A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems in Fresno was founded by Mark Gilio and his father-in-law Almindo Feijoo in 1991. It is part of the 33.74% of Fresno businesses that are family owned. Backstory photo

The nominations have been accepted, the judges have spoken and the results are in for the third-annual Family Owned Business Awards.

Out of about 40 nominations, 20 qualifying submissions and ten world-class honorees, The Business Journal announced the FOBA winners Tuesday night at Pardini’s in Fresno. In front of a group of more than 100 people consisting of friends and family of the honorees, the four big winners were unveiled.

 

This was the second in-person FOBA program. Awards were earned in three categories: small, medium and large. A special “Legacy” award was also bestowed on an outstanding company with at least three generations of family ownership.

The winner in the small business category was Schuil Ag Real Estate in Visalia, a three-generation agricultural real estate firm and the world’s top dairy brokerage.

In the medium category, A-1 Alternative Fuel Systems took the top prize. The three-generation Fresno business converts vehicles to run on alternative energy sources.

 

Betts Company is the winner in the large business category. Founded in 1868, the company has been led by six generations of the Betts family and manufactures heavy-duty truck parts and accessories.

In the Legacy category, Bar 20 Dairy and Larry Shehadey Farms was the winner. Founded in 1957 to supply milk for Producers Dairy, Bar 20 Dairy has had four generations in business and today milks about 7,000 cows and farms 5,000 acres in Kerman.

 

Final judging was conducted by Business Journal Publisher Gordie Webster, myself, Genelle Taylor Kumpe with the San Joaquin Valley Manufacturing Alliance, Ken Ramos with Central Valley Community Bank, Blair Looney with the Better Business Bureau and Miranda Johnson with Granite Chemical.

Running a multi-generational family business is no easy feat, so we would like to acknowledge the rest of the well-deserving honorees — Bakman Water Company, Orloff Jewelers, Baloian Farms, Bonadelle Neighborhoods, Selma Auto Mall and E.M. Tharp, Inc.