his parents at a young age. He later purchased the company and transformed it into a world-renowned supplier of agricultural equipment by revolutionizing wine production through innovations such as the wine grape crusher and seamless stainless-steel tanks.

Others will be honored as part of the 2026 Valley Business Awards being held in March. They include:

• Harold Zinkin Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Liz McIlvaine, Total Concepts

• Community Champion of the Year Award: California Teaching Fellows Foundation

• Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jasmine Ruiz, Cry Baby Cookies

• Child-Friendly Business of the Year: Art of Comfort

The 2026 Valley Business Awards will take place on Friday, March 13, as a luncheon at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets.