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Left: Robinson presents Amy Fonzo of California Resources Corporation with a Chamber of Commerce’s Large Business of the Year Award during the March 18 celebration held at the Limoneira Visitor Center. Center: Division President Don Tello (right) of Santa Paula Community Bank accepts a Large Business of the Year Award from (from left) Chamber of Commerce CEO Fred Robinson and Board Chair Zahid Shah. Right: Fria owner Jennifer Lara (left) accepts the Small Business of the Year Award from Chamber of Commerce Chair Elect Marilyn Appleby. |
Santa Paula Chamber honors CA Resources,
Santa Paula Community Bank, Fria
March 27, 2015
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
The Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce likes to say it’s “in business for business” and they helped prove it when they honored several of their own at the annual awards luncheon.
California Resources Corporation and the hometown Santa Paula Community Bank were lauded as the Large Businesses at the Year and Fria was celebrated as Small Business of the Year at the March 18 awards luncheon, enterprises recognized for bettering the community also a strong part of their business.
Also honored at the Limoneira Visitors Center was Citizen of the Year Alex Flores; Familia Diaz was recognized with the Sam Edwards Lifetime Community Achievement Award and Citizens for a Safer Santa Paula received the Community Service Award.
Chamber CEO Fred Robinson introduced Chamber Board Chair Zahid Shah and Immediate Past President John Chamberlain who presented the Large Businesses of the Year awards.
It was not easy to make the selections said Shah, who noted, “We had a tough time choosing, but these companies go out of their way to reach out to the community,” and make support and activism a part of taking care of business.
Chamberlain agreed: “We get lots of nominations, we have many fine companies in the area,” but the three selected for this year’s awards went above and beyond in community support.
Chamberlain introduced Amy Fonzo of California Resources Corporation who accepted the award on the company’s behalf.
Of Fonzo, Chamberlain said, “You see Amy giving back at all the events in Santa Paula,” benefiting various nonprofits.
The company has already shown its support: in February, California Resources Corporation (CRC) donated more than $14,500 to the Santa Paula Fire Department, the sum qualified the SPFD to match the grant from the California Office of Emergency Management and used to purchase seven new, high-tech portable radios.
The company spun off from Vintage, a subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum Company in December 1, 2014 to become the largest independent producer in California of natural gas as well as oil and gas, providing “Energy for California by Californians.”
Fonzo told the crowd that CRC, “Carries on a tradition in a way that makes us proud of our values,” by supporting nonprofits as diverse as the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley, California Oil Museum and Chamber of Commerce, all of which Fonzo serves as a board director, among others.
Santa Paula Community Bank is a true hometown bank that Shah said, “Makes a commitment to community,” on various levels, from local lending and banking to support of nonprofits and working on behalf of same.
Shah noted, “Its bankers take the time to understand the needs of the community and the services it needs,” as well as taking “an active role in the Santa Paula community,” by being a constant at community events and programs.
The bank and its staff he added are also dedicated to “Local lending and local decision-makin ”
Longtime Santa Clara River Valley banker Don Tello, SPCB Division Bank President, noted that parent bank Ojai Community Bank Board Chairman Donald G. Scanlin was in the audience of the chamber event.
There are now branches in Ojai, Santa Paula, Ventura and Santa Barbara, all operating under the name of the city it serves to show its commitment to local service.
“We are honored to be among this year’s recipients,” said Tello, who noted he has many memories of banking and community service in the area he has served for years as a banker.
The Mission Statement of the bank is: “We provide personal service to the people and businesses of our community, meeting the credit needs of our market through local decision making. As an ethically and socially responsible provider of financial services, we strive to achieve maximum value for you.”
Tello noted that maximum value is also investing in the community the bank serves by “supporting our nonprofit partners,” with not only financial contributions but also with hands on activity to help make nonprofit events and programs a success.
“We believe that communities thrive when they work together,” and SPCB is “your financial partner,” ready to help in the growth and success of families, businesses and the Santa Paula community.
Said Tello, “I invite you to come to our office and experience real community banking,” where real people answer the phone and operate with the belief that when you partner with the community you help the community thrive.
Chamber Chair Elect Marilyn Appleby introduced Jennifer Lara, owner of Fria, the Small Business of the Year honoree.
“Jennifer had a dream,” and created Fria in the historic Downtown as a “gathering place for the people of Santa Paula,” where Appleby said they could also enjoy yogurt, salads, sandwiches and other goodies in a homey atmosphere.
Lara worked for a year to renovate the building and open the business, but finally said Appleby, “Jennifer made her dream come true … now kids come by everyday after school for a snack,” and a place to work on their homework, visitors to the Downtown come in for the salad bar and tourists find a nice place to relax and watch the world go by from their seats inside Fria.
“From community meetings to book clubs,” Appleby said Lara has made a “connection” with people and their needs, going “out of her way to help,” when there is a need.
The Fria menu is “affordable and Jennifer is willing to accommodate you whether you’re looking for good food, want to listen to some jazz or just relax and gather.”
Lara said that among those that gather at Fria are her own children, Vivianna Lara, 14, and 12-year-old Diego Lara.
“They also belong up here,” as the children are at the store everyday helping their mother as they can.
Another constant, is “Victor Carrillo … he’s in the back,” and at times has not only mopped the store but “Has been mopping up my tears too,” as needed on days when the frustrations of opening a business were too great.
Lara noted she has now added a wide library of used books to Fria available for browsing or to take home for only $1 each, the perfect companion to the art that is always displayed.
The Chamber of Commerce is now holding its monthly Good Morning Santa Paula! Breakfast meetings at Fria, which opened in 2013 and whose menu includes soups and smoothies.
