Stamoules Produce Co. wins family biz award

Source: The Business Journal

Fourth-generation family business Stamoules Produce Co. in Mendota has won the 2013 California Family Business Award. It is the 24th year of the award, presented by the Institute for Family Business at Fresno State and The Business Journal at an awards ceremony last night at Pardini's in Fresno. Stamoules grows crops including cantaloupes, honeydew melons, green bell peppers and pistachios on 18,000 acres, employing some 2,000 workers at peak harvest. The company was founded by Speros Stamoules, who came to the US from Greece in 1903 in search of the American dream. He worked as a food server in a hotel in New York City, saving his money and saving the seeds of some of the cantaloupes he served in anticipation of planting them on his own farm some day. He eventually made his way to the West Coast, purchasing a small farm near Mendota in 1927. Stamoules adopted a daughter named Peggy, who eventually married Tom Stefanopolous, another Greek immigrant. Their children are the third generation in the business, with grandchildren as the fourth generation. There were five companies that were finalists for the award: Simonian Farms — Simonian Family Simonian Farms is a fourth generation Fresno farming/farm stand business founded in 1901 that recently expanded with the Simonian Old Town building that houses an antique collection. Mathews Harley-Davidson — Mathews Family Two generation of the Mathews family currently work at the newly expanded Mathews Harley-Davidson showroom in Downtown Fresno, originally built in 1961. Horstmann Financial & Insurance Services — Horstmann Family Horstmann Financial & Insurance Services is a second-generation family business in Fresno that was founded by John E. Horstmann in 1958. Dewar's Candy Shop — Dewar Family Dewar's Candy Shop is a fourth generation sweet shop and manufacturer in Bakersfield founded in 1909 and featured on national television programs including the Food Network's "Unwrapped" series. Bruno's Iron & Metal — Tosi Family Bruno's Iron & Metal is a third generation family business in Fresno that has grown into one of the Central Valley's most successful waste recycling centers. Nominees for the 2013 California Family Business Award are: • Siemens Family — Arise Solar • Smith Family — ClickCo LLC • Nekumanesh / Karimi Family — Colorado Grill • Clark Family — FTB Print and Mail • Conner Family — London Properties • Papulias Family — Pappy’s Fine Foods • Rodriguez Family — Pinedale Lawnmower Center • Wilson Family — SAN MAR Properties • Peck Family — Sumner Peck Ranch • Steele Family — Steel Printing • Verrastro Family — Travel Shoppe

URL to the original article: http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/small-business/5857-stamoules-produce-co-wins-2013-california-family-business-award

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