port o call - may 2012
DESCRIPTION
Stockton Chamber of Commerce monthly magazineTRANSCRIPT
GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
www.stocktonchamber.org MAY2012
Vol. 58 No. 1
Importing SuccessPort of Stockton Builds Strong Future
State of the City 2012
Business Awards Luncheon 2012
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Cover Photograph by: Arturo Vera, Arturo Vera Photography.
PORT CALL
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PortOCall_8.75x11.25.indd 1 2/11/10 12:43:57 PM
CONTENTS
PORT CALL
Port of Stockton Builds Strong Future 13
Don’t Miss!Networking Mixer
Pacific Records Management
607 Carlton Street, Stockton, CA 95203 Off W. Fremont, overlooking the main channel of the Delta
May 3, 5:15-7:15 p.m.
Dan Keyser, DirectorGrupe Commercial Company
The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is such a valuable organization to be a
member of, at a price that is more than worth its cost. Its leadership and staff are always
involved in the local and State issues that impact all of our businesses. They are strong
advocates and supporters for the Stockton community as a whole, its businesses and for the
quality of life of its residents. Thanks for your passion and efforts!”
68
State of the City 2012
Business Awards Luncheon 2012
From Your President 4
From Your CEO 5
Events 6
Leadership Stockton 7
Convention & Visitors Bureau 8
Programs and Public 10 Policy Department
New Members 11
Cover Story 13
Ribbon Cuttings 15
News Briefs 16
Calendar 17
*April Issue Cover Photo By: Tim Ulmer
PORT CALL
GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 220, Stockton, CA 95203
209.547.2770 fax [email protected]
Official publication of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Serving the Greater Stockton area business community since 1901.
CHAMBER OFFICERS
PRESIDENT Debbie Armstrong, Old Republic Title Company
SR. VICE PRESIDENT Gary J. Long, Gary J. Long Jewelers
FINANCIAL VICE PRESIDENTSteven Crabtree, Herum Crabtree
VICE PRESIDENT Blain Bibb, ServiceMaster Building Maintenance
VICE PRESIDENT Judith Buethe, Judith Buethe Communications
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Rick Goucher, C B Richard Ellis Commercial Real Estate
CHAMBER DIRECTORSStephen Barney, F&M BankMichael Cera, SMG/Stockton Arena/Bob Hope TheatreDonna DeMartino, San Joaquin Regional Transit DistrictDan Durst, Durst Contract InteriorsPat Filippone, Stockton Ports Baseball ClubLewis Gale, Eberhardt School of BusinessClint Harless, Stockton Auto Glass/Quick’s Glass ServiceDan Keyser, Grupe Commercial CompanyKenneth Levy, Wells Fargo Advisors, LLCSonya Morgan, External Resources, Inc.Darryle Oakman, San Joaquin County Rental Property AssociationBakul Patel, Dorfman PacificTina Williams, Pacific Gas & Electric CompanyDiane Vigil, Dameron Hospital FoundationBob Young, Stockton Golf & Country Club
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERDouglass W. Wilhoit, Jr. 209.547.2766
PROGRAM & PUBLIC POLICY DIRECTOR/ BEAFrank Ferral 209.547.2763
SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTORHeidi Altamirano 209.547.2764
OPERATIONS/FINANCE DIRECTORSandy Dwyer 209.547.2770
MEMBERSHIP SALESMatt Anderson 209.337.2723
SPECIAL EVENTS/ LEADERSHIP STOCKTON COORD.Timm Quinn 209.547.2960
STAFF ACCOUNTANTLia Her 209.547.2770
SCAP COORDINATOR/ ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTMikki Gilbert 209.337.2730
SCAP-SE COORDINATORMichael Morales 209.337.2716
BEA/ SCAP ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTKarla Gonzalez 209.547.2770
RECEPTIONIST/ CUSTOMER SERVICEAlyssa McConnell 209.547.2770
PUBLISHER Stockton Chamber of Commerce 209.547.2770
GRAPHIC DESIGNNever Boring Design Associates 209.526.9136
ADVERTISING Kristin Bowker 209.423.4940
PRINTINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026
MAILINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026
Greater
A very happy May and
beautiful Spring to all my
fellow Stocktonians and
Chamber members!
May means the annual State
of the City event, which will
be held May 17, at the ever-
important Port of Stockton!
This annual event will
showcase many businesses
that make Stockton prosper
throughout the tradeshow,
before and after lunch!
The address by Mayor Ann Johnston will identify our community
issues and how together we shall come out of hard times stronger
and better for it!
We all know that these are difficult times, not only here in
Stockton, but also all around this great country of ours. Change for
the better starts with all of us and not just a select few!
We cannot allow the negativity of those outside our community,
or from within, to dictate what our outcome will be! We should all
watch, listen, learn and support what our elected leaders are trying
to do and push for much needed change in many areas in both
governing and how we treat each other!
I hope to see many of you at the State of the City event on May
17 and on an ongoing basis as we move Stockton forward in a
positive manner.
Remember this is our community and PLEASE shop local and
keep our money here at HOME where it belongs. May God Bless
and protect all of us in our great City of Stockton.
From Your President...by: Debbie Armstrong
MAY2012 4www.stocktonchamber.org
FOR OVER 35 YEARScompetitive pricing
personalized service
mailing and fulfillment service
custom promotional items
cross media marketing
p a r k s p r i n t i n g . c o mMODESTO209.576.2568 phone209.526.6872 fax
STOCKTON209.466.9026 phone209.943.1974 fax
MODESTO209.576.2568 phone209.526.6872 fax
STOCKTON209.466.9026 phone209.943.1974 fax
printing cross media marketing promotions fulfi l
lment mailing services
attention to de tails [di'tals; 'detals]
From Your CEO...by: Doug Wilhoit
April 2012 in Stockton and San Joaquin County was a great
month to live here in the middle of California! Packed Sunrise
Services on Easter Sunday at Weber Point and churches of
all denominations, a full field for the Annual Chamber Golf
Tournament (thank you Heidi, Timm, Stockton Golf & Country
Club, sponsors, volunteers and players), another successful
Outback Steakhouse/Chamber BEA Scholarship Lunch (thank
you Outback, attendees and Chamber staff), Chris Isaak coming
home to the Bob Hope Theatre, the Thunder advancing to the
next round of Kelley Cup, the opening of the 2012 Port’s baseball
season and another successful Asparagus Festival (it is hard not
to take a FULL shot here at someone with recent self-serving
brain freeze who casts doubt as to the wonderful overall value of
the Festival; not only the much-needed dollars to local nonprofits
and the city, but also the fun had by Stocktonians and visitors
alike which added a positive feeling about our home that helps
overcome the negatives we are trying to overcome)!
In 1918, a gentleman named Enoch Arnold Bennett (1867-
1931) wrote: “Pessimism, when you get used to it, is just as
agreeable as optimism.” Yes, we have many, many problems here
in Stockton (I do not have on blinders, nor rose-colored glasses,
as some have asserted), but as a proud Stocktonian I am always
optimistic that we can work together (the key to accomplishing
anything) to right the wrongs around us.
Case in point of folks working together is what took place on
April 5, in a part of our community called Sierra Vista. Some of you
will recall I commented in my April Port O Call article about my
hero Dorothy Jones and a new friend, Georgia Brownlee. When
I had lunch with them, they talked about the planned Easter egg
hunt for about 150 children in Sierra Vista. The call went out to our
board of directors, Chamber staff, a past president of the Chamber
and a few friends of the Chamber for a goal of 40-dozen hard-
boiled eggs to deliver to Georgia so they could be decorated for the
children and help make the day a success! Well, working as one,
85-dozen eggs (1020) were hard-boiled by the citizens of Stockton.
I attended the egg hunt and not only was there joy in the eyes of
the children of all ages, but the adults also felt that they were part
of the greater part of the entire City of Stockton. WE cannot stop
there and must ALL put aside philosophy, bias, fears and politics to
get through this very tough time in our history and make the future
a success for all.
I have been told that space for my article is limited this month
so will end with something that tells it all if you really take the
time to read it and look for the truth about our community, the
good that has been planned and what we will become when we
work as one. On Saturday, April 7, had the honor of being invited
aboard the Casino Royale (docked in Downtown Stockton) by
the owner, Mr. David McDonald. The Casino Royale is something
to behold, and, more importantly, Mr. McDonald is a very
wonderful, kind, fun, considerate, generous, intelligent, hard
working, entrepreneurial and forward-thinking gentleman. The
evening was aglow with wonderful company and food, the full
moon coming over the lighted ball park, the blue tinged arena,
the blazing lights at the hotel, the lights of the Weber Point Event
Center, the view to the Hotel Stockton, the Cineplex and, of
course, Chamber of Commerce weather!
Mr. McDonald really made the night when he talked
enthusiastically of how happy he is to be here at Stockton’s beautiful
marina that he repeatedly stated is truly one of the
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce5
continued on page 12
Eventsby: Heidi Altamarino
State of the City 2012 Sponsors(as of 4/6/12)
Platinum A.G. Spanos CompaniesAmerican Medical Response, Inc.Bank of Agriculture & CommerceBig Valley Ford LincolnCalifornia Water Service Co.Carpenters Local Union 152City of StocktonDameron Hospital AssociationDelta Sierra BeverageF&M BankFinancial Center Credit UnionGreen Team San JoaquinGrupe Commercial CompanyHensel Phelps
Construction CompanyHousing Authority of the County of
San JoaquinHumphreys CollegeKaiser PermanenteLincoln CentermetroPCSNeumiller & BeardsleePacific Records ManagementPort of StocktonRabobank, N.A.Robert Half InternationalSan Joaquin Building & Construction
Trades Council San Joaquin County WorkNet
San Joaquin Delta CollegeSan Joaquin Partnership, Inc.San Joaquin RTDSims Metal ManagementSt. Joseph’s Medical CenterStockton Convention &
Visitors BureauStockton Ports Baseball ClubThe Record/San Joaquin Media GroupUnited Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of the PacificWaste Management
Gold Builders Exchange of StocktonClark / McCarthy Oak Valley Community BankR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc. Stockton East Water DistrictSutter Gould Medical FoundationYara North America, Inc.
SilverDEVCON Construction, Inc.Dorfman Pacific Co., Inc.
TableCalifornia Water Service Co.Health Plan of San Joaquin
Annual Installation Dinner 2012
One of the highlights of our year is the Chamber’s Annual
Installation Dinner. It’s the perfect opportunity to thank our hard
working and dedicated board members and committee chairs for
their exceptional contributions to our organization. On Thursday,
June 21, we’ll gather at Stockton Golf & Country Club to thank
Debbie Armstrong with Old Republic Title Company for her
outstanding performance as Chamber President from 2011-2012,
and to welcome Gary Long with Gary J. Long Jewelers as our
2012-2013 President. The evening will include an installation
ceremony and the presentation of awards.
No host cocktails begin at 6:00 p.m., followed by dinner at
6:45 p.m. Reservations are required and space is limited.
Sponsorships are still available. For more information, contact
Heidi Altamirano at 209.547.2764 or [email protected].
June Business Showcase & Tradeshow Mixer
Sign up now for the June 7 Business Showcase & Tradeshow
Mixer at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal Blvd. Expose
your products and services to over 300 business attendees, meet
some new people and grow your business. Tables are just $250 for
Chamber Members. Table space is going fast, so sign up now!
To sign up or receive more information please contact Timm
Quinn at 209.547.2960 or [email protected].
2012 State of the City
Come share in the excitement surrounding the Chamber’s
14th Annual State of the City! Celebrate the many advancements
we’ve made as a people and as a city at this high profile event.
Mayor Ann Johnston will be delivering her fourth State of the
City Address and laying out her plans for the future on moving
Stockton forward.
The Annual State of the City is co-sponsored by the Greater
Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Port of Stockton and City
of Stockton. Exhibits by local and state programs will provide
information which is useful for businesses of any size. The
Chamber guarantees attendees will walk away with pride in
the City of Stockton while discovering valuable sources of
information and expertise.
The biggest local public event of the year will be held on
Thursday, May 17! This year the Port of Stockton, Shed 20, will
provide the setting for our State of the City. Exhibits will be open
from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tickets for the Annual State of the
City are only $35 per person. The luncheon
Annual Installation Dinner 2012 Sponsors
Platinum SponsorsGrupe Commercial CompanyKaiser Permanente
Gold SponsorsBank of Agriculture & CommerceFinancial Center Credit UnionLincoln CenterNeumiller & BeardsleeSan Joaquin Delta College
St. Joseph’s Medical CenterStockton East Water DistrictThe Record/San Joaquin Media GroupUnited Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of the Pacific
Silver SponsorsBuilders Exchange of StocktonR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc. Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
MAY2012 6www.stocktonchamber.org@ Heidi Altamirano: [email protected]
continued on page 10
Green Your Bottom Line with Product Stewardship!
Economic benefits abound: reduced operating costs, energy savings, reduced disposal costs, the creation of green jobs.
www.CalPSC.org
Design it Green | Make it Clean | Conserve Resources | Reduce | Reuse | Eliminate Toxics | Take it Back!
Become a Certified Green Business! Save money & gain customers by:
Reducing waste Conserving water and energy
Protecting public health Using recycled-content in your products
www.GreenTeamSanJoaquin.com
SMALL BUSINESS HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL*
Affordable Hazardous Waste Management for Your Business A Program of San Joaquin County Public Works
www.SJCrecycle.org (209) 468-3066
i Low cost way to safely dispose of hazardous materials. (Costs depend on your waste types.)
i Documentation that you properly manage hazardous waste.
i Assurance that the material will be disposed of properly. *Conditionally Exempt Small Quantity Generators (CESQG)
We also accept universal and electronic waste.
Leadership Stocktonby: Timm Quinn
Leadership Stockton: Education Session
Leadership Level Sponsor: Financial Center Credit Union
Special Thanks To: San Joaquin County Office of Education
Education plays a vital role in the future economic prosperity
of San Joaquin County, so a hands-on look at education was the
perfect way to begin the day.
The day began with the class divided among nine schools
throughout Stockton. They spent the morning shadowing the
principal, learning about their particular school, and their
successes and challenges.
At lunch time, the Leadership Stockton class gathered at the San
Joaquin County Office of Education for the remainder of the day.
A working lunch covered some of the questions and revelations
the class had based on their school site visits. After lunch, Mick
Founts, County Superintendent of Schools, San Joaquin County
Office of Education (SJCOE), began with an overview of the
SJCOE and their mission and was followed by Deb Nickols from
SJCOE’s one.School who discussed the purpose and goals of the
one.School program and the impact this program has on the lives
of students. She brought along four students who shared their
successes in the program and their future goals. The class then
heard from a panel of experts from the SJCOE who presented an
overview of the programs and services they offer. The panel shared
information on the Venture Charter Schools, Special Education,
Migrant Education and Career and Technical Education. The day
ended with a lesson on everything you wanted to know about
school finance in 30 minutes.
Thank you to Mick Founts for coordinating and facilitating
the afternoon portion of the session, to each of the schools for
graciously opening up their campuses for our Leadership Stockton
visitors, and to all of our speakers and panelists for the day.
See us here next month as we recap the Health Care session.
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce7 @ Timm Quinn: [email protected]
Convention & Visitors Bureauby: Wes Rhea
The Stockton Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted their 2012
Tourism Luncheon and Celebrate! Awards on Wednesday, April
4 at the Hilton Stockton. Special thanks to the Hilton Stockton,
Marianne’s Pantry, The Ambassadors Media Group, Ulmer
Photo, GForce Productions, Stockton Asparagus Festival and
Sorelle Winery. See the videos at CelebrateAwards.com.
Photography by: Ulmer Photo
Industry Professional Of The Year:
David Crawford, Assistant Operations Manager, SMG Stockton -
Stockton Arena, Stockton Ballpark & Bob Hope Theatre
Sports Partner Of The Year:California Grapettes Girls Fastpitch Softball
Industry Partner Of The Year:The Downtown Stockton Alliance
MAY2012 8www.visitstockton.org@ Wes Rhea: [email protected]
Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Stockton.CVB
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce9
Output On: March 05, 2012 4:07 PM High-Resolution PDF - PRINT READY
Programs and Public Policy Departmentby: Frank Ferral
Valley REACON Spreading the Word
The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is on the road
these days spreading its Award winning Green Team San Joaquin
message from Sacramento to Arvin, California. The Recycling
Energy Air Conservation (REACON) is bringing its message
to over 16 communities. This month, the team will be showing
the communities of Visalia and Modesto the ropes on how to
start their own Green Team and REACON outreach. It is very
rewarding when we are able to show other areas what is going
on here in Stockton and San Joaquin County, according to Frank
Ferral, Program & Public Policy Director for the Chamber.
BEA Mock Interviews and Career Fairs Going Strong
The Business Education Alliance (BEA) is closing out the school
year with Stockton Unified School District with several sessions of
mock interviews and career fairs at most of the high schools. These
events help students prepare for and gain the skill-sets necessary to
enter the job market. According to Karla Gonzalez, BEA Coordinator,
there is still an opportunity to participate by contacting her directly
at 209.337.2718 or through email at [email protected].
Business Professionals are Needed for the Following:
• Wednesday, May 2 - Franklin High School CAREER DAY
10:00 a.m. - Noon
• Wednesday, May 9 - Merlo Institute MOCK
INTERVIEWS (TBA)
• Thursday, May 10 - Merlo Institute CAREER DAY (TBA)
• Commodore Stockton Skills School Kindergarten
classrooms will be taking a field trips to Cesar Chavez
Public Library
• May 7 - Speakers Needed
• May 8 – Speakers Needed
EVENTS Cont’d from pg. 6
is sure to please everyone with great food provided by
Outback Steakhouse.
Tickets for the 14th Annual State of the City are going fast! This
event always sells out so reserve your tickets today. To purchase
tickets or for more information, call the Greater Stockton
Chamber of Commerce at 209.547.2770. We hope you can join us
at this important celebration of our City and our community!
Business Awards Luncheon 2012
Begin the month of June on a high note by joining us at a
luncheon celebration honoring our Business Award recipients on
June 7, at 11:45 a.m. at the Hilton Stockton, 2323 Grand Canal
Blvd. We’ll be honoring local business leaders who have been
recognized as Business Person of the Year, Business Manager of
the Year, Small Business Person of the Year, Business Employee
of the Year and the P3 Stewardship Award winner. These
exceptional honorees will be recognized for their achievements
and contributions to our community. We will also be honoring
our yearly Volunteer Hall of Fame award winners and 25-year
Chamber members.
Luncheon tickets are $30 per person by May 30, and $35 each
thereafter. For more information, call 209.547.2770.
Business Awards Luncheon 2012 Sponsors
Gold SponsorKaiser Permanente
Silver SponsorsR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc.
San Joaquin Delta CollegeSutter Gould Medical Foundation
Bronze SponsorUnited Way of San Joaquin County
MAY2012 10www.stocktonchamber.orgFor more info, contact Frank Ferral at [email protected]@
New Members For more information on becoming a new member, please call Matt Anderson
at 209.547.2770. Please allow up to 90 days for your listing to show.
Workers’ Compensation & Safety Training
Co Occupational Medical Partners1801 E. March Lane #D-480, Stockton
209.954.3200
Bakeries
Cupcake Mania LLC7610 Pacific Avenue #B6, Stockton
209.478.2253 www.cupcakemania.net
Tattooing & Body Piercing
Emerald Tattoo2525 South Hutchins Street #8, Lodi
209.333.8289 www.emeraldtattoo.com
Air Compressors
General Air Compressors North3005 McKittrick Court, Ceres
209.541.1010
Janitorial Services
Kathleen’s Kleaning Service1630 S. Hutchins #4125, Lodi
209.933.0943 www.kathleenskleancom.com
Consultants
Manex Consulting2010 Crow Canyon Place #320, San Ramon
925.807.5103 www.manexconsulting.com
Monuments
Stockton Monuments1505 Cemetery Lane, Stockton
209.942.2747 www.stocktonmonuments.com
Non-profit
Stockton Republican Women FederatedP.O. Box 693643, Stockton
209.474.8505
Storage - Self Service
Thornton Road Self Storage8627 Thorton Road, Stockton
209.476.9700 www.selfstorageinstockton.com
Human Services
United Cerebral Palsy Association333 W. Benjamin Holt Drive, Stockton
209.956.0290 www.ucpsj.org
Restaurants
Yasoo Yani Elkhorn1050 Elk Horn Drive, Stockton
209.477.2200 www.yasooyani.com
Telephone Systems & Service / Internet Access
Zen Group10015 Heavencrest Court, Stockton
209.370.1930 www.zenvoip.net
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce11
CAUGHT LOOKING
HOME DATES IN MAY:May 24-26
5.31.12
best he has been in as he has traveled around the world on his home
away from home. I also want to thank him for the improvements he
helped to fund, which you will read about in a moment.
OK, here it comes—the proof in the pudding: on Monday, April
9, I received an email from Mr. McDonald, which was from Joe
Foggia, CEO Christensen Shipyards, Vancouver, WA: “Hey David, I
hope all is well on your west coast tour. I just wanted to check with
you and see if you were having the boat at the Worth Magazine
Curator Event? (San Diego April 19-21). From David: “Hi Joe, No,
we are already at our West Coast home port in Stockton. THIS IS A
SPECTACULAR FRESH WATER NEW MARINA DOWNTOWN
WITH A GREAT VIEW, VERY FRIENDLY PEOPLE, AND GOOD
SHORE POWER (200AMP, 48V 3-PHASE) (my note: Thanks to
Mr. McDonald). A WELL KEPT SECRET FOR EXPERIENCING
THE CA DELTA WITH A MEGA-YACHT…SPREAD THE
WORD.” Thank you Mr. McDonald for believing in yourself and us.
Ok pessimists—take off your dark glasses and see what we can
become with all of us being positive and working together...
CEO Cont’d from pg. 5
MAY2012 12www.stocktonchamber.org
A Unique Community Banking Experience
Member FDIC www.bankbac.com
We Help You Succeed
It’s not our promises that are unique ... it’s our ability to
fulfill them!
Claudia Cozad
VP, Commercial Banking OfficerEddie Lira
VP, Commercial Banking Officer
COVER STORY
Importing SuccessPort of Stockton Builds Strong Futureby: Justin Souza
Like many industries in the city it
serves, the Port of Stockton was hard
hit by the economic downturn, but with
good planning from Port administration
and some timely grants, the facility has
rebounded quickly and is on its way to a
stronger, more stable future.
Rough Waters
When the housing bubble burst, its
ripples disrupted the local shipping
industry for one clear reason:
construction materials are often imported
by ship. That means that the high demand
for lumber, rebar and other raw materials
drove equally high levels of imports at the
Port of Stockton.
According to Mark Tollini, Deputy
Director for the Port of Stockton, during
the height of the construction boom
in 2006, the Port had a record year for
import volume, buoyed significantly by
2.6 million tons of cement imports for the
year, alongside those other materials that
enable construction crews to transform
empty lots into suburban neighborhoods.
In the intervening years, cement
imports have slowed from this torrential
high to a comparative trickle of 200,000
tons per year, taking with them a major
revenue source for the Port. The slump
in revenue sent Port Directors back to
the drawing board and drew them to a
conclusion that many businesses have
made in times of economic uncertainty:
stability can be found in diversification.
“It was a hard lesson to learn, but we
learned it,” Tollini said from his office at
the Port. “We decided that we needed to
refocus on steady revenue sources and the
goods people need no matter
what: food and energy.”
Since the Port of Stockton
docked its first ship in 1933, the facility
has been an essential link in the chain
between Central Valley farmland and
the greater world. “The Port was built to
support agriculture and serve farms in
our area,” Tollini said, “That still remains
a good portion of our core business.”
These days, close to 80% of farms in the
Central Valley utilize fertilizer products
that have come through the Port of
Stockton. A key revitalization effort for
the Port comes in a refocus on securing
agricultural exports from area farms.
The Port made a major move toward
recapturing agricultural exports with
the Marine Highway Project. This
project, funded through a $30 million
Transportation Investment Generating
Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant
shared between the Port of Stockton
and the ports in Oakland and West
Sacramento, will enable barges to move
cargo along the inland waterway system
from Stockton and West Sacramento
to Oakland. In preparation for the
changes the Marine Highway Project
will bring, the Port has made some large
scale infrastructure upgrades, including
purchasing a series of 140-ton cranes and
two barges, and rendering a bevy of
facility improvements to update the
Port’s capabilities.
The project is estimated to be 95%
complete and on schedule for its July
inaugural. “We’re very happy with it
and it looks like it’s going to be very
successful,” said Tollini, adding that
the project will likely add jobs for area
residents as well. “You’ll start seeing
exports that have been going by container
to Oakland returning to Stockton. It’s a
big change in the operation of the Port,
and it’s new business for us, so we will
Over the last 12 months, the
Port’s rebound has actually propelled it past a previous apex, making it a net exporter for the first time in
many years.
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce13
likely increase our local workforce to
meet the need.”
On the energy front, Tollini noted
that the Port of Stockton has been a
major player in transporting wind
energy components, including parts
used to construct the wind turbines that
increasingly dot California’s hills. The
Port has also made a big play for coal
exports, demand for which has increased
over time in the world market.
Over the last 12 months, the Port’s
rebound has actually propelled it past a
previous apex, making it a net exporter
for the first time in many years. Much
of the credit goes to steady monthly
loads of around 90,000 tons of iron ore,
transported from mines in Utah on
unit trains, that pass through the Port
of Stockton on their way to becoming
construction materials in China. Tollini
said that these monthly loads will
continue for the foreseeable future, and
are expected to increase to as much
as 120,000 tons per month in coming
months. “I think our future is really in
exporting raw materials,” said Tollini.
Establishing a more solid future is a
high priority at the Port. Toward that
end, Tollini said that Port administrators
are looking to further develop Rough &
Ready Island—rent checks from facility
tenants are already a quiet boon to Port
revenues, but will be even more heavily
utilized in future—and aim to find the
Port’s identity again, without losing sight
of their new goals. “We’re going to really
remember our lessons. Diversification
will be a priority and we’ll be working
hard to establish additional solid long-
term business opportunities.”
“The downturn was a good thing
for us in the long run. We’ve been very
fortunate with our grant writing, in the
last year we’ve administered over $30
million in grant funding on projects
here.” In addition to the TIGER grant,
the Port has partnered with Union Pacific
Railroad to apply for a $19 million grant
for infrastructure improvements that
could drastically increase the Port’s rail
traffic. “These grants allow us to build up
our infrastructure and get ready for when
things turn around.”
“Our revenues are good and we are
reinvesting into the Port. We hope to keep
developing our facility, creating jobs and
providing a good economic benefit for
the entire region.” With the changes Port
directors have put into place since 2006,
the Port of Stockton is more fit and more
vital than ever before, and ready to make
a better future for Stockton.
MAY2012 14www.stocktonchamber.org
Ribbon Cuttings For additional information go to www.stocktonchamber.org
Attending Ambassadors
Annie RandazzoAllied Waste
Andy ProkopSJC United Way
Bill BerryhillAssemblymen
Blair HakeAmeriprise Financial Services INC
Carol ClemensAngel’s Caring Helpers
Chester LumABC Wallace Funeral Services
Cindy WardXango
Dora LuizEZ Network Systems
Ed WanketWorknet
Ellen PowellAssemblymember Cardoza’s Representative
Fernando RuelasKaplan College
Gary GhanBrookfalls Water
Gillian MurphySmall Business Development Center at SJ Delta College
Glenn JoseH.O.P.E
Gloria BlaineBasket Caravan & Gourmet Gifts
Gregory WaltherPress F1 Computer Services
Jennifer LewisHilton Stockton
John PavalKansas City Life
Marilyn MasonRHA
Mark McDonaldLegal Shield
Michelle SherlockOptimal Hospice Care
Melanie SpeerCostco
Nick HarbutEco Chic Salon
Ojesa Asejo-ClarkRabobank
Patti GulickNew Image Signs
Phyllis KleinKlein Insurance
Reggie MartinezUEI College
Rick PruittRP Painting Specialists
Cherie PruittRP Painting Specialists
Sam WardXango
Shannon DingAssemblymember Berryhill’s Representative
Tim AragonQuick Connect Wireless
Vince RosatoNew Image Signs
Zach SharkeyStockton Ports
Networking MixerApril 5, University Park
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce15
San Joaquin County Office of Education,
Solar Project
2911 Transworld Drive Stockton
Edward Jones
3031 W March Lane Suite 116 Stockton
San Joaquin Building Futures Academy,
USS Lucid
3100 Mount Diablo Road Stockton
St Joseph’s Behavioral Health Outpatient
510 E Magnolia St Stockton
Join AIDS Walk San Joaquin for the 18th Annual AIDS Walk,
Saturday, May 12 at Delta College beginning at 8
a.m. Lunch and a health and resource fair will be
provided for participants. All money raised stays in
our county. Register online at www.active.com. For
more information, call 209.608.9255.
EZ Network Systems is Proud to Announce the
Grand Opening of its New State of the Art Conference Room
featuring cutting edge visual technology, the Mondopad by InFocus.
The Mondopad is the giant tablet for visual collaboration and
communication with 55 inches of gorgeous full high definition
LCD. EZ Network Systems is in its 11th year bringing Corporate-
level IT services to small and medium businesses in the Central
Valley at an affordable price. For more information, visit InFocus’s
website at www.infocus.com or contact Dora Ruiz at 209.244.7306.
The Haggin Museum’s Annual Tasting Event and Fundraiser,
Haggin à la Carte, will be held
Saturday, May 12, 6-9 p.m.
The popular event features
signature dishes, desserts and
drinks from some of the area’s
best restaurants, caterers and
wineries. Attendees can also
enjoy the special exhibition
“Memories of World War
II: Photographs from the
Archives of The Associated
Press.” Tickets are $45 per
person. Call 209.940.6316 or
visit www.hagginmuseum.org.
MAY2012 16www.stocktonchamber.org
News BriefsSubmission Guidelines: News Briefs must be submitted before the first of each month to [email protected]. Please put “PORT O CALL” in the subject line. Submissions must be no longer than 50 words total and should include contact information. News Briefs will be included on a space available basis and may be edited for content.
CalendarMay 2012
Highlights5/17 - State Of The City – 10:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
@ Port of Stockton, Shed 20
also don’t miss... 6/7 - Networking Mixer
@ Business Tradeshow @ Hilton Stockton
2323 Grand Canal Blvd, Stockton
23 Business Education Alliance – 3:30 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room
16 Chamber Executive Committee Meeting – 7:00 a.m. @ Stockton Golf & Country Club
17 State of the City – 10:30am - 2:30 p.m. @ Port of Stockton, Shed 20
11 Government Relations Council – 12:00 p.m. @ TBA
15 Effective Strategies Group – 8:00 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room “Are your company secrets on Social Media?”
10 Manufacturers Industrial Distribution Roundtable – 7:30 a.m. @ Diamond Foods
14 Liaison Committee Meeting – 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room Bring your own lunch
28 Chamber Office Closed In observance of Memorial Day
24 Chamber Board Meeting – 4:00 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room
3 Networking Mixer – 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. @ Pacific Records Management
9 Green Team San Joaquin – 9:00 a.m. @ Hilton Stockton
9 Leadership Stockton Day at the Capitol – 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. @ State Capitol, Sacramento
PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce17 Contact the Chamber at 209.547.2770 for more info*
