Port O Call - February 2012

Main Photograph by: Arturo Vera, Arturo Vera Photography, Smaller Photos Courtesy The Bank Of Stockton Historical Photograph Collection.

Bank of Stockton145 Years of Service

State of the City 2012 to be held in May!

CVB Named Sports Events 2012 Readers’ Choice Winner

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GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

www.stocktonchamber.org FEBRUARY2012

Vol. 57 No. 10

PORT CALL

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PortOCall_8.75x11.25.indd 1 2/11/10 12:43:57 PM

CONTENTS

PORT CALL

Bank of Stockton - 145 Years of Service 13

Don’t Miss!Networking Mixer

San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave.

February 2, 5:00-6:30 p.m.

8CVB Named Sports Events 2012 Readers’ Choice Winner

Photograph Courtesy The Bank Of Stockton Historical Photograph Collection.

6 State of the City to be held in May!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

Ribbon Cuttings 12

Cover Story 13

News Briefs 15

Calendar 17

Bank of Stockton145 Years and Going Strong.

Our customers’ Satisfaction is Our Greatest Reward!

Member FDIC

www.bankofstockton.com

We are proud to continue to serve

generations of families and businesses

with quality products and personalized

service. When you need someone to

count on for your bank, look to us.

Strong, safe and secure since 1867.

Personal Banking • Business Banking • Wealth Management

Happy New Year to all my fellow

Stocktonians and let us all look forward

to a great 2012.

Having been born and raised in

Stockton I have seen many changes. I

remember when as a child my Mom

would put us on the bus with her to

go downtown to shop and have lunch

with my Dad, I also remember being a

teenager and spending much of my time

with my friends roaming Pacific Avenue. We had great businesses

and shops then and we have them now!

As we moved farther out north and the Lincoln Center arrived

and the Malls opened up, we turned into a thriving metropolis.

I would venture that most of those businesses were Chamber

members. Why? Because the Chamber is always concerned about

our future and we all need to band together in times like we are

experiencing now. It is not someone else’s job but all of our jobs to

make changes in our community!

We have so many long time businesses that have been

Chamber members!

Our cover story business, the Bank of Stockton is one of those

very businesses I have been talking about. They are not only a long

time locally owned Bank in our community but they have been

a long time committed friend of the community and the Greater

Stockton Chamber of Commerce.

We have so many long time committed members who

understand the difference the Chamber makes. I would encourage

all of our businesses to come on over and see what makes our

Chamber work. Let’s take time for our friends and family in the

New Year and remember to shop local and work together to

improve our entire community!

May God bless all of our community in the coming year

and years!

From Your President...by: Debbie Armstrong

FEBRUARY2012 4www.stocktonchamber.org

PORT CALL

GREATER STOCKTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE445 W. Weber Avenue, Suite 220, Stockton, CA 95203

209.547.2770 fax [email protected]

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

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 Richelle Alexander 209.988.5800

PRINTINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

MAILINGSnyder Parks 209.466.9026

Official publication of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce. Serving the Greater Stockton area business community since 1901.

Greater

From Your CEO...by: Doug Wilhoit

It is well understood that we are experiencing difficult and

challenging times in America, California and our home, Stockton,

but if all people put aside self serving politics, personality/political

conflict, outward finger pointing and self serving philosophy we

will get through this dark tunnel and come out into the bright

sunshine all the better for it!

Everyone has a right to be worried but also a responsibility to be

part of all the solutions! Remember the old saying: “If you are not

part of the solution then you are part of the problem!” Just think

about that for a moment!

I could go on and on with my own thoughts but will save you

that agony and will instead invoke the words from the past. For

as much as we move forward challenges are always presented to

us and those who came before us had some words of wisdom

during their challenging times. Hopefully we will try to

understand what was said and, if properly invoked, these

words can make a difference.

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) once stated: “These are the times

that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and sunshine patriot will,

in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that

stand it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman.

Tyranny (my words – gangs and violence), like hell, is not easily

conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder

the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain

too cheap, we esteem too lightly; ‘tis dearness only that gives

everything its value.”

“Panic, in some cases, have their uses; they produce as much

good as hurt. Their duration is always short; the mind soon grows

through them and acquires a firmer habit than before. But their

particular advantage is, that they are the touchstone of sincerity

and hypocrisy, and bring things and men to light, which might

otherwise have lain forever undiscovered.”

“A bad cause will ever be supported by bad means and bad

men.” And; “A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought

to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue; but moderation in

principle is always a vice.”

President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919): “Far better it is

to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though

checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor souls who

neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the grey

twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”

President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945): “The only limit to

our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.”

And finally, Henry Ford (1863-1947): “Coming together is

a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together

is success.”

Please take the time to think about these words spoken so many

years ago and try to put them in context of today and where we

want to go into the future of Stockton, California and these United

States of America!

As a final note: Please get out and enjoy all that is so good

in Stockton and San Joaquin County (www.visitstockton.org)

and also help to improve our shortcomings so all of us now

and into the future will prosper in a successful and safe

community environment!

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce5

Eventsby: Heidi Altamarino

2012 Golf Tournament Sponsors(as of 1/3/12)

Ricky Barnes SponsorGrupe Commercial Company

Fred Couples Sponsors:Oak Valley Community BankSutter Gould Medical Foundation

Tee Sponsors:Bank of Agriculture & CommerceBuilders Exchange of StocktonJudith Buethe Communications

Business Package Sponsor:Pacific Records ManagementPDM SteelPort of StocktonSan Joaquin Steel Co.

Beverage Sponsor:DBI Beverage

Hole In One Sponsor:Chase Chevrolet

State of the City 2012 Sponsors(as of 1/4/12)

PlatinumA.G. Spanos CompaniesBank of Agriculture & CommerceCalifornia Water Service Co.Financial Center Credit UnionGrupe Commercial CompanyKaiser PermanenteLincoln CenterNeumiller & BeardsleePacific Records ManagementSan Joaquin Delta CollegeSt. Joseph’s Medical CenterStockton Convention

& Visitors Bureau

The Record/San Joaquin Media Group

United Way of San Joaquin CountyUniversity of the Pacific

GoldBuilders Exchange of StocktonOak Valley Community BankR & S Erection of Stockton, Inc. Stockton East Water DistrictSutter Gould Medical Foundation

TableCalifornia Water Service Co.

FEBRUARY2012 6www.stocktonchamber.org@ Heidi Altamirano: [email protected]

2012 Golf Tournament

The good news is that our 31st Annual Golf Tournament is not

yet sold out! However, we suggest you sign up your foursome

before it is…. Stockton Golf & Country Club will host our day

on the greens on April 2, beginning with registration at 10:00

a.m., lunch at 11:00 a.m. and a shotgun start at Noon. After the

tournament, we’ll have an awards reception honoring the top

players of the day.

We still have some terrific sponsorship packages available which

offer high visibility at this signature event. You may also join us

a $150 tee or green sponsor, or as a $700 sponsor which includes

signage on a tee or green and registration for a foursome. Single

player registrations are available for $160.

If you’re looking for an easy way to highlight your business

products or services, consider donating a prize for our post-

tournament raffle. It’s an ideal way to market your business

to other high-profile business people also supporting and

participating in our tournament.

So make at least one of your Mondays in April a fun one by

joining us at Stockton Golf & Country Club. Can’t wait for

your invitation to arrive in the mail? Just give Timm a call at

209.547.2960, and he’ll be happy to sign you up. Also, call today

to have a spectacular sponsorship opportunity packet sent to you.

State of the City 2012 to be held in May!

If you’re ever in doubt that we live in a great community, just

attend our annual State of the City 2012! This year the State of

the City will be held May 17th at the Port of Stockton. Sponsored

by the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce and the City of

Stockton, this event features exhibits showcasing the critical and

inspiring services available to you, your loved ones and neighbors,

all in the interest of maintaining a wholesome community.

Sponsorships are still available; so take advantage of this

high profile marketing opportunity for your business. For more

information, call Heidi Altamirano at 209.547.2764 or email

[email protected].

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

PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce7 @ Timm Quinn: [email protected]

Leadership Stockton: Local Government Session

Leadership Level Sponsor: Financial Center Credit Union

Special Thanks: City of Stockton, County of San Joaquin, Stockton Fire Department

The Local Government session gave the class a unique

perspective on the workings of the city council, as well as a

taste of local politics.

For the seventh year, the Leadership Stockton class

participated in a full scale Mock City Council meeting as part

of the Local Government session held at Stockton City Hall

Council Chambers on December 9. The meeting was staffed by

Bonnie Paige, who acted as the City Clerk, and Bret Hunter.

The class elected fellow class members as their city council at

the September Leadership Retreat. The remainder of the class

participated in one of three groups vying for the mock

city council’s vote.

The meeting came with a full agenda and proposals from the

teams, the premise of the Public Hearing was to consider public

comments/testimony regarding the appropriation of funds

from the STATE COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT GRANT

(CEG). The CEG was a one time, $9 million allocation from

the State of California which had to be used for a public good.

The funds could be divided to fund more than one project.

After the mock council meeting Councilmember Paul

Canepa, spoke to the class about his journey into local politics.

The class then walked to the County Administration

Building and had a great lunch. Board of Supervisors

Chairman Larry Ruhstaller joined the class and spoke about

his journey into local politics and shared his thoughts on many

issues facing the County today. After lunch they received

presentation on what the County and Board of Supervisors

does by Lois Sahyoun, Clerk of the Board. Manuel Lopez,

County Administrator, followed with a presentation on what

a County Administrator does. The presentation was followed

by an all access tour from Gabriel Karam, P.E., LEED AP,

Director of Facilities Management. It was a treat to see all the

little nuisances of the building from one of the great minds that

helped make it a reality.

The Stockton Fire Department finished off the day as the

class traveled down to Fire Station # 2 on Sonora Street. There

the class received a tour of the station house, the dispatching

center and the expansive training grounds from Battalion

Chief Van Riviere.

A big thank you to Bonnie Paige, Karen Costa and Bret

Hunter for their help in making the Mock City Council

meeting run so smoothly. Thank you to Stephen Reid (LS

Class of 2000) for scheduling and coordinating the County

portion of the day. And thank you to Paul Canepa, Larry

Ruhstaller, Gabriel Karam, Lois Sahyoun, Manuel Lopez,

Battalion Chief Riviere and Loretta Lee (LS Class of ’09) for

taking time out of their busy schedules to speak and share their

knowledge with the class.

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Convention & Visitors Bureauby: Wes Rhea

FEBRUARY2012 8www.visitstockton.org@ Wes Rhea: [email protected]

Be sure to become a fan on our Facebook page www.facebook.com/Stockton.CVB

Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau Named SportsEvents 2012 Readers’ Choice Winner

SportsEvents Media

Group, the leading

industry publication

focused exclusively on

helping sports event

planners produce excellent

competitions in the United

States and Canada, has

announced its 2012 class of Readers’ Choice Award winners.

The Stockton Convention and Visitors Bureau (SCVB) has

been selected based on their high standard of professionalism and

quality service in hosting their events. A complete list of award

winners is available online. Winners were listed in the January

2012 issue of SportsEvents.

Sports event professionals were asked to name the sports

commission, convention and visitors bureaus, or sports events

venues that they believe display exemplary creativity and

professionalism toward the groups they host. Nominations were

received from readers throughout the year, and the top picks were

selected based on the results from an online system that registered

more than 3,000 votes!

“Due to the power of social media and online voting

capabilities, we received an overwhelming response from readers

this year, which allowed SportsEvents to honor more than 100

destinations and venues—and the marketing organizations that

represent them—with a 2012 Readers’ Choice Award,” said Kristen

McIntosh, SportsEvents editor. “These award winners have proven

they are willing to go above and beyond the normal service

levels expected by providing both the physical attributes and

commitment to hospitality and service that today’s discriminating

sports event planners demand. It is an honor to announce their

selection by sports event planners as some of the best in the

United States.”

CVB Welcomes New Team Member

The Stockton Convention & Visitors

Bureau is proud to announce the

hiring of Emily Tuel as the Marketing

and Communications Coordinator.

Tuel is originally from Bayard,

Iowa. She graduated from the

University of Kansas with a BA in

Graphic Design and minor in Art History and Dance. She comes

to us from the Special Events team with the Blank Park Zoo in Des

Moines, IA where she promoted and executed events and served

as a Graphic Designer for the organization. This position grew

her dedication and experience in nonprofit marketing, promotion

and development. Tuel used her long-time love of dance as the

Dance Program Supervisor for Lawrence Parks and Recreation in

Lawrence, KS and is also currently an Instructor at Melissa’s Dance

Xtreme here in Stockton.

Having recently moved to the area, she has been playing tourist

and exploring the many experiences California and Stockton have

to offer. She loves skiing, wine, dance, and musical theater.

Emily joined the SCVB team on January 9. You can reach out to

her at [email protected].


Oak Valley COmmunity BankWe Mean Business

Rod Alonzo, Frank Boots, and Joseph Smith of API, Inc.,with Peter Brown, VP Commercial Loan Officer, 209.844.7522 and

Ron Davenport, VP Area Manager, 209.343.7627

“Oak Valley’s attention to detail and commitment to delivering results was refreshing as we worked through

the financing of our new facility. Their knowledge and experience with SBA loan programs made the

process run smoothly from beginning to end.”

– Frank Boots, President, Architecture Plus Inc.

Rod Alonzo, Frank Boots, and Joseph Smith of API, Inc.,with Peter Brown, VP Commercial Loan Officer, 209.844.7522 and

Ron Davenport, VP Area Manager, 209.343.7627

Deep Roots ~ Strong Branches

1.866.844.7500 • www.ovcb.com

Experience business banking the way it should be – the perfect blend of old-fashioned personal service and modern technology to meet your every need.

Let us make your business, our business.

Programs and Public Policy Departmentby: Frank Ferral

FEBRUARY2012 10www.stocktonchamber.orgFor more info, contact Frank Ferral at [email protected]@

REXPO 8 Unplugged Coming March 14

Registration is now open for the Recycling Exposition (REXPO)

8 Unplugged at www.greenteamsanjoaquin.com. Click the REXPO

8 Unplugged image and it will take you to the registration page.

The cost to attend the Keynote Lunch address is $30. We are

honored to have Cabinet Secretary Matt Rodriquez of the California

Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) as our Keynote Speaker.

The “Unplugged” theme represents a couple of meanings. First, the

event logo demonstrates that energy efficiency starts by unplugging

appliances, office equipment, phone chargers, etc. when not in

use. These “phantom loads” when plugged in not only add to your

energy bill, it contributes to air pollution. The second meaning is the

perception of double standards and California just doesn’t get it.

Currently, approximately 5-20% of the recyclable materials

collected in California remain in the State for remanufacturing;

the majority of the recycled materials are shipped to other parts of

the United States or to global markets. So too, are our jobs, tax

revenue and commerce. Achieving the emission reductions under

AB 32 is dependent on ensuring that the recyclable materials are

recycled into new products, which offers an enormous opportunity

to existing and new businesses in California and, with the additional

materials being diverted through Assembly Bill 341, will only amplify

the opportunities.

After all, it is a precarious wakeup call and rude awakening when

you think about it. Eight out of ten pieces of recyclables we place on

our curb are being shipped to China for product remanufacturing

using non- or under-regulated power grids powered by coal, a huge

Green House Gas (GHG) emitter, as our neighbors are losing their

jobs and facing foreclosure on their homes. It is ironic, however,

that the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD)

has commissioned a study to verify that much of that pollution is

finding its way back to the shores of California. What are we

going to accomplish?

The Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce is the only Chamber

in the state to administer one of the 34 Recycling Market Development

Zones (RMDZ) in the State of California. Working together, the

Chamber and nine Statewide organizations and businesses have begun

a proactive campaign to change the “collect and export” paradigm,

to not just divert, but to convert our materials into manufacturing

jobs throughout California. Using the additional tonnage which will

become available through the new Mandatory Commercial Recycling

regulation under AB 341 as a springboard, the Recycling BIN (Build

Infrastructure Now) Coalition, comprised of economic development,

local government, business and environmental organizations

working in tandem, was formed for one common reason…to create

recycled content value added manufacturing jobs in California.

The BIN Coalition recently held a statewide Summit attended by

240 individuals (accessible via YouTube: Recycling BIN Summit) to

emphasize the need for a statewide strategy. California environmental

legislation like AB 32 cannot be truly sustainable unless it can deliver

real economic benefits as well. Existing recycling based processing

and manufacturing facilities serve as a cornerstone to California’s

emerging green economy, but we can—and we must—do much more

to foster this vital infrastructure for sustainability.

2.29.12

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.

Automobile Renting, Leasing & Sales

Enterprise Rent-A-Car320 N. Hunter Street

Stockton www.enterprise.com

Engineers Civil

4 Leaf Incorporated2110 Rheem Drive #A

Pleasanton www.4leaf.com

Gift Shops

Nanci’s Fanci’s3714 N. Merrimac Circle

Stockton www.nancisfancis.biz

Packaging & Crating Service & Supplies

Pak Master1021 E. Hazelton Avenue

Stockton www.pak-master.com

Non-profit

San Joaquin County S.T.A.R.S.7000 Michael Canlis Boulevard

Stockton


Networking MixerJanuary 5, University of the Pacific

Ribbon Cuttings For additional information go to www.stocktonchamber.org

Attending Ambassadors


Over the

last year we

performed

over 25 Ribbon

Cuttings

celebrating

various

business

events in

the Greater Stockton area. We celebrated

Grand Openings & Re-Openings, New

Office Locations and many multiyear

anniversaries to name a few. What was

really celebrated was the entrepreneur who

made the leap or the business owner who

is still doing business, and the non-profit

organizations continuing to serve San

Joaquin county. I would challenge each and

every one of you to have a presence at the

upcoming ribbon cuttings and celebrate

with other Chamber members their

successes and support local business first.

Let’s work together and by working in the

same direction we will make things around

us better.

Tim AragonQuick Connect Wireless

Ojesa Asejo-ClarkRabobank

Gloria Blaine Basket Caravan & Gourmet Gifts

Carol Clemens Angel’s Caring Helpers

Gary GhanBrookfalls Water

Patti GulickNew Image Signs

Blair HakeAmeriprise Financial Services INC

Nick HarbutEco Chic Salon

Glenn Jose H.O.P.E

Phyllis KleinKlein Insurance

Marilyn MasonRHA

John Paval Kansas City Life

Ellen Powell Dennis Cardoza Representative

Justin RedmanCentral Valley Community Bank

Vince RosatoNew Image Signs

Michelle SherlockOptimal Hospice Care

Gregory WaltherPress F1 Computer Services

Cindy WardXango

Sam WardXango

Optimal Hospice Care of Stockton4568 Feather River Drive, Ste. C Stockton

COVER STORY

Photographs Courtesy The Bank Of Stockton Historical Photograph Collection.


Bank of Stockton145 Years of Service

By Justin Souza

It’s difficult to imagine many things that

have remained the same between the Stockton

of 1867 and the Stockton of 2012. Over

the intervening years, Stockton has grown

from a small agricultural community with a

population of around 5,000, to a bustling city

of over 300,000 residents with a deep bench

of industry, a business-friendly infrastructure

and a lot of charm. But one constant has

remained firm over nearly a century and a half

of Stockton history: the great customer

service, exceptional products and

community support of Bank of Stockton.

This August, Bank of Stockton celebrates

145 continuous years of dedicated service to

the Stockton community. The community

bank—the oldest in California still operating

under its original charter—has been a major

force for improvement throughout San

Joaquin County since its inception in 1867.

Bank of Stockton has continually upheld

the principles of its founders by focusing

on serving every customer, prioritizing

local industry development, promoting

area businesses and fostering infrastructure

improvements. Over the years, the bank’s

leaders have helped shape some of Stockton’s

most well-known features—from the rail

system to the Port—into the business-friendly

forms familiar to us today, even while keeping

the bank prospering in the face of major

economic crises.

According to a history published by Bank

of Stockton, some of the bank’s early success

rested on consumers’ trust in the integrity

of the bank’s founding members, the 29

Stockton-area business leaders who provided

the bank’s starting reserves from their own

funds. The founders agreed that Bank of

Stockton should focus on providing the best

possible service to its customers and to its

community, even when that meant reduced

profits for shareholders. An early

document from the bank, entitled

“An Agreement with Depositors,” established

the priority of depositor security over

corporate profits for the Board of Directors.

This principle, still in practice to this day at the

bank, has enabled Bank of Stockton to remain

solvent when many community and national

banks have been shuttered.

In the past few decades, Bank of Stockton’s

commitment to its customers has extended to

pioneering the newest banking technologies,

often ahead of larger chains. Recent

innovations include text-based banking and

text alerts, where customers are notified when

their balance is below the threshold they

choose, including overdraft alerts that allow

customers to transfer funds before end of

day to avoid the overdraft before it happens.

From internet banking, to text banking, to

fraud alerts when personal information has

been changed on your account, Bank of

Stockton has been at the forefront of offering

the latest in banking technologies for smarter,

safer banking.

Shared History

As both Bank of Stockton and the Greater

Stockton Chamber of Commerce have made

a business of loving Stockton, it’s no surprise

that over the years the two organizations have

often found common cause promoting

the city’s interests on regional and

national stages. The organizations’ shared

commitment to fostering Stockton’s

business community, and their interest in

promoting essential resources have helped

make Stockton a more attractive area for a

wide variety of industries over the last century.

Even the two organizations’ roots are

intertwined, as members of Bank of Stockton

were instrumental in the creation of the

Chamber in 1901. An article from the San

Joaquin Historian honoring the Stockton

Chamber’s 100th anniversary credits the

formation of the Chamber to the efforts

of notable members of the Bank of

The Bank of Stockton roots in our community

run deep and strong

Photographs Courtesy The Bank Of Stockton Historical Photograph Collection.


Stockton, including Frank M. West. West,

President of the bank from 1893 to 1909,

was a driving force behind the incorporation

of the Chamber, and served as its first

elected President.

During his time as a leader at both the

Chamber and Bank of Stockton, West worked

to actively encourage Stockton’s development

by spearheading a movement to market

Stockton and its products throughout

the nation. One of West’s longest lasting

initiatives was the dredging of Stockton’s

channel which allowed larger vessels

to reach Stockton’s port. This initiative,

completed in 1934, created one of

Stockton’s most defining and profitable

characteristics, a feature which has had

a nearly incalculable positive effect on

the city’s economy during the last century.

West was also credited with a major role

in bringing both the Santa Fe and Western

Pacific Railroads to Stockton. Together, these

advancements made Stockton’s agricultural

and industrial products available to both

national and international markets and

established Stockton’s reputation as a great

place to do business.

West’s dual Presidencies set a tone of

committed community involvement for the

leaders who followed him at both the Bank

of Stockton and the Stockton Chamber. The

close camaraderie that West began persists

to this day. For example, Doug Wilhoit,

current CEO of the Stockton Chamber, is a

descendant of Eugene and R.E. Wilhoit, two

Bank Presidents who led the bank from 1909

to 1949 and who are credited with drawing

University of the Pacific to its current location

in Stockton during the 1920s. Eugene was also

a President of the Stockton Chamber from

1921-1922. “The Bank of Stockton roots in

our community run deep and strong,” said

Angela Brusa, Vice President and Director of

Marketing at Bank of Stockton. “The bank was

incepted two years after the Civil War, to bring

strength, safety and service to depositors and

the community, and it’s been doing that very

well ever since,” she said.

Bank of Stockton Today

Today, Bank of Stockton and its Divisions

encompass 16 branches located in Stockton,

Lodi, Tracy, Ripon, Manteca, Oakdale, Pine

Grove, Angels Camp, Sonora, Rio Vista,

Modesto, Turlock and Elk Grove. The Bank

has nearly $2 billion in assets as well as an

extensive archive of historical photos covering

its service areas and made available free to the

public by appointment. “It’s a tremendous

historical resource and very fitting, since Bank

of Stockton has been such an integral part of

the history of our communities,” said Brusa.

The bank is currently led by it’s eighth

President and CEO, Douglass

Eberhardt, who has championed the

ongoing technological innovation

at Bank of Stockton and who—like

the Bank’s Presidents before him—is

a strong advocate of ongoing

community support. According to

information released by the Bank,

“Bank of Stockton and its Divisions

donate nearly two million dollars annually

into the communities that it serves in

the form of donations. Bank employees are

encouraged to be actively involved in local

non-profits, sharing time and talent to help

our local communities.”

As it reaches its 145th year, Bank of

Stockton shows no signs of either slowing or

giving up its central tenets of customer service

and community involvement. The bank is well

poised to spend another century in its integral

role as promoter, cheerleader and true believer

in the great city of Stockton, California.

Fred M West R. E. Wilhoit

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.

Seeking Applications for Membership on the Board of Directors

of the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

The volunteer leadership of the Chamber provides the energy

and direction for programs and services for our members. Board

members serve a vital role in establishing policy and providing

guidance to committees and staff. To ensure a quality Board, the

applicant, or the applicant’s employer must be a Chamber Member in

good standing and must remain in good standing throughout their

entire Board term, 2012-2015. Go to www.StocktonChamber.org to

download application or call 547-2770.

The San Joaquin County Fair is

off to a new level of marketing and

promotional sophistication. Leading

the charge is Kate Post, Executive

Director of the Stockton Asparagus

Festival, who, in addition to her

current position with the Asparagus

Festival, will also become San

Joaquin County Fair’s Director of Sponsorship Development and

Marketing. Joining her in the new effort is Drew Palmer, Agency

Principal of Palmer Advertising, LLC.

The Stockton Council of the Central Valley Association of

REALTORS and the Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce

have announced Becky Mizener as the 2011 ‘Stocktonian of the

Year’. Becky will be honored at a dinner on Wednesday, February

8th at the Stockton Golf and Country Club. Space is limited. For

reservations, please call the Chamber at 547-2770.

San Joaquin Regional Transit District (RTD) is excited to

announce that Never Boring Design Associates, one of the Central

Valley’s largest full-service marketing and creative agencies, is

managing its transit advertising program effective January 1, 2012.

NBDA will sell all advertising on RTD’s buses that operate in

Stockton and San Joaquin County.

The City of Stockton Planning Commission and the Cultural

Heritage Board honored Dan Cort, President and CEO of Cort

Companies, with two Awards of Excellence for Cort Tower

located at 1 North Sutter Street and 321 E. Weber Avenue. Both

properties were renovated to house the Stockton Collegiate

International Charter School. The Award of Excellence Program

is an award bestowed on property owners who have made special

efforts in restoring, rehabilitating or improving existing structures

in an effort to exert positive influence on an area and provide

incentive to other property owners.

Stockton Symphony’s wildly

popular Pops series continues

with Valentine Pops: Steve Lippia

in “Simply Sinatra,” on Saturday,

February 11, at 6:00 p.m. at the

Atherton Auditorium on the SJDC

campus. Sinatra fans will enjoy hits

including “Fly Me To the Moon,”

“Luck Be a Lady,” and many more favorites. Purchase tickets

online at www.stocktonsymphony.org or call 209.951.0196. Tickets

begin at $22.

Visionary Home Builders was the recent recipient of a $180,000

grant from Wells Fargo. The Grant recipients were selected from

requests submitted by local team members and their non-profit

or local government partners in areas in need of extra help

with neighborhood- development projects. VHB will utilize the

funding for the Bounce Back to Homeownership program and a

new prepaid Credit Card program.


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CalendarFebruary 2012

Highlights2/2 - Networking Mixer – 5:15 - 7:15 p.m.

@ San Joaquin Delta College

5151 Pacific Ave.

also don’t miss... 3/1 - Networking Mixer

The Reserve at Spanos Park,

6301 West Eight Mile Road, Stockton, 95219

10 Government Relations Council - 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

10 Leadership Stockton, ‘Community Serving Community’ 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. @ Various Local Non-Profits

9 Manufacturers Industrial Distribution Roundtable - 7:30 a.m. @ TBA

24 Government Relations Council - 7:30 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

23 Chamber Board Meeting – 4 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

20 Chamber Offices Closed in Observance of President’s Day

15 Chamber Executive Committee Meeting – 7 a.m. @ Stockton Golf and Country Club

29 Business Education Alliance - 3:30 p.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

2 Networking Mixer – 5:15 - 7:15 p.m. @ San Joaquin Delta College 5151 Pacific Ave.

8 Green Team San Joaquin - 9:00 a.m. @ Chamber Conference Room

320 LINCOLN CENTER(209) 477-6881

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PORT CALL Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce17 Contact the Chamber at 209.547.2770 for more info*

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SAFETY PROCEDURES AND POLICIES

NEW POLICY PROGRAMS

VIDEO PRESENTATIONS OR CONFERENCES

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MACHINE OR FACTORY PROCEDURES

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For more information, go to greenteamsanjoaquin.com or call 209-547-2763

Documents

Port O Call - February 2012