Best Business Supporting Local Charities

Winner: Table Mountain Casino

First Finalist: Wawona Frozen Foods

Second Finalist: Granville Homes

Long before Table Mountain Casino Resort became a regional entertainment powerhouse, the Rancheria’s future was uncertain — its land once terminated by the federal government and later restored after a legal fight. Today, the tribe’s award-winning casino stands as both an economic engine and a symbol of revival.

With its newest “Best Of” honor — a first for the Table Mountain Rancheria — Table Mountain is using the spotlight not to boast about its gaming action, but to underscore a quieter victory: decades of philanthropy that have rippled across the Central Valley.

Here are two of the largest examples:

— A $10 million gift in 2006 funded the Table Mountain Rancheria Tower at the Fresno State Library. The five-story elliptical glass tower features an angled-wood lattice symbolizing a twined Native American basket. The library has upwards of 1 million visitors each year.

— Another $10 million gift in 2003, established the Table Mountain Rancheria Trauma Center at Community Regional Medical Center, home to the only Level I Trauma Center between Los Angeles and Sacramento. Nearly 4,500 patients received treatment there in 2024.

Table Mountain is also a foundational sponsor for such organizations and events as the Big Fresno Fair, Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Big Hat Days in Clovis and the Central California Women’s Conference.

This business in three words:

Faithful local sponsor

What makes them a Central Valley original?

Founded as a bingo hall by the Table Mountain Rancheria in 1987, Table Mountain Casino Resort has grown into one of the premier casino resorts in the Central Valley. It has partnered extensively with local businesses and organizations, maintaining a formal donation-request program and supporting local health, education, welfare and public safety through a number of sponsorships and charitable gifts.

The thing regulars can’t get enough of:

Table Mountain’s $500 million expansion in 2022 includes a 110,000 square-foot gaming floor, gourmet restaurants, more than 2,400 slot machines and 32 table games as well as a 12-story, 171-room hotel tower.

If this business were a song, it would be:

“Give a Little Bit” by Supertramp

Their promise to the community:

“Table Mountain is committed to contributing to the area’s development. By maintaining positive and fruitful connections with local businesses, the Tribe aspires to remain a positive asset to the community, extending support in diverse ways.”

Best Hospital

Clovis Community Medical Center

First Finalist: Valley Children’s Hospital

Second Finalist: Saint Agnes Medical Center

This business in three words:

Healing the masses

What makes them a Central Valley original?

Clovis Community Medical Center opened in 1965 as a small, 35-bed hospital near Old Town Clovis. Since then, it has grown to one of the largest area hospitals, sporting 352 inpatient beds, and is home expanding services including heart, lung and emergency care. The center is also home to a new cancer center, and now offers a brand new treatment option — CAR-T therapy — which looks to transform the world of cancer treatment in the coming years.

Clovis Community Medical Center is no stranger to The Business Journal’s Best of Central Valley Business Awards; the hospital has been honored 11 out of 12 years.

The things that matter to patients:

Clovis Community Medical Center has expanded its services dramatically over the last several decades, expanding both the emergency department and outpatient services in addition to specialty practices, imaging, labs and more.

If this business were a song, it would be:

“How to Save a Life” by The Fray

Their promise to the community:

Clovis Community Medical Center continues to expand its treatment options, turning to CAR-T therapy and other advanced techniques to fight the ongoing battle against various cancers. Their initial CAR-T therapy patients, treated this year, showed promising results, with both patients treated this year cancer free following the procedure.

Best Employment Service 

Winner: PrideStaff

First Finalist: Denham

Second Finalist: Hiring Up Staffing Service  

This business in three words:

Responsive, professional, reliable 

What makes them a Central Valley original?

They’ve built their reputation by deeply understanding the region’s workforce, its industries and the people who power them. Founded with a local-first mindset, they’ve spent years connecting Central Valley employers with talent that fits both the job and the community.

This year marks the 10th time that PrideStaff has been named the Best Employment Service. The company was founded in 1978 and began franchising in 1995. PrideStaff has over 80 offices across the nation and is led by co-CEOs Tammi Heaton and Mike Aprile, with Sean Akin serving as the vice-president of branch operations.

The thing regulars can’t get enough of:

Personalized, hands-on service that delivers the right people — not just resumes. Their signature experience blends attentive support with spot-on placements that feel like a perfect fit every time.

If this business were a song, it would be:

“Work” by Rihanna. 

Their promise to the community:

PrideStaff’s promise is to connect great people with great opportunities, strengthening the Central Valley workforce through reliable, personalized staffing solutions.

What they are saying about PrideStaff:

“Great Company. They helped me find a good job and I was looking forever with the other agency that was supposed to help me. The ladies there were so helpful and I would defiantly recommend Pridestaff to other people looking for work.” –Amanda J., Yelp review.

Best Security Company

Winner: Matson Alarm Co

First Finalist: Turner Security Systems, Inc.

Second Finalist: AmeriGuard Security Systems, Inc.

This business in three words:

Protecting Valley families

What makes them a Central Valley original?

Headquartered in Fresno, CA, Matson Alarm Co. was founded by brothers Larry and Mike Matson and has provided security and alarm services to the valley for the past 51 years, before being acquired by Pye-Barker Fire & Safety in 2022. Matson offers a full selection of security products, including 24-hour emergency service, surveillance/CCTV, alarm monitoring and more, providing safety and security to the local community. Matson has remained undefeated as Best Security Company for a decade.

The thing regulars can’t get enough of:

Clients have the option to completely customize their security solutions for their business or home.

If this business were a song, it would be:

“Safe and Sound” by Capital Cities

Their promise to the community:

To empower customers with the ability to protect their homes and businesses with services they can rely on.

What they are saying about Matson:

“Matson has always made sure my home is secure and I receive call checks when my alarm call initiates. Service is available 24/7 to keep me safe.”
—Rosie H., Yelp

Best Woman Owned Business

Winner: Fresno Equipment Co.

First Finalist: Alert-O-Lite

Second Finalist: Dumont Printing

In three words, this business is:

Reliable, community-anchored, forward-thinking

What makes them a Central Valley original?

Fresno Equipment Co. is a third-generation family business. Local growers — such as citrus, wheat and pistachio producers — trust Fresno Equipment Co. to offer suggestions and provide solutions to issues unique to their specific growing niche. Ag-based businesses turn to the company to diagnose, service and maintain their heavy-duty machinery. Fun fact, the woman-owned company was the first authorized John Deere dealer in Fresno County. This is Fresno Equipment Co.’s first win in this category.

Founded in 1961 by Mark Vucovich and William Hansen, Fresno Equipment Co. launched with locations in Fresno, Five Points and Firebaugh, replacing the former Budd & Quinn store in Downtown Fresno. Within two years, Vucovich became the sole owner, starting a family legacy that continues to this day.

In 1967 the business streamlined with the sale of its Firebaugh store. But the company soon grew as Vucovich’s children joined the company in the 1970s, contributing further to its growth and reputation. In 1998, Fresno Equipment opened a new 46,000 square-foot facility, continuing its upward trajectory in the Central Valley’s ag industry.

In 2010, Fresno Equipment was named Ag Business of the Year by Baker, Peterson & Franklin. Later that year, ownership transitioned to second-generation leader Marsha Vucovich, who continues today as CEO. Joined by her son, Reid Pinion.

The thing regulars can’t get enough of: (their signature offering/experience)

Mowers, tractors, machine parts — All equipment which local Ag businesses rely on to produce food, textiles and animal feed for Valley residents and beyond.

If this business were a song, it would be:

“Big Green Tractor” Jason Aldean

Their promise to the community:

Their goal for commercial customers is to provide the strong relationships and dependable parts and service support that clients need to stay running.

What they are saying about Fresno Equipment:

“The best around! So personable and welcoming! They go above and beyond to help.”
— Kristi A. on Google