MEMBER PROFILES

THE FINE VAULT JEWELERS 

The Vault Fine Jewelers in Fig Garden offers something special to its customers. The locally owned store has a wide selection of rings, watches, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, charms, and many other types of jewelry. But what the store really provides is more than jewelry. It deals in the business of memories.

Customers are not only seeking jewelry, but something to accent a special event or occasion. Clients may walk in seeking an engagement ring for the love of their life or a pendant for their daughter’s special birthday. Owners Gary and Elaine Yervan, along with their staff, help customers pick the perfect accessory for a moment that they will remember for . . . READ MORE

EMILIO LEON CORONEL

Emilio Leon Coronel is the living embodiment of the American dream. The once humble sheep herder immigrated to the United States in 1993 and is now Superintendent of Indart Group Inc. and Indart Enterprises LP, a farming livestock operation based in Clovis and Fresno. Cornel is invaluable to the success of the Indart businesses and plays a key role in its day-to-day operations.

Coronel’s dedication to agriculture and his inspiring story is why he is the winner of the 2021 Ag Employee of the Year Award. The Award, which the Chamber will present for the first time this year, recognizes the core team members whose dedicated efforts are essential to the success of their organization or company. Coronel is a definitive . . . READ MORE

JOSE RAMIREZ

Jose Ramirez is a fighter. A 2012 Olympian and former WBC and WBO Unified Super Lightweight Champion, the 29-year-old Ramirez is an established star in the world of boxing. Even outside the ring, Ramirez is a fighter and champion. A fighter and champion for Central Valley agriculture, that is.

Agriculture is an integral part of Ramirez’s life. Before his rise to fame, Ramirez spent his summers picking bell peppers in the fields outside his hometown of Avenal. While he is now a world-class boxer, Ramirez remains dedicated to his roots. When he isn’t training for his next match, he utilizes his fame to … READ MORE

WAWONA FROZEN FOODS

Is there anything more delicious on a hot summer’s day than a chilled peach? With their bright red and yellow hue, intoxicating aroma and sweet flavor, peaches are a favorite among fruit lovers. Perhaps that is why they have become a staple in public school lunches across the country. But school children might not be able to enjoy the juicy fruit snack in their school lunches were it not for Bill Smittcamp, CEO and President Wawona Foods.

Under Smittcamp’s leadership, Wawona Foods grew to become the largest processor of frozen peaches in the United States, processing over 65 million pounds of peaches along with 20 million pounds of strawberries and other fruits … READ MORE

BALOIAN FARMS

Few ag businesses can produce the number of high-quality crops that Baloian Farms can. Thanks to an innovative harvest strategy that produces crops nearly year-round, and transitions from locations in Southern California and Mexico to the Central Valley, the fourth-generation family-owned farm is able to feed a consistent supply to their customers.  While bell peppers are the company’s specialty, making up 63% of its total output, it also grows eggplants, sweet red onions, yellow squash, and zucchini. Its fall and winter “wet veg” program enables the harvest of leafy greens such as romaine lettuce and spinach during the holiday season, giving consumers access to fresh vegetables for their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.

Baloian Farm’s year-round productivity is one of many reasons why it received the prestigious Moss Adams Agribusiness of the Year Award…. READ MORE