GOVERNMENT

Paul Amador, a 2004 Fresno State Smittcamp Family Honors College alumnus, was sworn in as an Idaho state legislator in the state’s House of Representatives.  The Republican Party member earned a degree in agricultural business from the university, and works as a director of program development at the Coeur d’Alene campus at the University of Idaho.

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Senator Andy Vidak (R-Hanford), Fresno, is pleased to announce that Senate Fellow Benjamin “Ben” Granholm has joined Team Vidak in his Capitol Office. The Senate Fellows program provides college graduates an opportunity to become full-time Senate staff members in Sacramento for 11 months.

BANKING

Central Valley Community Bank, Fresno, has announced the addition of Dorothy Thomas as senior vice president, SBA department manager. Thomas brings 35 years of small business lending, credit review and analysis, compliance and business development experience to Central Valley Community Bank. She is responsible for originating and managing a portfolio of government guaranteed commercial loans and lines of credit, establishing new SBA lending relationships, and developing and leading the Bank’s SBA commercial lending team. Thomas can be reached directly at (559) 323-3416.

SMALL BUSINESS

Trish Arnold of LPL Financial recently attended the firm’s inaugural Women Advisors Leaders Forum hosted in Carlsbad, California. The forum brings together 100 female advisors, LPL executives and industry leaders to further empower top women in the financial services industry.