Institute cites Valley family businesses

by Tom Uribes

The university's Institute for Family Business named J.D. Heiskell & Co. of Tulare the first recipient of its California Family Business Award at its annual conference last month.

Larry Shehadey of Producers Dairy received the IFB's first Lifetime Achievement Award from the institute, which is affiliated with the University Business Center in the Sid Craig School of Business.

Both awards were presented at the institute's 1999 Family Business Conference on Friday, Jan. 15, at the Piccadilly Inn ­ University.

Shehadey, 91, is the chairman of the board for Producers Dairy Foods Inc., which has operated since 1949.

"As Larry Shehadey enters his 50th year in running Producers Dairy, it is only fitting that we honor him for his contributions, not only in the growth and longevity of an outstanding family-owned business, but for his many contributions to the Fresno community," said Fred Ruiz, chairman of Ruiz Food Products Inc. and chairman of the institute's Advisory Board.

J.D. Heiskell & Co. opened in 1886 and recently was named the highest-volume single feed production facility in the United States, with nearly twice the volume of its nearest competitor. Now in its fourth generation of family operation, the company also owns and operates retail farm stores in Tulare, Visalia, and Porterville.

The institute named 10 finalists for the inaugural California Family Business Award, which Ruiz said will honor outstanding family businesses throughout the state each year for their contribution to California's economy.

The other 1999 finalists were Alert-O-Lite Inc., Gray Lift Inc., Horstmann Financial and Insurance Services, and Lyles Diversified Inc., all of Fresno, and Droogh Dairy in Lemoore, Ennis Homes in Porterville, Grimmway Farms in Bakersfield, Hester Orchards Inc. in Visalia, and Joseph Gallo Farms in Atwater.

Secretary of State Bill Jones and Wendy Jones Turner of J&J Farms were the luncheon keynote speakers at the conference. Senator Jim Costa presented a State Senate resolution declaring the second week in January as California Family Business Week.

Conference breakout sessions featured Central Valley business leaders, including Ruiz, Joe Levy of Gottschalks, Bill Lyles of Lyles Diversified, Debbie Hunsaker of Alert-O-Lite, and Scot Hillman of J.D. Heiskell.