From left, Lisa and Tom Zimmerman are passing the leadership reins of CORE Business Interiors to their daughter, Andrea Benson. Photo by Devon Jacoby with Backstory Creative

The Business Journal’s Family Owned Business Awards (FOBA) honor multigenerational companies across Fresno, Kings, Madera and Tulare counties. Eight companies were named honorees this year, and four took home awards at our program Wednesday evening. CORE Business Interiors won in the medium business category. Here’s a closer look at the family behind it.

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CORE Business Interiors has been named a winner in The Business Journal’s 2026 Family Owned Business Awards.

The Fresno-based commercial interiors company was founded in 2009 by Tom and Lisa Zimmerman and their daughter, Andrea Benson. What began as a small family business has grown to about 70 employees serving clients throughout the Central Valley and Central Coast.

The company provides workplace strategy, interior design, furniture procurement, modular interiors, flooring, project coordination and installation services.

Starting a company in 2009

CORE was born after the firm where Benson and her father worked went bankrupt during the recession.

“At the end of 2008, my dad and I worked for another firm that went bankrupt, and so we decided to start our own,” Benson said in the company’s FOBA video.

“It was a great time to start a company in 2009,” Tom Zimmerman added dryly.

The founding philosophy centered on creating a positive workplace, providing clients with tailored design services and giving back to the community.

“When we started, we knew more about what we didn’t want a company to be than we did about what we did want it to be,” Lisa Zimmerman said. “We wanted it to be a positive work environment. We wanted to be excited to come to work every day, and in addition to providing an amazing service for our clients, we wanted to benefit the community.”

Designing for the client

Tom Zimmerman said the company’s approach also distinguishes CORE from firms that impose a signature style on clients.

“We actually are designing for our customer,” he said. “We really want the outcome that they get to be what is going to work for them.”

 

A handoff in progress

CORE is transitioning to its second generation of family leadership, with Benson serving as CEO. Tom Zimmerman remains founder and Lisa Zimmerman serves as chief financial officer. The company said its succession plan calls for gradually shifting leadership responsibilities to Benson while maintaining mentorship from her parents and strengthening the internal leadership team.

Benson’s leadership developed through hands-on experience across the business. In the video, Tom Zimmerman described watching her grow from a college graduate into a leader who took on responsibility beyond her experience at the time.

“She wasn’t afraid to stretch herself,” he said.

Lisa Zimmerman said her daughter’s leadership, vision and execution made her a natural fit for the role.

More than $1 million given back

Benson said her priorities as CEO include maintaining the company’s community focus while building on the foundation her parents created.

“I think that overall our vision is really making an impact in the community,” Benson said. “What I really love is us having the opportunity to not only create really inspiring spaces, but also to give back to our community, no matter what that is.”

CORE has donated more than $1 million since its founding, supporting organizations including Fresno Mission, CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties, Marjaree Mason Center, Central California Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House Charities and educational groups, according to the company’s FOBA application.

The company has won six Haworth Best in Class Awards and a 2019 Outstanding Business-School Partnership award from Fresno Compact. Benson was named to Business Street’s 40 Under 40 list in 2014, and CORE and Benson received CASA of Fresno and Madera Counties’ annual partnership award in 2025. CORE is also a certified Women’s Business Enterprise through the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council.