REAL ESTATE

Buzz Howard, a 30-plus year veteran of the mortgage industry, has been promoted to senior vice president at Big Valley Mortgage. He will have the responsibility of overseeing all aspects of the business. Howard joined BVM in 2009 as sales manager and quickly rose to vice president of production. Previous to joining BVM, he founded Buzz Howard Seminars where he provided training for BofA, Wells Fargo and Chase.

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POLITICS

Fresno State graduate Matt Shupe was recently selected by the American Association of Political Consultants for the 2017 class of 40 under 40. More than 200 political consultants under the age of 40 from throughout the United States were nominated. Shupe is one of 18 Republicans selected for this honor. Shupe owns the San Francisco Bay Area-based Praetorian Public Relations and currently serves as the executive director of the California Young Republican Federation and as the communications director for Assemblyman Devon Mathis (R-Visalia).

SERVICE CLUBS

Fresno Rotary is pleased to welcome two new members: Mike Tierney is an assistant United States attorney with the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Roger C. Slingerman  is the executive director of United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Central California.

EDUCATION

The Office of the Fresno County Superintendent of Schools’ 27th Annual Fresno Career Technical Education/Regional Occupational Program Advisory Night was held this week. During the program, Fresno CTE/ROP recognized the recipients of the annual William F. Noli Award, given to individuals/organizations for their outstanding service, contribution and support to career technical education. The winners include: Scott Nelson, head athletic trainer for Fresno City College. Nelson has served as an advisor for many Central Valley ROP programs for more than 20 years. Scott Lewis, district coordinator for the Carpenters Training Committee for Northern California. Since 2008, Lewis has played a valuable role in the development and success of the ROP Building Trades class at Clovis High School.
Sarah Soghomonian and Oscar Speace, Valley PBS Fresno. Soghomonian, production manager, and Speace, editor/producer, have provided time, training, support and encouragement for the past five years to Madera Unified School District students. Four C’s Construction for being valuable partners with Kerman Unified School District for more than five years and Sebastian Corp. for its continued support and partnership with the students of the Fresno CTE/ROP programs and involvement with the Annual Career Tech Expo.

Dr. Frank Gornick, West Hills Community College District Chancellor, was selected for the the prestigious Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award by the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA). The Buttimer Award is known throughout California as the highest honor a community college administrator can receive from their peers. Gornick was presented the award at the annual Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) Conference on Feb. 23.

LEGAL

Fresno based law firm Baker Manock & Jensen, PC is pleased to announce that Jan T. Perkins, Reid H. Everett, Curtis D. Rindlisbacher and Daniel C. Stein have joined the firm. Perkins provides legal representation in the areas of business transactions, agricultural law, real estate, and estate planning with an emphasis on strategic wealth transfer and asset-protection matters. Everett specializes in agribusiness, corporate and general business law, creditor’ rights and bankruptcy, and real estate law. Additionally, Mr. Everett co-founded the Agricultural Law Section of Fresno County Bar Association. Rindlisbacher practices in the areas of estate planning/trusts and estates, corporation/general business and real estate law. Stein specializes in business litigation, environmental, and reclamation and water law. Additionally, Mr. Stein has an educational background focusing in environmental law and policy and he has handled various environmental matters involving California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) compliance, environmental permitting, water law, and the Solid Waste Disposal Act/Resource Conservation Recovery Act (SCWA/RCRA).

CONSTRUCTION

Brent McCaffrey, president of McCaffrey Homes, has been selected as one of Professional Builder magazine’s annual “40 Under 40” award winners, which recognizes rising stars in the home building industry.  This year, more than 200 leaders of the building industry across the nation were nominated for the award.  The “40 Under 40” winners are chosen by the editors of Professional Builder based on career achievement and service to their professions and communities.

 INSURANCE

United Valley Insurance Services is pleased to announce the promotions of John Perkins, Michael O’Dell and Tiffany Garibay. Perkins, who joined United Valley in 2015, will assume the role of vice president. O’Dell, who has been with United Valley for more than 14 years, will assume the role of business analyst. Garibay, who has worked with United Valley and its retail agency in some capacity since 2010, has been promoted to marketing and communications manager.

RETAIL

Fresno Acura has been recognized as a member of the Acura Precision Team for the ninth time. Acura dealerships from across the country participate in the yearlong recognition program that focuses on achieving operational excellence and outstanding client experience. Fresno Acura was one of 75 dealerships nationwide that earned this prestigious award. Precision Team recognition is reserved for Acura dealerships that deliver exceptional results across the full spectrum of their operations. Participating dealerships are measured against performance criteria in the areas of client treatment, sales performance, service performance, facility and finance.