BUSINESS“Petaluma’s voice for business” — A publication of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
January 2015 • Vol 24, No 1
PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE
PAIDPETALUMA, CAPERMIT NO. 127
6 Petaluma Blvd. North, Suite A-2 Petaluma, CA 94952 707-762-2785 www.petalumachamber.com
Time Sensitive Material - Deliver by Jan. 5
Petaluma
BUSINESSPetaluma
Chamber Co-Sponsors NewSustainability Circle Program
An important new program designed to show businesses how to make substantial savings in operational costs while operating a sustainable business is being offered through a partnership of the Petaluma Chamber, True Market Solutions, and PG&E.
Designed for businesses with 30 or more employees, the program is called the Sustainability Circle, and will involve ten selected businesses or institutions that will send representatives for six monthly sessions covering a range of subjects designed to reduce costs and reduce usage of valuable resources.
The wide ranging sessions cover topics such as lighting, HVAC, and water to procurement, branding, metrics, and utility programs and incentives. The intent is to work with each business to create a customized five-year action plan that makes the business case for investment in short and long-term initiatives. Participants will receive hands-on help from coaches to develop this plan.
In addition to full-day group work sessions, participants gain valuable advice during individual meetings with True Market Solutions coaches and on-site walk-throughs. The outcome of the program is a
customized 5-year Sustainability Action Plan that makes the business case for investment in short and long-term initiatives.
PG&E is paying half of the $7,500 fee for each participant in this program.
Chamber CEO Onita Pellegrini said that True Market Solutions’ track record nationally, and the substantial operational savings shown by businesses that have completed the program, speaks for itself.
“We consider this an important opportunity for our larger business members,” she said. “We are planning a luncheon informational meeting on this program in February for our members, to answer questions and present the program in detail.”
True Market Solutions has been running Sustainability Circles in
Northern and Southern California, and in the Midwest, for four years with over 120 companies and organizations having completed the Circle program thus far. Recent participants have seen significant results from their experience, with average projected five-year annual savings per organization of $286,000; 1.5M kWh; and 960,000 gallons of water.
While participating businesses need to meet a minimum energy usage threshold in order to qualify for the program, all organizations are encouraged to apply. Past Circles have included the likes of Shaklee Corporation, Club Sport, Drakes Brewing Company, Metropolitan Golf, Grand Pacific Resorts, and the Alameda County Fairgrounds.
Interested businesses should contact Onita Pellegrini at 762-2785.
State of the City SubjectAt February First Friday
The challenges and opportunities facing the city of Petaluma during 2015 will be the focus of February’s First Friday News@Noon event, scheduled for February 6 at Rooster Run.
There will not be a First Friday luncheon in January inasmuch as that date falls the day after New
Year’s Day.
City Manager John Brown will take the stage to discuss such matters as the city’s finances and the significance of the failure of Measure Q, the sales tax item on last November’s ballot.
He is also expected to discuss
Continued on page 6
Umpqua Bank donated money to COTS and Rebuilding Together this holiday season. Left to Right: Jackie Taylor, AVP, Umpqua Bank, Jane Hamilton, Rebuilding Together, and Tim Saavedra, AVP, Umpqua Bank.
Agri-BusinessCara Parlato, 283-3247 Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds & Event Center
AmbassadorsDaniel Canales, 707-888-5350 HealthMarkets
Jim Alexander, 762-2818 Financial Consultant
Chamber CommitteesCall 762-2785 for more info.
Business/EducationDennis Hardle, 763-5348 Hardle and Company
Economic Development Dan Ancheta, 781-2207 Bank of Marin
Government AffairsWayne Leach, (415) 883-9850 CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group
Leadership Petaluma ProgramCall the Chamber for info, 762-2785
Petaluma Young Professionals NetworkCiera Pratt, 559-7588 Petaluma Health Center
First Friday News @ NoonCall the Chamber for info, 762-2785
Women in BusinessBonnie Koagedal, 480-6224 Keller Williams Realty
2 January 2015 Petaluma BUSINESS – A publication of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
PETALUMA BUSINESS CREDITSPublished by the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce, 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A-2©2014 Petaluma Chamber of Commerce
Don Bennett Editor & Writer AVM Graphics Design & Production Joan Bunn Photography-Events Marin Sun Printing
PresidentW. Thomas Griffith, CIC, 766-2282
Ramatici Insurance, [email protected]
First Vice PresidentDan Ancheta*, 781-2207
Bank of Marin [email protected]
Second Vice PresidentTodd Mendoza*, 769-4303
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage [email protected]
Treasurer Elece Hempel*, 765-8488
Petaluma People Services [email protected]
Immediate Past PresidentTony Sarno*, 415-785-2789
Cushman & Wakefield of [email protected]
DIRECTORSAnnie Davis, 241-9190
World [email protected]
Katie Kerns Davis*, 321-2574 PG&E
Noah Jacobson, 595-6555Jocobson & Breen Wealth Management, LLC
Judy James*, 280-5427Comcast
W. Thom Knudson*, 763-1911Behrens, Nelson & Knudson
Michelle Law, 307-6526TelePacific Communications
Wayne Leach*, 795-4764CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group
Richard Marzo*, 763-1515Lace House Linens
Shelly Moller, 763-3006 Edward Jones
CHAMBER STAFF762-2785 • Fax 762-4721
Onita Pellegrini*, CEOSue Turek, Bookkeeper
Daniella Ellicott*, Member Services Peg Brown, Office Assistant
* Leadership Petaluma Graduates
www.petalumachamber.com
BUSINESSPetaluma
Petaluma AmbassadorsBy Kathleen Stafford
How many times have you thought
to yourself what is a Petaluma Area
Chamber of Commerce Ambassador
anyway and what exactly do they do?
Well I’m here to tell you we are
a group of people that volunteer
our time to help orchestrate lots of
activities within our wonderful city of
Petaluma. We all live and work in our
community; we are business owners,
entrepreneurs, employees, moms,
dads, and PTA members, just normal
everyday people who are passionate
about Petaluma and the success of
our local businesses and employers.
The Petaluma Chamber of
Commerce is a great resource for
businesses. Owning a business here
in this town it’s a must to join the
Chamber. They have a directory that
is updated annually that lists your
business and contact information.
The Chamber gives you a platform
to host Business After Hours
which is a great way to bring other
Chamber members and guests into
your business in a fun and relaxed
atmosphere. You will see many of
us Ambassadors greeting you at the
door at these types of events.
There is a great website, www.
petalumachamber.com, that is
updated regularly and gives
information and Newsflashes about
our local goings on, both in regards to
business and other local events.
So the next time you see one of us
with our Chamber Ambassador name
tag or the Blue Ambassador Ribbon
come up and say hi, or better yet wait
for us to come say hi and welcome
you; after all, that’s what we do best.
And if you are a dynamic, outgoing,
and fun member of Petaluma then
maybe you would like to be an
Ambassador too. Contact the Peta-
luma Area Chamber of Commerce at
707-762-2785.
PHOTO BY JESSE PLEINNIKUL
The Petaluma Chamber Ambassadors gather for their annual group photo. Pictured are: Front Row, LtoR: Jean Gee, Quality Inn; Andrea Rodgers, Parent-Sorensen Mortuary; Gisele Rue, Small Biz Help 4 You. Back Row: Mary Lynn Bartholomew, Nelson Staffing; Mickey Griffith, Referral Institute; Daniel Canales, HealthMarkets; Kathy Stafford, Pongo’s Tap & Grill; Ryan Mason, Ameriprise Financial Services; and Jim Alexander, Foothill Securities.
Not pictured: Billy Gee, Great Pacific Packaging; Latasha Wallace, K2GC; Gail Cardaropoli, Rotary Club of Petaluma; Shari Bennett-Jackson, Press Democrat; Carol Ann Mathies, Massage Envy; and Esther Schau,Travel Tours Vacation/Travel Consultant.
4 January 2015 Petaluma BUSINESS – A publication of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
President’s Message
2015 Forecast LooksGood for Petaluma
By Tom Griffith, President,
Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
Last month the Sonoma County Economic Development Board released the economic forecast for the Sonoma County economy. The report was prepared by Moody’s, one of the most respected economic analysts in the nation.
For those of us doing business in Sonoma County, the news is good, and our recovery from the economic downturn should continue into 2015. Some of the highlights from the report:
• Sonoma County’s economic growth has slowed this year, but it is still keeping pace with the U.S. average. The unemployment rate has hovered around an enviable 5.4%, and the rate of job growth exceeds its average of the past 15 years.
• Homebuilding is accelerating, although the number of new permits issued for construction is still about half its long-term pace during the 15 years before the housing market downturn in 2006.
• The potential to attract high-tech industries creates some upside potential. Among notable companies, Agilent’s electronic measurement division was spun off as Keysight Technologies and is benefiting from increased investment by broadband communications firms.
• Sonoma County is expected to emerge next year even stronger. Improved regional and U.S. income gains will support tourism and the wine industry. Near-term growth will be augmented by business services, construction and healthcare, while the tech sector stabilizes and creates upside potential for the outlook.
• Sonoma County is expected to
emerge next year even stronger. Improved regional and U.S. income gains will support tourism and the wine industry. Near-term growth will be augmented by business services, construction and healthcare, while the tech sector stabilizes and creates upside potential for the outlook.
Without questions, problems remain. Here in Petaluma, we still have about a fifth of our office space still empty, but there is a high level of optimism that the resurgence of the high-tech industries will help fill in those empty spaces.
For the Chamber, through our Economic Development Committee, we will be working with the city to see how we can facilitate absorption of new businesses into our community, and to help those businesses make the transition as effortless as possible.
Through our Government Affairs Committee, we will continue to monitor the rules and regulations enacted by regulators to determine that no unnecessary roadblocks are placed in the way of this continuing recovery.
Most of all, we look forward to welcoming these emerging new businesses to our community, and to place our services and good will at their disposal.
The Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce wishes you
a prosperous and healthy 2015!
Martha and Rob Domont of Petaluma Valley Athletic Club were honored at December’s Spirit of the County awards program, shown here with County Supervisor David Rabbitt. The Small Business of the Year honorees at 2014’s Petaluma Community Recognition Awards, they were nominated for the Spirit Award by the Petaluma Chamber.
PHOTO BY GEORGE ELDER
Representatives of the city’s service clubs joined together for a presentation to the Leadership Petaluma class last month on non-profits day.
The group, which has formed the Petaluma Service Alliance Committee, detailed a long list of activities by the various clubs Terry Bryant represented Petaluma Valley Rotary and lead grad Jackie Taylor represented Petaluma Rotary and the Petaluma Service Alliance. Representing Petaluma Sunrise Rotary was Dave Hanson, and Michael Carauna, sitting President for Petaluma Rotary, both spoke of the importance of giving back to the community.
Representing 7-11 Lions Club was Jodie Gallagher, and Thom Knudson represented Petaluma Host Lions.
Marilyn Bartow spoke for ELKS Lodge 901 and Jim Fitzgerald was Petaluma Kiwanis Club’s representative.
The Service Clubs were offered a great opportunity to showcase their Clubs to the broader Community and to do some much deserved bragging and promoting!
6 January 2015 Petaluma BUSINESS – A publication of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
Large or Small...to us you are just right!
We have a wide variety of loan
products available for a business
your sizeLocal Bank. Local Lenderswww.exchangebank.com
Golden Eagle Branch2 E. Washington Street707.762.5556 Parkway Plaza Branch701 Sonoma Mountain Parkway707.766.1541
such issues as outlook for water in view of recent storms and other infrastructure issues.
The format will allow for interaction and dialogue between the speaker and the audience.
Bank of Marin is the sponsor of the
First Friday event.
Charge for the buffet lunch is $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Reservations are required: phone 762-2785.
Also on the program is recognition of new members and a raffle drawing.
First FridayContinued from page 1
Business BriefOn Tuesday, February 3rd, from
7:30 – 8:30 p.m., at the monthly meeting of the Petaluma Arts Association, meet the new president, collage artist, Elaine Larson.
In 2014, her work was on view at the Loft Gallery, O’Hanlon Center for the Arts, Mill Valley. She creates visually exciting collages from created and found imagery. She allows intuition to take over during the creative process. She wrote, “Creation and manipulation of images is how I express what I came in knowing, which has no words.”
Elaine Larson had a previous career
in information technology, with art as an avocation until 2008, when she retired and became a full -time artist. Elaine delights in sharing with others her passion for collage. She offers private lessons and teaches at the O’Hanlon Center. Elaine states, “I delight in diversity and the infinite complexity of our quantum, holographic, love – based universe.”
The PAA meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month in the Community Room at the United Church of Christ, 825 Middlefield Road, Petaluma. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for visiting and set up.
Enjoying the Twin Oaks Business After Hours.
Petaluma Business ads are sales boosters! An economic way to reach
more than 700 businesses monthly.
Call the Chamber, 762-2785, for specifics & rates.
8 January 2015 Petaluma BUSINESS – A publication of the PACC
The ribbon cutting and
Business After Hours for
Kathleen Wells, Edward Jones,
was enjoyed by all.
• WALK-INS WELCOME •707-773-CARE (2273)
Dr. George W. Wagner Jr., D.C. 620 E. Washington # 206, Petaluma
Get Fast Relief for your Back and Neck Pain
Don Bennett& Associates
Advertising & PR ConsultingWriting & Editing Services
10 January 2015 Petaluma BUSINESS – A publication of the Petaluma Area Chamber of Commerce
Members – More info at www.petalumachamber.com
New Members NovemberAcorn Chiropractic ClubMatt Santos151 Second StreetPetaluma, CA 94952
Feminine Power FlowLaurie Zerga1826 Hartment LanePetaluma, CA 94954
Fit Body Boot CampKatie Switzer5330 Old Redwood HighwayPetaluma, CA 94954
Mala Closure Systems IncGisela Cartwright1304 Scott Street, Suite BPetaluma, CA 94952
Petaluma Grocery OutletBennie Tiapon80 East Washington StreetPetaluma, CA 94952
Shree Indian CuisineKamal Kandel220 Western AvenuePetaluma, CA 94952
Simply SolarSean Green462 Sonoma Mountain RoadPetaluma, CA 94954
New Members DecemberBohca BazaarJean DeForest304 N Petaluma BoulevardPetaluma, CA 94952
City Sports ClubAaron Pontius477 N. McDowell BoulevardPetaluma, CA 94954
Cruise PlannersCharles MeyerPetaluma, CA 94954
The HiveGreg Thrash405 East D StreetPetaluma, CA 94952
True Market SolutionsElliot Hoffman82 Levant StreetSan Francisco, CA 94114
Ulia’s DelicatessenJulia Bostrom1000 Clegg StreetPetaluma, CA 94954
Renewing Members - Nov.Addison Ranch ApartmentsBarlow PrintingBradley Real EstateComcastCORE UtilitiesCruise InvestmentsDeep Blue ConsultancyFit for a King CateringHale’s HardwoodsHighdiveJames FitzgeraldJay Palms Saddle ShopK2GCKaia FIT Central North BayLee’s Body ShopMassage EnvyNick’s CoveNoelle Ottoboni & Associates Court Reporters, Interpreters, Video ConferencingNorth Bay Leadership CouncilPetaluma CreameryPetaluma Hills Brewing CompanyPetaluma Refuse and RecyclingPub RepublicRS Technical Services, Inc.Scott’s Laboratories, Inc.Sherwin Williams Paint StoreSt. Vincent de Paul High SchoolThe STG GroupUboldi, Heinke & Velladao, LLP
Renewing Members - Dec.aftertec, IncAVRSBeyond The Glory Sports BarDr. Gerald Pittler, Inc.Farrwest ConstructionJacobson & Breen Wealth Management LLCMarin County Sidewall CompanyNorth Coast SCORE Chapter 450Oak View of Sonoma HillsPaychexPetaluma Animal Services FoundationPetaluma Modern DentistryPurkey & AssociatesReferral Institute SF BayRepublic ServicesRoman’s PlumbingSova Gardens
The Pawn Advantage StoreThe Regan Team Home Loan GroupTWITVisiting Angels Senior Homecare & RespiteWindsor Care Center PetalumaZelman Development Company
Long-Time Members - Nov.Rex Hardward Company, 50 YearsJeff Tomasini
Petaluma Firefighters Local #1415, 25 YearsKen Dick
Peterson’s Farm, 23 YearsRay Peterson
Westside Optometry, 23 YearsKaren Griffith
Petaluma Minuteman, Inc., 21 YearsMike Maddalena
Airport Business Center, 19 YearsLarry Wasem
Sobel Communicaions, 19 YearsBrian Sobel
Adobe House, 18 YearsJami Lopez
Innovative Business Solutions, 16 YearsDavid Tieken
Law Office of Michael T. Healy, 16 YearsMichael Healy
K & L Construction, 12 YearsWalt Kehr
Water Street Bistro, 12 YearsStephanie Rastetter
Sheraton Sonoma County - Petaluma Hotel, 12 YearsDavid Scott
Armor Locksmith Services, 12 YearsAlan Baer
Investment Architects, Inc., 11 YearsDavid Haddock
Rotary Club of Petaluma Valley, 11 YearsJerry Bessis
Sonoma Valley Portworks, 11 YearsBill Reading
Heffernan Insurance Brokers, 11 YearsElizabeth Bishop
Dairydell Canine Doggie Dude Ranch & Training Center, 10 YearsCamilla Gray/Nelson
Gatti Nursery, 10 YearsSteve Gatti
Labcon, North America, 10 YearsConnie Hansen
Loc-N-Store Self Storage, 10 YearsCheryl Johnson
Long-Time Members - Dec.Fishman Supply Co., 44 YearsLeland Fishman
Renesis Development, 37 YearsJeff Harriman
Westgate Real Estate, 36 YearsSteve Gavriloff
Shotwell’s Auto Body, 27 YearsKen Gulick
Big O Tires #70, 24 YearsRandy Scott
ATL Events, 24 YearsSylvia Parkinson
Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., 18 YearsTony Moheng
Edward Jones-Joseph Stern, 18 YearsJoseph Stern
North Bay Dermatology Associates, 18 YearsCristina Centurion
Roost Run Event Center, 17 YearsLane Morales
CSW/Stuber-Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc., 17 YearsWayne Leach
Financial Partners Wealth Strategies, 16 YearsMoe Jacobson
Gulick’s Auto Body Shop, Inc., 14 YearsKen Gulick
G & G Super Market, 14 YearsTee Jay
Little Hills Christmas Trees, 13 YearsKriss Mungle
Airport Express, 10 YearsAnthony Geraldi
Tony Parrish - Pacific Union- Christies International Real Estate, 10 YearsTony Parrish
Platinum Members Gold Members Silver Members
Ryan Mason, Ameriprise Financial • AVM Graphics • Clark Rosen, Coldwell Banker • Todd Mendoza, Coldwell Banker CSW/Stuber Stroeh Engineering Group, Inc. • Deer Creek Village • Don Ramatici Insurance • Safeway, Inc.
Sutter Health Novato Community Hospital • Moonware Design • Art Neibrief, ACSIA Partners Insurance Agency, LLCNancy Cooley, State Farm Insurance • Wagner Chiropractic • Welcome Wagon
Bronze Members
Petaluma BUSINESS – A publication of the PACC January 2015 11
1-2 New Years Holidays - PACC Offices Closed
6 Ambassadors Pongo’s Kitchen & Tap 701 Sonoma Mountain Pkwy. 7:30 A.M.
6 Women in Business PACC Conference Room 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A-2 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
7 Leadership Alumni PACC Conference Room 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A-2 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
8 Business Education PACC Conference Room 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A-2 4:00 – 5:30 P.M.
12 PACC Board of Directors PACC Conference Room 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A-2 9:00 – 10:00 A.M.
13 Agri-Business Sonoma-Marin Farigrounds Event Center, Administration Office, 175 Fairgrounds Dr. 12:00 Noon
15 Business After Hours & Ribbon Cutting – Telepacific Communications 201 First St., Suite 209 5:30 – 7:30 P.M.
16 Government Affairs PACC Conference Room 6 Petaluma Blvd. N., Suite A-2 7:30 – 9:30 A.M.
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Day - PACC Offices Closed
21 Petaluma Young Professionals Network visit petalumaypn.com for details 6:00 – 8:00 P.M.
22 Business After Hours – Summit State Bank 100 Petaluma Blvd. S., Ste. A 5:30 – 7:30 P.M.
29 Business After Hours – Redwood Club 719 South Point Blvd. 5:30 – 7:30 P.M.
Calendar – January
Looking Forward to February
5 Business After Hours - Fast Signs
6 First Friday News @ Noon at Rooster Run
12 Business After Hours - Petaluma Health District
16 Presidents Day Holiday - PACC offices closed
To check our on line calendar, click on Events on the bottom menu
bar, www.petalumachamber.com. You can RSVP and pay there, too.
Our very Best Wishes to all of our Friends& Neighbors for a Happy & Successful 2015!
Petaluma Coffee & Tea212 2nd St., near the Theater District • 763-2727
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