The Fresno Chamber of Commerce has named Edward M. Kashian as the 2026 recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award, its top individual honor, recognizing longtime business leaders whose work has had a lasting economic and civic impact on the Central Valley.
The Valley Business Awards program is now in its 42nd year.
Chamber President and CEO Scott Miller made the announcement on Wednesday at Lance Kashian & Company’s offices in north Fresno, where he also revealed the full slate of winners for the 2026 Valley Business Awards.
“We could not be more excited to honor Ed Kashian with this prestigious award,” said Miller.
Kashian is CEO and principal of Lance Kashian & Company, a commercial real estate development firm that has been involved in major retail, medical and mixed-use projects across the Fresno region. Over several decades, the company has played a significant role in shaping growth corridors and large commercial developments that have helped drive local investment and job creation.
The Leon S. Peters Award is named for the late Valley industrialist and philanthropist who built Valley Foundry into an international agricultural equipment supplier and later became known for his extensive charitable work. The award is presented annually to a business leader whose career reflects professional success combined with civic involvement and philanthropy.
In addition to his development work, Kashian has been active in educational, healthcare and community organizations. Along with his wife, Jeanne, he has contributed to projects supporting higher education, medical programs and nonprofit institutions locally and abroad.
The chamber also announced additional honorees who will be recognized at the Valley Business Awards luncheon on March 13, 2026, at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets. Community West Bank is presenting sponsor of the event.
Other 2026 award recipients include:
- Harold Zinkin Entrepreneur of the Year: Liz McIlvaine, Total Concepts
- Community Champion of the Year: California Teaching Fellows Foundation
- Student Entrepreneur of the Year: Cry Baby Cookies, founded by Jasmine Ruiz
- Child-Friendly Business of the Year: Art of Comfort
The Valley Business Awards program is one of the chamber’s largest annual events, drawing business owners, executives and community leaders from across Fresno County.
Past recipients of the Leon S. Peters award include: Gordon Webster, Jr., John Harris, Sally Caglia, Vinci Ricchiuti, Karen Musson, Matty Matoian, Jim Pardini, Bill Smittcamp, Stan Oken, Ray Steele Jr., Richard “Dick” Caglia, John E. Horstmann, Dr. Peter Mehas, Dr. Peter P. Peters, Joe Williams, Lou Herwaldt, Bill Jones, Sid Cox, Bud Richter, O. James Woodward III, Samuel Reeves, Octavia Diener, Robert Oliver, Frederick Ruiz, Anne Speake, Larry A. Shehadey, Claude Laval III, Robert Carter, Richard Johanson, James Hallowell, Lou Gentile, Earl Smittcamp, Helen Smades, William Lyles, Martin Nelson, Joe Levy, Frank Caglia, B. Franklin Knapp, James B. Mayer, Robert Duncan, and Lewis B. Eaton.
For more updates on Fresno County development and business initiatives, stay connected with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.
