California's Capital Region: The Sacramento Valley

CALIFORNIA’S 

CAPITAL REGION 

The Sacramento Valley 

by Michael Cuffe 

A publication of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for your interest in this HPNbooks publication. For more information about other HPNbooks publications, or 

information about producing your own book with us, please visit www.hpnbooks.com.

CALIFORNIA’S 

CAPITAL REGION 

The Sacramento Valley 

by Michael Cuffe 

A publication of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce 

HPNbooks 

A Division of Lammert Incorporated 

San Antonio, Texas

First Edition 

Copyright © 2019 HPNbooks 

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, without permission in writing from the publisher. 

All inquiries should be addressed to HPNbooks, 11535 Galm Road, Suite 101, San Antonio, Texas, 78254. Phone (800) 749-9790, www.hpnbooks.com, www.hpncustommedia.com 

ISBN: 978-1-944891-64-0 

Library of Congress: 2019937637 

California’s Capital Region: The Sacramento Valley 

writer and photographer: Michael Cuffe 

managing editor: Daphne Fletcher 

profile writers: Daphne Fletcher 

Joe Goodpasture 

Sid Shapira 

HPNbooks 

chairman and chief executive officer: Jean-Claude Tenday 

publisher and chief creative officer: Bernard O’Connor 

president: Ron Lammert 

project management team: Daphne Fletcher 

Bart B. Barica 

Janeane Britt 

Henry Hintermeister 

administration: Donna M. Mata 

Lori K. Smith 

Melissa G. Quinn 

Kristin T. Williamson 

book sales: Joe Neely 

production: Colin Hart 

Evelyn Hart 

Glenda Tarazon Krouse 

Tim Lippard 

Craig Mitchell 

Tony Quinn 

Christopher D. Sturdevant 

CALIFORNIA’S CAPITAL REGION - THE SACRAMENTO VALLEY 

2

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Legacy Sponsors ..........................................................................................................4 

Introduction by Mayor Darrell Steinberg .....................................................................5 

A Note From the Photographer....................................................................................6 

Chapter 1 - A Region Rich in History...........................................................................8 

Chapter 2 - Life in Sacramento..................................................................................16 

Chapter 3 - Metro Sacramento and Outlying Areas ..................................................58 

Chapter 4 - Capital Region Architecture..................................................................132 

Chapter 5 - Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce...............................136 

Sharing the Heritage ................................................................................................138 

Sponsors...................................................................................................................230 

About the Author and Photographer .......................................................................231 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

3

LEGACY SPONSORS 

Through their generous support, these companies 

helped to make this project possible. 

Dignity Health 

3400 Data Drive 

Rancho Cordova, California 95670 

888-800-7688 

www.dignityhealth.org 

Owen-Dunn Insurance Services 

1455 Response Road, Suite 260 

Sacramento, California 95815 

916-993-2700 

www.owendunn.com 


4

INTRODUCTION BY MAYOR DARRELL STEINBERG 

The secret is out: Sacramento is rising. Those of us who live here have long appreciated the natural beauty, diversity and quality 

of life in our city, but this past year it has also risen in the national consciousness as well. From Greta Gerwig’s Oscar nominations 

for “Lady Bird” to national newspapers highlighting Sacramento as a tourist destination, the nation is talking about 

California’s capital. We’re receiving recognition for being the nation’s Farm-to-Fork Capital of America, and our arts scene is burgeoning, 

vibrant and raw. 

With the foundation of well-educated residents and excellent universities, Sacramento is full of economic energy just waiting 

to be released. We are investing in workforce and economic development like never before. Our Thousand Strong initiative is 

creating internships opportunities for our youth and developing local talent. We created the Sacramento Urban Technology Lab 

strategy to develop and implement innovation partnerships with business and academia. We’re already seeing success with our 

first-in-the-nation 5G Verizon partnership, and we’re driving the leading edge on autonomous vehicles. 

We are flourishing and looking for new partners to help us expand our economy and create high-wage jobs for our residents. 

Sacramento is a rich environment for innovators and creators, for established businesses or start ups, to build something great. 

While Sacramento is a town with a strong dedication to public service, it isn’t just that. There is rich history here. There are 

diverse and strong communities here. There is astounding economic potential here. Sacramento is on the rise. Come be part of 

a community like no other. 

INTRODUCTION BY MAYOR DARRELL STEINBERG 

5

A NOTE FROM THE PHOTOGRAPHER 

California’s Capital Region: The Sacramento Valley has gone through a number of revisions and changes over the past year 

and a half. Oftentimes with projects I sign on to, the concept evolves and changes as subject is documented. This project has 

been no different. 

When the book was first discussed, it was to cover the City of Sacramento, which grew to later include documentation of 

the region. In doing so, the project ended up being one of the biggest challenges of my career. I had to figure out how to document 

this sprawling Northern California region and somehow make it all cohesive, beautiful, and worthy of someone wanting 

to look at each and every page printed. I had to tell the story of the Sacramento region, through a visitor’s eyes… and that 

story had to be visually stimulating, interesting, and informative. 

I explored as a journalist, and thus a story arch grew as I photographed the Sacramento region’s most beautiful aspects. 

Hundreds of hours in the field, researching, editing, and organizing my photos has brought this concept to life. 

These photos will work as a visual rebranding of how we currently view Sacramento and what the region has to offer. I did 

not want the area to look like it was being sold with a mishmash of stock photos, but rather be seen as visual poetry. The 

Sacramento Valley is a gallery, and these photographs are her paintings. 

At the center of all great things is a heartbeat. The Capitol of California is literally the heart of the fifth largest economy in 

the world, and that’s why it is proudly featured in this book as a highlight. The Capitol plays a role as the centerpiece of business, 

progressive policy, and creative innovation in the Golden State and sets this example worldwide. The independent thinking, 

exploration, and free spirit of California can in no better way be exhibited than through the story of Sacramento. The decisions 

made here have inspired a world for over a century. 

The photos tell a story, and walk the reader through Sacramento’s history, contemporary Sacramento, it’s best districts, it’s 

diverse regions, and aspects of these communities—all of which are bound to the Capitol City of Sacramento. 

The original outlines of the book were a bit scattered regarding how all the photos would fit together in a final layout. Only 

through spending a great deal of time with the photos can one see the journey that this story is supposed to take. I have 

arranged the photos the same way I would edit a film on the Sacramento Valley. All aspects of the outlines have been incorporated 

into these photos, and the captions go further to inform the reader on the history, economics, agriculture, people, culture 

through this pictorial journey. 

—Michael Cuffe 


6

CHAPTER ONE 

7

A REGION RICH IN HISTORY 

 

Previous page: An illustration of early Sacramento. 

COURTESY OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

Above: An illustration of Sutter’s Fort, 1847. 


The Sacramento Valley has a rich and vibrant history, and is the birthplace of the State of California. In no other part 

of the west, has the influence of a region been so profound on Sacramento Valley the development of the early United 

States economy. 

Early Sacramento was home to the Native American Maidu tribes that inhabited the Sacramento Valley. Spanish explorers 

having newly arrived from the San Francisco Bay Area; continued their explorations east looking to claim more territory for the 

Spanish Empire. The area was unworthy of settlement according to the Spanish at the time, leaving the region relatively untouched 

and in the hands of native peoples for many more years. 

The Miwok and Maidu Indians were the indigenous people .of the California Central Valley and were hunter-gatherer tribes 

focused on harvesting nuts, berries, and fish. Surprisingly they did not use agriculture to their benefit, which is the primary use 

of the land surrounding Sacramento today. 

Over time the land became of increasing interest to Mexico, and explorer and businessman John Augustus Sutter was directed 

by his superiors in the Mexican government to create an establishment in the Sacramento Valley. In 1840 construction was started 

on Sutter’s Fort, near the confluence of the American and Sacramento rivers. There he banded together an army comprised of 

mostly Native Americans, and began his rule over the region which was he named New Helvetia (or New Switzerland). 

Sutter offered new migrants large parcels of land for their skills and ability to manufacture goods. He needed to develop an 


8

economy by attracting metalsmiths, leather tanners, and other 

skilled tradesmen and women, while settling the surrounding 

lands for the Mexican government. 

Sutter’s reign over the area began to falter after a series of 

bad business deals, and as Mexican influence and power in 

the river valley dwindled. Americans began to overtake 

California’s Sacramento Valley at a time when the Mexican- 

American war was in it’s infancy in the Western United 

States. Sutter was forced to go along with this new power, 

albeit reluctantly, and his domination of New Helvetia 

increasingly weakened. 

Despite all of this, Sutter was a perpetual businessman and 

thus so asked his associate James Marshall to construct a 

sawmill in the nearby Sierra foothills. Sutter looked to regrow 

a bit of his empire by seizing on the abundance of natural 

timber in the Sierras. While Marshall wandered around a 

creek nearby the newly constructed mill in 1848, he found a 

shimmering yellow mineral in the water. After tests were 

conducted, it was authenticated that this was indeed a nugget 

of gold. News of this discovery traveled by word of mouth to 

San Francisco and an ambitious media dispensed this 

information to newspapers around the country. The “gold 

rush” in California’s foothills had officially begun. 

In a short period of time, fortune seekers from around North 

America descended upon the region of New Helvetia. Not the 

friendliest group of individuals, the prospectors forced 

themselves into the region in droves. Dubbed “Argonauts,” the 

dubious hoard slaughtered Sutter’s cattle holdings, and forced 

the native peoples loyal to Sutter from the region. The Argonauts 

divided New Helvetia amongst themselves, with total disregard 

to anyone that had settled the region before them. 

Sutter’s Fort was once a safe haven for travelers headed 

west, an oasis in the wild frontier. With the influx of new 

migrants, and his business dealings in ruin, Sutter was forced 

to sell rooms in the Fort to other businessmen. They knocked 

out the adobe walls to make exterior doorways, and soon the 

fort was only a shadow of it’s former self. 

A broken and exhausted man, Sutter placed his son John 

Sutter, Jr., in charge of the fort and retired to nearby Hock Farm. 

His time as ruler of New Helvetia was over, and he wanted 

nothing to do with the any of this “gold rush fever.” Today’s 

Sacramento grew up around the Embarcadero, a wharf on the 

shores of the American and Sacramento Rivers. It’s waters 

lowered and raised with tide, and a large sandbar allowed ship 

merchants the ability to offload and auction goods with ease. 

John Sutter, Jr., was a businessman like his father and saw 

opportunity in the Argonauts passing through Sacramento 

on their way to the Sierras in search of gold. It was disputed 

amongst leaders at the time where the city should settle its 

official roots, and a trade war erupted for a while between 

 

An illustration of Sacramento City from the foot of J. Street, showing I., J., 

and K. Streets, with the Sierra Nevada in the distance 


CHAPTER ONE 

9


10

Sutter, Jr., and brother of future California Governor George 

McDougall. Sutter Sr. was unhappy with almost all of his 

son’s decisions, took control of things once again—but 

Sutter Jr.’s impact had already been made. Almost all trade 

would be taking place on the shores of the Embarcadero 

(modern day Old Sacramento Waterfront). 

In 1849 official governing outlines began to be laid within 

the newly formed “Sacramento City” as new businesses 

prospered. In February of 1850 the city was recognized by 

charter, as the area began to be known simply as “Sacramento.” 

Business and establishments began to flourish when disaster 

struck only a month after Sacramento established itself. Heavy 

rains hit the area hard in March of that year, and the American 

and Sacramento riverbanks crested. Many of the trade merchant 

businesses were destroyed. Constructing levees and dams 

became a winning political topic for Sacramento’s first Mayor 

Hardin Bigelow, who won by a landslide victory. Nothing could 

stop the progress of this new city forged on two rivers, and by 

1852 it had grown from a Gold Rush boomtown to a city worthy 

of respect. No longer a just a trading post, money began to 

influence the commerce of Sacramento and its peoples. The city 

had all of the luxuries of San Francisco, as more people began to 

find a home in this new city. 

California was in its infancy as a state at this time, and 

finding a permanent home for its capital was a challenge. 

Original meetings of the early California government took 

place in Monterey and were then decided to be held 

permanently in modern-day San Jose. A former Mexican 

General, Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, proposed building the 

capitol in his newly formed city, aptly named Vallejo. During 

this time the government set up operations in Sacramento. 

Setback after setback plagued the Vallejo project, and in 

1854 Sacramento officials proposed that it should be the new 

capitol of California. State legislators were already familiar 

with the city and agreed that Sacramento was an appropriate 

location for the new California Capital. Ground broke on the 

construction project in 1860 and fourteen years later the 

project would be completed. 

Flooding continued to be an issue for Sacramento, and in 

1862 voters decided to have the entire city raised - making 

the first floor of many buildings now basements. Additional 

grading and levee building commenced around the rivers, and 

streets and railroad lines began to be officially laid. 

Ranches in the area that had been known for minor wheat 

production eventually fell by the wayside, to new farmers who 

saw prosperity in growing fruit. The outlying river area and 

delta began to be irrigated, and a land boom began. 

Agriculture was now serious business in the valley, and new 

immigrants from around the globe found opportunities on 

these new fruit farms. 

By the turn of the century, Sacramento began to leave many 

of its gambling halls and unsavory aspects of old west culture 

behind. The automobile arrived in 1903 and residents soon 

began to own and drive their new “horseless carriages” around 

the city. The railroads continued to boom as did steamboat 

operations, and overland travel to Sacramento diminished due 

to these faster methods of transportation. 

Women’s rights were constantly being challenged during 

this time, and eventually, the issue of voting equality found 

itself on Sacramento’s doorstep. Women’s rights advocates of 

the time were led by L.G. Waterhouse who for years headed 

the Sacramento Woman’s Suffrage Association. In 1911, 

women were finally granted the right to vote in California and 

have their voices heard at the ballot box, after years of tireless 

efforts battling social norms. 

Ethnic and political strife plagued Sacramento Valley through 

prohibition, which hit the local wine growers and breweries 

especially hard.. The city was finding a new voice, as violence 

and strife descended on Sacramento’s west end. Speakeasies and 

gambling halls grew once again in West Sacramento’s slums, 

 

A rendering of Sacramento as it appeared during the flooding of 1850. 


CHAPTER ONE 

11

Left: The Sacramento River and Levee from Front Street. 


Right: Steamers on the Upper Sacramento River. 


while law and order was being furthered downtown. The 

Sacramento City Council in was established 1920 to help 

organize the city government further. Former journalist Clyde 

Seavey took on the city manager position and instituted new 

reforms to clean up the city of crime and general blight. 

Around this time water lines were laid and filtered by the 

newly formed Sacramento Municipal Utility District, which 

was publicly owned and operated. Clean water helped to 

attract even more new businesses and individuals to 

Sacramento, something that was a novel idea at the time (but 

added to one’s overall health and wellbeing). 

Paved roads would soon connect Sacramento to San 

Francisco and other neighboring central valley towns. Schools, 

town halls, and churches were being added monthly. 

Even baseball found a new home with the establishment of 

a minor league team called the Sacramento Salons who played 

continuously until 1976. The city was without a team for a very 

long stretch until the year 2000, when the Sacramento River 

Cats reintroduced baseball to the city. 

The Great Depression affected the Sacramento region 

heavily in the 1930s. Canneries and other large-scale 

employment operations saw profits fall, and over 15,000 of the 

cities’ occupants found themselves unemployed. Shantytowns 

began to emerge around the area, and even local charities 

crumbled under the weight of mass unemployment. Relief 

finally came under the New Deal programs instituted by 


12

President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 which brought jobs to 

a struggling Sacramento economy. 

One of these New Deal programs, the Works Progress 

Administration set forth building infrastructure throughout 

the state. The Tower Bridge, which today is a famous 

architectural landmark, was built in 1935 to connect central 

Sacramento to West Sacramento. Many of the surrounding 

highways, civic buildings, and airports were also built and 

funded by the WPA at this time. McClellan Air Force Base was 

constructed in the North Highlands area of Sacramento 

County in 1936. The new air force base brought with it 

additional jobs and an overall boost to the local economy. 

World War II affected the city in profound ways, and 

McClellan became a central point for war efforts. The 

base held hundreds of American bombers and fighter planes, 

and was a central training and deployment facility 

for the U.S. Air Force at this time. The city of Sacramento was 

put under rationing and had regular blackouts to prevent 

nighttime attacks from the air. Families watched their young 

men depart their farms and businesses, some never returning 

home again. 

After the war ended and into the 1960s the city began 

annexing surrounding county areas and the region boomed, 

nearly tripling in size. The post World War II era brought 

economic prosperity to the locale, and young couples flocked 

to the suburbs to start families. Neighboring towns such as 

 

Left: K Street in Sacramento from the Masonic Hall. 


Right: Chinese Market, Sacramento Street. 


CHAPTER ONE 

13

An illustration of the southeast of the State Capitol building at the corner of 

10th and L Streets 


Davis, Folsom, and South Sacramento were filled with new 

homes and fresh opportunities. 

Today the Sacramento Valley is host to a diverse range of 

businesses and industries that continue to flourish in it’s ever 

expanding economy. agriculture, healthcare, and technology 

industries help to attract a skilled workforce to the region, 

while overall diversity creates a comfortable home for people 

of all ethnicities and beliefs to flourish. 

Sacramento has always been a city on the edge of growth 

and innovation, and is abundant in stunning natural beauty 

as well. The architecture of this historic Gold Rush region 

can be seen in all of its buildings and neighboring communities, 

offering us a glimpse into the past while hosting 

opportunities for the future. Come explore the Capital 

Region in this pictorial journey, which highlights the best of 

what the area has to offer. 


14

Early Sacramento. 


CHAPTER ONE 

15

LIFE IN SACRAMENTO 

T HE 

E MBARCADERO 

Old Sacramento was originally called the “Embarcadero” and was established on a large sand bar on the Sacramento River that was useful for offloading goods. Soon traders and business 

owners created establishments on the waterfront and Sacramento was born. As the city became more established, flooding also became an issue with yearly rains. Beginning in 1862, downtown 

Sacramento was raised, and a series of levees were placed upstream. Old Sacramento as it’s know today, features many buildings that still stand from the 19th century and are used for a variety 

of shops and tourist attractions. The Old Sacramento Waterfron has about 5 million visitors yearly, and has a host of activities for visitors to enjoy. 


16

T HE B IG F OUR 

“The Big Four” buildings were owned and operated by Sacramento’s four most powerful businessmen Collis Huntington, Leland Stanford, Mark Hopkins, Jr., and Charles Crocker. The first 

floors of the buildings were general stores, where traders and early prospectors could buy goods before heading further east to the goldfields of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. On the second 

floor, they founded the Central Pacific Railroad Company which linked the the western half of the transcontinental railroad system. This system was responsible for much of the early modern 

rail settlements and towns throughout California. 

CHAPTER TWO 

17


18

T HE 

S CHOOLHOUSE 

The Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum is a reconstructed example of the classic one room schoolhouse found throughout 

early California. It is based on the 1884 Canon Schoolhouse, which was used to educate children in Brooks, California. Today 

the museum leads school tours in which docents dress in period “school master” clothing and lead educational classes informing 

today’s students about the classrooms of yesteryear. 

CHAPTER TWO 

19

R AIN OR S HINE 

Horse drawn carriages pull visitors through the streets of Old Sacramento Waterfront rain or shine, giving one the sense of stepping back in time to experience a taste of early California. 


20

P ARISIAN 

I NSPIRED 

The architecture of Old Sacramento Waterfront is classic Old West Victorian multi-storied buildings, which were influenced by early Spanish and Mexican rule in California. Many of the 

buildings have wrought iron balconies, and evenly spaced windows that are similar to Parisian design. They are an example of European architectural influence in the early Western United States. 

CHAPTER TWO 

21

A STEP B ACK I N T IME 

Old Sacramento Waterfront takes us back to a time with immersive experiences. Docent educators dressed in period costumes at the Sacramento History Museum, the Wells Fargo History 

Museum, and at the spectacularly expansive California State Railroad Museum educate visitors throughout the year. 


22

T RAIN 

T IME 

The California State Railroad Museum has one of the best collections in the world of historic locomotives and train cars, all which have been meticulously restored. Outside along the Old 

Sacramento Waterfront visitors can experience impressive working vintage locomotives firsthand. 

CHAPTER TWO 

23


24

CHAPTER TWO 

25

D ELTA 

K ING 

The Delta King and it’s sister ship The Delta Queen were christened in 1927 and shuffled passengers from San Francisco to Sacramento on ten-hour voyages. Now featuring a 44-room hotel 

and an award winning restaurant, the permanently moored Delta King is the perfect place to stay while visiting Old Sacramento Waterfront. 


26

A KING’ S 

S UNSET 

The Delta King was at one time used as a bunkhouse in British Columbia on the Kemano Dam Project, and was home base for workers in the remote wilderness. In 1978 the Delta King 

was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

CHAPTER TWO 

27

D OWNTOWN 

S ACRAMENTO 


28 

Sacramento’s downtown has had a vibrate renaissance where young adults are attracted to the new urban vibe the city has 

offer. As the Farm-to-Fork Capital of America, Sacramento is home to award winning chefs, restaurants, breweries and wineries 

as well as retail reflective of its makers movement. Award winner chefs have moved into the region to establish gastropubs and 

microbreweries, while retail has been reawakened with a range of options for the developed palette. Victorian homes add a 

charm to the surrounding atmosphere, as do a range of newly developed public parks and recreational trails. Downtown 

Sacramento bustles in the warm summer evenings, where entertainment thrives in the city’s many theaters and entertainment 

options including Second Saturdays, Downtown Ice Rink and Concerts in the Park. Couture cocktails flow over music played 

by artists from around the world, while boutique hotels offer the occasional traveler a luxurious home away from home. At the 

heart of the action is the State Capitol itself, as well as a multitude of other governmental offices that keep the state of California 

running throughout the year. California is one of the top five economies in the world, and the foundation of this economy is 

laid in the city of Sacramento. The energy that drives California starts in Sacramento, and one can experience this firsthand by 

visiting the State Capitol any day of the week to see government in action. 

Light rail systems transport passengers around the city, and bike lanes allow for ease of travel around downtown. Regionally, 

Sacramento Valley Station can transport the train traveller from the snow caped peaks of the Sierras, to the bustle of San 

Francisco’s Bay Area. All of this makes Sacramento a wonderful place to visit, and an even better place to call home.

T HE 

W ATCHMEN 

Sacramento’s skyline surrounded by a pink hued cloudscape. 

CHAPTER TWO 

29

C ONTEMPORARY 

L INES 

The iconic 300 Capitol Mall and its stainless steel sculpture/fountain by artist David von Schlegel. Below the sculpture sits 

an inspirational quote by Abraham Joshua Heschel (a leading philosopher of the 20th Century) which reads “remember that the 

meaning of life is to build a life as if it were a work of art. Start working on this great work of art called your own existence. 

Remember the importance of self-discipline, study the great sources of wisdom and remember that life is a celebration.” 


30

E LKS 

T OWER 

In the 1920s Sacramento’s community and social 

scene began to explode. The Elks formed an organization 

called the Sacramento Elks Hall Association to find a 

solution to the massive growth befalling their club, as 

they had simply outgrown their lodge. 

The association put together funds and helped in the 

planning of an impressive 226 foot tall brick and steel 

temple which would house The Elks Lodge No. 6. 

The beautiful structure designed by leading architect 

Leonard Starks stands 14-floors high, and at the time of 

it’s opening on June 22, 1926, it was the tallest building 

in Sacramento. It became home not only to the Elks, but 

also a 100-room hotel with storefront spaces on the 

ground level. 

CHAPTER TWO 

31

T HE G RAND T ERMINAL 

The Sacramento Valley Station is the traveler’s heartbeat in the city of Sacramento. 

Each day passengers from around the world pass through its doors, much the same as 

the first visitors to the location did at it’s opening in 1926. 

Sacramento Vally Station is the second busiest train station in the state of California, 

and the seventh busiest in the nation. Always on the move, this station hosts 38 daily 

routes, with additional Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach and Sacramento's Regional Transit 

(RT) Light Rail services. 


32

S ACRAMENTO V ALLEY S TATION 

Sacramento Valley Station features a red tile roof and terra-cotta trim, as well as arches on the main entrance designed in the Renaissance Revival in style. Constructed in 1926, a prominent 

feature of the main station lobby is a mural by artist John A. MacQuarrie that depicts a scene from the groundbreaking of the First Transcontinental Railroad which occurred on January 8, 

1863, in Sacramento. 

CHAPTER TWO 

33

T HE 

R AILYARDS 

The Sacramento Railyards, the largest urban infill project of its kind in the U.S., is an upcoming mixed-used business and residential development project that looks to link Downtown 

Sacramento and the River Distric. It will offer a range of exciting entertainment options including a stadium, much needed housing, and a new Kaiser Permanente Hospital for those looking 

to enjoy life close to all the amenities that downtown has to offer. 


34

B EAUX 

A RTS 

The Jesse M. Unruh building designed in the Beaux Arts tradition serves as an extension of the State Capitol. Envisioned by famed architects Weeks and Day. 

CHAPTER TWO 

35

A CITY OF C ALIFORNIA 

O, city of a poet’s dream! By mountains girt about, with valleys full of glossy gleam or orange trees, 

That often seem to raise their arms with offerings of sweet and golden profferings, too fair for gods 

To doubt. 

Grand mountains rise on either side, snow-capped in summer days and far away to distant tide, 

Throbbing, passionate, like virgin bride, billowy mists of green and blue rise and fall with every hue 

That artist sees in blended rays. 

And where on heights Diana drove now man hath wrought in nature’s ways, fair gardens, fit for gods 

To rove, through airy aisles and lemon grove to smell the balm like that which blows from Thessaly. 

Man here forgets his shadowy woes, and dreams with love of coming days. 

And looking off where vision ends, on rolling depths the eye alights, while azure blue of heaven 

Bends, down, down, and then with ocean blends, until the sight of man is dim, and mystic thoughts 

Steal over him and raise him up to awful heights. 

O, city of a favored land! O, virgin ne’er to mate! Thy mountains ‘round thee grimly stand, thy 

Fairness is on every hand, while Star of Empire, westward bent, unto thy name acclaim has lent, thy 

Future shall be great. 

—Benjamin Franklin Field (1868) 


36

S PANISH 

S UNSET 

The Westminster Presbyterian Church is listed on the National Register of 

Historic Places and is well known for it’s stunning bell tower and tiled dome. Built 

in 1927 by architects Dean and Dean, it was designed to be “Spanish Eclectic” with 

Byzantine influences as featured in the Hagia Sophia. Stucco covers it’s reinforced 

concrete skeleton, and it’s many decorative elements are made of pre-cast cement. 

CHAPTER TWO 

37

C ROCKER A RT M USEUM 

The Crocker Art Museum, formerly the E. B. Crocker Art Gallery is the longest continuously operating art museum in the West. 


38

C ESAR E. CHAVEZ P LAZA 

Named after the labor and civil rights activist Cesar Chavez, who was a central figure and advocating for civil rights and 

played a prominent role in the American Labor Movement in the 1960s. The plaza was named in his honor, and is a centerpiece 

park that is used for rallies, a farmers’ market,Concerts in the Park, and other community events throughout the year. 

CHAPTER TWO 

39

T HE 

K AY 

The Kay supports Downtown Sacramento with a range of 

office buildings that operate in the area during the day. As 

evening sets in, restaurants and entertainment venues spring 

to life, as visitors staying at one of the many hotels can 

explore the culture of Sacramento at night. The Kay District 

encompasses L Street to J Street between 13th and 7th Street. 

The Community Theatre is as the home of The 

Sacramento Ballet as well as the Sacramento Philharmonic 

Orchestra. The venue has 2,452 seats and hosts nationally 

touring musical acts and performing arts groups throughout 

the year as well. 

C ONVENTION C ENTER C OMPLEX 

The Sacramento Convention Center Complex is centrally 

located in Downtown Sacramento, and is walking distance 

from a range of restaurants, hotel rooms, and nightlife. 

The Complex Is made up of the Convention Center, 

which has over 137,000 square feet of exhibit space, 31 

meeting rooms, including a 24,000 square foot ballroom; the 

2,398-seat Community Center Theater; and the 3,849-seat 

Memorial Auditorium, which also houses the 272-seat Jean 

Runyon Theater. It is undergoing a $270 million 

expansion and improvement that will add add 

22,494 square feet of exhibit space, meeting rooms, a 

new 40,000-square-foot ballroom, a new kitchen, 

and lobby. 

S ACRAMENTO 

S ILHOUETTES 


40 

Downtown Sacramento at night as photographed 

from West Sacramento.

T HE 

E SQUIRE 

The 1940s Art Deco Esquire Theatre originally opened in 

1940, and was renovated and modernized in 1998. This is 

the only IMAX theater in the Sacramento area, and it offers 

comfortable stadium seating and digital surround sound. 

B ISHOP G ALLEGOS S QUARE 

Bishop Gallegos Square is adjacent to Cathedral of the 

Blessed Sacrament and named after a beloved priest of that 

name. A statue of Bishop Gallegos overlooks the square and 

features a beautiful view of the capitol building as well as 

outdoor dining options in the summer. 

T HE C ATHEDRAL OF THE 

B LESSED S ACRAMENT 

The Seat of the Bishop of the Sacramento Diocese, the 

Blessed Sacrament is unique in that it’s exterior is classic 

Italian Renaissance while it’s interior is Victorian. The 

cathedral’s construction began in 1887 and is yet another 

example of classic architecture in Sacramento that exists 

from the days of the Gold Rush era. 

CHAPTER TWO 

41

D OWNTOWN’ S C REST T HEATRE 

The Crest Theatre is a historic, completely refurbished theatre in Downtown Sacramento. The theatre serves as an entertainment 

venue that features live shows and lectures, as well as independent and specialty films throughout the year. In 1995, it went through 

major renovations for modernization, and is now one of Sacramento’s most famous institutions. 

The Crest Theatre opened in 1912 as the Empress Theatre, and was originally used as a vaudeville palace. It was later named 

the Hippodrome for a short while, before having its name reversed back to the Crest. Today, The Crest Theater is known for 

presenting the Sacramento Film and Music Festival—as well as the Sacramento French Film Festival. This festival is the only 

one dedicated to French cinema in Northern California and one of two on the entire West Coast. 


42

C ALIFORNIA’ S 

H EARTBEAT 

The Sacramento Capitol Building was constructed 

between 1861 to 1874 and was based on the U.S. 

Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. A portico 

can be found at the center of the building, held up by 

seven granite archways. The entire structure is of 

Neoclassical design. The building holds the official governing 

body of the State of California, in which the 

State Legislature, the Governor’s Office, and the Capitol 

Museum is housed. 

After the end of the Mexican-American war, the governing 

body that emerged in California began to seek 

statehood. Early legislators in the state organized in 

Monterrey and then San Jose, California. 

The early California ruling body found the conditions 

in Vallejo unfit for governing, with no real housing 

for it’s members. For a brief moment the State Capitol 

was moved to Benicia, which was found too small for 

governing. Eventually the city of Sacramento offered it’s 

courthouse for members to convene, and in 1854 legislators 

officially started governing the new golden state. 

It was soon decided that the city of Sacramento had 

all the proper amenities for running a state government, 

and in 1861 construction began on a permanent 

California State Capitol Building. 

In 1869 legislators finally moved into parts of the 

building still under construction, which would continue 

for another five years until its completion in 1874. 

The California State Capitol Building opened its doors 

and remained relatively unchanged until 1949 when additional room was required for legislative offices, the Governor’s office, 

and multiple committee rooms. 

The Capitol Annex attaches itself to the eastern end of the original building, and has been modernized many times over to 

keep up with technological growth and improvements. 

CHAPTER TWO 

43

T HE 

G ATEKEEPERS 

The California Highway Patrol are often seen on horseback patrolling the grounds of the building 

as the first line of defense protecting legislators and government officials within. 

L AST A PPEAL TO Q UEEN I SABELLA 

On the first floor of the California State Capitol rotunda sits “Columbus’ Last Appeal to Queen 

Isabella,” which was gifted to the State of California by prominent Sacramento banker Darius Ogden 

Mills in 1883. 


44

T HESE H ALLS D O S PEAK 

The various halls of the California State Capitol allow for the casual visitor to explore government at work, on most days of 

the week. Passing though the halls, visitors cross paths with working senators and state leaders, and can educate themselves 

first-hand on how government really works. 

The California State Capitol Museum on the lower floor presents the history of California’s Capital through special exhibits, 

recreated first floor period rooms, and other California State exhibits. 

The Governor’s Portrait Gallery on the upper floor is a permanent exhibition where large scale paintings of California’s past 

governors are presented. Each Governor upon retirement is given the option to pick the artist of their choice to paint their official 

portrait. Famed actor and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger had his official painting created by Los Angeles’ own art icon 

Gottfried Helnwein and it can be seen here. 

CHAPTER TWO 

45

C ALIFORNIA S TATE S ENATE 

The California State Senate Chamber houses forty members in a room of mostly 

red interiors, which is meant to resemble the British House of Lords. Along the 

cornice appears a portrait of George Washington and the Latin quotation: senatoris 

est civitatis libertatem tueri, translated to mean "It is a senator’s duty to protect 

the liberty of the people”. 

L IGHTING THE F UTURE 

Above the Senate floor the original large scale glass chandelier has been modernized 

and converted to electric fittings, offering light on the Senators below 

during session. 


46

T HE 

C ALIFORNIA 

A SSEMBLY 

The California Assembly Chamber can be 

be found opposite the California Senate in the 

State Capitol building. Rich greens were 

incorporated to reflect the British House of 

Commons, the lower governing house of the 

California State governing body. Here guests 

can view from an upper floor as lawmakers 

debate various issues of the day below. 

T HE C ALIFORNIA G RIZZLY B EAR 

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger (2003-2011) placed this giant bronze bear by artist Steven 

Bennett at the entrance of the Governors’ Office. The Governor purchased the statue himself and 

gifted it to the state. The California Grizzly Bear (now extinct) is the state’s official animal. 

CHAPTER TWO 

47

T HE G OLDEN B RIDGE 

Tower Bridge is a vertical lift bridge and features architecture in the Streamline Moderne styling of the 1930s. 


48

G ATEWAY TO AN I NDOMITABLE C ITY 

Originally the bridge was painted silver, but drivers complained that the glare off the bridge was blinding in the midday sun. In 1976, the bridge was 

painted a yellow-ochre color to match the gold leaf cupola at the State Capitol. 

CHAPTER TWO 

49

H IGH 

W ATERMARK 

In the spring heavy rains saturate the Sierras and send water 

downstream to Sacramento. Levees and proper water management 

have lessened the threats of severe flooding over the years. 

T OWER B RIDGE AT D USK 

Tower Bridge was the first vertical lift bridge in the state of 

California, and originally had train tracks that crossed it as well. 

When lifted, the span weighs an impressive 1,040 tons and has 

counterweights that weigh the same - it is easily raised with two 

100-horsepower engines. 


50

G OVERNOR’ S 

M ANSION 

Official home to the Governor of California, this mansion is a California State Park but inaccessible to 

visitors due to it’s working nature. The 30 room building was constructed in the style of Second Empire- 

Italiante Victorian in 1877 for Albert Gallatin, who was a successful hardware merchant at the time. It wasn’t 

until 1903 that the State of California purchased the residence and made it the official home to the Governor 

of California. 

CHAPTER TWO 

51


52 

A PLACE C ALLED H OME 

The historic neighborhoods of Midtown and Downtown Sacramento provide architecture enthusiasts some of the best examples 

of Victorian, Tudor, and Craftsman homes in California. 

Spectacular tree lined streets bring a particular magic to the area especially in the fall, when the area is at it’s most brilliantly 

colored. Nearby boutique shopping and a wide selection of casual dining experiences make these neighborhoods especially 

attractive to both visitors and long term residents. 

The neighborhoods provide an eclectic home to bustling community of artists, intellectuals, and startup internet entrepreneurs. 

Popular spots, including its many coffeehouses and co-working spaces, foster environments for creative people to collaborate 

with each other, while satisfying savory pursuits as well.

M IDTOWN 

C ULTURE 

The Sofia Tsakopoulos Center for the Arts (The Sofia) on Capitol Avenue in Midtown is a spectacular $29- 

million performing arts theatre in the heart of Sacramento. The center brings a vibrant light to the neighborhood with 

its year long calendar of contemporary plays and productions. Featuring three stages and a restaurant in a 

45,000-square-foot complex, the Sophia is perfect for the theater crowd. 

Theatre patrons visit some of the popular local culinary establishments after attending shows at The Sophia. Midtown features 

some of the best restaurants and dining experiences in all of Sacramento. Chefs from around the world, including many that are 

homegrown, call Sacramento home, and present a range of dishes to please the most discerning palette. 

CHAPTER TWO 

53

A TOWERING 

L EGACY 

One of the more recognizable landmarks in Sacramento is the Tower Theatre, which was originally a large single screen auditorium 

and subsequently was divided into three smaller theaters in the 1980s. Although the interior has been modernized, the 

exterior has held on to its art deco style and neon lights and has been beautifully restored. Built in 1938 to present the 

top cinema feature films of the time, the theatre now caters to independent and art films not typically shown at a local megaplex. 

The retail music giant Tower Records was conceived and first opened in the location of Tower Drugs, which sat adjacent 

to the theatre. 


54

T HE H ANDLE D ISTRICT 

The Handle District is a vibrant and eclectic mix of Midtown’s most popular businesses and restaurants concentrated between 18th/19th/L/Capitol. 

CHAPTER TWO 

55

S UTTER’ S 

F ORT 

Swiss Immigrant John Sutter constructed this fort more than 150 years ago while 

working for the Mexican government who provided him with numerous land grants. 

The early fort became a important centerpiece in the growth and development of not 

only the Sacramento region, but also the State of California. 


56

I NSIDE THE F ORT 

At the center of Sutter’s Fort sits the main 

building which was used as Sutter’s office, a medical 

office, and the clerk’s office. When the influx of 

prospectors hit the region and money was tight, it 

was also used as a hotel. This is the only surviving 

building on the property. In 1891, the fort was 

restored and exterior walls and buildings were 

reconstructed. The Sutter’s Fort restoration was 

finalized in 1891 and many years later became a 

California State Park in 1947. 

CHAPTER TWO 

57

METRO SACRAMENTO AND OUTLYING AREAS 

K NOWLEDGE IN THE T REES 

California State University (CSUS and informally Sac 

State) was founded in 1947 and enrolls over 30,000 students 

a year, with an alumni base of 215,000. The beautiful 

grounds of the campus sit on 300 acres with thousands of 

trees, many of them situated in the University Arboretum 

(formerly the Goethe Arboretum). 

The University is a public comprehensive university in 

East Sacramento, and offers 151 different bachelor’s degrees, 

69 master’s degrees, 28 types of teaching credentials, and 2 

doctoral degree programs. 

An architectural highlight on the campus is the Guy West 

Bridge named after the first president of the college. In 1967 

it was the longest pedestrian suspension bridge in the United 

States, and it cost approximately US $636,000 (equivalent to 

$4,670,000 in 2017) to build. The architectural beauty of 

the bridge earned it the 1968 AISC steel bridge special prize 

contest winner award. 


58

T REESCAPE 

The California State University Arboretum and botanic garden has over twelve hundred trees on it’s grounds, and has a variety 

of trails and informational tours offered year-round. 

CHAPTER THREE 

59

G OLDEN G ATE IN M INIATURE 

The Guy West Bridge was envisioned and constructed 

to resemble San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, and links 

the campus to the commons area across the American 

River. The bridge with it’s trademark international orange 

coloring has thousands of students cross it’s delicate suspension 

span daily. 


60

S ACRAMENTO’ S W ATER S OURCE 

The E.A. Fairbairn Water Treatment plant provides about half of the drinking water supply for the City of Sacramento. Located just off the American River, this treatment plant was originally 

built in 1964 and was recently upgraded to handle modern demands and infrastructure. 

CHAPTER THREE 

61

S UTTER’ S L ANDING P ARK 

The gateway of the America River Parkway runs 31.5 miles and has more than 8 million visitors per year. Sutter’s Landing 

Park is a Sacramento legacy project which continues to grow and includes a range of recreational opportunities along it’s borders. 

Pathways, skate parks, outdoor workout equipment, and beautiful bike lanes are a few of the features of Sutter’s Landing. 

S UTTER’ S L ANDING T RAIN B RIDGE 

“Your problem is to bridge the gap which exists between where you are now and the goal you intend to reach.” —Earl Nightingale. 


62

C AL 

E XPO 

The early California legislature decided that an agricultural 

exposition (with the help of the State Agricultural Society) 

would best market California’s breadbasket to the world. 

Today the Cal Expo and California State Fair is based out of 

Sacramento’s permanent fairgrounds and has an estimated 

economic impact of more than $250 million on the region. 

In 2012, Disneyland donated the trademark letters from the 

“California Adventure” park to be displayed outside the 

exposition’s main gate. Cal Expo is also home to Sacramento 

Republic FC's home pitch, Papa Murphy's Park. 

CHAPTER THREE 

63

F IELD OF D REAMS 

Raley Field took nearly nine months to construct at the cost of $46.5 million, and features 10,624 seats and grass berms 

that allow for a total capacity of 14,014 visitors. Originally the project was too expensive for the city of West Sacramento, 

and Mayor Christopher Cabaldon in his first term as mayor helped secure the budget costs by inspiring Sacramento County 

and Yolo County to join his efforts in financing the project. The effort of all involved parties helped create a stadium that 

not only repaid all it’s debts, and actually created a bond reserve to be utilized for other projects. On May 15, 2000, Raley 

Field opened it’s doors for the first official game. The Pacific Coast League Sacramento River Cats are the hometown team 

that are Triple-A affiliates of the San Francisco Giants. Originally the site of old industrial warehouses, West Sacramento’s 

Raley Field hosts the Rivercats with a beautiful modernized playing field, stadium seating, and concessions. 

T HE 

B ARN 

The Barn, led by Sacramento philanthropist and developer Mark Friedman, is the pilot project for The Bridge District in 

the City of West Sacramento and is a new 178-acre mix-use neighborhood one mile from the California State Capitol. The 

overall design of The Barn is supposed to reflect the concept of a sprouting vegetable seed, indicative of Sacramento’s agricultural 

roots. The Barn features a restaurant as well as grounds for community and cultural activities and events to take place. 


64

T HE 

Z IGGURAT 

On the shores of the Sacramento River directly across from Old 

Sacramento stands a ten-story stepped pyramid office building that 

is one of the most recognizable architectural features in all of 

Sacramento. Built to withstand a 6.9 on the Richter scale earthquake 

event, the steel and column structure sits upon a prestressed 

concrete pile foundation system for ultimate stability on it’s 

riverbank grounds. The Ziggurat was designed by architect Edwin 

Kado for the Money Store in 1997, which was at the time one of the 

largest money lenders in the nation. He proposed a structure that 

would resemble Mesopotamian ziggurat pyramids often seen in 

ancient Aztec cultures. The exterior of the building’s framework is 

covered with four ton limestone panels, and it is currently leased 

by the California Department of General Services (DGS). 

CHAPTER THREE 

65

I STREET 

B RIDGE 

Sacramento’s famed I Street Bridge was 

constructed in 1911 and is a well known truss swing 

bridge that connects Sacramento County with Yolo 

County. The upper part of the bridge is a roadway 

which has thousands of cars pass over it’s span daily, 

while the lower span is reserved for trains traveling 

east and west through Sacramento. When a large 

ship needs to pass through, the bridge simply swivels 

open and then back into place when necessary. 

R IVER 

W ALK 

The Sacramento River Walk Park is a paved trail 

that goes along the west bank of the Sacramento 

River. Between the trail and the river are many picnic areas. Along the trail itself are many educational signs about the settlement 

of Sacramento, as well as the natural habitat of the river. Organizations such as the Sacramento Photo Club frequently meet in 

the area to practice their hobby with local models who are looking to build a portfolio. 


66

R OBERT T. MATSUI W ATERFRONT P ARK 

An arc-shaped pedestrian walkway crosses the river and links the plaza at the Sacramento River Intake Structure to a smaller pedestrian overlook at the former water intake pier. The area 

features beautiful landscaping, open turf area for play, walkways and benches, and promenade with lighting. 

CHAPTER THREE 

67

T HE C ALIFORNIA D ELTA 

The California Delta region can be found on the western 

end of Northern California's Central Valley where the 

Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers meet. The area is widely 

recognized for it’s abundant agricultural resources and 

estuaries, and for it’s many historic towns that sit along the 

banks of the Sacramento River. The entire delta region 

encompasses around 1,100 square miles just outside 

Stockton and Sacramento. 

The delta was formed after the last ice age, when the 

Central Valley was abundant in waterways that filtered 

through the Carquinez Strait into the San Francisco Bay. The 

remaining islands that formed are from a mix of tidal action 

and waterways that eventually caused sediment to pile up 

over thousands of years. The Delta has remained in its 

current state for roughly 10,000 years. 

I SLETON B RIDGE S UNSET 

This historic Isleton bascule bridge spans the Sacramento 

River and was constructed in 1923 to carry State Route 160. 

Two concrete 102 feet arch spans meet to the east of the main 

bascule span, which is 226 feet long, and allows travelers 

access to residential and commercial neighborhoods on both 

sides of the river. 


68

I SLETON 

M OONRISE 

In 1874 Josiah Pool constructed a wharf on the 

Sacramento River and Isleton was officially off and running. 

Floods plagued the town until much later when levees were 

finally constructed on both sides of the river. Around 1875, 

Chinese immigrants arrived in the region, as did a number 

of Japanese immigrants all of whom found work in the Delta 

region’s growing agriculture boom. Canneries helped to 

package the abundant produce that was grown throughout 

much of the early 21st century, and many of these Chinese 

and Japanese Immigrants worked in these facilities. Today 

both Isleton’s Chinese and Japanese Commercial Districts are 

on the National Register of Historic Places. 

I SLETON 

Isleton is located on Andrus Island amid the slough wetlands 

of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta, on the eastern edge 

of the Rio Vista Gas Field. The city has many preserved 19thcentury 

era storefronts along its main street, some of which 

show distinct Chinese cultural influences and architecture. 

CHAPTER THREE 

69

C ALIFORNIA’ S 

H OLLAND 

Much of the Delta region sits below sea level and 

behind levees, which has earned it the nickname 

“California’s Holland.” 

T HE B ASCULE S PAN 

The Isleton Bridge was designed by Sacramento County 

engineer Charles W. Deterding, with the Strauss Bascule 

Bridge Company of Chicago designing the bascule span. 

Steel portions of the bridge were fabricated by the American 

Bridge Company and the bridge was constructed by Jenkins 

& Elton of Sacramento. 


70

L OCKE 

Locke is located in the primarily agricultural region south 

of Sacramento, California, near State Route 160. The original 

beginning of Locke, then called Lockeport, was in 1912, 

when three Chinese merchants, two from the nearby town of 

Vorden and one from Walnut Grove, contracted tradesmen 

to construct three buildings. Chan Tin Sin built the first 

building. It was a combination dry goods store and beer 

saloon. Yuen Lai Sing built a gambling hall. Owyang Wing 

Cheong built the Lockeport Hotel & Restaurant. 

Locke Historic District, is an unincorporated community 

in California’s Sacramento—San Joaquin River Delta built by 

Chinese Americans during the early 20th century. It was 

originally named Lockeport after George Locke, who owned 

the land that the town was built upon at a time when 

Chinese people were not allowed to own land. It was listed 

on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and 

further was designated a National Historic Landmark 

District in 1990 due to its unique example of a historic 

Chinese American rural community. 

CHAPTER THREE 

71

C HINESE A MERICAN H ISTORY 

At the north end of Main Street, the restored Locke Boarding House Museum (now owned by California State Parks) operates daily, staffed by volunteers. The Kao Ming School opened in 

1926 to teach the Chinese language to the children of Chinese Americans and today also operates as a museum. The Town of Locke celebrated its centennial anniversary in May 9, 2015. 


72

W ALNUT 

G ROVE 

Walnut Grove was established in 1850 as one of the first settlements along the Sacramento River. It is the only community 

on the California Delta to occupy both the east and west banks of the river. Throughout the summer, Walnut Grove hosts “First 

Fridays” where the community comes together to celebrate local culture and galleries and other businesses stay open later for 

visitors to explore. 

W ALNUT G ROVE B RIDGE 

The Walnut Grove Bridge was constructed in 1951 and is a prime example of a Strauss type heel-trunnion bascule design. 

The bridge truss was built by the Consolidated Western Steel Corporation of Los Angeles. 

CHAPTER THREE 

73

C OURTLAND 

Courtland is located along the Sacramento River and was named after Courtland Sims, son of James V. Sims, a landowner 

who opened a steamer landing in the community in 1870. 

An architectural highlight of the area is the Courtland Courthouse, which was actually never a courthouse but rather a bank. 

The Bank of Courtland which opened on May 3, 1919, led by W. C. Clarke with $25,000 in capital, but closed it’s doors during 

the Great Depression. 

The facade of the Greek Revival-style structure has six columns with Doric-style capitols resting below an ornately-carved 

pediment, and is a beautiful example of early California architecture. 

C OURTLAND’ S 

P EARS 

The California Delta and Courtland area is well known for producing some of the best pears worldwide. For over 40 years 

the Courtland Pear Festival has been a yearly event, entertaining pear lovers from around the globe. It is one of the last small 

town agricultural fairs still being held, and has an attendance of ten thousand people a year. 


74

P OWERED BY THE P EOPLE 

Davis, California, is known as “Bicycle Capital of America” and has been leading the nation with bike friendly 

laws and paths throughout the city since the 1960s. The University of California Davis also calls this city west of Sacramento 

its home. 

Located in Yolo County, Davis is host to a wide array of theaters, cafes, and shops that cater not only to the student 

population, but also to visiting tourists as well. Whether one wants to catch a classic film at the Varsity Theatre, or take a 

stroll through the lush gardens of the UC Davis Arboretum, Davis has a little bit of something for everyone. 

D AVISVILLE 

The town that grew up around this once remote railroad stop was originally called Davisville, which was then shortened 

in 1907 to simply Davis. Constructed by the California Pacific Railroad in 1868, the originally Davisville station burned 

down and was later replaced in by the current 1914 design which has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

The station is owned by the city of Davis, with services provided by Amtrak and the Central Pacific Railroad. 

CHAPTER THREE 

75

UC DAVIS 

The University of California, Davis is one of the most 

respected colleges in the state of California, and has the 

third-largest UC enrollment in the state behind UCLA and 

UC Berkeley. UC Davis is a comprehensive doctoral research 

university with a medical program, and participates heavily 

in research activity. The University has expanded over the 

years to include programs in law, medicine, veterinary 

medicine, education, nursing, and business management. 

The UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine in the largest 

program in the U.S. The school is also known around the 

world for its agriculture programs and research. 

A CENTERPIECE OF 

B IKING H ISTORY 

The United States Bicycling Hall of Fame is a private 

organization that promotes and preserves sport cycling 

history. The museum explores bicycles as a form throughout 

history, and features medals and bikes from some of it’s most 

well known athletes. Located in Downtown Davis, it’s the 

perfect pit stop for the bicycle enthusiast. 


76

C ENTRAL P ARK G ARDENS 

The Davis Central Park Gardens intends to motivate home gardening amongst the public. Specific shrubs and drought tolerant 

plants were selected to highlight the ease at which one can own and grow a basic home garden. Located in Davis’ award-winning 

Central Park, the gardens are a community resource in coordination with volunteers from UC Davis and the Davis Farm to School 

connection. The groups aim to create demonstration gardens that are not only practical, but also beautiful. Artists Solomon 

Bassoff and Domenica Mottarella (who work together as the name “Faducci”) created Davis’ beloved caterpillar sculpture in 

Central Park. A contest was held in 2010 to give the caterpillar a name, and she is now famously known as “Bellapede.” 

CHAPTER THREE 

77

V ARSITY 

T HEATRE 

If art house and foreign cinema are your thing, the 1940s art deco styled Davis Varsity Theatre is a wonderful place to see some of your favorite films. Completely overhauled in 2006, the 

theatre is host to two screens and offers state of the art picture and sound. This cultural and architectural icon of the city is frequented by movie fans from around the region. 


78

O KTOBERFEST 

Davis residents join in the yearly celebration of 

Oktoberfest where bier, bratwurst, and cider are enjoyed. 

Sponsored by the Davis Sunrise Rotary Club, the event 

includes polka as participants dance in lederhosen and 

dirndls, traditional fashion from the Bavarian Alps. 

CHAPTER THREE 

79

T HE T HREE S ISTERS 

These three oaks stand on a perfect hillside just east of Sacramento, and greet visitors heading to California’s 

Gold Country. 


80

F OLSOM 

Joseph Libby Folsom originally settled and established Granite City, which was occupied by mostly gold miners as a 

stopping point on their way to the the gold fields of the Sierra Nevada Foothills. Folsom lobbied heavily to have a railroad 

line connected directly to Sacramento, and this expanded the town and it’s population. Upon Folsom’s death in 1855, civic 

leaders felt it was appropriate to name the town after its original visionary leader, and Granite City officially became known 

as Folsom. 

The Folsom Historic District features many of the original brick buildings that stood during the California Gold Rush, 

and has a wide range of shops, entertainment, and dining experiences. The area has won awards for it’s restoration efforts, 

and gives visitors a taste of yesteryear as well as a range of diverse events throughout the year. 

CHAPTER THREE 

81

H ISTORY OF THE W EST 

Historic Folsom Station is served by Sacramento RT Light Rail Gold Line nearby, and houses the Folsom Chamber of Commerce. Old Folsom has been renovated and features a wide array 

of charming shops and bistros on Folsom’s historic western-styled boulevard. 


82

CHAPTER THREE 

83

L AKE N ATOMA C ROSSING 

Due to the growth of Folsom, it became obvious by the 1980s that the two-lane Rainbow Bridge could not carry the traffic. After years of discussion about where a new crossing should be 

built and how it could be financed, the Lake Natoma Crossing over Lake Natoma was completed in 1999. It carries four lanes of traffic plus bike lanes and pedestrian walkways on each side 

over Lake Natoma. 


84

J OHNNY C ASH T RAIL 

In 2014 the City of Folsom proudly opened Phase I of The Johnny Cash Trail—a 1.2-mile segment of Class I bike trail that connects the Folsom Lake Trail by way of a new bike/pedestrian 

bridge inspired by the architecture of nearby Folsom Prison. With the bike trail infrastructure in place, the City of Folsom plans to create a world-class linear public art experience that will 

celebrate and honor the legendary Johnny Cash, and his history with the City of Folsom. 

CHAPTER THREE 

85

T HE W ISHING T REE 

The small singular “Wishing Tree” on the banks of Folsom Lake highlighted by a passing ray of sunlight. 


86

F OOTPRINTS IN F OLSOM 

Folsom Lake is one of the most popular bodies of 

water in Northern California, and is situated within El 

Dorado, Placer, and Sacramento counties. At at altitude 

of 466 feet the lake contains nearly 11,500 gallons of 

water when filled. 

The Folsom Dam was constructed on the American 

River for flood prevention, power generation, drinking 

water and irrigation. The lake is surrounded by a number 

of recreational parks, which provide visitors the perfect 

opportunity to picnic and play, and has some of the best 

freshwater fishing in the state. 

CHAPTER THREE 

87

W ATER AND W ELL-BEING 

The Folsom Lake State Recreation Area (SRA) surrounds 

the reservoir, and is managed by the California 

Department of Parks and Recreation. It is widely used for 

recreation, with areas designated for hiking, camping, 

and biking. The lake is also commonly used for fishing, 

boating, water-skiing, and even horseback riding. 


88

H OME IN THE H ILLS 

Folsom is located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, and its climate is characterized by long, hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. 

CHAPTER THREE 

89

C ALIFORNIA’ S F IRST P OWERHOUSE 

In the 1880s the Livermore family (business leaders in the Folsom 

area) had reached a deal with the state government to donate land 

for a large scale prison in exchange for prison labor. The family 

then developed and built the Folsom Powerhouse to harness the 

power of the American River, one of the first alternating current 

hydroelectric power stations in California. It generated power by using 

turbines and then sent the electricity overland 22 miles for use in 

Sacramento. 

Today the powerhouse is a National Historic Monument as it 

was one of the first to use three phase 60 cycle power, the same type 

of power we use today. The powerhouse ended it’s operations officially 

in 1952. 


90

L AKE N ATOMA S UNSET 

Paved cycling and jogging trail encircles the lake along with unpaved equestrian trails. Lake Natoma is also home to the Sacramento State Aquatic Center, and regularly hosts West Coast 

College Rowing Championships, the Pac-12 Conference Rowing Championships, and, every four years, the Intercollegiate Rowing Association Championships. 

CHAPTER THREE 

91

R EFLECTING ON L AKE N ATOMA 

“Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you.”—Walt Whitman 


92

G OLDEN R AINBOW B RIDGE 

Folsom’s iconic “Rainbow Bridge” was built in 1917 in the place of Truss Bridge and is still standing today. 

CHAPTER THREE 

93

L AKE 

N ATOMA 

Lake Natoma is an intermediate lake along the American River, located between Folsom Dam and Nimbus Dam in the Folsom Lake State Recreation Area. It is a recreational lake perfect 

for rowing, kayaking, and swimming. 


94

T HE D ELICATE S PAN 

Folsom’s Rainbow Bridge at one time was the only way to cross the American River in this location, and is a beautiful example of a concrete arch bridge. 

CHAPTER THREE 

95

G OLD IN T HESE H ILLS 

In the spring of 1848, a group of French gold miners arrived and camped in what 

would later be known as the Auburn Ravine. This group was on its way to the gold fields 

in Coloma, California, and it included Francois Gendron, Philibert Courteau, and Claude 

Chana. The young Chana discovered gold on May 16, 1848. After finding the gold 

deposits in the soil, the trio decided to stay for more prospecting and mining. 

The area soon developed into a mining camp, and it was officially named Auburn in 

August 1849. By 1850 the town’s population had grown to about 1,500 people and in 

1851, Auburn was chosen as the seat of Placer County. Gold mining operations moved up 

the ravine to the site of present-day Auburn. 

Auburn is part of the Capital Region and is home to the Auburn State Recreation 

Area. The park is the site of more sporting endurance events than any other place in the 

world, giving Auburn the undisputed and internationally acclaimed title of Endurance 

Capital of the World. 


96

CHAPTER THREE 

97

T HE C OURTHOUSE ON THE H ILL 

The Historic Placer County Courthouse, visible from both directions of Interstate 80, is located adjacent to the Historic Old Town. 


98

L AW & ORDER IN G OLD C OUNTRY 

The Placer County Museum is located on the first floor of Auburn’s Historic Courthouse. The 

cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1894, and the courthouse was completed in 1898. History took its 

toll on the building and by the 1980s, its future was uncertain. Fortunately, the community rallied 

behind the courthouse and raised over $6 million to restore it. On July 4, 1994, Auburn’s Courthouse 

once again opened to the public. The first floor includes the Placer County Museum Gallery, foyer 

displays of the Pate Collection of American Indian Artifacts, a restored sheriff’s office, and the treasury, 

where the museum’s gold collection is on permanent display. Outside the courthouse beneath the 

stairs is the restored women’s jail. 

CHAPTER THREE 

99


100

O LD T OWN A UBURN 

From the discovery of gold to restaurants, shops, and year round special events, explore the pleasures and treasures of Old Town Auburn. 

CHAPTER THREE 

101


102

C ALIFORNIA’ S E ARLY F IREFIGHTERS 

Built in 1888, Firehouse No. 1 is on the National Register of Historic Places and is located at the corner 

of El Dorado Street and Lincoln Way, across from the Martin Park fire station. It is one of the earliest and 

only examples of a surviving firehouse in the state of California. 

CHAPTER THREE 

103

M OUNTAIN Q UARRIES B RIDGE 

The Mountain Quarries Bridge is a railroad bridge across the North Fork American River, near Auburn, in Placer County, California. It is a concrete arch bridge that was built in 1912 to 

transport quarried rock. 


104

CHAPTER THREE 

105


106

N ORTH F ORK A MERICAN R IVER 

The North Fork American River is the longest branch of the American River in Northern 

California. It is 88 miles (142 km) long from its source at the crest of the Sierra Nevada, 

near Lake Tahoe, to its mouth at Folsom Lake northeast of Sacramento. 

Below the dam, the river bends south, passing under the Foresthill Bridge, the highest 

bridge in California, then receives the Middle Fork American River, its largest tributary, 

from the left. The valley widens as the river flows south past Auburn, soon emptying into 

the north arm of Folsom Lake, a reservoir formed in 1955 by the Folsom Dam. Its waters 

mingle with that of the South Fork American River to form the American River, a tributary 

of the Sacramento River. 

CHAPTER THREE 

107

T HE F ORESTHILL B RIDGE 

The Foresthill Bridge, also referred to as the Auburn-Foresthill Bridge or the Auburn Bridge, is a road bridge crossing over the North Fork American River in Placer County and the Sierra 

Nevada foothills, in eastern California. It is the highest bridge by deck height in California, and the fourth highest in the U.S. at 730 feet above the river. 


108

R AGING 

W ATERS 

Lake Clementine is fed by the North Fork American River, and was created in 1939 when the Army Corps of Engineers built the dam to prevent gold mining debris from flowing downstream. 

CHAPTER THREE 

109

L AKE 

C LEMENTINE 

Lake Clementine (also known as North Fork Lake) is a reservoir on the North Fork American River Canyon. It is open to boat traffic, and is a popluar waterskiing and wakeboarding spot 

during the summer. 


110

P LACERVILLE 

Nearby Sutter’s Mill was the site of the where gold was originally discovered in 1848, and this area was was known as Dry Diggin’s for the way miners had to sift through dry soil with 

running water. It later became know as “Hangtown” due the frequency of hangings there during the California Gold Rush years. In 1854 the City of Placerville was officially established, and 

at that time it was the third largest city in California. 

Today’s Placerville is a well frequented tourism spot for travelers headed to Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. Fine dining options, as well as boutiques and antique stores 

border each side of the main street. 

CHAPTER THREE 

111

H ANGMAN’ S 

T REE 

Placerville earned it’s originally name at this spot where a large oak tree once stood during the gold rush years. The lawless West was a rough place to be in 1849, and a number of robbers 

and murderers hanged here were an example of an early form of justice. Today Hangman’s Tree is an ice cream parlor. 


112

G OLD R USH S UNSET 

Placerville became a large trading post for early miners and offered lodging, banking, and transportation services, as well as the opportunity to resupply at any number of markets and 

general stores. The Pony Express also ran through the area, where mail was relayed on horseback between Missouri and Sacramento. 

CHAPTER THREE 

113

A PPLE 

H ILL 

Apple Hill is the trademarked name of the Apple Hill Growers Association, and refers to the 55 ranches located in the Sierra Mountain foothills in El Dorado County, in and around the 

community of Camino. 


114

A N A PPLE A D AY 

In the early 1960s, a pear blight encouraged growers in and around Camino, Califrornia to switch their production to apples. Today Apple Hill is one of the largest producers of apple harvests 

in the state of California. 

CHAPTER THREE 

115

H OME IN THE H ILLS 

Since its formation in the 1960s, Apple Hill has become California’s largest concentration of apple growers as well as a significant tourist destination noted for its rural ambiance, apple 

products including pies and cider, and other produce and attractions. 


116

CHAPTER THREE 

117


118

T HE F ARM S TAND 

Boa Vista Orchards is one of the largest farm stand operations in the Apple Hill area just east of Placerville along Highway 50. The stand offers a variety of fruits, jams, and other delicacies 

to satisfy with savory delight. 

CHAPTER THREE 

119

H ARVEST 

Northern California schoolchildren usually get their first taste of Apple Hill goodies on second grade field trips. In mid-fall, pumpkins and hay rides start popping up around the orchards 

and is a favorite time of year for families to visit the area. 


120

N EVADA 

C ITY 

An early Gold Rush town, Nevada City was settled in 1849 and offers some of the best examples 

of Old West architecture and Victorian-era homes in California. Well known for its Deer 

River gold mine, the town was one of the most important, successful, and influential mining 

camps in the Old West. 

Today Nevada City hosts a range of great restaurants, wine tasting rooms, as well as contemporay 

boutique shopping experiences. Taking a stroll down the wood planked sidewalks helps 

one envision life in the Gold Rush era, with the modern amenities and culinary delights of today. 

CHAPTER THREE 

121

T HE O LD W EST 

Shops line the streets of modern day Nevada City, offering a range of food and shopping experiences for the weekend traveler. 


122

L IVING 

H ISTORY 

Nevada City has a well-preserved selection of historic buildings throughout it’s many streets. The 1865 Nevada Theatre is California’s oldest operating theatre, with past performers ranging 

from Mark Twain to Mötley Crüe. 

CHAPTER THREE 

123

T AHOE 

S UNSET 

Lake Tahoe is a large freshwater lake in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, straddling the border of California and Nevada. It’s known for its beaches and ski resorts. 


124

T AHOE 

T OURISM 

Lake Tahoe is a major tourist attraction in both 

Nevada and California. It is home to winter sports, summer 

outdoor recreation, and scenery enjoyed throughout 

the year. Snow and ski resorts are a significant part of the 

area’s economy and reputation. The Nevada side also 

offers large casinos, with highways providing year-round 

access to the entire area. 

CHAPTER THREE 

125

C AVE 

R OCK 

In an area considered sacred by the local Washoe Indian Tribe, two bore tunnels run through the most prominent rock feature on Lake Tahoe named appropriately “Cave Rock”. 


126

CHAPTER THREE 

127

G LACIAL 

W INTERS 

The Sierra Nevada adjacent to Lake Tahoe were carved by scouring glaciers during the Ice Ages, which began a million or 

more years ago, and retreated 15,000 years ago at the end of the Pleistocene. Today visitors use the land for a variety of recreational 

purposes such as snowmobiling and skiing. 


128

CHAPTER THREE 

129


130

CHAPTER THREE 

131

CAPITAL REGION AGRICULTURE 

S ACRAMENTO’ S 

A LMONDS 

California is the only state where cool winters and mild springs allows for commercial growing to take place yearly. A stunning 82 percent of the world’s almonds come from California, and 

it takes 10 percent of the state’s water supply to grow them each year. The almond industry, including Blue Diamond Almonds headquartered in Sacramento, generates more than $5.9 billion in 

economic revenue to the state of California, and is one of it’s largest cash crops. Over 97,000 jobs are generated in the Central Valley of California, with many right here in the Sacramento Valley. 

Almond trees grow essentially three crops—the kernel we eat, hulls that are used for livestock feed and alternative energy, and shells which go to alternative farming uses like livestock bedding. 


132

W AVES OF G RAIN 

Grain corn is grown quite extensively in the Capital Region and is a cereal grain that was first domesticated by indigenous peoples over 10,000 years ago. This feed is important to the cattle 

and farming industry, and is utilized for adding extra flavor to the beef by feeding it to the cattle in the late stages of farming. 

CHAPTER FOUR 

133

B READBASKET TO THE W ORLD 


134 

The unique Mediterranean climate in California allows for over 450 different crops to be grown and harvested - it is also the 

world’s fifth largest supplier of food, cotton fiber, and other agricultural commodities.

G OLD R USH G RAPES 

The Sierra Foothills American Viticultural Area (AVA) contains portions of eight California counties: Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Mariposa, Nevada, Placer, Tuolumne, and Yuba. The 

total area of the appellation is 2,600,000 acres and is one of the largest AVAs in the state of California. Wine grapes were first planted in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains during 

the California Gold Rush of the late 1840s and early 1850s. 

CHAPTER FOUR 

135

THE SACRAMENTO METROPOLITAN 

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 


136 

As reported by The Sacramento Bee, on a July evening in 

1895, Sacramento Mayor B. U. Steinman called a town hall 

meeting to order with a stirring address offering the many 

benefits that would come to pass as the result of formalizing a 

chamber of commerce. A chamber of commerce was 

something every city should have to accomplish the many 

goals that were of interest in the progress of a city. Since 1985, 

the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce has led 

the charge for business. As the Capital Region enters a new era 

focussed on an inclusive economy, it has made the business 

promise towards vibrant communities, a connected region, a 

ready workforce, and strong business. 

For 124 years, the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of 

Commerce has led the charge in advocating for and supporting 

our regional business community and promoting policies and 

fostering programs to help the community grow and expand. 

Representing over 1,400 members and a workforce of 

200,000 in El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento, Sutter, Yolo, and 

Yuba Counties, the Metro Chamber is the region’s leading 

proponent of regional cooperation and primary advocate on 

issues affecting business, economic development, and quality 

of life. 

Throughout its history, the Metro Chamber has served as 

the region’s principal economic development and advocacy 

organization successfully building the Capital Region by: 

• Advocating for the establishment of the Sacramento Army 

Depot, Mather Air Force Base, McClellan Air Force Base 

and bringing passenger air service to Sacramento and its 

expansion over the years.

• Serving as the region’s early industrial recruiter and 

attracting companies such as Aerojet, Blue Diamond 

Growers, and others. 

• Serving as a catalyst or founder for many organizations 

that continue to serve the region such as the Sacramento 

Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Sacramento Tree 

Foundation, Northern California World Trade Center, 

and NextEd. 

• Advocating for the establishment of California State 

University, Sacramento 

• Successfully urging for the construction of the Sacramento 

Community Center 

• Serving as the principal business organization that 

recruited the Sacramento Kings in 1984 and supporting 

the development of Golden 1 Center in the heart of 

Downtown Sacramento. 

• Serving a critical role in crafting the the previous guiding 

economic blueprint for the region, the Next Economy plan. 

CHAPTER FIVE 

137


138

CAPITAL REGION PARTNERS 

Profiles of businesses, and organizations that have contributed to growing 

a vibrant community and strong businesses in our Capital Region. 

Vibrant Community................................................................................................140 

Strong Business .....................................................................................................170 

Connected Region ..................................................................................................208 

CAPITAL REGION PARTNERS 

139


140

VIBRANT COMMUNITY 

Healthcare leaders, educational institutions, historical, and civic 

organizations that contribute to the Capital Region’s vibrant community. 

Eskaton ...........................................................................................................................142 

American Red Cross Gold Country Region 

Donated by Best Western ...................................................................................146 

California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc. ............................................................148 

INALLIANCE ........................................................................................................150 

Sacramento Public Library ......................................................................................152 

Friends of the Sacramento Public Library ..................................................................152 

Dignity Health Sacramento .....................................................................................154 

UC Davis Health ...................................................................................................156 

Well Aging Med, Inc...............................................................................................158 

University of the Pacific .........................................................................................160 

Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Roseville ....................................................................162 

Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church ..........................................................................163 

A Therapeutic Alternative.......................................................................................164 

CASA de ESPAÑOL ................................................................................................165 

El Dorado County..................................................................................................166 

Capital Region’s Workforce Development Boards .........................................................167 

City of Rocklin......................................................................................................168 

Lammert Inc. ........................................................................................................169 

CAPITAL REGION PARTNERS - VIBRANT COMMUNITY 

141

ESKATON 

 

Right: Jia Kai Chu and Hui Wen Liu residents since 2002. 

Below: Yen Lu found her expression of life through dance. 

Every morning, Clea wakes up early, gets a cup of coffee, 

and does a crossword. Then she heads out for a one mile 

walk at Eskaton Village Carmichael. “Routine is key,” says 

100-year-old Clea. “A pedometer is a great way to hold yourself 

accountable.” Clea, a retired school teacher from Peter J. 

Shields Elementary in Rancho Cordova, has always been 

active. She enjoyed dancing the waltz and cha-cha with her 

husband of sixty-four years. She never feared exercise; it is 

just part of her lifestyle. About eight years ago, Clea fell, 

broke her hip and shattered her elbow. Today, she does not 

let the fear of falling stop her from doing what she enjoys. 

She participates in a sing-along group and knits caps for 

children in the hospital. Clea also attends balance class and 

deep breathing class three times each week. “Organize your 

life to include some formal and informal exercise each day,” 

says Clea. “Eat a good diet, be careful of fats, and avoid 

processed food.” 

Eskaton provides services and support for more than 

15,000 individuals annually who live in its communities or 

participate in its comprehensive home support services. 

Behind every senior is a story similar to Clea’s. The 

life-enriching programs, innovative health and wellness 


142

Left: Sharing little moments brings a smile to everyone’s face. 

Below: The caring and dedicated staff at Eskaton proudly wear their “I love 

this place” t-shirts. 

initiatives, and Eskaton’s highly professional staff help make 

the lives of seniors full. 

It all began in January 1968 when the board of directors 

of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Northern 

California–Nevada voted to purchase American River 

Hospital through a nonprofit corporation called Eskaton. 

The terms of the sale were later referred to as “nothing down 

and forever to pay.” It was the wish of the church that the 

relationship with Eskaton be viewed fraternally rather than 

legally. Thus, Eskaton was born. 

Today, Eskaton is one of the largest and most diverse nonprofit 

aging services organizations in California. But, it was 

not always that way. 

In the early years, Eskaton was recognized as a “hospital 

company” until a fateful day in the early 1980s when the 

board of directors decided that seniors in Northern 

California were underserved and made the bold decision to 


143

Companionship, friendship, and laughter can always be found at Eskaton. 

pivot away from hospitals, which were approximately seventy-five 

percent of its revenue, to focus on senior housing and 

services. Thus, the Eskaton of today was re-born. 

The current mission statement, drafted in 1985, has stood 

the test of time. Throughout the years, Eskaton has grown, 

evolved, adapted, innovated, affiliated, disaffiliated, built, 

managed, partnered, etc., continuously right up to the present 

day. The devotion to purpose and values has strengthened 

its character through change. 

Very few things in life happen overnight. An organization 

is not unlike a person. Eskaton is what it is today because of 

the experiences that have shaped it over fifty years. Eskaton 

has been fortunate to have people of the highest caliber contributing 

at every level of the organization. 

At age ninety-nine, Ruth Duff walks briskly with a purpose, 

illustrating what healthy aging is all about. Ruth is an 

artist and has painted more than 150 water colors since she 

became an Eskaton resident. She works in a variety of media, 

including knitting, silk screening, etching on copper, bronze 

casting, and print making. She is a true life-long learner. She 

also uses gardening as a creative outlet and is noted for her 

garden that includes tomatoes, zucchini and a variety of colorful 

flowers. 

Eskaton’s diverse spectrum of services is what sets it 

apart. Eskaton communities feature everything from independent 

living to skilled nursing and rehabilitation. If 

remaining in your own home as long as possible is your 

desire, Eskaton can support you with its Home Support 

Services. Care Navigators at Live Well at Home are available 

24/7 to help find solutions. 

As a community-based nonprofit, Eskaton exists solely to 

fulfill its mission of enhancing the quality of lives of seniors. 

There are no proprietary owners or stockholders. Profits are 

reinvested in its properties and services, and Eskaton 

endeavors to manage costs responsibly for its seniors, many 

of whom are on fixed incomes. Eskaton routinely surveys 


144

customers, family members and employees to measure their 

satisfaction, and to receive feedback. The results are gladly 

shared and Eskaton is proud to score consistently around 

ninety-five percent for overall satisfaction. 

Eskaton’s employee turnover is low, the quality metrics 

are high, transparency is valued, and the organization is 

proud of its reputation. Eskaton’s standards for staffing and 

how it conducts business are non-negotiable. If you want to 

speak with the CEO or anyone else on the senior leadership 

team, they are accessible. 

Of course, Eskaton makes mistakes from time to time, but 

they believe the best way to respond to challenges is to 

empower its employees to do the right thing. 

Eskaton members and the board of directors are volunteer 

citizens from the community. Their charge is to represent 

the interests of the aging and their families. 

To be entrusted with the care and support of older adults 

is a privilege. Eskaton encourages families to visit its competitors, 

observe resident/staff interactions, talk with its family 

members, and make the most informed choice possible. 

At age ninety, entrepreneur Millie Kahane, a nurse educator 

for sixty-nine years, changed careers to open a new music 

school for all ages in Rocklin called ‘Bach to Rock.’ She and 

her husband, Dr. Albert Kahane, who passed away recently 

at age eighty-eight, set out to do what most people their age 

would think impossible. Together, they did all the work it 

takes to start a new business from scratch, everything from 

picking a site to hiring a team and creating the marketing. 

Today, four years later, ‘Bach to Rock’ is moving forward positively. 

As for Millie, she is pleased with what has been 

accomplished and knows Al would feel the same way. 

At Eskaton, the power of generosity is strong. Having a 

giving back spirit has long been part of the culture of 

Eskaton as evidenced by the Telephone Reassurance 

Program transferred in 1996 from St. Paul’s Episcopal 

Church. Leadership–then and now–believes in the significance 

of checking up on homebound and isolated seniors. 

Since Eskaton took over the program, 1.6 million telephone 

calls have been made to check on seniors living alone. 

Philanthropy continues to play an important role in 

Eskaton’s nonprofit mission. When people (and companies) 

join in enhancing the quality of lives of seniors, we celebrate. 

With only two percent of all giving in the United States 

directed towards senior causes, Eskaton knows its work will 

be tough as relationships and partnerships are built to 

change the attitudes about giving to help seniors. 

Eskaton believes that when businesses come together, the 

region wins! That is why it works to build community connections. 

Whether connecting with the Sacramento River Cats, the 

Arden Fair Mall’s Inside Track or the Farm-to-Fork Tower 

Bridge Dinner, these unique connections demonstrate Eskaton’s 

strong belief in a being “part” of the Sacramento Region. 

The entire staff at Eskaton draws inspiration from being part 

of each client’s extended family. For you, your family, friends 

and neighbors…Eskaton where “Age is Beautiful.” 

To learn more about Eskaton, please visit the website 

at www.eskaton.org. 

 

Left Music is a great expression of life and love. The joy of music keeps you 

young at heart. 

Below: Eskaton Kids Connection an award-winning intergenerational 

program where children and seniors form friendships. 


145

AMERICAN RED CROSS 

GOLD COUNTRY REGION 

 

The interior of the Red Cross tent, an exhibit at the California State Fair in 

Sacramento, 1921. 


This salute to the Gold Country Region of the American Red 

Cross has been contributed by Best Western Plus Orchid Hotel & 

Suites, 130 North Sunrise Avenue, Roseville in recognition and 

thanks for a century of care and concern for the region. 

Whether knitting for soldiers during World War I, 

teaching swimming lessons in the 1950s, or sheltering 

families displaced by devastating floods and wildfires in 

recent decades, volunteers from the Gold Country Region of 

the American Red Cross have strengthened communities 

with their time, talents, and compassion for a hundred years. 

The American Red Cross Gold Country Region serves the 

most ethnically and racially integrated metropolitan area in the 

country. Headquartered in the California State Capital of 

Sacramento, the region covers a territory consisting of urban to 

rural, mountains to valley flatlands, and everything in between. 

The Region is dedicated to providing exemplary customer service 

when delivering the Red Cross mission to its constituents. 

The Gold Country Region consists of two chapters, the 

Northeastern California Chapter and the Sierra-Delta 

Chapter. The Northeastern Chapter covers fourteen counties 

and the Sierra-Delta covers ten. 

Although several individual chapters and auxiliary Red 

Cross groups existed in what is now the Gold Country 

Region before 1917, it was in this pivotal year that new 

chapters and current members united in a single mission: 

supporting World War I soldiers overseas and at home. 

Since 1917, American Red Cross volunteers from Angels 

Camp to Yreka, have rolled up their sleeves and opened their 

hearts to prevent, prepare for, and respond to disasters at 

home and afar. 

Early work of local chapters included infant wellness 

initiatives, tuberculosis prevention, and providing hot meals 

for school children. Today, in addition to responding to 

disasters large and small, Gold Country volunteers help 

families prepare for and prevent disasters through the Home 

Fire Campaign, and the Pillowcase Project. Here are just a 

few of the many disasters Red Cross Gold Country Region 

volunteers have responded to over the years: 

• 1917:New chapters around the Gold Country Region 

united to support World War I soldiers overseas and at 

home, raising money and making scarves, hats, and 

surgical dressings. 

• 1940, Glenn County: Volunteers set up an emergency 

kitchen for Orland and Hamilton City families who lost 

everything in a devastating flood. 


146

• 1950, Sacramento County: Volunteers aided in water 

rescues and care of residents in Sacramento 

neighborhoods flooded by American River. 

• 1975, Butte County: Red Cross volunteers established a 

disaster assistance office in Oroville for emergency 

relocation after a 5.8 earthquake rocked the town. 

• 1987, Stanislaus County: Volunteers mobilized to assist 

evacuees of the Stanislaus Complex fire, still one of the 

top twenty California fires to date. 

• 1993: Gold Country responded to the Loma Prieta 

earthquake by sending volunteers to aid in relief efforts. 

• 2014, Siskiyou and El Dorado Counties: Volunteers set 

up shelters and provided recovery assistance for victims 

of the Boles Fire in Weed and the King Fire near Pollock 

Pines. 

• 2015, Calaveras County: Red Cross mobilized volunteers 

and donors to provide relief to Butte Fire victims. 

“A lot has changed in the Gold Country Region 

since 1917,” says Gold Country Region CEO Gary 

Strong, “but what has not changed is that in times of 

disaster, the Red Cross is there—ready to provide shelter, 

meals, and care.” 

The Red Cross Gold Country Region currently serves over 

4 million residents across a span of 48,327 miles. Last year, 

2,381 dedicated volunteers responded to 673 local disasters, 

provided 922 families with financial assistance and 

supported 1,076 military service members through SAF. 

Throughout its long history, the mission of the American 

Red Cross has been to prevent and alleviate human suffering 

in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of 

volunteers and the generosity of donors. 

The American Red Cross, through its strong network of 

volunteers, donors and partners, is always there in times of 

need. The Red Cross aspires to turn compassion into action 

so that... 

...all people affected by disaster across the country and 

around the world receive care, shelter and hope; 

...our communities are ready and prepared for disasters; 

...everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving 

blood and blood products; 

...all members of our armed services and their families 

find support and comfort whenever needed; and 

...in an emergency, there are always trained individuals 

nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives. 

For more information about the Gold Country Region of 

the American Red Cross, please visit www.redcross.org. 


147

CALIFORNIA INDIAN 

MANPOWER 

CONSORTIUM, INC. 

Above: Program Year 2017 Outstanding Members, November 2018. 

Below: Native Entrepreneur Training Program Students, January 2018. 

The California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc. 

(CIMC) was created in 1978 under California state 

law as a nonprofit corporation to provide quality services to 

Indian and Native American people. Since its inception, 

CIMC has worked diligently to create positive change for 

Native communities. 

CIMC was organized for the purpose of providing job 

training and employment opportunities for economically 

disadvantaged, unemployed and underemployed Indian and 

Native American individuals. In 1982, the Articles of 

Incorporation of CIMC were amended to include charitable 

and educational purposes. It has built upon these principles 

and defines its priorities and focus accordingly. 

CIMC services six geographical regions in California: 

Redding, Ukiah, Sacramento, Eastern Sierra, San Jacinto and 

Escondido; and one in Illinois–the entire state and three 

counties in Iowa. 

Since its formation, more than 90,000 participants have 

enrolled in the Workforce Development program. In addition, 

CIMC has provided emergency services to more than 

25,000 individuals and families since 1993 through its 

Community Services Block Grant program. In a typical year, 

CIMC serves more than 36,000 meals to the elderly as part 

of its Elders program. 

All the while, the consortium never loses sight of its primary 

function to work for the social welfare, educational and 

economic advancement of its member tribes, groups, organizations 

and Indians and other Native Americans living in its 

service area. 

The membership of the consortium includes federally 

recognized American Indian tribes, reservations, rancherias, 

bands, colonies, terminated rancherias, American Indian 

groups, entities, and public or nonprofit organizations that 

satisfy the requirements set forth in the bylaws of the 

California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc., and as agreed 

to in the Consortium Agreement formally approved by 

the membership. 

The primary purpose of the consortium is to offer training, 

employment and other activities designed to meet the 

employment and training needs of the client population. The 

principal funding source is the federal Workforce Innovation 

and Opportunity Act. 

Other purposes of the consortium are: 

• To promote community self-help programs and provide 

direct services to assist the eligible American Indian population 

to become economically self-sufficient and to 

alleviate poverty in the rural and urban areas through 

Community Services Block Grant funding. 

• To provide professional economic development services 

to assist American Indian tribes and organizations with 

the development of funding strategies and public/private 

partnerships that will lead to greater economic vitality. 


148

• To promote and provide programs and activities designed 

to improve the educational attainment levels of Native 

American youth and adults. 

CIMC currently operates the following ongoing programs: 

• Workforce Development Program–offers employment, 

training and related services through funding from the 

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act from the US 

DOL Employment and Training Administration, and the 

Native Employment Works program from the US DHHS 

Administration for Children and Families. 

• Native Entrepreneur Training Program–offers training for 

entrepreneurial/small business/economic development 

through a series of workshops held in different geographical 

areas in California. 

• Child Care and Development Block Grant Program–provides 

payment for child care services for American Indian 

children from participating tribes who reside in the county 

in which their reservation/rancheria is located or in the 

service area identified by their tribe. 

• Community Services Block Grant Program–goals 

of this program include securing and retaining 

meaningful employment, attaining an adequate education, 

making better use of available income, and 

obtaining and maintaining adequate housing and suitable 

living environment. 

• Elders Program–provides nutrition, information and 

assistance, and caregiver support services for elders from 

participating tribes funded under the Older Americans 

Act through US DHHS, Administration for Community 

Living/Administration on Aging. 

• Census Information Center–designated by the US Census 

Bureau to make census information and related data 

more accessible to the underserved, minority, and lower 

income communities. 

CIMC Vision: As first Americans, we walk in the 

present, with our eyes on the future and the past 

in our hearts. We advocate pride in our cultural integrity. 

We honor the spirit that ensures continuity of the 

sacred circle. 

Our team of caring professionals: 

• Empowers Native Americans to achieve excellence; 

• Revitalizes our communities; and 

• Embraces the challenges of the twenty-first century. 

The CIMC central administrative office is located at 738 

North Market Boulevard, Sacramento, California 95834; 

phone: 916-920-0285 or 800-640-2462. For more information, 

visit: www.cimcinc.org. 

 

Above Elder Caregiver Health and Wellness Conference Attendees, 

October 2018. 

Below: Caregiver Training Program Graduates, April 2018. 


149

INALLIANCE 

In the 1950s, those that did not fit the commonly accepted 

idea of ‘normal’ had little chance of succeeding. This was 

especially true for adults with developmental disabilities. 

Options for them were limited and education and community 

training was not readily available. Because there was little 

understanding of how to care for these individuals, many 

lived out their unfulfilled lives in overcrowded institutions. 

In 1952, a group of Sacramento parents who challenged 

conventional thoughts about those with disabilities and 

wanted more for their children banded together to form 

INALLIANCE, a day program that offered classes, activities, 

and outings for adults with developmental disabilities. The 

founders also became advocates for community services, 

employment opportunities and improved legislation. 

As interest in the day programs grew, so did the public 

perception of those with disabilities. Advocates challenged 

the idea that a disabled person was ‘helpless’ and over the 

next three decades, civil rights laws were enacted, services 

were developed and improved, and the institutions that had 

long warehoused the disabled began to close. 

In 1980, INALLIANCE transitioned into a sheltered 

workshop, where participants could complete specific work 

in a controlled, but isolated, environment. The program 

tripled in size in two years and–thanks to the 1984 Jobs 

Training Partnership Act–INALLIANCE partnered with the 

UC Davis Medical Center in a Supported Employment 

Program designed to train and employ persons with developmental 

disabilities. Trainees were matched with university 

employees and trained in all aspects of the position with 

support from a job coach. 

The success of the program proved that with the 

right support, people with developmental disabilities could 

be successful in the work place and beyond. “We have 

experienced firsthand the benefits all people achieve by 

interacting with people who are not just like themselves,” 

said a spokesperson for INALLIANCE. “In a partnership 

with our community, we have demonstrated the great capabilities 

of people with disabilities to join, interact and 

contribute to society.” 

Over the next decade, INALLIANCE would use the 

momentum of this program to partner with local employers, 

volunteer sites, and community colleges to support people 

with developmental disabilities as they participated in the 

community. Eventually, INALLIANCE was chosen to pilot a 

Supported Living Services (SLS) program that allowed 


150

people with developmental disabilities to live on their own 

with in-house support, and continues to flourish to this day. 

Today, INALLIANCE offers seven programs in eight counties 

and proudly supports hundreds of people each year. 

INALLIANCE continues to develop new services that meet the 

needs of an ever-changing population and continues to advocate 

for the rights of people with developmental disabilities. 

Among the thousands helped by INALLIANCE is Scott, a 

twenty-six-year-old diagnosed with developmental disability, 

autism, and mild cerebral palsy, which severely limits his 

ability to speak. Although Scott has a great sense of humor 

and a compassion for animals, he was known for his violent 

outbursts and aggressive behavior and people had a difficult 

time understanding him. In time, Scott’s frustration over his 

inability to speak alienated the people in his community. 

In 2010, aided by INALLIANCE, Scott began using an 

augmentative communication device that allows him to navigate 

through images that ‘speak’ for him. For the first time, 

he was able to vocalize his thoughts and needs in a way that 

could be understood. This newfound freedom has allowed 

Scott to make friends in the community and his entire 

demeanor has changed. His neighbors no longer avoid him, 

and he now has the confidence and skills to be heard 

and understood. 

A year of profound achievements for INALLIANCE was 

2017. The organization assisted 108 participants find and 

secure community-based employment. The Supported 

Living and Independent Living Services supported 150 individuals 

living in the community. In addition, INALLIANCE 

trained and assisted 434 individuals to enjoy inclusive and 

integrated activities of their preference and desire. Each day, 

INALLIANCE supports adults with disabilities to realize 

their hopes, discover their passions and become fully 

engaged in meaningful pursuits. 

Participants and staff provide nearly 9,000 volunteer 

hours, per quarter, throughout the seven counties served by 

INALLIANCE. The participants believe in the power of giving 

back to their communities. Each month, through a partnership 

with several Starbucks, participants deliver 2,000 

pastries to various community-based organizations. 

Participants contributing to their communities is an important 

step towards enjoying a more livable, workable life. 


151

SACRAMENTO PUBLIC 

LIBRARY 

With the mission of inspiring communities to discover, 

learn and grow, Sacramento Public Library provides ample 

opportunity for all of the above, with a variety of offerings at 

twenty-eight locations ranging from a five-story library in 

the heart of the central city to suburban libraries adjacent to 

wooded parks to rural spaces along the California Delta. 

Sacramento Public Library is the fourth largest library 

system in California and has a collection of 2 million volumes, 

with access to an additional 9 million items through a 

shared multi-library service. It all started on June 14, 1879, 

with a collection of about 6,000 volumes to serve a city of 

21,000 residents. In 1908, the city library system became 

the first in California to open service to the entire county. 

While those volumes are critical to the Library’s mission, 

it is the world beyond them that sets Sacramento apart. Here 

you can find items to create and design, including 3D printers, 

music recording software and hardware, soldering stations, 

design software, drawing tablets, and virtual reality 

gear. Do-it-yourself types who want to try things at home 

can visit the Library of Things and check out musical instruments, 

projectors, home and yard equipment, sewing 

machines and screen printers. 

Until recently, budding authors had to be satisfied 

with only dreams of publishing their works. Sacramento 

Public Library is home to the I Street Press, which can print 

quality paperbacks in minutes. Since it was first introduced 

in September 2011, 380 authors have printed over 400 

original titles. 

The Library has an annual budget of $43 million, along 

with 286 staff members and scores of volunteers who 

contribute more than 66,000 hours of service each year. 

Kids, teens, adults and families can enjoy more than 8,000 

free programs a year, including the extremely popular 

annual Summer Reading program, or use one of more than 

700 public computers and laptops offering the fastest Wi-Fi 

in town. 

People can also find a sense of community at the Library, 

which helps veterans find services, provides outreach to 

immigrant communities and hosts citizenship ceremonies 

for new Americans, maintains a summer lunch program for 

children, plans lively discussions involving current topics 

and even offers a program in which students can earn a high 

school diploma. 


152

How do you get volunteers to donate more than 50,000 

hours of their time every year? Offer them a chance to 

promote reading, and to be around books and the 

people who love them. Friends of the Sacramento Public 

Library is a volunteer nonprofit organization that 

advocates, raises funds, and provides support for 

Sacramento Public Library and its twenty-eight locations 

throughout the Sacramento region. 

The Friends’ primary purpose is to create public 

support for expanding the goals and objectives of 

Sacramento Public Library and to advocate for them. They 

partner with state and national advocacy groups to support 

or oppose legislation and budget items that would affect the 

Library. They participate in community events, educate government 

officials, and help enrich the Sacramento culture 

and community. 

The Friends take part in Sacramento’s annual Big Day of 

Giving campaign and dedicate all funds raised to the 

Library’s Book First program, which provides a free new 

book to every first grader, prioritizing schools in lowincome 

areas. Their volunteers visit schools with Library 

staff to help distribute new books, and sort upward of 

12,000 books in preparation for school visits. They also 

provide funding for new books and materials for 

Sacramento Public Library. Their volunteer hours help the 

Library to improve early learning and provide rich 

programming opportunities. 

The Friends’ Book Den store and warehouse offers 

more than 100,000 gently used books for sale. Dozens of 

dedicated volunteers sort and shelve books and greet 

visitors. The Book Den offers special discounts to teachers, 

and is a unique resource for readers of all ages. Having 

an all-volunteer staff, along with generous book donations 

from the public, allows all funds raised to go toward 

Library programs. 

The Friends invite you to invest in the success of the 

Library by volunteering time, donating books, and becoming 

a member of the Friends organization. By joining the 

Friends, you can help to make a difference. 

Find out more about Friends of the Sacramento Library, 

the Book Den and Friends events at www.saclibfriends.org. 

Follow the Friends on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, 

and visit the Book Den and Warehouse at 8250 Belvedere 

Avenue, Suite E, Sacramento. 

FRIENDS OF THE 

SACRAMENTO PUBLIC 

LIBRARY 


153

DIGNITY HEALTH 

SACRAMENTO 

 

Above: In 1897, the Sisters of Mercy broke ground on Sacramento’s first 

private hospital, Mater Misericordiae. It was one of the most modern and 

best equipped hospitals in California, but the community quickly outgrew its 

capacity. In response, in 1925 the Sisters opened a new hospital at the 

current site of Mercy General. 

Since the California Gold Rush, Dignity 

Health has been committed to furthering the 

healing ministry of Jesus by delivering compassionate, 

high-quality, affordable health services. 

This calls for serving and advocating for those 

who are poor and disenfranchised, and partnering 

with others in the community to improve the 

quality of life. 

Upon their arrival on April 21, 1857, in the 

gold rush boom town known as Roaring Camp 

(present day Sacramento), Sisters Mary Baptist 

Russell and Mary deSales Reddan quickly began 

making regular visits to the sick. This was the 

beginning of their involvement with health care 

in Sacramento. 

In 1897 the Sisters of Mercy opened Mater 

Misericordiae, (Latin for ‘Mother of Mercy’), one 

of the most modern and best equipped hospitals in 

California at the time. The community quickly outgrew the 

hospital’s capacity, and in 1925, the Sisters opened what is 

now Mercy General Hospital. Following World War II, a 

period of unparalleled growth began. In response, a new 

wing opened in 1954, increasing the hospital’s capacity by 

100 beds and fifteen emergency beds. 

With continued growth, the Sisters saw the need to 

expand their health care ministry, building Mercy San Juan 

Hospital in Carmichael in 1967. Its facilities and equipment 

were at the cutting edge of modern technology. As the 

greater Sacramento area continued to grow, the Sisters of 

Mercy expanded their health care ministry to meet the 

region’s needs. 

1857 

Sisters of Mercy 

come by riverboat 

to Sacramento, 

beginning their 

ministry in 

the capital. 

1897 


begin their health 

care ministry in 

Sacramento by 

opening Mater 

Misericordiae 

Hospital 

(becomes known 

as Sisters’ 

Hospital). 

1919 

The Sisters 

purchase a sevenacre 

dairy site at 

40th & J streets 

to build a new 

hospital. 

1925 


open Mercy 

Hospital 

(officially 

renamed Mercy 

General in 1934). 

1954 

Mercy General 

Hospital adds the 

East Wing to 

accommodate 

115 beds and 

other clinical, 

maternity and 

surgical facilities. 

Mercy 

Foundation is 

established. 

1967 

Mercy San Juan 

Hospital is 

established. 

1980 


acquire Twin 

Lakes Community 

Hospital and 

rename it Mercy 

Hospital of 

Folsom. 

1987 

Catholic 

Healthcare West 

is established 

when the Sisters 

of Mercy in 

Auburn combine 

their health 

ministry with the 


in Burlingame. 

1989 


open a new 95- 

bed facility for 

Mercy Hospital of 

Folsom, located 

on a 26-acre 

parcel donated by 

the Cummings 

and Tsakopoulos 

families. Level III 

NICU opens at 

Mercy San Juan. 

1993 

Methodist 

Hospital affiliates 

with Mercy 

Healthcare 

Sacramento. A 

$32 million 

capital 

improvement 

program was 

quickly launched 

for the Methodist 

campus. 

1995 

Mercy San Juan is 

named an 

accredited cancer 

center. Mercy 

Family Health 

Center and 

Family Practice 

Residency 

Program are 

established at 

Methodist 

Hospital. 


154

• 1980 Twin Lakes Community Hospital was purchased 

and renamed Mercy Hospital of Folsom; 

• 1987 Mercy Healthcare Sacramento affiliated with 

Dignity Health (formerly known as Catholic Healthcare 

West), one of the nation’s largest health systems; 

• 1993 Affiliated with Methodist Hospital in 

south Sacramento; and 

• 1996 Affiliated with Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital in 

Grass Valley, and Woodland Healthcare. 

Today, Dignity Health is a not-for-profit public 

benefit corporation that operates six acute care hospitals 

in the greater Sacramento area, and provides outpatient 

services throughout the region as part of Dignity 

Health Medical Foundation. Area hospitals include 

Mercy General Hospital, Mercy Hospital of Folsom, 

Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Sierra Nevada 

Memorial Hospital, Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, 

and Woodland Memorial Hospital. Three of the six 

region hospitals are located in small communities, 

providing a unique impact in terms of employment and 

community involvement. 

Dignity Health is known for excellence in health care, 

providing services that include cancer care, family birth centers, 

heart and vascular care, rehabilitation services, spine 

care, surgical services, emergency services, and many other 

specialties. More than 8,000 people are employed by Dignity 

Health in the greater Sacramento area. 

Through an investment in community health and 

outreach, the hospitals address priority health issues and 

extend the commitment of care to neighborhoods throughout 

the greater Sacramento region. Dignity Health’s missiondriven 

commitment to community health and outreach 

include hospital-sponsored programs as well as regional 

partnership efforts and initiatives. Just a few of these initiatives 

include addressing human trafficking, improving 

behavioral health access, and care coordination for those 

experiencing homelessness. 

Dignity Health remains focused on providing the right 

care at the right place, cost and time for each patient; 

becoming America’s best health system at which to work 

and practice; and becoming the health care system most 

valued nationally as a leader, partner, and successful model 

of reform. 

Much has changed since Sisters Baptist and deSales 

arrived in the wild west town of Roaring Camp in 1857, but 

Dignity Health continues their commitment to provide highquality, 

affordable health care with dignity, collaboration, 

justice, stewardship, and excellence. 

 

Opposite, top: In 1962 the Sisters of Mercy began construction on Mercy San 

Juan Hospital in Carmichael. 

Above: Mercy General Hospital’s mission to provide high-quality, 

compassionate care endures today. In 2017, Healthgrades recognized the 

hospital as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Surgery and one of 

America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care. 

1996 

Family Birth 

Center is built 

with Level II 

NICU at Methodist 

Hospital. Sierra 

Nevada Memorial 

Hospital and 

Woodland 

Healthcare affiliate 

with Mercy 

Healthcare 

Sacramento. 

1999 

Level II Trauma 

Center opens as 

part of 69,000- 

square-foot 

Emergency 

Department 

expansion at 


2005 


stroke program 

receives Primary 

Stroke Center 

designation from 

The Joint 

Commission. 

2008 

Newly constructed 

25-bed, all-private 

room Cummings 

Emergency 

Pavilion opens at 

Mercy Hospital of 

Folsom. Da Vinci 

robotic surgical 

program begins at 


2009 

Mercy 

Neurological 

Institute of Greater 

Sacramento 

begins. Mercy San 

Juan’s new patient 

tower adds 

142,000 square 

feet and 110 beds. 

Methodist Hospital 

expands 

Emergency Room. 

2011 

Sacramento's first 

comprehensive 

outpatient cancer 

center, the Mercy 

Cancer Center, 

opens. 

2012 

Catholic 

Healthcare West 

becomes Dignity 

Health. 

2014 

Alex G. Spanos 

Heart & Vascular 

Center opens at 

Mercy General 

Hospital. Mercy 

San Juan Medical 

Center is certified 

as a 

Comprehensive 

Stroke Center. 

2015 


Medical Center is 

the first hospital 

on the west coast 

to receive The 

Joint Commission’s 

Perinatal Care 

Certification. 

2019 

Dignity Health and 

Catholic Health 

Initiatives have 

come together as 

CommonSpirit 

Health, creating a 

new nonprofit 

Catholic health 

system focused on 

advancing health 

and serving 

communities in 

21 states. 


155

UC DAVIS HEALTH 

 

Right: The UC Davis MIND Institute is internationally known for research 

on autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. 

Below: UC Davis Health is a pioneer in telehealth, which brings vital 

expertise to underserved areas and populations. 

PHOTOS © 2018 UC REGENTS. 

As the region’s only nationally ranked academic health 

center, UC Davis Health serves a key role in the health and 

well-being of the communities across a vast area of inland 

Northern California and the Central Valley. The Sacramentobased 

university health system applies advanced expertise and 

innovation to save and improve lives close to home, and also 

works to transform medicine, nursing and public health for 

the benefit of communities and families around the country. 

UC Davis Health is the human-health arm of nearby UC 

Davis, one of the nation’s top public universities and part of 

the world-class University of California system. Based on a 

140-acre campus a short drive from California’s Capitol 

building, the health system includes the UC Davis Medical 

Center, the UC Davis School of Medicine and the Betty Irene 

Moore School of Nursing at UC Davis, all rated among 

America’s best by U.S. News & World Report. A 1,000- 

member physician’s practice also offers nationally-renowned 

primary care and specialty expertise through an extensive 

network of community-based clinics. 

UC Davis Health is home to the National Cancer 

Institute-designated UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer 

Center, the internationally recognized UC Davis MIND 

Institute neurodevelopmental center, the UC Davis Institute 

for Regenerative Cures stem-cell research center, and the 

comprehensive UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Additional 

nationally prominent centers focus on advancing telehealth, 

improving vascular and dementia care, eliminating health 

disparities and a wide range of other socially vital missions. 

The 625-bed UC Davis Medical Center serves as the 

major trauma, tertiary and quaternary care referral hospital 

for a 33-county, 65,000-square-mile service area with a population 

of more than 6 million, stretching north to the 

Oregon border and east across the Sierra Nevada mountain 

range. The medical center offers specialty care in 150 fields, 

ranging from cardiovascular and neurological surgery to kidney 

transplantation, and operates the only American College 

of Surgeons-verified level I trauma center for both adult and 

pediatric emergencies in inland Northern California. 

The affiliated 129-bed UC Davis Children’s Hospital 

serves as the Sacramento region’s only nationally ranked, 

comprehensive hospital for children, and was the first children’s 

surgery center on the West Coast to gain the highest 

level I verification from the American College of Surgeons. 

The hospital recently added an advanced fetal surgery 


156

program with rare in-utero surgical capabilities to help give 

children the best chance of a high quality of life. 

U.S. News regularly ranks both the medical center and children’s 

hospital among the nation’s best in multiple medical 

specialties, and UC Davis Medical Center as the top-ranking 

hospital in the Sacramento metro area. The medical center has 

been granted multiyear Magnet ® recognition by the American 

Nurses Credentialing Center—considered the nation’s highest 

form of recognition for nursing excellence—and is perennially 

designated among the nation’s “Most Wired” hospitals as one 

of America’s top leaders in health information technology. 

A vanguard, award-winning telemedicine program helps 

UC Davis Health extend its specialty and subspecialty 

expertise and care to remote and medically underserved 

communities across California. The UC Davis telemedicine 

program ranks among the nation’s oldest and largest, with 

more than thirty clinical specialties. The UC Davis Health 

Cancer Care Network also employs telehealth to link community 

hospitals with the expertise and clinical trials of UC 

Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, the only center in 

inland California to hold “comprehensive” designation from 

the National Cancer Institute. 

Clinical trials in cancer and other specialties are part of an 

overall UC Davis Health research program that includes 

nearly 1,000 studies in basic science, translational “bench to 

bedside” research, and clinical areas. The school of medicine’s 

overall external research funding reached nearly $300 

million in 2017. 

The health system is also noted for the quality 

of its innovative interprofessional education, designed to 

prepare the health care workforce of tomorrow with the 

skills and values needed to lead and create change. U.S. 

News consistently ranks the UC Davis School of Medicine 

among the best in the country for primary care and 

research, and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing at 

UC Davis among the nation’s best for master’s-degree nursing 

programs. The school of nursing was established in 

2009 through a $100 million commitment from the Gordon 

and Betty Moore Foundation, the nation’s largest grant for 

nursing education. 

UC Davis Health also serves as a major driver of economic 

prosperity in the Sacramento region and Northern California. 

According to past studies, the health system has a combined 

economic impact throughout Northern California of more 

than $3.4 billion and more than 20,000 jobs. 

 

Above: UC Davis Children’s Hospital and UC Davis Medical Center 

serve as the main tertiary and quaternary care centers for a large swath 

of California. 

Below: UC Davis Health traditionally operates the only level I 

trauma center for both adult and pediatric emergencies in inland 

Northern California. 

PHOTOS © 2018 UC REGENTS. 


157

WELL AGING MED, INC. 

 

Dr. Denise Bogard. 

Well Aging Med, Inc., formerly known as Bogard Health 

and Wellness, was founded in 2013 by Denise Bogard, MD. Dr. 

Bogard has been in the medical field since her teens beginning 

as a nurse, then a nurse anesthetist and then going back to 

medical school at age twenty-nine to become a doctor. Her 

passion for continued learning has been the force behind the 

discovery of this innovative branch of medicine. 

The goal and mission of Dr. Bogard’s practice is to help all 

ages improve their health through an integrative approach. Most 

people enjoy optimal health until they reach their forties to fifties 

and then slowly their health begins to decline. That decline is 

different for each person. Dr. Bogard’s approach is to slow that 

aging curve, optimizing your health at each stage of your life. 

Dr. Bogard became interested in healthy aging when she had 

reached her fifties. She was working as an anesthesiologist, having 

practiced anesthesia for about thirty years at that point in 

her life. She had always been on-call, most of her shifts involved 

working twenty-four hours straight. She found as she was aging 

that it was more difficult to recover from those twenty-four 

hour shifts, as well as remaining alert and optimal during them. 

Sleep deprivation and working long hours were taking a toll on 

her physical health. She sought out a healthy aging physician in 

San Francisco and in working with him for about two and onehalf 

years was able to recover her health. 

Inspired by this, she began her own training process. She 

first was trained by Cenegenics and then found the fellowship 

track in Regenerative and Healthy Aging through the American 

Academy of Healthy Aging. She completed her fellowship in 

one year and took her written and oral boards and became certified 

as an anti-aging and regenerative physician. 

She opened her practice in 2014 and for the first two years 

maintained her anesthesiology practice at Sutter Roseville in 

Roseville, California. In December 2015, she retired from anesthesiology 

to practice her healthy aging practice full-time. 

In her initial evaluation of new patients, Dr. Bogard 

performs a blood draw, physical examination and detailed 

medical history and review of symptoms. She breaks down 

for each patient how the adrenal, thyroid, sex hormones, 


158

gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, blood sugar 

regulation, neurotransmitters, genetics and lifestyle all work 

together to create “dis-ease” or “health.” 

Once the labs return, she sits down with the client and 

reviews lab findings and sets a plan to restore each system. 

In this plan, she will recommend pharmaceutical nutraceuticals, 

bio-identical hormone replacement, lifestyle changes 

and weight loss recommendations. 

As a BioTE provider she administers bio-identical hormone 

replacement through pellet therapy. Pellets are very small, custom 

compounded therapies for a multitude of symptoms that 

stem from hormonal imbalances. This therapy keeps hormone 

levels consistent throughout the day and avoid roller coaster-like 

effects. The BioTE pellets contain bio-identical hormones (hormones 

identical to the ones found in the human body), derived 

from natural sources. Studies have shown that bio-identical hormones 

have fewer side effects than synthetic hormones. 

As an integrative physician, dysfunction in systems such 

as thyroid, adrenal, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, blood 

sugar and neurotransmitters are each addressed. She looks at 

the root causes, prescribing medication when needed. She 

also looks at optional approaches such as supplements, 

lifestyle change, precursors to neurotransmitters and removing 

heavy metals. With her intravenous skills, she employs 

IV nutrition and IV chelation when needed. 

Recently, she added Ondamed therapy to her practice. Low 

frequency, pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) can stimulate 

healing processes in your body. Ondamed is a biofeedback 

device used to determine which frequencies of sound, as well 

as the accompanying weak pulsed electromagnetic fields, cause 

a response on the patient’s autonomic nervous system. 

Temporary stimulation by these frequencies, combined with 

the patient’s cognitive and non-cognitive participation, promotes 

relaxation, muscle re-education and rehabilitation that 

returns the body to its former state of wellness. 

Dr. Bogard works out regularly with Tiara Orisek from 

Fitbody Fitness studio as well as her Peloton bicycle and outdoor 

cycling regularly. Jenna, her oldest daughter lives in San 

Francisco. Jessie, her younger daughter is married to Tyler 

Johns and they have a little girl, Rylee, and are expecting their 

next baby September 2018. 

Lastly, Dr. Bogard is integrating healthy aging into grief 

management. Dr. Bogard lost her son, Jerry Bogard, March 4, 

2016. Jerry was twenty-six years of age. She feels very blessed 

to have her anti-aging practice. She has shared some of her 

grief in constructive ways. 

She has been blessed to have worked with Laura Sullivan, 

licensed family and grief counselor. The Compassionate Friends, 

is an organization to support families after a child dies. They 

have a local chapter Dr. Bogard has utilized. She has started a 

blog, wholesomegrieving.com. She plans to use her anti-aging 

skills to help parents get through the grief of losing a child. 

Dr. Bogard says, “I am a Christian, the Lord knew what He 

was doing when he guided me out of anesthesiology into a 

field of anti-aging. I will continue to help people age well as 

long as I am able.” 

 

Dr. Bogard works with trainer, Tiara Orisek at Fitbody Fitness. 


159

Northwest Hall. 

UNIVERSITY OF 

THE PACIFIC 

University of the Pacific is a highly ranked national university 

that remains deeply committed to a personal, student-centered 

approach. Campuses in Sacramento, Stockton and San 

Francisco strategically position Pacific in three of California’s— 

and the nation’s—most important and dynamic markets. 

Known for small class sizes, practical experience and faculty 

scholars committed to teaching and mentoring, Pacific 

provides a superior, whole-person learning experience. 

Integrating a strong foundation in the liberal arts with 

practice-based professional education, Pacific prepares its 

graduates to live, learn and lead with purpose and to make a 

positive difference in their careers and communities. 

Six months after graduation, nearly ninety percent of the 

Class of 2016 was employed or accepted to a graduate or professional 

school, completing a post-graduate internship or fellowship, 

or serving in the military or public service. In 2017, 

Pacific alumni salaries ranked number fourth in California 

compared to similar institutions, according to the White 

House College Scorecard. Overall, Pacific ranked first among 

360 colleges and universities for alumni salaries. 

University of the Pacific was founded in 1851 as 

California’s first chartered institution of higher education. Its 

60,000 living alumni include human rights leader Sakena 

Yacoobi, civil rights leader Dolores Huerta, NFL coach Pete 

Carroll and astronaut Jose Hernandez. Late alumni include 

jazz legend Dave Brubeck, former San Francisco Mayor 

George Moscone and movie actress Janet Leigh. 

Pacific’s 11 schools and colleges on its 3 campuses offer 

6,400 students their choice of 80-plus majors, 25 graduate 

programs and 10 accelerated program options in pharmacy, 

speech-language pathology, physical therapy, dentistry, law, 

engineering, education and business. These programs offer 

dedicated and talented students the ability to advance their 

earning potential by completing their undergraduate or professional 

degree at least one year faster. 

Located in the Oak Park neighborhood, Pacific’s 

Sacramento Campus is home to the McGeorge School of Law, 

which has affected the Sacramento region positively for more 

than ninety years. More than 3,000 alumni work in the 

Sacramento area as practicing attorneys, judges and government 

leaders. A recognized leader in international and water 

law, McGeorge is evolving to meet the needs of the twentyfirst 

century legal field by adding new programs in law, public 

policy and public administration. Building on this strength, 

the Sacramento Campus is now an interdisciplinary center 

that offers a number of academic degree programs in health, 

education, data science and public policy, as well as degree 

completion and certificate programs to serve working adults. 

The Sacramento Campus is also home to Pacific’s 

acclaimed Center for Business and Policy Research, which is 

known for its independent, objective analyses of business, 

economic and public policy issues with a focus on the 

Northern California Mega-Region. The Center has extensive 

experience on water, transportation, housing, labor and economic 

development issues that affect this region. 

Pacific’s Stockton Campus, renowned for its classic, 

tree-lined beauty, offers a breadth of outstanding academic 

programs and a vibrant and supportive campus life. The 

campus is home to a college of liberal arts and sciences, a 


160

conservatory of music, and schools of education, engineering 

and computer sciences, international studies, business, 

pharmacy and health sciences, a graduate school and 

University College, serving working adults. 

Home to the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, one of 

the nation’s premier dental schools, Pacific’s high-tech campus 

in San Francisco also offers high-quality, market-responsive 

graduate programs in music therapy, audiology and data 

science. Its dental and audiology clinics address important 

healthcare needs for the region’s underserved. Since 2010 

more than 3,000 of the most vulnerable and underserved 

have received dental services through the Virtual Dental 

Home program, a community-based teledentistry model 

being implemented throughout the state and beyond that is 

revolutionizing access for underserved populations. 

Known for its rigorous academic programs, Pacific complements 

students’ classroom education with experiential 

learning though internships, field and laboratory research, 

and study abroad. Students write legislation alongside local 

attorneys and judges, participate in hands-on community 

medical clinics and gain internships and fellowships across 

Northern California from the financial centers of San 

Francisco to Silicon Valley tech labs. 

In addition to academics, Pacific is making a positive difference 

across Northern California through tens of thousands 

of hours of public outreach, innovative programs and 

the efforts of students, faculty and staff. For example, 

McGeorge’s legal clinics on important topics, such as immigration 

law, benefit the community while preparing students 

through meaningful hands-on learning. 

Pacificans excel not only in the classroom and the community, 

but also on the courts and field. The Tigers, Pacific’s student-athletes, 

compete in NCAA Division I athletics as a member 

of the West Coast Conference. The athletics department 

sponsors nineteen sports: baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, 

women’s cross country, women’s field hockey, men’s golf, 

women’s and men’s volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, 

women’s softball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and 

women’s tennis, women’s track and field, women’s volleyball, 

and men’s and women’s water polo. The Tigers regularly qualify 

for post-season competition and have taken home numerous 

conference titles. Pacific’s coaches and athletes have 

appeared in the Olympics and the World Games, received 

national awards, and have gone on to join major professional 

sports teams. 

 

Top: Powercat the Pacific tiger cheering on the men’s basketball team. 

Bottom, left: Arthur Dugoni School of Dentistry. 

Below: Strolling on the University of the Pacific Campus. 


161

SAINT VINCENT DE PAUL 

SOCIETY, ROSEVILLE 

Top: Clients picking up cartload of groceries at Saint Vincent’s food locker. 

Middle: Volunteer serves a hot meal to guest at Saint Vincent’s dining room.. 

Bottom: A senior client receives food delivered to her home by volunteers. 

The Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Roseville Conference, 

was founded in August 1983 as a project from Saint Rose 

Catholic Church in Roseville. It originally started as a small 

thrift store and office that provided free furniture and financial 

help towards rent and utilities for Roseville residents. 

Today, its new Kollect-a-Knacks & More thrift store sells 

clothing, household goods, and furniture at very low prices 

and maintains a free clothes closet for those who cannot 

afford to purchase clothing. 

The primary goal of Saint Vincent de Paul is to provide 

essential services to individuals and families in its 

community who are homeless, low-income, unemployed, 

physically or mentally ill, and victims of abuse, emergency 

or disaster situations. The immediate goal is to provide 

the fundamental necessities of life—food, clothing, and 

medical assistance. 

In December 1983, the Saint Vincent de Paul, Roseville 

opened its dining room and immediately began serving 

between forty and fifty free hot meals per day. Currently, the 

dining room serves a hot lunchtime meal five times a week to 

more than sixty guests daily. 

A month later, it started its Food Locker program. In the 

first month of the program, groceries were provided to 

approximately two hundred households. The Food Locker 

program is its largest and now provides supplemental 

groceries to more than 750 households monthly. 

Since then, the organization has added three more 

programs. Assisted by a grant from the City of Roseville in 

2003, Saint Vincent de Paul created its Bags program, 

enabling them to deliver groceries to homebound seniors 

and handicapped individuals. They currently serve more 

than eighty-five people in this capacity. 

In addition, medical clinics offer free urgent and triage 

medical care on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. In 

2017, the clinic had 477 patient visits and provided 199 

prescription medicines. The fifth and most recent program is 

a collaborative effort with Advocates for Mentally Ill Housing 

(AMIH), Stand Up Placer, St. Vincent de Paul, Roseville, and 

Kids First, known as a collaborative “ASSK.” 

This collaboration has received funding from the City of 

Roseville’s Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing grant 

for 2018. Its purpose is to assist low income and qualifying 

homeless individuals with short-term rental assistance and 

utility assistance. In addition to rent and utility assistance, its 

goal is to ensure social services among community agencies 

are utilized to the fullest. 


162

Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Christian Church, located at 

1001 Stone Canyon Drive, was founded by Greek Americans 

in 1989. Today, the Parish reflects the American experience 

and comprises over 200 families representing at least twelve 

different nationalities. It is a youthful and vibrant community 

of believers; committed to serving God and loving their 

neighbors by adhering to Orthodox Christian principles that 

are Scriptural, Traditional, Apostolic and Eucharistic. 

For three decades, the Parish has had a rich history. 

Divine services were started in May 1989 and held at St. 

John’s Episcopal Church in Roseville. Reverend Father 

Demetrius Dogias, of blessed memory, who was the full-time 

priest at Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in 

Sacramento, conducted these services. 

By May 1998, Roseville Mission had grown to about twenty 

pledged families. At that time, Paul Stamas, a leader in the 

parish’s formation, contacted the Metropolis of San Francisco 

to request a full-time priest. In order to be a viable parish, the 

mission was to have at least thirty pledged families to sustain a 

clergyman. Bishop Anthony, also of blessed memory, reviewed 

the previous ten years of activity and agreed. He assigned 

Reverend Father Cosmas Halekakis as the first Parish priest. 

Services were initially conducted in a small office complex. 

In 2000, members selected a parish name honoring and 

seeking the intercessions of Saint Anna, the mother of Mary, 

the maternal grandmother of Jesus. Simultaneously, the 

Parish received a property donation by the Tsakopoulos family—the 

Stone Canyon property. In 2001, Reverend Doctor 

Christopher Flesoras was assigned to serve the faithful. 

In 2003 the site plan for the future church campus was 

submitted and approved by the Metropolis of San Francisco 

and the City of Roseville. Groundbreaking took place in 

2004. In 2005 and 2007, the Parish received Holy Relics of 

Saints Anna and Joachim from the Skete of Saint Anna, located 

on Mount Athos in Greece. 

Over the years, the Parish has actively supported her 

community. Benefactors of Parish philanthropy include the 

Tommy Apostolos Fund, the Sacramento Crisis Nursery, 

Loaves and Fishes, the Receiving Home, Saint Vincent de 

Paul, Roseville Home Start, Trinity Children & Family 

Services, the Soldiers Project, the families of deployed soldiers 

and airmen, Project Linus, Coats for Kids, Hogar Rafael 

Ayau Orphanage, Kids ‘n Cancer, the Mary and Martha 

Home, Full Circle Treatment Center and the International 

Orthodox Christian Charities. 

SAINT ANNA 

GREEK ORTHODOX 

CHRISTIAN CHURCH 


163

A THERAPEUTIC 

ALTERNATIVE 

 

Right: A Therapeutic Alternative is located on H Street in East Sacramento. 

Below: Executive Director Kimberly Cargile, A Therapeutic Alternative. 

When A Therapeutic Alternative was 

founded in 2009, medical cannabis was not 

accepted or regulated in the City of 

Sacramento. Its founder, Jeanne Larson, and 

current executive director, Kimberly Cargile, 

have worked tirelessly over the years to educate 

the public and the government on 

patients’ needs for safe access. 

Jeanne founded A Therapeutic Alternative 

with a simple mission: “It is a human right to 

heal oneself by all means necessary. Cannabis 

is a healing herb for many different conditions, 

and it should be widely available.” 

The Compassionate Use Act, also known 

as Proposition 215, was passed by the 

California voters in 1996. Over the next 

decade, compassionate collectives began 

opening in California to serve the needs of medical cannabis 

patients. Collectives were formed between cannabis growers 

in order to legally provide for patients in need. A 

Therapeutic Alternative was founded to do just that—bring 

safe access to the medical cannabis patients of the 

Sacramento Valley. 

Many protests, letter writing campaigns, signature drives 

and City Council meetings later, the City of Sacramento 

enacted an ordinance regulating dispensaries in 2010. After 

a long public process, A Therapeutic Alternative received its 

Dispensary Permit from the City of Sacramento. 

After passing regulations in the city, Kimberly started 

advocating for regulations at the state level and helped pass 

the Medical Marijuana Regulation and Safety Act of 2015, 

the Adult Use of Marijuana Act of 2016 and the Medicinal 

and Adult Use of Cannabis Regulation and Safety Act of 

2017. These laws put into place regulations on the entire 

cannabis industry from seed to sale, ensuring the industry, 

consumers, the public and the environment have the protections 

they deserve. 

A volunteer yoga instructor and grower when the company 

was founded, Kimberly enjoyed working with Jeanne to 

bring healing herbs and healing energy to the patients. 

Kimberly was appointed executive director in 2012 and is 

dedicated to helping patients heal by all means necessary. 

A Therapeutic Alternative provides high quality, laboratory 

tested products to its members. The educated staff 

serves its members with compassion, while providing them 

with a thorough understanding of proper dosage and 

administration. A variety of cannabinoid profiles, dosages 

and administration techniques are provided, including: 

lotions, salves, pain patches, suppositories, oils, concentrates, 

edible and baked goods, vaporizers and dried herbs. 

In addition, A Therapeutic Alternative offers complementary 

holistic services such as yoga, meditation, sound therapy 

and massage therapy to its members. 


164

One of the universal threads that binds us all is language. It 

is the foundation for communication, culture and development. 

CASA de ESPAÑOL (CASA) has become a center for bringing 

people together through language in the heart of Sacramento. 

CASA has created an innovative and interactive Spanish 

language program that integrates in-class and online practice 

allowing students to customize the curriculum to their 

needs. It offers Spanish classes for adults year-round, after 

school and Saturday Spanish program for children and teens 

during the school year, and camps throughout the summer. 

But it is more than a Spanish language school. CASA and 

its team are dedicated to community outreach and engagement. 

CASA offers free and low-cost English classes and free 

on-campus cultural exchange and language tutoring. Its programming 

builds bridges between Sacramento and the world 

with its educational trips to Ecuador, Spain, Morocco, Cuba 

and its service projects in Mexico. Moreover, its boutique, art 

gallery and events give community members the opportunity 

to see firsthand the wonders of the Spanish-speaking 

world right in their own neighborhood. 

The organization began in 2011 when María Harrington, a 

Spanish teacher, and her husband, Johnny Walker, a graphic 

designer, decided to open CASA with the help of Esperanza 

Harrington, María’s mom and retired Sac City school teacher. 

The couple’s dream was to grow the small language school 

into a Spanish language and Latino cultural center. 

CASA de ESPAÑOL opened with twenty-five students on J 

Street in Sacramento. They soon outgrew the space and moved 

to Eleventh and R Street. More than quadrupling in size, the 

new location opened in 2015 with nearly 350 students. 

CASA is a family-owned business with María and Johnny’s 

amazing family and their outstanding CASA team at the very 

core. The passion they bring to CASA every day has made it 

a joyous and vibrant cultural and language hub filled with 

wonderful Spanish and English students and community 

members, who love to share their language, culture and 

experiences with each other. 

CASA is excited about the future. It plans to continue to 

expand its on-campus programs, as well as offer its products 

and classes virtually to a wider audience. 

For more information about CASA de ESPAÑOL, check 

out their website at www.casadeespanol.org. 

÷ 

CASA DE ESPAÑOL 

Above: CASA de ESPAÑOL is located at 1101 R Street in Sacramento. 

Below: Outstanding CASA team. 


165

EL DORADO COUNTY 

 

Top: Lake Tahoe. 

Middle: Latrobe Road Oak Trees. 

Bottom: Fairchild Building. 

PHOTOGRAPHS COURTESY OF PAUL COCKRELL, PLACERVILLE ART GALLERY. 

El Dorado County began its entrepreneurial spirit with 

the California Gold Rush, and is still open for business today. 

With unmatched rural beauty, endless recreational opportunities, 

safe communities and world class public schools, the 

County provides an unparalleled quality of life. 

The County has over 3,000 acres of undeveloped commercially 

zoned land and access to a regional market of 2.4 

million people. We also have some of the lowest commercial 

traffic impact mitigation fees in the region. 

Want to go mountain biking, golfing or skiing, then hold 

a business meeting? You can do that in El Dorado County 

with ease. Add an environment with sunlight seventy percent 

of the year, and you have a business and lifestyle package 

found in few other places. 

Above the fog and the floods, the County encompasses 

1,786 square miles that range from the eastern edge of the 

Sacramento Valley to the peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. 

Our western border is thirty minutes from the State 

Capital and only twenty minutes away from over 1 million 

acres of breathtaking national forest with abundant opportunities 

to relax and play. 

The County is less than an hour from the Sacramento 

International Airport, 2 research universities, and is bisected 

by Highway 50, which provides quick access to 3 

interstate highways. We are also just 2 hours from the 

San Francisco Bay. 

El Dorado County enjoys an economy as diverse as its 

landscape. A recent county-wide analysis concluded that 

major employment sectors with room for growth include: 

health & social services; accommodation & food services; 

retail trade; construction; administration & waste services; 

finance & industry; manufacturing; and arts, entertainment 

& recreation. 

From anywhere in the County, an hour’s drive will allow 

you to ski, hike, bike, raft, rock climb, enjoy wine tasting, 

and stroll historic downtown Placerville. Our Lake Tahoe 

region hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and our Rubicon 

Trail is internationally renowned—no wonder El Dorado 

County is currently ranked the fifteenth healthiest county 

in California. 


166

The Capital Region’s Workforce Development Boards 

help businesses find qualified employees and job seekers 

find employment. 

The Boards oversee a network of America’s Job Centers 

that provide a comprehensive menu of career and training 

services for job seekers. The goals of the Job Centers 

are to prepare customers for viable employment opportunities 

and career pathways in the region by supporting 

regional employers’ efforts to hire, train and transition 

employees and preparing youth to thrive and succeed in the 

regional workforce. 

The Boards cover Sacramento, Placer, El Dorado, Alpine, 

Sutter, Yuba, Yolo, Glenn and Colusa Counties. The local 

Boards provide services, resources, workforce development 

sector strategies, career pathways and training programs 

through partnerships with business, the community 

colleges, adult education schools, the Employment 

Development Department and over forty other workforce 

development partners. 

The Capital Region’s Boards are 

conveners, brokers, and leaders in 

developing and providing talent that 

meets the demand-driven skill 

needs of business. Business 

resources available through the 

Boards include recruitment services, 

assessment for job preparedness, a 

database of job-ready and skilled 

applicants, interview and orientation 

space, interview and meeting 

facilities, interview scheduling, onthe-job 

and customized training and 

work experience certificates. 

The Boards unite business, education 

and public agencies to 

assure qualified and trained workers are available to meet 

the needs of the region’s growing economy. More than 

50,000 customers are served by the Boards each year. 

For those seeking employment, Job Seeker Services 

at twenty-one Job Centers provide information to 

assist with career decision making, career exploration, 

researching careers and information on the educational 

requirements needed to pursue them. Employability skills 

assessments designed to measure workplace vocational 

skills are also available. 

A variety of training programs and classes are 

available through the Job Centers to prepare customers 

for careers in a specific trade, occupation or vocation. 

Among the more popular career choices are the health 

field, manufacturing, construction, transportation, education 

and tourism. 

To learn more about the Capital Region’s Workforce 

Boards, please contact Roy Kim at (916) 263-3814. 

CAPITAL REGION’S 

WORKFORCE 

DEVELOPMENT BOARDS 


167

CITY OF ROCKLIN 

The City of Rocklin celebrated its 125th anniversary of 

incorporation in 2018 by honoring the people, businesses, 

and historic events that built the foundation of the city. 

Historically, residents and visitors were brought to the 

area by connections to the transcontinental railroad 

and the abundance of granite that helped give Rocklin its 

name. Today, the City is a vibrant community, well-positioned 

for continued success with great schools, a highly 

educated workforce, and access to first-class business and 

recreation opportunities. 

Rocklin’s Quarry District combines the city’s history with 

housing, shopping and entertainment options that provide a 

unique experience for residents and visitors. 

In the heart of the district is Quarry Park, which includes 

an amphitheater that showcases national and local entertainment, 

and family-friendly community events. Right next 

door to the amphitheater is an eighty-foot-deep former granite 

quarry that is now the site of a one-of-a-kind adventure 

park! Attendees can race on 400-foot zip lines, navigate a 

ropes course, climb the sheer walls, and much more. The 

City and its residents invite you to see what makes Rocklin 

a special place to live, work and play. 


168

Since its origins in 1973, as a small regional publishing 

company based in San Antonio, Texas, Lammert Inc. has 

been in the business of helping its customers tell their stories 

in the most compelling and powerful ways possible. Working 

with a wide variety of clients—from corporations to civic 

organizations to individuals and families, Lammert Inc. 

emerged as a force in the publishing industry. 

The company initially produced specialty publications, such 

as an office building directory for the North San Antonio 

Chamber of Commerce, and a pictorial roster for the San 

Antonio Bar Association. Over the last four decades, Lammert 

published hundreds of directories, maps, and magazines for 

chambers of commerce and civic groups across the country. 

In the mid-1990s, Lammert created a new division, 

Historical Publishing Network (HPN), and focused on producing 

hardcover coffee table-style history and cityscape books. 

The first of these was Fire and Gold: The San Francisco Story. In 

the ensuing years, Lammert perfected the sponsored-book 

model of publishing. 

Conceived around the idea of an ultra-high quality hardcover 

chronicle of a city or county’s past, these exceptional books were 

also designed to raise funds for a sponsoring organization—typically 

a chamber of commerce or a historical preservation group. 

They utilized a unique advertising mechanism, known as company 

profiles—business and institutional histories, which were 

purchased by organizations wishing to tell their individual stories, 

and placed in special sections of the books. 

As of 2018, Lammert had published more than 140 titles 

using the sponsored-book model, while raising hundreds of 

thousands of dollars for its many sponsoring groups. 

Having carved out its position in the market for turnkey 

design, production, and marketing of photography-rich coffee 

table books through HPN, in 2018 Lammert Inc. signaled a 

new focus with the launch of its new division, HPN Custom 

Media & Publishing (HPN-CMP). 

HPN-CMP remains a one-stop source for custom media, 

including turnkey book design, writing, editing, and 

production, as well as offering an enhanced range of 

customized services, including print, digital, and photo and 

video media solutions, as well as related website design and 

events management services. 

Employees, customers, partners, and shareholders all value 

a credible story which unites the organization’s past to its present 

and to its future, enhancing its community standing and 

brand reputation, or celebrating a significant anniversary, milestone, 

or similar event. 

The unique mix of talents and expertise brought to bear in 

a HPN project culminates in a remarkable creation—a 

breathtaking, photo-rich, coffee table book. 

The book may be complemented by a dedicated website, 

digital “flip-book,” and/or by related events to commemorate a 

historical milestone, introduce or promote a product or brand, 

or to present an organization’s annual report with more 

impressive visuals. As a gift to associates, partners, current and 

prospective employees, clients, and civic officials, the book 

serves as a powerful marketing tool. 

For more information, or to inquire about producing your 

own publication, please visit www.hpncustommedia.com. 

LAMMERT INC. 

DBA 

HPNBOOKS & 

HPN CUSTOM 

MEDIA & PUBLISHING 


169


170

STRONG BUSINESS 

Retail and commercial establishments offer the Capital Region an 

impressive variety of choices. 

U.S. Bank ........................................................................................................................172 

McCreey’s Home Furnishings. ..............................................................................................176 

Quick Quack Car Wash...........................................................................................179 

Integrative Women’s Healthcare 

Caring for Women Wellness Center 

Michael P. Goodman, MD, FACOG .................................................................180 

Emigh Ace Hardware ..............................................................................................182 

Owen-Dunn Insurance Services ................................................................................184 

Five Star Bank ......................................................................................................186 

Golden 1 Credit Union ...........................................................................................188 

The Natoma Company-Property Management Services..................................................190 

Sun City Lincoln Hills............................................................................................192 

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel............................................................................194 

Rita Gibson Insurance & Investment Services, Inc.......................................................196 

Denio’s Roseville Farmers Market & Swap Meet..........................................................198 

Hornblowers Cruises & Events.................................................................................199 

COVA Hotel..........................................................................................................200 

A-One Bookkeeping & Tax.......................................................................................201 

Fort Sutter Automotive, Inc.....................................................................................202 

Eisley Nursery ......................................................................................................203 

Nugget Market, Inc................................................................................................204 

The Munirs Company .............................................................................................205 

Rio City Café........................................................................................................206 

River City Bank ....................................................................................................207 

CAPITAL REGION PARTNERS - STRONG BUSINESS 

171

U.S. BANK 

U.S. Bank operates under the second-oldest continuous 

banking charter in the United States. Its rich history 

in the State of California started in February 1995 when it 

bought Heart Federal Savings. Shortly after that, it purchased 

Sacramento First National Bank, allowing U.S. 

Bank to have a commercial banking presence in 

the Greater Sacramento Region along with the retail 

branch network that arose from the Heart Federal 

Savings acquisition. 

As U.S. Bank grew from acquisitions in the early 1990s, 

the need for a centralized location arose. During 1991 and 

1992, the bank moved into U.S. Bank Plaza in Downtown 

Sacramento. This building, which also was the home of the 

new Sacramento Public Library, opened in 1992, housed 

U.S. Bank’s Community Possible Bus. 


172

U.S Bank volunteers helping the community at local food bank. 


173

U.S. Bank Tower. 

multiple business lines and was the 

first large office space for U.S. Bank in 

Sacramento. This location was the 

corporate headquarters of U.S. Bank 

of California. In August 1997, U.S. 

Bank of California became part of 

U.S. Bank, N.A. headquartered in 

Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

In June 2006, the bank broke 

ground on the new U.S. Bank Tower, 

located at 621 Capitol Mall. With its 

iconic, multi-colored building top, 

which can be seen for miles, the 

building is one the tallest in 

Sacramento and has received numerous 

architectural and environmental 

awards. The bank officially took occupancy 

in June 2008, occupying several 

floors along with a retail branch as 

part of its long term commitment to 

the Greater Sacramento Region. 

In February of 2017, Fortune magazine 

named U.S. Bank the world’s 

most admired super-regional bank for 

the seventh consecutive year. Among 

super-regional banks, U.S. Bancorp 

ranked number one in eight of 

Fortune’s nine key attributes of 

reputation: Quality of Management, 

Social Responsibility, Innovation, 

Quality of Products/Services, People Management, Use of 

Corporate Assets, Financial Soundness and Long-Term 

Investment Value. 

Today, as the fifth largest commercial bank in the United 

States, U.S. Bank maintains a prominent presence in the 

Greater Sacramento Region. We have over 600 

employees, and fifty-two branches—both traditional 

and in-store. U.S. Bank offers many diverse products and 

services to meet the needs of its clients including 

Commercial Banking, Commercial Real Estate, Wealth 


174

U.S. Bank Main Branch. 

Management, Equipment Finance, Global Treasury 

Management, and many more. 

U.S. Bank Sacramento Advisory Board members support 

and encourage a dialogue between U.S. Bank and the community. 

Our Advisory Board includes: 

Michael Mondavi, Folio Wine Company; 

Eva Hill, Venture Oaks Real Estate Group; 

John Kehriotis, JMK Investments; 

Frank Washington, Moon Shot Communications; 

Lon Hatamiya, The Hatamiya Group; 

Larry Kelley, McClellan Park; 

Larry Booth, Frank M. Booth, Inc.; and 

Jeffrey Koewler, Delfino Madden O’Malley Coyle & Koewler. 

In 2016, U.S. Bank established Community Possible, it is 

a corporate giving and volunteer program focused on community 

investments on programs centered on Work, Home, 

and Play. 

At U.S. Bank, we invest our time, resources and passion 

to build and support vibrant communities that allow every 

person to work toward their possible. The building blocks of 

all thriving communities where all things are possible 

include: stable employment opportunities, a home to call 

your own, and a community connected through culture, 

recreation and play. 

Last year, U.S. Bank provided more than $1.2 million in 

investments to communities in the Greater Sacramento 

Region, which provided affordable housing, encouraged 

self-sufficiency and fostered economic development. These 

investments include U.S. Bank Foundation Grants, U.S. 

Bank Corporate Giving Grants, U.S. Bank Corporate 

giving and Non Profit Sponsorship as well as tax credit 

investments made through U.S. Bank Community 

Development Corporation. In addition, U.S. Bank employees 

contributed more than 1,600 volunteer hours helping 

to strengthen the community needs of the Greater 

Sacramento Region. 

We are proud to support work, home and play through 

these and many other organizations: 

• Crocker Art Museum, 

• Junior Achievement of Sacramento, and 

• Neighborworks Homeownership Center Sacramento Region. 

U.S. Bank is committed to its clients, employees and the 

community. To learn more about U.S. Bank, please visit 

usbank.com. 


175

MCCREERY’S HOME 

FURNISHINGS 

Custom furniture. Exclusive styling. A 

personalized touch. Everything is possible 

at McCreery’s Home Furnishings. 

Exploring 60,000 square feet of fine furniture, 

discover a generous palette for 

creativity. Touch, feel and explore topgrain 

leather. Relax and recharge on plush 

spring down upholstery. Appreciate the 

craftsmanship and materials, both seen 

and not seen. Whether one’s style is rooted 

in French Country, Mediterranean, or 

the clean lines of Modern Contemporary, 

McCreery’s has the look for the discerning 

furniture buyer. Fabrics. Leathers. 

Finishes. Accents. Combine tradition 

with bold transitional looks in the furniture 

of today. 

McCreery’s Home Furnishings is 

proud to offer a custom furniture shopping 

experience unlike anywhere else in 

Sacramento. With relationships with the industries best 

manufacturers, you can be assured that when you shop at 

McCreery’s, you are seeing the best Sacramento has to offer 

in fine home furnishings. 

McCreery’s Home Furnishings has been doing business 

in the Sacramento Valley since 1955, when Florence and 

M.D. McCreery packed up their Packard sedan and left their 

home in Indiana, Pennsylvania. M.D. and Florence headed 

west, with visions of becoming the owners of a successful 

business. They landed in Sacramento and in November of 

that year, they founded Modern Furniture Company on 

Auburn Boulevard. Midcentury futurism was all the rage, 

and people were willing to try almost anything. New trends 

were emerging in furniture as well. Lean lines, elegant 


176

Today, McCreery’s Home Furnishings is the only 

home furnishings store of its kind in the Sacramento 

Valley that offers their clients a fully custom experience. 

Third-generation owner, Kris McCreery, cares for the 

business and walks in the same footsteps of the family 

legacy, embodying the same commitment to style, tradition 

and innovation that has made McCreery’s Home 

Furnishings a destination for so many. 

McCreery’s proudly features their exclusive Signature 

Design Program. In-house designers visit a customer’s home 

edges, and catchy chrome were making their way into 

American homes. Florence and M.D. stocked their brand 

new showroom with bedrooms, dining rooms, and kitchen 

sets from reputable manufacturers. They combined quality 

furniture with a level of service offered nowhere else in the 

Sacramento Valley. 

By 1985, Thomas McCreery was now the second generation 

of the family to oversee the day-to-day operation of 

Modern Furniture. By continuing to offer high-quality 

furniture and superb customer service with a personal 

touch, a new era had begun. Thomas guided the business 

with a vision toward growth and opportunity. 

Soon, custom orders became the norm. Tastes, trends, 

and styles of furniture continued to evolve. Constantly 

expanding and innovating, Modern Furniture Company was 

renamed and rebranded “McCreery’s Home Furnishings” to 

better reflect the myriad options available. 


177

with their client to create an overall room plan. Such 

service from an outside designer normally ranges into the 

thousands of dollars. At McCreery’s, it is complimentary in 

order to make your furniture and your home uniquely 

yours. Fully-customized interior design plans can include 

paint options, window treatments, fine hand-knotted 

wool rugs, and casual or formal furnishings from 

prestigious manufacturers such as Canadel, Thomasville, 

Hooker Furniture, Hancock & Moore, Flexsteel, Century, 

Marge Carson, Huntington House, Bradington Young, and 

many more. 

McCreery’s Home Furnishings has been the recipient of 

numerous dealer and customer service awards. They draw 

customers from throughout the Sacramento Valley and 

beyond. Multiple generations of families have returned for 

the excellent customer service and high-quality, one-of-akind 

shopping experience. 

A legacy started in 1955 has certainly been realized. 

McCreery’s Home Furnishings continues its commitment to 

Sacramento and the surrounding areas, and will continue to 

inspire its customers and friends in the community, year 

after year, generation after generation. 


178

The success of Quick Quack Car Wash is a story of ambition 

and determination. From its first Sacramento location in 

2004, Quick Quack has expanded to more than sixty locations 

in five states. The business has been named the secondfastest 

growing company in Sacramento and one of the 

fastest growing in the nation, as well as being recognized as 

one of the top fifty car washes in the nation. 

At Quick Quack, the customer stays in their vehicle while 

being automatically guided through the car wash where the 

vehicle is soaked, soaped, washed, polished, rinsed with 

spot-free water, all in a matter of minutes. 

What is known today as Quick Quack Car Wash actually 

began as a business school project for Jason Johnson in 

2000. He finished graduate school and went to work as an 

analyst for Hewlett-Packard (HP) in Roseville, but kept 

returning to his car wash business plan, convinced it could 

become a successful reality. 

In 2002, Jason met Timothy Wright and his partners— 

Chris Vaterlaus and Greg Drennan—and began to persuade 

them that the best thing they could do with their money was 

invest in a car wash. Tim and his partners gradually warmed 

to the idea, and in 2004, Jason agreed to leave HP and commit 

100 percent to making the idea work. 

Tim and Jason knocked on the door of every bank in town, 

looking for loans to go with the equity they had raised with 

Chris and Greg. They eventually secured enough financing to 

purchase their first car wash, named Splash ‘N Dash Car Wash, 

in Carmichael. The business opened on November 18, 2004 

with Jason as the manager. He also served as cashier, helped 

wash the cars and processed the bills and payroll at night. 

Splash ‘N Dash washed 44,000 cars that first year, but 

Jason wanted the car wash to become a brand, rather than a 

single car wash operation. An expert in building a brand, 

Travis Kimball, was recruited and joined the partnership in 

2005 when the company built its first new car wash construction 

project in Folsom. Travis served as store leader and 

later headed all the firm’s marketing and branding. 

New car washes were built and opened in quick succession 

in North Highlands, Foothill Farms, Rancho Cordova and South 

Natomas. The company’s growth plans were right on schedule 

when the great recession of 2007 began, and Quick Quack’s 

plans decelerated dramatically. Progress had also been stalled by 

damage caused by a freak fire consuming one of the car washes 

and break-ins at other locations. 

The partners, however, were determined to succeed. Almost 

miraculously, they were able to purchase the seven original 

Quick Quack Car Washes in Amarillo and Lubbock, Texas, and 

Colorado Springs, Colorado, beginning a period of strong 

growth. Splash ‘N Dash adopted the Quick Quack name and 

now operates more than sixty locations throughout California, 

Utah, Texas, Arizona and Colorado. Quick Quack now boasts 

more than 100,000 unlimited car wash memberships. 

QUICK QUACK CAR WASH 

 

Below: Quackals welcomes you to Quick Quack Car Wash. 


179

INTEGRATIVE WOMEN’S 

HEALTHCARE 

CARING FOR WOMEN 

WELLNESS CENTER 

MICHAEL P. G OODMAN, 

MD, FACOG 

Dr. Michael Goodman has lectured or conducted courses on four continents.. 

This is a different Women’s Health practice! We 

strive to give you not just more years to your 

life...but more life to your years. 

In an age of corporate medicine, overworked 

practitioners, unreturned calls, “phone trees,” and 

practitioners consumed with billing documents 

known as “Electronic Medical Records,” Caring 

For Women Wellness Center is a breath of fresh 

air in Yolo, Sacramento, Nevada, Solano Counties 

and environs. 

Michael P. Goodman, MD, FACOG, NCMP, 

IF, CCD, AAACS has enjoyed more than forty 

years working with women striving to solve problems 

and maintain health. “Dr. G” is a Stanfordtrained 

Board Certified Gynecologist (FACOG); 

certified by the North American Menopause 

Association as a “Certified Menopause Practitioner” 

(NCMP—one of only five practitioners in the greater 

Sacramento area); a Clinical Bone Densiometrist (CCD), having 

been certified to prevent, diagnose, and treat 

Osteoporosis; and is an elected Fellow of the International 

Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (IF), 

certifying him as a Sexual Medicine Practitioner. He is an 

Associate of the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery 

(AAACS.) With more than ten contributions to the current 

peer-reviewed literature in the areas of hormone therapy, 

sexuality, body image, female genital aesthetic and laparoendoscopic 

surgery, Dr. Goodman has garnered a worldwide 

reputation. He has lectured or conducted courses on four 

continents, has trained fifty-plus surgeons worldwide in his 

techniques for specialized genital plastic and cosmetic surgery, 

has been a Keynote Lecturer at many National and 

International Congresses, and serves as a Clinical Assistant 

Professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at 

California Northstate University School of Medicine, in Elk 

Grove, where he teaches medical students. His popular 

books include The Midlife Bible: A Woman’s Survival Guide; 

MEN-opause, The Book For Men; and You Want to Do WHAT? 

WHERE?? Everything You Wanted to Know About Genital 

Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery. He is the Senior Editor and 

major contributor to the new critically acclaimed medical 


180

textbook, Female Genital Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, published 

in 2016. 

Most importantly, “Caring” is an integrative practice! 

Lifestyle adjustments, Mindfulness, sexual counselling and 

life coaching take an equal place alongside hormones, botanicals 

and supplements, and Western medications. In Dr. 

Goodman’s hands, the “fix” is not only surgical (although it 

may be.) Over time, Dr. G. has stayed ahead of the curve and 

presently is skilled in the use of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) 

for healing vulvo-vaginal pain and improving orgasm, and is 

experienced in laser and other recent energy-based therapeutic 

modalities. Dr. G. is ably assisted by his team: Office 

Manager and Patient Care Coordinator, Nicole Sanders, MA, 

a savvy, kind and skilled sixteen-year team member, and, 

Receptionist, Medical Assistant and Surgical First Assistant 

Raechel Davis, MA, who goes out of her way to work with 

our patient’s individual needs and has graced the practice for 

six years. 

Dr. Goodman is a good listener, and tries to embody 

Henry James words, “To listen well is as important as to 

talk well.” 

At “Caring” we go out of our way to work with you as your 

personal skilled guide and ombudsman. Dr. G. sees less than 

eight to ten patients per day and has worked with men and 

women from twenty-five states and four continents. The practice 

is “Concierge” in nature; office visits sometimes take more 

than an hour until difficult issues are solved. With more than 

forty years of medical and surgical practice under his belt, Dr. 

G. has, literally, “seen it all” and, as an active member of the 

Integrative, Sexual Medicine, Menopausal, Age-Management, 

genital pain, and Genital Aesthetic Surgery communities. He 

both integrates and keeps up with current cutting-edge therapy 

regimens. As such, our practice is “fee-for-service.” While 

no insurance plans are accepted for payment, we will provide 

a detailed “superbill” to be presented to your carrier for reimbursement 

per their policies. Our practice is more expensive 

than simply presenting a twenty-dollar co-pay, but what is 

more important than your health, your joy and happiness; 

solving midlife, menopausal, genital pain, sexual, and/or genital 

dissatisfaction issues? Is it time yet for YOU personally? Do 

YOU deserve the best? At Caring For Women, we suggest it is!” 

Dr. Goodman’s office is located at 635 Anderson 

Road, Suite 12B in Davis and on the Internet at 

www.drmichaelgoodman.com or you may contact his office 

at 530-753-2787. 

 

Nicole Sanders, Dr. Michael Goodman and Raechel Davis. 


181

EMIGH HARDWARE 

 

Above: The Emigh, Winchell, Cline. Co. at 308-312 J Street, 1910. 

Top, right: The Emigh, Winchell Hardware Co. at 308-312 J Street, 1910. 

Below: Emigh-Winchell Hardware Co. at 709-715 J Street, 1915. 

Emigh Hardware has been a fixture in Sacramento 

since brothers, James and Clay Emigh, first opened the 

doors in 1908. More than a century later, the store is still 

a family-owned, fourth-generation business known for its 

wide selection of products and warm, friendly service. 

In 1910, the brothers merged with Winchell-Cline and 

moved to a larger location at 308-312 J Street. In addition 

to hardware, the Winchell-Cline Co. also offered a line of 

agricultural supplies and buggies. A 1913 newspaper article 

announced that Emigh- 

Winchell-Cline Co. had 

taken over the horsedrawn 

vehicle business of 

the Studebaker Company. 

Another move in 1918 

took the business to 

Seventh and J Street, 

where it remained for 

fourteen years. 

The founding Emigh 

brothers retired in the 

early 1930s, paving the way for the second generation, 

James’ sons—Albert, James, Jr., and Colby. At this time, the 

business was moved farther uptown to Thirteenth and 

J Street, the current location of the Sacramento Community 

Convention Center. The second generation of Emigh 

brothers managed to keep the business going through the 

dark days of the Great Depression and the uncertainties of 

World War II. 

By 1952, Colby, as sole owner, was ready for another 

move, both in location and approach to business. To take 

advantage of the massive post-war building boom, Colby 

took a risk and relocated to the newly developed Country 

Club Centre at El Camino and Watt Avenue. The firm’s only 

neighbor was a goat farm, but the growing suburbs soon 

caught up. 

An ad in the 1957 Pacific Telephone Directory noted that 

Emigh Hardware was a seven-days-a-week single location 

business offering “Everything in Hardware.” The inventory 

at the time included plumbing supplies, builders’ hardware, 

tools, paints, varnishes, home appliances, household goods, 

pipes, electrical, gardening, plumbing supplies, and even 

sporting goods and televisions. 

The more mobile population, including many newcomers, 

had trouble pronouncing the name Emigh, so in the 1960s 

the company introduced a cartoon character depicting a 

pigtailed girl in overalls with the caption, “Call Me Amy.” 

Little Amy, a composite of Colby and Jesma Emigh’s 

daughters, Carol and Mary, soon became a well-known 

symbol and remains a familiar feature in Emigh Hardware 

ads and promotions. The 1960s also marked the beginning 

of Emigh’s affiliation as an Ace Hardware Corporation store. 

Colby’s son-in-law, Rich Lawrence, took over as general 

manager in 1971 and in 1973 the business was once 

again moved; this time across the street to the current 

35,000 square foot location on El Camino Avenue. 


182

Upon the death of Colby in 1980, 

his daughter Mary and husband Rich 

Lawrence became owners. In 2000, 

Emigh took possession of a 15,000- 

square foot building located adjacent to 

the hardware store and opened Emigh’s 

Outdoor Living, a patio furniture store 

headed by the Lawrence’s son, Brian. 

Customers enjoy shopping at Emigh 

Hardware for many reasons. First and 

foremost is customer service. This has 

been the central focus of the business 

since the doors opened in 1908. The 

ninety-five knowledgeable employees, some of whom have 

been with the company for more than thirty years, ensure 

more customer assistance per square foot than any other 

hardware store. Emigh provides free local delivery and all 

power equipment purchased from the store is set up, serviced 

and ready-to-go. An in-house advertising department contributes 

to the store’s custom signage, banners, displays and 

social media efforts, in addition to producing the well-recognized 

Emigh ads. Children who accompany their parents to 

Emigh’s enjoy a waterfall, fish pond with Koi, and an indoor 

nursery. Of course, the popcorn and balloons are always free. 

In the fall, children look forward to putting their artistic skills 

to work at Emigh’s family pumpkin carving workshop. 

During the Christmas season, the Outdoor Living store transforms 

into a holiday wonderland. 

Even the roof at Emigh is an attraction. A 21,600-square 

foot, 200 KW solar roof system produces 50 percent of the 

facilities electricity. This not only cuts down on utility costs, 

but considerably reduces the store’s carbon footprint. 

As a family owned local business, Emigh Hardware has 

always been proud to support many civic organizations. 

The Chamber of Commerce, Children’s Miracle Network, 

Habitat for Humanity, local schools, churches, sporting 

organizations and scouting are just a few. 

Many of Emigh’s shoppers are second and third generation 

customers. They feel comfortable and know they can 

depend on receiving the service they deserve. Some of 

these patrons actually take on a sense of ownership. 

The Lawrences’ say “We love that! It carries on the family 

feeling that was started nearly 110 years ago.” 

 

Top, left: Emigh Hardware Company in the 1940s. 

Above: Country Club Centre, c. 1952. 

Below: Location of Emigh Ace Hardware at 3555 El Camino Avenue, 

Sacramento, 1973–present. Group photo celebrating 100th Anniversary, 

1908–2008. 


183

OWEN-DUNN INSURANCE 

SERVICES 

 

Right: Carl and Edna Owen, founders. (c. 1949) 

Below: Services volunteer at Loaves and Fishes, provider of services to 

Sacramento homeless population. 

When was the last time you smiled while talking about 

insurance? Talking insurance may not be anyone’s idea of a 

good time, but the team at Owen-Dunn Insurance Services 

(Owen-Dunn) promises to make the experience of protecting 

your assets a positive one. 

Owen-Dunn offers all types of insurance to protect the 

assets of their business clients and exceptional customer service 

to ease the way. But there is much more to the Owen- 

Dunn story than that, including people, culture, and beach 

balls. The agency was founded as Owen & Company, a personal 

insurance agency, in August 1949 by Carl and Edna 

Owen after relocating from Casper, to Sacramento, 

California. The company’s first office was in the historic J 

Street building that now houses the Citizen Hotel. In the 

1960s, the Owens’ sons, John and Jere, joined the agency and 

began to sell commercial insurance services. In 1982, Carl 

and Edna’s great nephew, Owen Taylor, joined the firm while 

attending CSU Sacramento where he found a passion for the 

industry. With his partners, Taylor focused on helping the 

company reach its fullest potential, growing and expanding it 

for the next three and a half decades. Taylor is now president, 

with offices in Sacramento and Los Angeles servicing clients 

throughout California and across the U.S. 

Two things make Owen-Dunn exceptional: commitment to 

people and commitment to being the best in the industry. 

The leadership team at Owen-Dunn understands 

success comes from great people doing a job they love 

to do. Therefore, making sure the work environment 

at Owen-Dunn is fun and supportive is a priority. This 

includes regular staff lunches, tickets to Kings games 

and concerts, sabbaticals, and occasional chair races, 

recess games, and beach ball toss during staff meetings. 

This approach has resulted in Owen-Dunn being 

a finalist in the Sacramento Business Journal’s Best Places 

to Work every year they have entered. 

Being the best is not a slogan at Owen-Dunn. The firm relishes 

in a culture of friendly competition internally, but externally 

their staff is focused every day on outperforming the 

competition. Their success is demonstrated by nearly daily 

office emails that share stories of client praise. “If I had a buck 

for every time a client told me about how a member of our 

services team went above and beyond…well, I might not 

need to sell anymore insurance,” jests Tim Dickison, a partner 

at Owen-Dunn. Being the best comes from having the 


184

most knowledgeable, experienced and committed staff anywhere. 

The firm’s consultative risk management approach 

goes well beyond merely understanding coverages and building 

tailored plans that effectively lower the cost of risk. The 

client services team takes pride in acting as key behind-thescenes 

support for clients’ human relations and claims management 

departments. Their brochure says it all: “At Owen- 

Dunn, it’s all about helping you be more competitive in the 

marketplace. When we do our job well, you’re free to do 

yours. Simply put, we’re part of your team, anticipate your 

needs, catch errors, help you avoid claims, and advocate on 

your behalf, all to reduce your costs and help you succeed.” 

Owen-Dunn has a unique expertise in Group Captive 

Insurance, a program that returns unused insurance premiums 

to the business owner. Fifteen years ago, Owen learned 

that starting a group captive with a handful of the agency’s 

largest clients would result in significantly reducing their 

insurance costs. Since then, the firm has assisted more than 

100 companies to enter a captive and Owen has spoken to 

audiences around the country on the topic. In 2017 the 

agency branded its captive division and launched the 

website, www.odigroupcaptive.com, to respond to the growing 

interest in captive insurance and to expand its footprint 

outside of California. 

“The group captive model is the single best thing we have 

done for our clients in my thirty-five-year career,” shared 

Owen. “When we can help a client improve culture and safety, 

their equity goes up and their premiums go down.” 

As a company “born and raised” in Sacramento, giving 

back has always been an important part of the Owen-Dunn 

culture. For decades, the company has made it a priority to 

support its community through focused philanthropic work. 

The agency has prioritized support for local organizations 

that provide services to children from low income families to 

help break the cycle of poverty and support their progression 

to self-sustaining, productive futures. Such organizations 

include (but are not limited to) Cristo Rey High 

School, Roberts Family Development Center, Running 

for Rhett, WEAVE, and Loaves and Fishes. When asked, 

“What’s next?” Owen responded with more of the same, 

“After nearly seventy years in business, we are now 

excelling on all fronts. Next, we’ll take all that we’ve 

learned and leverage our staff’s expertise to expand our 

ability to help business throughout the country.” 

Please visit Owen-Dunn Insurance Services at 

www.owendunn.com and www.odigroupcaptive.com for 

more information. 

 

Above: Owen-Dunn company shareholders at their annual company 

holiday gala. 

Below: Owen-Dunn team members at Sacramento’s annual 

Farm-to-Fork Celebration. 


185

FIVE STAR BANK 

When it comes to describing the connection and commitment 

Five Star Bank has made to the communities it serves, 

their customer, Monty Deal with Campbell Deal Farms, says 

it best: “The business side of farming, securing a line of credit 

or dealing with a bank that’s trustworthy that can take care of 

things…it’s a stressful time. When I got into Five Star Bank, 

all of that fear and anxiety went away. I don’t worry about it 

anymore. I wouldn’t dream of banking anywhere else.” 

From farming to the faith community, and from commercial 

real estate and construction to nonprofit, emerging business, 

healthcare, small business lending and far more, Five Star Bank 

has a deep understanding of business owners’ needs. They also 

recognize their vital role as arbiters of economic development 

who believe in reinvestment of capital in their region. 

It all started when Five Star Bank was founded in 1999 

by a group of local entrepreneurs who wanted to create the 

kind of personalized banking services they desired themselves—services 

inspired by partnership and defined by 

shared vision and goals. They also wanted to create a bank 

driven by community stewardship, regional and industry 

expertise and commitment to economic development. They 

succeeded. Today, Five Star Bank is proud to be one of the 

Capital Region’s success stories. 

Among the top ten percent of performing banks in the 

nation for banks of its size, Five Star Bank has six branches 

throughout Northern California, including Elk Grove, 

Rancho Cordova, Rocklin, Sacramento, Chico, and Redding. 

The Findley Report rates Five Star Bank as a “Super Premier 

Performer” (their top category) while Bauer Financial rates 

Five Star Bank “5 Stars” (out of five possible.) 

In 2013, James Beckwith joined the bank as president 

and chief executive officer to drive the bank’s commitment to 

its founders’ vision. “Our expertise ranges from commercial 

real estate and construction to faith community, nonprofits, 

agriculture, government, SBA, technology and manufacturing, 

and emerging markets,” says Beckwith. “With a deep 

connection to the community and a commitment to reinvestment 

in the Capital Region, Five Star Bank helps our customers 

achieve their goals. This kind of partnership matters 

to our customers and it matters to us.” 

Five Star Bank is a U.S. Small Business Administration 

(SBA) preferred lender, which is an efficient feature for its 

partners in the community. This allows the bank to act as the 

final authority on credit decisions and speeds-up the process 

for businesses to obtain funding. The bank also employs 


186

highly efficient, seasoned professionals who have deep ties 

to the community, understand the importance of the speed 

to serve and appreciate their customers’ desire for access to 

capital. Exceptional industry expertise and local market 

knowledge advance Five Star Bank’s competitive edge. 

Another point of pride is Five Star Bank’s Board of 

Directors, comprised of business leaders who are engaged 

members of the community. The Board includes Larry 

Allbaugh, CEO of the Buzz Oates Group; Founding Director, 

Frank Ramos, President of Ramco Enterprises; Michael 

Stodden, Partner and former CFO of the Buzz Oates Group; 

James Beckwith, President and CEO of Five Star Bank; Dave 

Lucchetti, President and CEO of Pacific Coast Building 

Products; Phil Joffe, retired former CEO and President of Cal 

Farm Insurance; Michael Campbell, retired former CFO of the 

California Trucking Association; David Nickum, President 

and CEO of Valley Farm Transport, Inc.; and Crystal Coleman, 

Principal, Assurance at Clifton Larson Allen. 

“Our Board of Directors and Executive Team are active participants 

in numerous professional and industry organizations, 

nonprofits, educational institutions and more,” says Beckwith. 

Organizations supported by Five Star Bank, through time and 

treasure, include KVIE, American River Parkway Foundation, 

Cristo Rey High School, Sacramento Food Bank and Family 

Services, the Crocker Art Museum, Greater Sacramento Area 

Economic Council, Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps, 

Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Destiny Community Center, 

Sacramento State University, Make-A-Wish Foundation, the 

Sacramento Metro Chamber, William Jessup University, Region 

Finance, Sacramento County Farm Bureau and California FFA 

Foundation, among many others. 

Of particular note, Five Star Bank invests in workforce 

education and is committed to mentoring the Capital 

Region’s next generation of leaders through support of Chico 

State and Sacramento State. The company recently 

announced its sponsorship of Sacramento State’s Business 

Honors Cohort (BHON), the first sponsorship of its kind. 

The BHON’s goal is to challenge and prepare business students 

to become equipped leaders and managers. Five Star 

Bank has committed to sponsoring four separate cohorts of 

BHON students over an eight-year period and is very proud 

to play a key role in educating students about Sacramento 

business as well as inspiring them to begin their careers in 

Sacramento with their acquired knowledge in the program. 

Five Star Bank is aligned with the values it was founded 

on almost twenty years ago. “Actively helping our customers 

through new referrals while also supporting their interests is 

not only rewarding, it’s another way we value connection,” 

says Beckwith. “Our relationships and interactions with our 

customers extend beyond the business environment. Our 

customers are our partners and we exist to serve them.” 

For more information about Five Star Bank and its services, 

visit www.fivestarbank.com. 

 

Sacramento State College of Business Dean Pierre Balthazard; Five Star 

Bank President and CEO James Beckwith; and President of Sacramento State 

Robert S. Nelson.. 


187

GOLDEN 1 CREDIT UNION 

 

Right: Office staff from the late 1960s. 

Below: First of Golden 1’s ATMs. 

Bottom, right: California State Employees’ Credit Union’s #1 building. 

From humble beginnings eighty-five years ago, Golden 1 

Credit Union has grown to become a leading credit union in 

California and the sixth largest in the nation, with nearly one 

million members and $11 billion in assets. 

Golden 1 has always embraced the philosophy of “people 

helping people,” and as a dynamic and trusted leader, the 

credit union is committed to enhancing the financial wellbeing 

of Californians and their diverse communities. 

The idea for Golden 1 Credit Union was born at a breakfast 

meeting in 1933, where a San Francisco attorney spoke 

to a gathering of state employees and told them about a new 

kind of financial institution. 

The president of the California State Employees 

Association (CSEA), Fred Taylor, attended that meeting and 

listened intently as the speaker described this alternative to 

traditional banks. Taylor felt such an institution could help 

state workers and, after speaking with several of his colleagues, 

he presented the idea to the CSEA Board of 

Directors, who promptly approved it. 

On July 31, 1933, a group of eleven California state 

employees met to establish the new credit union’s Board of 

Directors. They decided to call the credit union the 

California State Employees’ Credit Union #1 (CSECU #1) 

and on August 5 of that year, a permit to sell shares was filed 

and the organization became the first chartered credit union 

to serve state employees in California. 

In the beginning, twenty-two men and women were 

named to the Board and the Supervisory Committee and 

each was asked to deposit $5.50 for his or her share—$5.00 

for the share plus a .50 cent application fee. 

For the first five years, members of the Board and 

Supervisory Committee operated the organization. Then, in 

1938, one full-time and one part-time clerk were hired. 

One of those first hires was Edward Masters, who worked 

for the credit union a total of thirty-eight years and 

eventually became the General Manager. Masters’ daughter, 

Prudence Skinner, also worked for Golden 1 for more than 

forty-five years. 

The CSECU #1 employees worked from an office in the 

California State Public Works Building from 1939 until 

1961, when the credit union moved to its first permanent 

office and administrative headquarters in downtown 

Sacramento. This location was considered the credit union’s 

first branch because it had teller windows. 

The organization’s name was changed to Golden 1 Credit 

Union in 1977. This was followed by a period of steady growth 

that included a merger in 1981 with the City of Sacramento 

Employees Credit Union. In 2018, Golden 1 became the first 


188

credit union to be chartered in all California counties and 

can now serve anyone who lives or works in the state. 

The credit union has surpassed $11 billion in 

assets and serves nearly 1 million members, with 

430,000 in the Sacramento Valley. Golden 1 employs 

1,700 people throughout California, including 1,350 

in the Sacramento region. 

Donna Bland has been Golden 1’s President and 

CEO since 2010. She previously served as Senior Vice 

President and Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, 

she was the Vice President Controller. She first joined 

the credit union as an employee and member in 1994. 

As a not-for-profit cooperative, Golden 1 returns its earnings 

to members—not stockholders—through higher 

returns on savings, lower interest rates on loans, and more 

free services. This helps honest, hard-working families and 

individuals lead better lives financially. 

Over the years, Golden 1 has grown to serve consumers 

throughout California with more than seventy branches and 

more than 30,000 CO-OP ATMs nationwide. Golden 1 provides 

convenient and value-added products and services to 

help consumers make the most of their money. The credit 

union’s products and services include checking and savings 

accounts; home, auto, and personal loans; credit and debit 

cards; investment and insurance services; on-line and mobile 

banking; and financial wellness education. 

Golden 1 and its employees give back to communities across 

California in several ways. Golden 1 Credit Union’s Community 

Grants Program awards funding to Sacramento Valley and San 

Joaquin Valley-based nonprofits working to improve literacy 

rates and support foster youth transitioning to independence. 

Golden 1 Credit Union scholarships provide members and their 

dependents two- and four-year financial assistance, valued at up 

to $20,000 per student, for full-time students who attend 

accredited colleges and universities in California. 

Since 2011, Golden 1 has donated more than $50,000 

each year to food banks throughout California, and—in 

2018—the credit union committed to giving $1 million over 

three years to Wind Youth Services to address the issue of 

homelessness for youth and young adults in Sacramento. 

The credit union also offers tickets to community groups 

for Sacramento Kings basketball games and other special 

events at Golden 1 Center. Golden 1 was the first credit union 

to gain the naming rights to a major league sports arena. In 

addition, Golden 1’s Financial Wellness portal offers a suite of 

tools to teach consumers about personal finance. By visiting 

Golden 1’s website—golden1.com—you may watch a short 

video, listen to a podcast, participate in a webinar, or view a 

learning lab module on such topics as home buying, understanding 

credit, and raising money-smart kids. 

Golden 1 also sponsors numerous charitable events and 

organizations and encourages employees to volunteer for, 

and support, nonprofit causes in their communities. 

Looking to the future, Golden 1 Credit Union stands 

committed to helping more hard-working Californians 

achieve their financial goals. The credit union plans to pursue 

steady growth throughout the state, while maintaining 

its positions of financial strength and stability, and leadership 

in its industry and the communities it serves. 

 

Top: Golden 1 Center. 

Below: President of the California State Employees Association, who helped 

start the credit union, Fred Taylor. 


189

THE NATOMA COMPANY- 

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT 

SERVICES 

 

Alice on Cheer Team. 

The Natoma Company oversees apartment complexes in 

the greater Sacramento area and surrounding foothills. 

Currently, Natoma manages approximately 3,500 units of 

individually owned and syndicated properties. 

Natoma has built a sound reputation for aggressiveness in 

the rental market by increasing property values, renting-up 

new projects, controlling expenses and rehabilitating existing 

properties. The company has a relationship of ten years or 

more with about eighty-five percent of its current clientele. 

Natoma provides full service property management for 

multifamily communities, including all accounting, staffing, 

bidding of major and minor projects and insurance and 

overall supervision and renovations of the properties. The 

firm also ensures compliance with all county, state and 

federal regulations. 

Natoma currently has three full-time property managers 

on staff, all of whom are either a Certified Property Manager 

or CPM ® candidate. Together, they represent a combined 

total in excess of fifty years of experience and knowledge. 

The Natoma Company utilizes an overall team management 

approach in order to take advantage of each property manager’s 

area of expertise. 

The firm was founded in 1982 by Alice Elkins, Jim 

Corbett, and Andy Efstratis. Prior to that, Alice worked for 

Coldwell Banker and Jim and Andy were clients of hers. 

They had a number of properties and approached Alice with 

the idea of forming a partnership for their own property 

management company. Alice eventually bought out Efstratis 

and Corbett and became the sole owner. 

The name Natoma comes from a Native American name 

meaning running water upstream. It became the name of a 

small native village along the American River, which stood 

about where Lake Natoma is today, above the Nimbus Dam. 

During her long career with Natoma, Alice has become a legendary 

figure in the California property management industry. 

A native of North Carolina, Alice was offered a full scholarship 

to study Home Economics at Wake Forest University 

following graduation from high school. She turned down the 

scholarship, much to the dismay of her parents, because she 

thought Home Ec teachers were all old maids and she did 

not want to be like them. She wanted to enroll at Duke 

University and study nursing, but that did not work out 

either. She ended up attending the University of North 

Carolina at Chapel Hill where she earned a degree as a dental 

technician. When the Dean of Dentistry accepted a job at 

UCLA, he persuaded Alice and three other students to go to 

California and help set up the university’s dentistry program. 

After deciding she would like to live in the San Francisco 

area, her old boss gave her the name of some dentists in San 

Francisco and she set out to look for a job. She had only 

twelve dollars but refused to borrow money from her Dad 


190

ecause he charged interest. The bus ticket to San Francisco 

was too expensive, so she took a bus to Sacramento. When 

she arrived, she was afraid of the cab drivers and the bus station 

was filthy, so she walked in her heels from Seventh to 

Seventeenth Streets and rented a room at the YWCA. 

After checking in at the Y, Alice found a pay phone and 

started going through the yellow pages, calling dentists and 

asking for a job. She ended up getting an interview the next 

day and started work immediately. She still did not have 

much money, so for a couple of weeks she would go to a 

local diner and have “ketchup soup” and crackers for dinner 

because it was free. 

Eventually, Alice became the lab technician for a local 

dentist, who also owned a boat dealership. When the dentist 

worked a deal to trade some boats for houses, he ended up 

with ten houses in Rio Linda, four in Fair Oaks, and two 

fourplexes on Meadowview Drive. He asked Alice to rent 

them out, and so she did. The houses in Rio Linda were only 

shells so she worked on weekends to help finish the houses, 

driving a tractor, plowing the land, and doing the landscaping. 

This took all summer while, at the same time, she still 

worked at the dental lab. 

About this time, Alice met Fred Elkins at a Halloween 

party and they married about a year later. He did not like her 

working such long hours, so she quit both jobs. A friend 

introduced her to the owner of Fulton Oaks Apartments, 

which was in the process of being expanded and rented-up. 

Alice was hired as the on-site manager and her career in 

property management took off. She soon received her real 

estate license and CPM ® designation. She was president of 

the Sacramento Valley Apartment Association for two years 

and served on the Board for thirteen years. Alice has two 

daughters, Laura and Jamie. Laura and husband, Andy, have 

two children, Kyle and Ella. 

After a long and distinguished career, Alice has begun to cut 

back on her work load and has designated Trish Gaiduk as her 

successor. A third generation Sacramento native, Trish has been 

with Natoma since 1991 and holds a number of professional 

designations including the Certified Property Manager (CPM ® ) 

and the Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS). She has served 

on the Executive Council of the IREM Sacramento Chapter. 

“Trish has been an integral part of all major decisions 

affecting the company for many years and it is my goal 

that the company will continue to grow long after I retire.” 

Alice says. 

 

Above: Founder and CEO, Alice Elkins CPM ® . 

Top, left: The Natoma Company at 1561 Response Road in Sacramento. 


191

SUN CITY LINCOLN HILLS 

 

Sun City Lincoln Hills is an active lifestyle community; your next adventure 

is just outside your window. 

Sun City Lincoln Hills, a vibrant 

community tucked nicely into the 

southeastern corner of Lincoln, 

California, has a national reputation, 

thanks to a solid, consistent brand. 

Our brand, accompanied by effective 

marketing, gives Sun City Lincoln 

Hills an advantageous reputation. 

This sprawling active-adult community 

boasts a myriad of amenities 

for residents, including two fitness 

centers, a luxurious day spa, elegant 

and casual dining options along 

with a sports bar, two 18-hole 

championship golf courses, a catch 

and release fishing pond, twentyseven 

miles of hiking and walking 

trails abundant with wildlife, pickleball, 

tennis and bocce ball courts, 

clubs, and hobby groups. 

There is no shortage of activities 

for residents, including trips, 

classes, and an annual Summer 

Amphitheater Concert Series, which 

is open to the public. Lincoln Hills 

has two main recreation centers 

within the nearly 3,000 acres of 

landscaped grounds, the Orchard 

Creek and Kilaga Springs Lodges. While several amenities 

are exclusive to residents, such as their fitness centers, 

shared interest clubs and activity groups, many of them are 

open to the public. 

Meridian’s Restaurant, one of Lincoln’s hidden dining gems, 

is open daily to the general public for breakfast, lunch, happy 

hour and dinner. The menu features made-from-scratch 

California-style cuisine as well as comfort foods, and changes 

every six months to reflect the freshest seasonal products available. 

Meridian’s Restaurant boasts an elegant decor with views 

of the beautifully landscaped grounds, as well as shaded outdoor 

dining on the patio to enjoy nearly year-round. 

The Sports Bar offers a wide menu selection and popular 

happy hour every day of the week. 


192

At the Kilaga Springs Lodge, the public is 

welcome to visit the Kilaga Springs Café, which 

offers a lighter fare where visitors can enjoy 

a cup of coffee or lunch amid a tranquil Zen garden. 

Also nestled at Kilaga Springs Lodge and open to the 

public is the luxurious Kilaga Springs Spa, winner of the 

“Best of Lincoln” award for “Best Massage, Skin Care, and 

Nail Services.” 

Orchard Creek Lodge was also recognized with the “Best 

of Lincoln” award of “Best Customer Service” for their catering 

department. “As one of the region’s best wedding venues 

in the area, we are very proud of what we have to offer 

brides and grooms on their big day,” says Kristy Woodin, 

Director of Food and Beverage. 

The combination of beautifully landscaped grounds, 

award-winning service, and in-house catering makes 

Orchard Creek Lodge a perfect place for couples looking for 

a place to hold weddings, receptions, and large business 

corporate events. 

Sun City Lincoln Hills is a community association on a 

mission to provide exceptional services not only to its residents, 

their guests and the public, but actively seeks opportunities 

to participate in the greater community of Lincoln, 

California. We are not just a brand, but a Lifestyle! 

 

One of the two waterfall entrances into Sun City Lincoln Hills, this one is 

located at Del Webb Boulevard and East Joiner Parkway. 


193

SHERATON GRAND 

SACRAMENTO HOTEL 

Located in the heart of downtown Sacramento, the 

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel sets the stage 

for a memorable visit to California’s capital. Occupying 

the beautifully restored Public Market Building at 

the corner of Thirteenth and J Streets, the hotel features 

sophisticated accommodations, inspired amenities, and a 

superb location near old town Sacramento, the Capitol 

Building, and other notable points of interest. The 

Sacramento Convention Center is just steps away making 

the hotel a smart choice for visitors conducting business in 

the area. 

Opened in 1923, the Public Market Building was 

one of the first of its kind on the West Coast and 

a forerunner to the modern grocery store and mall. The 

brick building was designed by renowned architect Julia 

Morgan, California’s first licensed female architect 

who also drew the plans for Hearst Castle in 

San Simeon and the Berkeley Women’s City Club (now 

Berkeley City Club.) The building served as a bustling 

gathering place for fifty years. Merchants sold fresh produce, 

baked goods, men’s clothing, bulk feed, meat and 

seafood in the three-story building, which also featured 

popular coffee shops and lunch counters. In the early 

years, the Sacramento Creamery churned butter right 

on the spot. With cleanliness as its theme, it served as 

Sacramento’s central focal point and the place to meet for 

more than forty years. 

But in the 1970s, the building was sold and 

converted into offices. The space inside was boxed 

up with partitions and corridors. The only part left open 

was a small atrium in the middle. The goal of the 

renovation by the architectural firm, Hellmuth, Obata and 

Kassabaum of San Francisco, was to bring back the spirit of 

the old building. 


194

The remodel, which was completed in 2001, is a 

wonderful marriage of old and new. It combines the 

historic Public Market Building with a new twentyeight-story 

tower. The restored Public Market Building 

contains the lobby, restaurants, and over 20,000 squarefeet 

of meeting spaces, while the tower houses Sheraton 

Grand’s 503 guest rooms and suites. 

The extensive network of riveted steel beams 

that span the ceiling have been left exposed. Numerous 

coats of paint were chipped away to find 

their original avocado color, which has been incorporated 

into the building’s overall color scheme. Black railings 

along the outer walkways and stairs have been 

riveted to match the steel beams overhead, and 

the old-fashioned lampposts in Morgan’s Restaurant 

resemble gas lanterns once used at the grade level. On 

the building’s exterior, the brick and terra-cotta 

stonework, decorative scrollwork and ornamentation 

have been preserved. 

The Sheraton Grand Sacramento boasts an 

impressive collection of art. It showcases the work of 

many noted artists, including several from California. It 

features five original art pieces, valued at $1 million. 

They include a piece titled the “Neighborhood,” by 

Jennifer Bartlett, a ten by sixty-foot-long work 

made of hundreds of foot-long steel plates; a 

ceramic wall mural titled “The Marketplace,” by Viola 

Frey; an oil and graphite work on canvas titled 

“Sacramento California 2000,” by William T. Wiley; and 

two mosaics by Robert Kushner titled “Sacramento 

Georgic I & II.” 

Annually attracting more than 500 conventions, weddings 

and meetings, the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel 

offers much more than refined lodging. Guests enjoy an 

array of services and amenities to meet the needs of today’s 

sophisticated traveler. Included are a heated outdoor swimming 

pool, delicious dining options, concierge services, 

meeting rooms and banquet facilities, 24-hour fitness center, 

and a fully equipped business center on the second 

floor. This high-tech portal features high-speed Internet 

access, a PC workstation, and television on PC workstations. 

The hotel is pet-friendly and enforces a 100 percent 

nonsmoking policy. 

 

The Sheraton Grand entrance on 13th and J Street 


195

RITA GIBSON 

INSURANCE & INVESTMENT 

SERVICES, INC. 

“When I started my business twenty-five years ago, my goal 

was to become a trusted advisor to my clients by helping them 

organize their resources so they could successfully chart their 

financial futures,” explains Rita Gibson, owner of Rita Gibson 

Insurance & Investment Services, Inc. “We help our clients 

throughout their lives, whether it’s coverage for a young family 

with a new baby or a retiree who wants to look at generating 

more tax-efficient retirement income and pass their assets onto 

their beneficiaries.” 

Rita Gibson Insurance & Investment Services, Inc., serves 

middle and upper-income families, successful business owners 

and professionals, executives, and retirees. Rita focuses on life 

and disability insurance, retirement and estate planning, and 

business insurance. 

“What satisfies me most is when I can deliver a check, a 

helping hand, and provide sound advice to a family after death 

or disability,” she says. “The certainty of cash when it’s needed 

most during a challenging time can reduce stress and maintain 

continuity. The family can remain in its own world and live in 

the same house, the kids can attend the same schools, and the 

proceeds can provide the income to continue on.” 

Preparing clients for retirement and presenting them with 

their first retirement checks from their investments is also 

gratifying. “Optimizing income by coordinating Social Security 

with retirement assets is important,” says Rita. Before clients file 

for Social Security, Rita meets with them to discuss Social 

Security claiming strategies that best suits them. She continues 

working with and monitoring their investments as they draw 

income during retirement. 

Long-term care planning for families is another service. 

“Our senior clients like to receive care at home as long as 

possible and these policies provide tax-free funds for these 

services,” Rita notes. “Long-term care protects our clients’ 

assets and allows them to have better control of their care.” 

For individuals, Rita Gibson Insurance & Investment Services 

provides life insurance so loved ones can maintain their current 

lifestyle in the event of death, and audits existing policies to be 

sure they are still in force, competitively priced, and name the 

correct beneficiaries. She provides disability income policies to 

replace income if a client is sick or hurt, and offers long-term 


196

care plans that pay for personal care. In addition, the firm offers 

retirement planning, including IRAs, asset management, tax-free 

retirement income through Roth IRA and life insurance cash 

values, and retirement income cash flow that coordinates with 

their estate planning. 

For its business clients, the firm offers retirement plans that 

serve a variety of business needs, including 401k plans, profit 

sharing, or a customized combination that suits the business 

owner and the employee mix. In addition, Rita offers key 

executive coverage for owners and key employees; business 

succession planning for privately held companies; long-term 

care; retirement planning; and tax-free retirement income 

policies for owners and/or key employees and executives. “Costeffective 

retirement plans can create better participant outcomes 

for a more secure retirement,” she says. “We coordinate with our 

clients’ attorneys when they create buy/sell agreements to 

protect the business against loss of a business partner as well as 

provide liquidity for a buyout agreement. Protecting revenue 

and talent are also important considerations.” 

Rita knows that when people regard financial services as 

complex and confusing, they may miss out on many potentially 

rewarding financial opportunities—or take unnecessary risks and 

fail to adequately protect their assets. “I help my clients focus on 

their goals and priorities,” Rita notes. “When clients bring in 

senior parents or adult children for assistance in preserving 

family assets, I have the pleasure of serving different generations 

of the same family.” 

Rita graduated from the University of California Davis and 

holds the designations of Life Underwriter Training Council 

Fellow (LUTCF), Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU), and 

Retirement Income Certified Professional (RICP). 

Rita is vitally engaged in the greater Sacramento community. 

She chairs the UC Davis Hospital Children’s Miracle Network 

Advisory Council and is a member of the Rotary Club of 

Sacramento; National Association of Insurance & Financial 

Advisors; National Association of Health Underwriters; and the 

Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT), an international 

organization of successful insurance and financial advisors. The 

MDRT Foundation awarded a grant honoring Rita’s service to 

the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. She is passionate about raising 

money to fund medical research to help kids in our region. 

Since Rita launched her business, the firm has donated more 

than $250,000 and thousands of hours of volunteer time. 

Through the Sacramento Rotary Club, she co-chaired a fundraiser 

that raised over $300,000 for the Powerhouse Science Center. 

She has also raised funds for the YMCA Superior California and 

the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra. Organizations she 

supports financially are the UC Davis Children’s Hospital, the 

Manetti Shrem Museum at UC Davis, the Crocker Art Museum, 

UC Davis Women in Philanthropy, Powerhouse Science Center, 

the Rotary Club of Sacramento, the B Street Theatre, St Michael’s 

Episcopal Church, and Arcade Church. 

To learn more about Rita Gibson Insurance & Investment 

Services, please visit www.ritagibson.com. 

 

Registered Representative of, and Securities and Investment Advisory Services 

offered through Horner, Townsend & Kent, Inc. (HTC). A Registered 

Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC; 9930 Research Drive, Suite 100, 

Irvine, California 92619, 949-754-1700. Rita Gibson Insurance & 

Investment Services, Inc. is not affiliated with Horner, Townsend & Kent, Inc. 

AsCD-0320-01E2. HTK does not provide tax or legal advice. Please consult 

a qualified advisor regarding your individual circumstances. 


197

DENIO’S ROSEVILLE FARMERS 

MARKET & SWAP MEET 

 

Above: Marilee and Jim Denio, 1958. 

For seventy years, people from all walks of life have 

purchased produce, new and used merchandise, 

antiques, specialty items—and who knows what 

else—from the famous Denio’s Roseville Farmers 

Market & Swap Meet. 

Denio’s Farmers Market was founded by Jim and 

Marilee Denio in 1947. It began small, with a single 

individual selling produce near the Southern Pacific 

Railroad Yard. Before long, Jim’s Saturday ‘Auction’ 

became the market’s main attraction. Soon, other vendors 

began to rent space from Denio and sell their 

products and, in time, the Farmers Market developed 

into a local Saturday event. As word of the market 

spread through the valley and foothills, other sellers of all 

types of commodities became regulars at the market. 

By the early 1960s, Denio’s had earned a reputation as the 

largest, cleanest and most efficiently run farmer’s market, auction, 

and bazaar in California. The 1970s and 1980s saw an 

influx of weekend vendors selling all types of merchandise 

and a portion of the sales lot was reserved for them to set up 

and sell directly from their vehicles daily. The idea was to 

provide vendors an opportunity to operate a retail business in 

a high traffic area with the lowest possible overhead costs. In 

turn, the vendors could pass their savings on to customers. At 

Denio’s, a business can open a new storefront, or simply 

enhance a current business with a satellite location. 

Through the years, a primary goal of Denio’s has 

been to provide its guests and vendors with a clean, friendly 

atmosphere, while providing the best possible service, 

unique products, great food and great deals. Denio’s is dedicated 

to maintaining a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere 

for the thousands of people who visit each weekend. At 

Denio’s, thirty full-time employees and approximately 100 

part-time employees serve tens of thousands of customers 

every weekend. 

Denio’s has always been a family-oriented venture and, as 

the market grew, the Denio family, children and grandchildren 

began working the auction. 

Jim never stopped working to improve himself and the 

business. He knew the importance of family, honesty and 

hard work. Just as importantly, he appreciated each vendor 

and employee because he realized they had helped make the 

business a success. 

Jim died in 2000 at the age of seventy-nine. Today, Jim 

and Marilee’s son, Ken, along with his children, Eric and 

Tracie, carry on the family business by maintaining the same 

values and traditions started by the founders. Denio’s 

Farmers Market & Swap Meet is located at 1551 Vineyard 

Road in Roseville. 

With four generations on hand to serve you—and the fifth 

not far behind—Denio’s will continue to offer fresh produce 

and bargain merchandise for years to come. 

To find out more about the farmers market and 

swap meet, current events happening each weekend or 

becoming a vendor at Denio’s, visit their website at 

www.deniosmarket.com. You can also download their app at 

the Apple Store or on Google Play. 


198

If you are searching for a memorable Sacramento River 

cruise, look no further than Hornblower Cruises & Events. 

California’s capital city is filled with rich history and beautiful 

sights, and you will have the perfect view aboard a 

Hornblower cruise. With plenty of options—including fascinating 

historic Sacramento River boat cruises and scenic 

evening cocktail cruises—Hornblower is sure to provide a 

magical experience you will not soon forget. 

Picture yourself gliding down the Sacramento River and 

taking in beautiful views of California’s storied state capital. 

Drift past bustling downtown and historic Old Sacramento, 

passing the Delta King, the I Street Bridge, the Tower Bridge, 

and the Air Force Docks. You will hear fascinating stories 

about the history of Sacramento—from the likes of John 

Sutter, the founder of Sacramento, to the wild first days of the 

Gold Rush and the legendary Pony Express. Aboard a cocktail 

cruise, a popular offering that debuted in 2017, you can sip 

on a signature cocktail while listening to the beats of a live DJ. 

The beautiful Capitol Hornblower has classic yacht 

details with all the modern conveniences to make your 

cruise comfortable, relaxing, and educational. With its largescale 

windows designed to provide uninterrupted views for 

every passenger, along with unique spaces for celebrating, 

this exceptional liner will transport you and your guests on 

an inspiring and signature experience. This vessel is also 

available for school river tours and private charter events. 

Since 1980, Hornblower Cruises & Events’ yachts have sailed 

past famed landmarks while serving seven California cities and 

New York City. Founded by yacht enthusiast, Terry MacRae, 

Hornblower has grown from a two-man, two-yacht operation to 

become one of the largest and most established dining cruise 

and charter yacht companies in the United States with more 

than seventy yachts, thousands of employees and millions of 

happy guests every year. Since its inception, the California-based 

company has focused on one mission: to deliver premier, highquality 

dining, entertainment and cruise experiences. 

Hornblower Cruises & Events has made environmental 

protection and preservation a priority. The company 

launched its pioneering environmental management and 

education program, Respect Our Planet, in 2005. The initiative 

shapes sustainability measures, such as sourcing green 

products, using reclaimed and eco-friendly materials in new 

yachts, improving fuel efficiency and incorporating wind, 

solar and hybrid technology into vessels when possible. 

Respect Our Planet also educates guests on Hornblower’s 

green efforts and shares suggestions for sustainable living. 

For more information on Hornblower Cruises offerings 

in Sacramento, visit: www.hornblower.com/river, email: 

oldsac@hornblower.com or call: 916-446-1185. 

HORNBLOWER 

CRUISES & EVENTS 

 

Above The Capitol Hornblower returns to the L Street Dock in Old 

Sacramento after a river cruise, set against the backdrop of the city skyline. 

Below: Hornblower’s guests enjoy views of the Riverbank Marina. Other 

popular sights on the Sacramento River include the Tower Bridge, the I Street 

Bridge, and the Delta King. 


199

COVA HOTEL 

When you stay at the COVA Hotel in California, you leave 

your heart in San Francisco. As soon as you set foot in the 

COVA Hotel, the attentive staff greets you with a welcoming 

smile and takes care of you like family. The engaging staff promises 

for a memorable experience where all guests’ needs are fulfilled 

through above and beyond quality professionalism with 

the goal in mind to provide nothing short of a great experience. 

COVA Hotel, your home away from home in “The City by the 

Bay,” San Francisco, is your connection to its rich and rewarding 

culture. The authentic atmosphere the staff builds upon, welcomes 

guests from all travels to “Embrace Comfort & Value.” 

 

COVA Hotel is located aat 655 Ellis Street in beautiful San Francisco. 


200

Nevada County, California, is situated just sixty 

miles northeast of Sacramento. But for Tonya Lindsay, 

it must seem like a world away. The founder of A One 

Bookkeeping & Tax, she provides bookkeeping, 

QuickBooks accounting software training, and income 

tax preparation services. 

After earning her bachelor of science degree in 

business administration with an emphasis on 

accounting from California State University 

Sacramento, Tonya began her career working as a 

controller for a construction company in Sacramento. 

After five years, she started a bookkeeping and tax 

preparation business. Ten years later, she sold it to a 

prominent CPA firm in Sacramento. After helping with 

the transition, Tonya moved to Nevada City in 2009 

where she started her own business. 

The downturn in the economy provided an 

opportunity for Tonya and her husband, David, to 

build their dream home on land they had owned for 

ten years. The slower pace of rural life has provided a 

life balance that is both satisfying and rewarding. 

With twenty-five years of experience in her field, A One 

Bookkeeping & Tax is a big part of Tonya’s life. 

“Our mission is simple,” said Tonya. “We give our clients 

trustworthy bookkeeping and tax preparation through 

accurate and timely information. We succeed through the 

success of our clients.” 

With a varied customer base, Tonya’s business has grown 

by ten to fifteen percent each year over the past five years. 

She travels to Sacramento once a week to meet her clients 

there making it a totally mobile service. Her goal is to 

maintain her stable base of bookkeeping customers and 

expand her income tax preparation business. 

Working from home and offering a mobile service has its 

perks, she admits. 

“For the first few years, it was hard to separate my work 

from my home life,” said Tonya. “But, I love working from 

home and having my dog right there next to me.” 

Her love of animals is apparent as Tonya serves as a 

volunteer with American Brittany Rescue. Often, she has a 

rescue dog in her home. 

“People will call me and hear a dog in the background,” 

she said. “They always want to hear about the latest dog 

I’m fostering.” 

Tonya is involved in the annual river cleanup and 

Environmental Film Festival put on by the South Yuba River 

Citizens League. She also sponsors the river cleanup and the 

fair in Nevada City and is an active member of the Nevada 

County Master Gardeners. 

A ONE 

BOOKKEEPING & TAX 

 

Left: Tonya Lindsay, founder of A One Bookkeeping & Tax. 

Below: Tonya Lindsey and Millie. 


201

FORT SUTTER 

AUTOMOTIVE, INC. 

Fort Sutter is located at 1705 Nineteenth Street, Sacramento, California, 

Customers love the service they receive from Nick and 

Anna Chacon at Fort Sutter Automotive, Inc., so much that 

they keep coming back on a regular basis. 

Fort Sutter Automotive is a general auto repair shop offering 

a variety of services including brake service, oil changes, 

engine tune-ups, transmission repair, and general preventive 

maintenance. Nick and his staff can also install new or 

rebuilt engines. The shop is equipped to work on all 

American and Japanese brand vehicles. Keeping up-to-date 

with the latest technology, ongoing education and training 

for the staff is a must. 

Fort Sutter Automotive is part of the nationwide NAPA 

Auto Care Centers organization, which allows the shop to 

offer extended warranties on all its work. The popular auto shop has been in business since 1976 

and was purchased by Nick and Anna in 2014. The two coown 

and operate Fort Sutter Automotive; Nick runs the shop 

floor, while Anna runs the office. Their main focus is to provide 

high quality auto repair and superior customer service. 

Nick has been in the auto repair business since 1998 and 

enjoys the daily challenges such a career provides. Anna was 

in the insurance business for twelve years before joining her 

husband at Fort Sutter Automotive in 2016. Their son, Isaac, 

recently graduated from high school and is now working 

vocationally as a technician in the family business while continuing 

his education. 

The shop is located in a 3,500 square foot building at 

1705 Nineteenth Street in the heart of midtown, only a few 

blocks from the California State Capital building. Because of 

its reputation and the quality of its work, Fort Sutter 

Automotive has managed to secure several contracts for 

maintaining state-owned vehicles. 

Together, Nick and Anna have been able to expand the 

business and they feel the future looks even brighter. 

Customers can depend on honest, top quality car care from 

Fort Sutter Automotive. 


202

Adam Ray and Sarah Lola Eisley moved from Selma, 

California to Auburn, California, in 1909 and purchased 

property they developed into a fruit ranch, which would 

later become the Eisley Nursery. 

Henry Eisley, the eldest son of Adam and Sarah, married 

Lila Rollins and in 1930 they built their home on the ranch 

property they purchased from his parents. Henry worked 

daily at the post office and would come home to build chicken 

houses from damaged wooden railroad cars until he had 

enough room for about 2,000 laying hens. They sold fresh 

eggs and fryer hens to the people and restaurants in Auburn. 

In the early 1930s, Henry and Lila started growing pansies 

and primroses in raised beds along Nevada Street, 

which was Highway 49 at that time. They also began building 

glass greenhouses to start the seedlings, along with starting 

a family. Money was scarce for most during the Great 

Depression except for the gold miners in Nevada City and 

Grass Valley. The miners would cash in their gold and go to 

Sacramento to shop. On their way home, they would stop at 

the Pansy Nursery and purchase flowers for their yards. 

By the time their sons, Earle and Harvey, were born, life 

was busy. At the age of four and six, Earle and Harvey were 

given a hammer and nails so they could help make the 

wooden flats for the bedding plants. As they got a little older, 

they had to make 100 wooden boxes on a Saturday morning 

before they could go to the matinee. At the ages of seven and 

nine, Earle and Harvey were transplanting pansies into the 

open beds in front of the house. Everyone had to work if the 

business was going to be successful. 

Later, they began growing other varieties of bedding 

plants, which other retail nurseries would purchase from 

them. After Earle and Harvey graduated from college, they 

began to focus on this new wholesale business and changed 

the name to Auburn Nursery to reflect the expansion. 

In the fifties, they hired a soil and plant lab to assist them 

in quality control of the bedding plant production, which they 

still use today. Now known as Eisley Nursery, which is still 

owned and managed by the Eisley family. 

Today, the thriving Eisley’s Nursery customers come from 

throughout California and Nevada. A family business built 

on the hard work and the vision of four generations. 

Please come see us or visit us on the Internet at 

www.eisleynursery.com or contact us via e-mail 

eisley@eisleysnursery.com. 

EISLEY NURSERY 

 

Above: Main building store frontage at Eisley Nursery. 

Bottom, left: Flowering hot house. 

Below: Entrance sign to Eisley Nursery at 380 Nevada Street in Auburn. 


203

NUGGET MARKET, INC. 

 

Above: As of 2018, Nugget Markets grocery family has total of sixteen stores 

including their Roseville location, which opened in 2007. 

Below: Founders Mack and Will Stille stand outside the original Nugget 

Market in Woodland, California. Circa 1934. 

Family owned and operated since 1926, Nugget Market, 

Inc. is a family of full-line grocery stores dedicated to providing 

an extraordinary grocery experience while supporting its local 

communities, guests and associates. United by a love of food 

and passion for people, this local family business makes it their 

mission to provide world-class quality, selection and service 

with an attitude of fun, respect and constant improvement. 

It all started on September 28, 1926, when father and son 

team, Will and Mack Stille, opened the first Nugget Market 

in Woodland, California. According to store lore, a contest 

was held to name the market, and the winner was an eight 

year-old girl who was inspired by the gold color of the 

columns outside the store and its proximity to Gold Country. 

The Stilles worked hard to give their family business the 

strong foundation of quality, creativity, hard work, great service 

and innovation, which the company still upholds today. 

From the very beginning, they pushed limits in the grocery 

industry. Dedicated to offering the freshest produce available, 

they purchased produce direct from farmers and co-ops, and 

were the first store in town to incorporate a meat counter, deli 

and bakery. Later on, they also opened a smokehouse and 

sharp freeze locker box business to support the local farming 

community with preserving their meat and produce. 

Twenty years after opening, Nugget Market moved down the 

street from its original location, and in 1960, Gene Stille, Mack’s 

son and Will’s grandson, took over as president, embracing new 

technology to stay competitive in the changing grocery scene. 

Nugget Markets introduced a fresh, European marketplace 

feel in the 1990s, when current CEO and President Eric Stille, 

fourth generation, took the helm. Around the same time, 

Nugget Markets’ first wine stewards, cheese specialists and 

professional chefs joined the team. Since 2000, Nugget 

Markets has opened new locations in Davis, Vacaville, 

Sacramento, West Sacramento, Roseville, El Dorado Hills and 

Elk Grove, along with welcoming five new stores in Marin 

County and Sonoma Valley. 

As of 2018, the Nugget Market, Inc., family of stores 

includes twelve Nugget Markets serving the Sacramento 

Valley and Marin County areas, Food 4 Less Woodland, Fork 

Lift by Nugget Markets in Cameron Park, and Sonoma 

Market and Glen Ellen Village Market in Sonoma Valley. This 

same year also marks Nugget Markets’ thirteenth consecutive 

year on Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For” list. 

After ninety years and counting of serving Northern 

California, Nugget Market, Inc., is more dedicated than ever 

to quality, selection, world-class service, sustainability and 

creating an extraordinary grocery experience. 


204

If you really want to take an in-depth look at the American 

dream fully realized, look no further than Tariq Munir and 

his fabulously successful The Munirs Company in 

Sacramento. Tariq has built one of the most successful restaurant 

franchise companies in Northern and Central California. 

Secrets to his success: hard work and dedication, exceptional 

guest services, and above all, teamwork with his employees. 

“Running a restaurant is a team effort and you have to make 

yourself part of that team. When your staff sees you as one of 

them, it helps build loyalty to you and to the company.” 

Loyalty has flourished with Tariq, not only with his staff, 

but with his customers. With over thirty locations throughout 

the Golden State, he has quickly become the largest and 

most influential IHOP franchisee in California. He also owns 

franchises in Pinkberry Frozen Yogurt stores and Johnny 

Rockets restaurants, a 1950s style diner 

famous for their burgers and shakes. 

Originally from Pakistan, Tariq 

achieved an MBA in Houston, Texas, in 

1989, and he immediately became interested 

in the franchise opportunities in 

California. At that time, there were only 

three IHOP franchises in the capital city 

area. Now Tariq runs over twenty-five 

IHOP locations, and is one of the most 

successful restauranteurs in California. 

Having realized the American 

dream, Tariq is a big believer in 

community, and his outreach has 

positively shaped the local communities 

where his restaurants are located. “I 

really like to involve my restaurants 

within the community and surrounding 

activities. The community is so important 

to us. They keep us going and 

we try to support them and give back whenever the 

opportunity arises.” 

Giving back is exactly what he does. For the past eleven 

years, The Munirs Company has been the highest donating 

franchise of any in the IHOP system. Tariq has donated over $1 

million to the UC Davis Children’s Hospital and the Children’s 

Miracle Network through various fundraising efforts like the 

National Pancake Day, and good old fashioned philanthropy. 

The simple truth about a man like Tariq is that he is also 

creating good jobs for the local communities that he serves. 

Each unique restaurant can employ up to twenty or more 

employees, and as a result, the local economies flourish. 

Tariq will continue to live the American dream here in 

California with his lovely wife, Sowaiba, and three charming 

daughters, Havva, Hibba and Naymel. 

 

THE MUNIRS COMPANY 

Tariq Munir and employees celebrate National Pancake Day. 


205

RIO CITY CAFÉ 

 

Right Enjoy the sights from Rio City Café’s patios. 

Below: Rio City Cafe is located at 1110 Front Street in beautiful Old 

Sacramento and on the Internet at www.riocitycafe.com. 

Nestled prominently along the river’s edge in Old 

Sacramento, Rio City Café offers a unique dining experience 

along the cobblestone streets and wooden boardwalks of the 

historic neighborhood. This iconic eatery, locally owned and 

established in 1994, boasts diverse Californian cuisine with 

an emphasis on seafood and specialty meats. Rio City’s patio 

offers a scenic view of the Tower Bridge over the Sacramento 

River and its surrounding skyline. 

Designed to resemble a steamship warehouse from the 

nineteenth century, Rio City Café offers both intimate indoor 

seating and al fresco patio accommodations ideal for both 

large banquets and smaller party dining. The executive chef 

has developed a distinctive farm-to-fork menu that evolves 

seasonally and offers fresh, house-made ingredients for a 

variety of diverse palates. A few favorites include the mouthwatering 

sourdough cheese loaf, jambalaya, or a pairing of 

crab cake eggs benedict or huevos rancheros with the everpopular 

bottomless mimosas for brunch. A definitive list of 

the best dishes at Rio City is difficult to compile as there are 

countless savory options offered as unique daily specials in 

addition to the day-to-day menu as well. Children are welcome 

with a menu specially designed for their accommodation, 

maintaining a nostalgic Old Sacramento theme. 

Specialty cocktails, local craft beers and a well-curated 

wine and drink menu only enhance the experience. Any of 

the trained service staff might recommend a full-bodied Napa 

Cabernet to accompany a steak dinner, or perhaps an ice-cold 

pint of local IPA alongside a mountain of crispy fried calamari 

with fresh lemon wheels for a late afternoon snack. 

Rio City Café offers an unmissable happy hour that is 

reflective of its relaxed atmosphere and fresh ingredients. 

One might savor a house margarita and some famous crab 

cakes (at special happy hour pricing) while watching the sun 

set over the afternoon gold of the Sacramento River. 

A great restaurant is only as good as its staff and Rio City 

Café is no exception to this rule; a knowledgeable service 

team of smiling faces makes for an unparalleled dining experience. 

The staff undergoes a detailed food and wine training 

course at the turn of every season that allows guests a seamlessly 

enjoyable and uniquely Rio City experience. 

Rio City Café prides itself on helping create the 

Sacramento restaurant scene that it is today. Many who started 

here are now running their own restaurants as chefs, 

managers or owners. 

Old Sacramento is like our city’s backyard. A place to 

admire beautiful architecture and walk along shops, museums, 

and restaurants on the iconic riverfront. Take a train 

ride or boat excursion. It is a unique, memorable experience 

and do not forget to visit us at Rio City Café! 


206

Named one of Sacramento Business Journal’s “50 

Fastest Growing Companies” for the past two 

years, River City Bank is the region’s premier 

business bank, offering financial services such 

as loans, deposits and cash management tools 

to the business, consumer and commercial real 

estate sectors. 

Headquartered in Sacramento with eleven 

branches in the Sacramento region, two 

commercial offices in the San Francisco Bay Area, 

and a growing presence in Southern California, 

River City Bank maintains assets of over $2.2 

billion, and a 5-Star “Superior” financial rating 

from the nation’s leading independent bank rating 

firm, Bauer Financial. With world class financial 

strength and unparalleled personal customer service, River 

City Bank has been one of the fastest growing banks (top 

five percent) in the United States over the last two years. It is 

the largest independent, locally-owned bank in the 

Sacramento region. 

RCB’s origins date back to 1972, when legendary radio and 

television entrepreneur, Jon S. Kelly, identified the need for a 

strong, locally owned bank. By 1973, River City Bank opened 

its doors in a small storefront in downtown Sacramento. 

Through pride, persistence and passion, Kelly made River 

City Bank a premier financial institution by exceeding 

customer expectations and developing revolutionary banking 

innovations. RCB introduced Saturday banking, and a 

branch office with eight drive-thru lanes to speed service. River 

City Bank continues this proud tradition of innovation, 

surpassing customer expectations through leading edge 

financial services. 

Today, River City Bank is one of the healthiest banks in the 

United States. Veribanc has awarded RCB their prestigious 

Green Three Out of Three highest rating. They also received 

the Institutional Risk Analytics’ highest rating: A+ Superior. 

River City Bank also boasts of Weiss Watchdog’s award of A- 

for financial strength, and the Findley Report’s highest rating 

of Super Premier. 

River City Bank has a vested interest in the health of the 

local communities they serve. RCB provides funding for a 

variety of nonprofit organizations through the Kelly 

Foundation. The Foundation exemplifies the importance of 

the Kelly family’s commitment to being a good citizen to the 

Sacramento area.The Kelly Foundation provides grants to 

various charitable organizations in the community, including 

educational institutions, hospitals, cultural activities, health 

and human services, and organizations that benefit children. 

Shawn Devlin (Kelly), daughter of Jon, serves as the 

Foundation’s Chairman as well as Chairman of the Board, 

River City Bank. 

All of these elements culminate in River City Bank’s superior 

long term financial performance, not only to benefit 

shareholders and stakeholders, but also the families and 

communities in the region. 

RIVER CITY BANK 

 

River City bank is located at 2485 Natomas Park Drive Sacramento, 

California 95833. You can contact them by phone at 916.567.2600; or you 

can visit the website at rivercitybank.com 


207


208

BUILDING A BETTER CAPITAL REGION 

Service providers, real estate developers, utilities, construction 

companies, and manufacturers 

provide the economic foundation of the region 

Armstrong Plumbing, Inc. ...................................................................................................210 

DPR Construction .............................................................................................................214 

Stamas Corporation/Ionic Enterprises...................................................................................218 

SMUD .............................................................................................................................220 

USA Properties Fund, Inc. ..................................................................................................222 

Snider Leasing Corp. .........................................................................................................224 

Roebbelen Contracting, Inc. ................................................................................................226 

Coact Designworks 

(Formerly Stafford King Wise Architects).........................................................................228 

CAPITAL REGION PARTNERS - BUILDING A BETTER CAPITAL REGION 

209

ARMSTRONG PLUMBING, 

INC. 

Founder Tom and Marlene Vance with children. 

“Plumbers who can, from a family who 

cares” has long been the mantra of Armstrong 

Plumbing, Inc., Sacramento’s choice for fullservice 

residential and commercial plumbing 

since its founding in 1964. Their employees 

believe strongly in an environment that adds 

value to each other’s lives as well as the community 

they serve. They do this by working as 

a team, being professional, caring for and 

inspiring each other and their customers, and 

having integrity in all they do. As the area’s 

only woman-owned plumbing company, 

Armstrong Plumbing is dedicated to the craftsmanship 

and care necessary to ensure that each 

customer feels cared for in a way that improves 

their quality of life. 

With services ranging from fixture installations 

and troubleshooting to gas, water, and sewer plumbing 

system replacements, Armstrong Plumbing’s wide range of 

residential services are tailored to help each customer make 

educated, cost-saving decisions for their personal plumbing 

system, ensuring quality and longevity. In addition, their 

knowledge of new, cutting-edge technology, such as tankless 

water heaters, water conditioning systems, pipe lining, and 

trenchless sewer replacement technology, affords each customer 

the peace of mind that every recommendation or 

repair is designed with the customer’s best interest and 

future in mind. 

Armstrong Plumbing’s knowledge of new commercial 

construction and commercial plumbing services allows 

the company to perform the necessary troubleshooting 

and repairs on all plumbing matters from commercial gas, 

water, and sewer systems to smaller repair items such as 

automatic sensing fixtures and commercial water heaters. In 

addition to maintenance and upkeep, Armstrong Plumbing 

can recommend water saving technologies and help their 

customers determine when it is time to replace—rather than 

repair—avoiding unnecessary recurring costs. 

The business was founded by Tom Vance, who studied as 

an apprentice under his father to become a master plumber. 

Determined to begin his own business, Tom ventured out 

from the plumbing union that both he and his father were a 

part of. He moved his family of seven to Los Angeles, then to 

Colorado, and finally to Orange County where Vance 

Plumbing began to take off. Vance Plumbing was a new commercial 

construction plumbing company, helping to build 

various restaurants, fast food chains and business parks from 

the ground up. 

“My dad became fast friends with a man by the name of 

Carl Karcher and was soon installing plumbing systems for 

many Carl’s Jr. stores in Southern California,” recalls Tom’s 

daughter, Marcelle Flowers. Tom also landed a contract with 

Lucky’s Grocery chain, building several Lucky stores from 


210

the ground up, including the main plant in Alameda. The 

firm also installed the plumbing for eleven Burger Kings in 

Southern California. 

“My father worked out of our home and we became used 

to seeing half-a-dozen plumbers at our kitchen table setting 

up their work day,” Marcelle recalls. “My father was a hard 

worker and my mother found her joy working from home 

taking care of the ‘Vance Empire’.” 

In 1985, Tom decided to move to Sacramento and purchase 

another small plumbing company, Armstrong 

Plumbing, a residential service plumbing shop located at the 

corner of 20 th and Capital Avenue in Midtown Sacramento, 

in a building that had formerly housed Capital Dawg hot dog 

stand and is now Plan B Café. “Armstrong had only one 

plumbing truck that looked like it should have been recycled 

during World War II, but my dad immediately began bidding 

work as he had done in Anaheim, working from a little 

card file of customers begun by Bob Armstrong in the early 

1950s,” explains Marcelle. “Little was done to promote the 

service side of Armstrong Plumbing, but my father wanted to 

keep the name so that those who were interested in the occasional 

toilet repair could find us under the A’s rather than the 

V’s in the telephone book.” 

In 1993, Marcelle was pregnant with her youngest son 

and working full-time in a cardiology clinic. However, she 

realized her father needed help in modernizing his operation 

and agreed to help out. “My father’s work ethic was 

unparalleled by any I’ve ever known, but his business 

acumen was seriously in need of some assistance,” she 

recalls. “He believed in contracts based on a handshake 

and felt a man’s word was his bond.” Unfortunately, life 

around him was changing rapidly and receivables had 

begun to climb. For the next decade, Marcelle helped 

her father grow the business while developing several 

home-based businesses of her own and raising two 

sons. By 2004, Tom was thinking of retirement and 

Marcelle was ready to return to the business full-time 

and invest in the future. 

“We began to grow the commercial business and 

kept the door open for our few remaining service 

customers. Then the unimaginable happened,” she 

 

Above: Armstrong Plumbing’s trenchless team with tools of the trade. 

Below: The Vance kids. 


211

Above: Armstrong Plumbing’s technicians. 

Below: The Vance kids today. 

explains. “As quickly as we grew in 2006 and 2007, 

we plummeted into the crash of ’08, leaving a 

tremendous debt on the books and requiring the 

layoff of eighteen employees, some of whom had 

been with my dad since 1985.” 

Marcelle was beginning to think of returning 

home and starting another business, when one day 

she received a phone call from a customer who had 

learned of the company on the Internet. “This got 

me to thinking that if one customer could find us 

and write a nice comment about us, others might 

too. So, I spent the next six months posting our 

name on every free site I could find, including 

Angie’s List, which had just made its debut in the 

Sacramento market. Our phone began to ring and 

the two plumbers I had available to service our few customers 

began to get busier and busier, and the new service 

and repair company began to grow.” 

Marcelle became the company’s CEO in 2010 and with the 

recession still looming on all sides, the revitalized Armstrong 

Plumbing services and repair company grew eleven percent 

in its first year, followed by an average annual growth rate of 

twenty-one percent over the next six years. Today, Armstrong 

Plumbing services over 30,000 satisfied customers in the 

Greater Sacramento area. The client list includes multiple 

property managers with more than 200 residential and commercial 

properties, local restaurants such as TGI Fridays, Dos 

Coyotes, The Kitchen, Lucca, Ella’s Dining Room & Bar, 

Paragary’s Restaurant Group, McDonald’s and Chipotle as 

well as local businesses such as Costco Wholesale, Home 

Depot, Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club. Armstrong Plumbing also 

provides extensive services for local, state and federal agencies 

such as the Department of General Services, the City of 

Davis, the City of Citrus Heights, Eureka Union School 

District and the Veterans Association. 

The company has now grown to be a family of fifty-two 

employees. In addition to office staff, there are three departments 

for field staff: Service, Commercial, and Underground. 

Continuing Tom’s commitment to excellence, Armstrong 

Plumbing only hires certified experienced plumbers and 


212

apprentices who are chosen for reliability and trustworthiness. 

Their skills, combined with old-fashioned values, have 

earned Armstrong Plumbing its five-star reviews and highly 

regarded reputation. 

In 2013, Marcelle became majority owner of the business, 

and since then has earned renewed recognition throughout 

the community and continued growth for the company. A 

woman of strong character, Marcelle’s passion for life is 

reflected in her business ethics. She received the prestigious 

NAWBO Award for Outstanding Women leaders in 2014 and 

has volunteered her time to many nonprofits in the community. 

She has helped raise money for CASA, Eskaton, Citrus 

Heights Police Activities League, Sacramento Dream Center, 

Boy Scouts of America, Sylvan Ranch Community Garden, 

her local church, and many others. Marcelle has been married 

to Terry Flowers for twenty-eight years and is the mother 

of two boys, Staff Sergeant Kyle Chattin and Eagle Scout 

Dillon Flowers. She is a faith-filled woman who likes to 

work in her garden, enjoys great music, wine, and people of 

all backgrounds. She is considered a ‘friend to the friendless,’ 

‘mentor to the disenchanted’ and ‘encourager to the fiftyplus 

employees she calls family.’ 

In 2014, in celebration of Armstrong’s fiftieth anniversary, 

Marcelle rebranded the company with the vintage, but 

timeless, image of World War II’s Rosie the Riveter to 

communicate to the community, “Yes, We Can!” The 

makeover included new designs on the trucks, new 

uniforms for the plumbers, new pink shirts for the office 

staff, even new letterhead, pens, magnets and envelopes. 

For Marcelle and her staff, the rebranding was a yearlong 

project from start to finish. “We began by brainstorming 

about the things that make us unique,” she explained 

to PM Magazine, a trade publication. “We often find 

ourselves applying a ‘plumbers who can’ expertise to 

each challenging situation and unique opportunity. We also 

wanted to apply a strong emphasis on family dynamic. We 

care about our customers, our community and each other– 

that’s family.” 

The addition of the new underground division and the 

revitalization of the commercial division brought even more 

success with an outstanding growth rate of fifty-four percent 

in 2015, pushing Armstrong Plumbing even more into the 

limelight. The new underground division specializes in 

trenchless technologies such as pipe-bursting, directional 

boring, and Cured In Place Pipe-lining to install sewer, 

water, and gas plumbing lines in a way that is both cost-saving 

and landscape-saving. 

Looking to the future, Marcelle hopes to find a larger 

home for the Armstrong family as the business continues to 

expand. The company plans to create a training center and 

add an HVAC team down the road. In its never-ceasing effort 

to refine the company culture, Armstrong Plumbing will be 

organizing a ‘Caring Committee’ to focus the company’s 

energies in giving back to the community. With the continued 

perseverance and well-planned guidance of Marcelle, 

Armstrong Plumbing is fast becoming one of the leading 

companies in Sacramento. 


213

Safety meeting held at DPR site. 

DPR CONSTRUCTION 

In less than three decades, DPR Construction has grown 

to become one of the top fifty general contractors in the 

nation. DPR has achieved this success by concentrating on 

one key attribute—sticking to what it knows and does best. 

DPR helps their customers build great things: teams, facilities, 

virtual models, safety records and results. 

The DPR story began in the summer of 1990 when Doug 

Woods, Peter Nosler and Ron Davidowski—the D, P, and R 

in the company name—decided to pool their resources and 

build their own company. Starting with $750,000 of pooled 

resources and steadfast determination, the three construction 

veterans set out to do something different in an industry 

traditionally resistant to change. 

Peter recalls that most people thought of construction as 

more like a manufacturing type business at the time. “When 

we started DPR, we wanted to be a customer-focused organization,” 

Doug recalls. “We’re not a hard bid general contractor; 

we’re a negotiating general contractor that takes care of 

its customers. To do that, we need great people who are 

happy and willing to work hard. That’s one of the things that 

started us, making us different from the very beginning.” 

Ron adds that, “Our distinct purpose of building great 

things and the core values we dialed in on—integrity, enjoyment, 

uniqueness, ever forward—emulate the ways we like 

to work and live and transcend into the way we do business, 

doing something different in an industry that has not always 

had a reputation for integrity or for doing things right the 

first time.” 

Today, DPR is one of the nation’s leading general contractors 

and ranks among the top general contractors in the 

nation in its five markets of advanced technology, healthcare, 

higher education, life sciences and commercial projects. 

DPR ranked seventh on Building Design + Construction magazines 

top contractors list and fifteenth on Engineering News- 

Record magazine’s list in 2018. 

Since 1997, DPR has consistently ranked among the top 

fifty general contractors in the nation. The company first 

reached $1 billion in revenues in 1998 and 2017 revenues 

topped $4.7 billion. 

DPR’s corporate offices are located in Redwood City. The 

Sacramento office was established in 1990, the same year the 

company was founded. The company also maintains offices 

in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia; Austin and Dallas- 

Fort Worth, and Houston, Texas; Baltimore, 

Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Charlotte, North 

Carolina; Denver, Colorado; Edison, New Jersey; Fort 

Lauderdale, Orlando, and Tampa, Florida; Greenville, 

South Carolina; Phoenix, Arizona; Raleigh-Durham 

and Richmond, Virginia; Newport Beach, Pasadena, 

San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, California; 

Seattle, Washington; and Washington, DC. 

While DPR has grown and established offices 

throughout the country, they have formed strong 

roots in Sacramento, where they have done business 

from the start. In the nearly twenty-eight years of 

doing business in Sacramento, DPR has built strong 


214

elationships with clients, industry partners and the 

Sacramento community. DPR’s goal on every project is to create 

“raving fans” clients that at the end of the project want to 

work with DPR again. While issues always arise in construction, 

their ability to work together to develop methods and 

find solutions ensures project success. 

DPR Sacramento received the 2017 General Contractor of 

the Year Award from the Associated Subcontractor’s Alliance 

of Sacramento. This award is given to the general contractor 

that is known for treating subcontractors fairly, honest business 

practices, timely payment and general support and 

appreciation of their subcontractor partners. DPR has 

received the honor three times in the past four years, illustrating 

their strong relationship with local industry partners. 

DPR acquired Atlanta-based Hardin Construction in 

2013, adding more than 200 builders throughout the 

Southeast and Texas. The company currently employs nearly 

6,000 people companywide, including more than 1,500 in 

Northern California. 

The founders of DPR have always had the vision of building 

a truly great construction company. A significant point in 

reaching this goal came in 1992 when Doug, Peter, and Ron 

met with a Stanford professor, Jim Collins. Now a management 

consultant and best-selling author of Built to Last and 

Good to Great, Jim helped identify and articulate the purpose 

and core values that continue to drive the company today. 

INTEGRITY. We conduct all business with the highest 

standards of honesty and fairness; we can be trusted. 

ENJOYMENT. We believe work should be fun and intrinsically 

satisfying; if we are not enjoying ourselves, we are 

doing something wrong. 

UNIQUENESS. We must be different from and more 

progressive than all other construction companies; we stand 

for something. 

EVER FORWARD. We believe in continual self-initiated 

change, improvement, learning and the advancement of 

standards for their own sake. 

“We defined our purpose and established our first company 

mission during that meeting,” Peter recalls. Doug adds 

that, “To say we wanted to become a truly great construction 

company by the year 2000 was like a three-year-old saying I 

want to graduate from college by the time I’m ten. We do set 

high goals, but with the people we have in place, we know 

we can reach every one of them.” 

Ron was positive they could build a truly great company 

because of the network each of the founders has built and 

the individual skill sets they have developed. 

÷ 

Top: Happy DPR workers safely leave their jobs at the end of the day. 

Bottom: DPR Commercial. 


215

÷ 

DPR Life Sciences. 

DPR is one of the safest contractors in the country due to 

its ingrained safety culture. The company promotes and nurtures 

an Injury Free Environment (IFE) with the goal of 

achieving zero incidents on every project. DPR’s approach to 

safety centers on training, instilling and reinforcing safe 

behaviors throughout the company and the entire project 

team, including owners, architects and subcontractors. DPR 

provides the tools and information needed to make informed 

safety decisions. Over the past three years, DPR’s OSHA 

recordable incident rate average was 1.18, compared to an 

industry average of 3.6. This figure is based on an average of 

more than eight and a half million total hours worked. 

Feeling that building sustainable structures is simply the 

right thing to do for the environment, DPR has become a 

national leader in construction of more than 200 LEED® certified 

projects and green projects across the nation. DPR has 

nearly 500 LEED® accredited professionals on staff in every 

office across the country to help navigate LEED® certifications 

and provide advice on sustainability. The Sacramento 

office was the first LEED® triple certified office building in 

the area and received the Governor’s Environmental and 

Economic Leadership Award. The value of DPR’s LEED® certified 

and registered work over the past five years totals more 

than $6.2 billion. A total of 246 DPR projects have achieved, 

or are pursuing, LEED® certification. 

DPR is currently designing its new office building on J 

Street in Midtown with the target of LEED® Platinum 

Certification, Zero Net Energy use and WELL Building 

Certification. The company is working with architectural 

partner, SmithGroup, to completely remodel the existing 

1940s building, making it more modern and connecting to 

the community. “The reason for our move to downtown is 

that we want to deepen our connection to Sacramento. In 

our first roughly thirty years in Sacramento, we’ve built a 

great foundation and this move downtown will allow us to 

grow in Sacramento for the next thirty years and beyond,” 

says Sacramento Business Unit Leader, Nils Blomquist. 

DPR is known for their progressive people practices. For 

five consecutive years, Fortune Magazine ranked DPR as one 

of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, reaching the top ten 

in 2014. They are committed to providing the best possible 

benefits and work environment for their employees. The new 

J Street building will be unique in that it will not only focus 


216

on the building’s impact on the environment, but also on the 

employee as well. Features such as air quality, abundant lighting, 

ergonomic workstations and healthy food options will 

provide an environment for employees to do their best work. 

DPR Construction exists to build great things. They are 

builders first and by executing fundamental scopes of work 

themselves, they are able deliver even greater value to their 

customers. Critical trades such as foundations, drywall and 

carpentry set the tone for quality on their projects. DPR currently 

employs nearly 900 highly skilled and trained craft 

workers in Northern California. These crews performed over 

1.5 million man hours in 2017, all while maintaining the 

highest safety standards. 

In addition to its commitment to building green projects, 

DPR employees are involved in a wide range of community 

activities. In 2017, DPR contributed funds to complete two 

new homes for Habitat for Humanity as well as providing 

volunteer hours and they are committed to continuing this 

partnership in the years to come. Other significant projects 

supported by DPR include the Cornhole Classic, an annual 

tournament that raises funds for a designated charity. In 

2017, the project raised over $30,000 to benefit St. John’s 

Program for Real Change. Company volunteers have also 

prepared and delivered lunches for Wind Youth Services, 

and participate annually with toy donations and volunteer 

hours for Contractors Caring for Kids. 

As an employee-owned company, DPR takes great pride 

in constantly pushing the boundaries of innovation in the 

construction industry while delivering quality work to their 

customers. They have been changing the industry relative to 

virtual design and construction and are transitioning this 

technology base into opportunities for improvement in efficiency 

and quality including digital fabrication and beyond. 

DPR Construction has put solid stakes in the ground 

around the types of projects it builds, based on one key 

attribute: a focus on what it does best. It is a simple concept 

but one taken to heart by the founders and all the employees. 

By sticking to what it knows and does best, DPR will continue 

to build the best technically complex, sustainable projects. 

“We’ve had a lot of great successes, but I can’t think of one 

defining moment because we’re not done yet,” says Doug, 

one of the founders. “As the company continues to move forward, 

new opportunities constantly arise. One way we measure 

success, however, is by not letting employees down and 

keeping people within the company challenged and moving 

up. DPR exists to build great things with integrity, enjoyment, 

and uniqueness, and the right people have been—and 

always will be—the foundation of DPR Construction.” 

÷ 

Bottom, left: DPR Higher Education. 

Bottom, right: New office of DPR Construction. 


217

STAMAS 

CORPORATION/IONIC 

ENTERPRISES 

Keeping a business operating for 

forty years takes more than hard 

work, commitment and a little luck. 

“It’s primarily a matter of persistence,” 

said Paul Stamas, president of Stamas 

Corporation of Roseville, California. 

“You have to keep moving forward. 

My mindset is to solve problems. I’m 

an engineer. I looked at every obstacle 

as being a problem that needs to 

be solved.” 

The youngest of seven children 

and the son of immigrants, Sam 

and Anna Stamas are from the 

Peloponnese region of Southern 

Greece. Paul is a lifelong resident of 

Roseville. After graduating from high school, Paul enlisted 

in the Army where he served in the Korean War. Returning 

stateside, he attended Cal State University, Sacramento, 

where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 

civil engineering. 

Paul worked for Corps of Engineers as a structural engineer 

for several years before deciding to launch Stamas 

Corporation in 1978. After working for many builders, 

developers and contractors, he was inspired to begin developing 

properties himself. 

It all started with one duplex; now the Stamas 

Corporation has built hundreds of homes, offices and 

apartments in Sacramento and Placer Counties. Over 

the years, the company expanded to include the 

development and construction of commercial and residential 

projects. 

In 1992, Paul and his wife, Debbie, founded Ionic 

Enterprises, a subsidiary of Stamas Corporation. Ionic 

Enterprises owns and operates all of the affordable, 

multifamily and senior apartment communities built by 

Stamas Corporation, an asset type that comprises the majority 

of the portfolio. 

Prior to founding Ionic Enterprises, the company had 

developed several sizeable subdivisions. But when faced 

with the economic recession of the late 1990s and a decline 

in the consumer demand for homes, the business shifted its 

focus to the development of affordable housing for multifamily 

and senior apartments. 

“I realized that since people were not buying homes, 

they had to live somewhere,” said Paul. “I figured they 

must be renting apartments. That’s when we decided to 

transition over to the apartment business.” It proved to be 

an astute move. 

“My father understands the market for affordable 

housing units,” said Alex, who handles acquisitions 

analysis for the company. “He has been persistent 

and has the ability to adapt. He formerly built houses and 

then moved into apartments when he saw the need was 


218

there. He has constantly adapted to the needs of the community. 

This is a unique characteristic that has allowed my 

father to be successful in providing housing for thousands 

of families.” 

Stamas Corporation is truly a family business. In 

addition to Paul and Alex, Paul’s wife, Debbie Stamas, 

oversees asset management; son, Sam Stamas, serves as 

company attorney; daughter, Anne Stamas-Sansom, manages 

estimating; and son, Zach Stamas, works as a 

licensed civil engineer. Anne Campbell, no family relation, 

serves as comptroller. 

“The benefit of a family business is that we all get along,” 

said Debbie. “We understand each other and we all have the 

same goals to succeed. We don’t just clock in and clock out. 

Everyone has a vested interest in the business. Spending so 

much time together is sometimes not a good thing, but it 

works for us.” 

The Stamas Corporation is deeply involved in the local 

community. Paul and Debbie are founding members 

of Saint Anna’s Greek Orthodox Church in Roseville; at a 

memorial service a few decades ago, Paul was asked if he 

thought there were enough Greeks in Roseville to start a 

Greek Orthodox Church. Knowing the strength and 

faith of his community, Paul and others began organizing 

meetings and Bible studies at members homes. Eventually, 

the group garnered enough support to 

build a church in Roseville, which they 

named after Paul’s mother, Anna. 

Paul was consulted on the initial 

construction and is on the building 

committee for the church expansion, 

which is scheduled for completion in 

2020. The new sanctuary will have a 

Byzantine-style architecture capped in 

an exquisite dome, making it unique in 

the city of Roseville. It will function as 

both a landmark and a source of great 

civic pride. 

Stamas Corporation donates its time 

and money to various other causes, 

including Samaritan Village for Orphans 

in Africa, Stamas-AHEPA Scholarship 

Program for Greek American Students, 

St. Vincent de Paul and Young Life for 

troubled youths. 

The Stamas family has become synonymous 

with Roseville. In turn, the family considers it a 

privilege and an honor to live and conduct business in the wonderful 

community where it has established such strong roots. 


219

÷ 

SMUD 

Top: SMUD line crews display utility equipment used in 1956 and in 2006. 

Bottom: Windmills at Solano Wind Farm provide the cleanest electricity of 

all of SMUD’s renewable energy sources. 

Electricity came to Sacramento in 1879 before Sacramento 

Municipal Utility District (SMUD) was a regionally known 

name. More than half a century later in 1946, SMUD began 

serving Sacramento and is now the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, 

not-for-profit electric utility. 

With about 2,200 employees, SMUD serves about 626,000 

business and residential customers and a population of 1.5 

million. SMUD is one of the Capital Region’s largest employers. 

SMUD’s service territory covers 900 square miles and the utility 

is governed by an elected seven-member Board of Directors 

that determines policy and appoints the CEO and General 

Manager, who is responsible for SMUD’s daily operations. 

The company’s history began in 1923 when local voters 

approved the creation of Sacramento Municipal Utility 

District–now known as SMUD–and elected the first fivemember 

Board of Directors. Between 1923 and taking over 

as Sacramento’s primary electricity provider in 1946, SMUD 

spent many years negotiating with existing suppliers of light 

and power over poles and lines to establish its own electric 

distribution system. 

In April of 1946 the sales contract from PG&E was finally 

signed and SMUD built and organized a company of over 

400 linemen, engineers, electricians, managers and office 

workers to take over electric system operations. SMUD pioneers’ 

hard work paid off and eight months later at 6 p.m. on 

December 31, 1946—with no dimming of the lights— 

SMUD started supplying power to Sacramento. 

In the 1950s, Sacramento’s fledgling community-owned electric 

company began to soar, and SMUD employees steadily built 

a flexible, well-integrated system. As SMUD's customer population 

surged in the 1950s and 1960s, it kept pace by starting construction 

on a series of dams and hydroelectric powerhouses on 

the upper America River, which was complete by 1971. At the 

same time, SMUD’s load capacity increased by expanding its distribution 

system of poles and wires, where ninety-five percent of 

the system had been rebuilt or newly constructed. 

In the last decade, SMUD has increased its renewable energy 

supply from just four percent to more than twenty-five 


220

percent of its power mix. Having already become the first 

large California utility to have twenty percent of its energy 

come from renewable sources as defined by California policymakers, 

SMUD is on track to reach the thirty-three percent 

milestone by 2020 and fifty percent by 2030. Factoring in the 

hydroelectricity generated in SMUD’s 688-megawatt Upper 

American River Project and the hydropower purchased on 

the market, between fifty and sixty percent of SMUD’s power 

comes from non-carbon emitting resources. 

It should come as no surprise that SMUD, a communityowned 

utility, has employees who care about their 

community. But the care SMUD employees show toward 

their fellow citizens goes above and beyond the norm. 

People are at the center of SMUD’s commitment to serving 

this region. 

SMUD Cares, the appropriately titled employee giving and 

volunteerism program, has raised more than $4 million for 

charitable organizations since 2006. The SMUD volunteer 

program encourages employee volunteerism in the community 

throughout the year and strengthens SMUD’s connection 

to the region it serves. Employees regularly have an opportunity 

to volunteer on their own, with their families or as 

workgroups for hundreds of local runs, walks, rides and 

community service activities. On average, SMUD employees 

give 15,000 hours per year to help local nonprofits. 

SMUD’s investment in the people it serves is also seen in its 

Powering Futures scholarship program and Shine community 

development initiative. The Powering Futures program provides 

paid internships along with college scholarships. 

Preference is given to students with financial need who are 

majoring in one of the STEM (science, technology, engineering 

and mathematics) disciplines. 

The Shine Program, launched in 2017 to mark SMUD’s 

seventieth year of service, awards funding of up to $100,000 

per project to improve and revitalize local neighborhoods. 

Additionally, SMUD contributes more than $2 million annually 

to local nonprofits that support regional vitality. 

SMUD’s evergreen mission is a commitment to enhance 

the quality of life for its customers and community by providing 

creative energy solutions through its core values of 

leadership, ingenuity, community and integrity. 

The original customer and community voters of the 

1920s wanted a sound, reliable electric system with stable, 

reasonable rates and a focus on the community’s interests. 

Through more than seventy years of change and growth, 

SMUD’s delivery on that original promise still rings true 

today. Community is front and center in every decision and 

every investment made by SMUD. 

÷ 

SMUD employees at the California State Capitol supporting a walk hosted 

by a local nonprofit. 


221

USA PROPERTIES 

FUND, INC. 

USA Properties Fund, Inc., is committed to Creating 

Outstanding Communities. It is a slogan that the company 

embraces at every level, from quality construction and environmentally 

friendly designs to helping low-income residents 

accomplish their goals or get through a tough time. 

“We believe in building communities—not just projects– 

and providing homes for families,” said USA Properties 

Fund President Geoff Brown, whose father, J.B. Brown, 

started the company in Santa Monica in 1981. “Beginning 

with my father, our commitment has always been to 

provide quality housing options that improve communities 

and neighborhoods.” 

In 1993, father and son—and their partners—moved 

USA Properties Fund to Roseville, a fast-growing community 

about twenty-five miles from downtown Sacramento. The 

Capital Region has become home to USA Properties Fund, 

and is well-suited for its growth. 

The company has become one of the largest affordable 

community developer-builder-managers in California—and 

the West. USA Properties has almost ninety affordable family 

and senior communities and 11,000 units in California and 

Nevada, from La Mesa in San Diego County to the Bay Area 

and Reno-Sparks, Nevada. 

About a third of the company’s affordable family and senior 

communities are in the Sacramento region, from the 

foothills of Auburn to Woodland, just north of the 

University of California, Davis. 

“USA Properties Fund has been a major contributor in the 

Sacramento region for many years, helping to respond to the 

need for affordable housing, which far exceeds the supply,” 

said La Shelle Dozier, Executive Director of the Sacramento 

Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA). SHRA has 

helped finance about twenty USA Properties Fund communities 

in the Sacramento region. “The company has been successful 

because they understand the market, and are very 

strategic about creating and preserving communities that 

ensure a better quality of life for residents,” Dozier said. 

But “affordable” does not mean basic or boring. 

Many of USA Properties Fund’s affordable communities 

boast numerous higher-end features in the units, including 

ceiling fans, energy-efficient appliances and lighting, kitchen 

pantries, balconies and patios. Many of the communities 

include a community center, fitness center and pool/spa. 

And the effort goes beyond what can easily be seen. A 

new affordable senior community in Southern California 

earned the second-highest “Build It Green” score for new 

multifamily projects in the state, conserving energy and 

resources–and saving residents money on their utility bills. 

Designing, building and managing affordable communities 

are just part of what makes USA Properties Fund special. 

Many of the company’s affordable communities offer on-site 

social services, from an after-school program for children to 

programs for seniors. 

Of course, USA Properties has survived, and thrived, by 

looking ahead, planning for the future and seeing more 

opportunities. The company has recently started developing 

market-rate communities in the Bay Area and the 

Sacramento region, helping meet the demand for muchneeded 

housing. 

“We are just as committed to affordable communities as in 

the past, but because of our income limitations, we have to 

turn away a lot of potential residents who want to live in our 

communities and can afford a higher rent,” said USA 

Properties President Brown. “USA Properties is about providing 

quality housing regardless of whether they are affordable 

or market-rate communities. We feel there is a tremendous 

need for both types of housing.” 

For more information about USA Properties Fund, 

please visit www.usapropfund.com or on Facebook at 

www.facebook.com/USAPropertiesFund. 


222

Achieving dreams to build a better future 

are the foundation for a good life. But it is not 

always easy. There are often many challenges 

and hardships. 

If you are a low-income resident, those dreams 

are more difficult to become reality—and the 

challenges are harder to overcome. Just ask many 

of the residents at USA Properties Fund’s affordable 

family and senior communities. 

The JB Brown Fund—a partnership between 

USA Properties Fund and LifeSTEPS, the social 

services provider at many of our communities– 

offers a helping hand to our low-income residents. 

The JB Brown Fund has helped hundreds of 

residents since 2011. The fund has allowed residents 

to attend college and earn a degree, children 

to participate in youth sports, and families to deal 

with an unexpected financial hardship–from a 

costly auto repair or extraordinary medical bill, to 

a death in the family. 

The JB Brown Fund, named after the founder 

of USA Properties Fund, is a grassroots effort that 

is truly making a difference. Every dollar donated 

to the JB Brown Fund is used to help residents. 

The JB Brown Fund is focused on helping residents 

build a better future for themselves, their 

families and their communities. 

If you would like to become part of the effort, 

the JB Brown Fund is always looking for donations. 

For additional information or to make a 

donation, please visit www.jbbrownfund.org. 

Together, we are creating opportunities to fulfill 

dreams. 


223

SNIDER LEASING CORP. 

For more than sixty-five years, family owned Snider 

Leasing Corp. of Sacramento has provided commercial 

vehicle and equipment leases to businesses nationwide. 

“Snider Leasing Corp. is a direct lender, meaning we 

directly service our leases and loans for every client,” explains 

General Manager Matt Caplinger. “If a potential client finds a 

vehicle or piece of equipment for their business and needs 

money to purchase it, then Snider Leasing is their answer.” 

Paul Snider founded Snider Leasing in 1955 by doing car 

leases with the Snider Motors family of auto dealerships. In 

time, big business factory leasing took over in the mid-1980s. 

As a self-starting entrepreneur, who began selling honey to 

local grocery stores, Paul lived and triumphed through the 

many obstacles of starting and growing successful small 

businesses. Therefore, Paul evolved Snider Leasing Corp. to 

accommodate small business owners need for equipment. 

Sixty-five years of personal relationships and community 

involvement works. “Technology has changed the business 

landscape. However, human connection is a necessity in 

creating long lasting and trusting relationships.” says 

Caplinger. “Nothing can replace the benefits of interaction 

between people.” Snider Leasing embraces that philosophy 

and a human being works with the potential business clients 

to determine how to complete their financing need. 

Snider Leasing’s portfolio consists of equipment for the 

industries that support America’s quality of life. They accomplish 

this by supporting the business owners responsible for 

these goods and services; including transportation, agriculture, 

recycling, waste management, construction, manufacturing, 

car wash systems, bowling alleys, school cafeterias and 

much more. Snider has also helped professional sports athletes—both 

locally and across the nation—lease many highend 

luxury and sports vehicles. “Snider Leasing has assisted in 

the growth of many new businesses that are now nationally 

recognized. We take pride in being part of the life cycle that 

our businesses create with their products and services. 

“We help all types of businesses with equipment leases and 

financing,” says Caplinger. “This includes vehicle and 

equipment for the farm, manufacturing and processing, office 

equipment, car fleets, and heavy-duty highway tractors and 

trailers. We even lease or finance recycling and waste disposal 


224

equipment, garbage trucks, conveyors, grinders, crushers, 

screeners, and bowling equipment. “Hahaha, we have done it 

all!” Matt chuckles. Open-end leases offered by Snider Leasing 

includes an agreed upon end-of-term purchase option. This 

allows customers to earn equity throughout the lease term and 

have an upfront expectation of their purchase option. 

“Many of our customers had no alternatives and were 

unable to obtain services from large banks or local credit 

unions at a fair rate. Some were simply unhappy of the 

manufactured impersonal service,” Caplinger continues. 

When our client succeeds, we succeed. When they fail we 

fail. Their success is our goal and we take it personally.” 

Snider Leasing is more than a financing source; they are 

full service end-to-end. Snider Leasing’s administrative staff 

services the account needs of its clients with DMV, state 

titling, registration, and the filing of required state, county 

and federal taxes. 

Snider Leasing has a staff of twenty-five and is 

headquartered at 5301 Madison Avenue Suite 101 in 

Sacramento, California. The company and its employees 

choose to donate on a monthly basis to local charities. Snider 

Leasing also supports organizations such as the Sacramento 

Children’s Home, Boys and Girls Club of America, The 

Salvation Army, River Oak Center for Kids, the American 

River Bank Foundation, the Carmichael Easter Seals, Rotary 

Club and others. 

Snider Leasing Corp. is always growing and 

implementing innovative ways to expedite transactions and 

diversify its business both locally and nationwide. Its future 

focus will be on heavy duty, construction, manufacturing 

and waste management equipment. The company mission 

has not changed since its early years—Snider Leasing 

remains focused on finding the most cost effective solution 

for its client’s equipment financing needs for small 

businesses that create the goods and service for America. 


225

ROEBBELEN CONTRACTING, 

INC. 

 

Above: Folsom Lake College, Rancho Cordova Center. 

Below: PG&E Service Center. 

Roebbelen Contracting, Inc., an award-winning construction 

corporation, is dedicated to satisfying the needs and 

requirements of each of its clients, while delivering the very 

best construction services on every project it builds. 

The firm was founded in Sacramento in 1959 by Hans 

Roebbelen and was reorganized and incorporated in 1997 

when Terry Street, Ken DeBruhl, Dave Thuleen, and Dennis 

Daniel took control of the company. In 2012, the company 

was again reorganized, with Ken Wenham as President/CEO, 

Bob Kjome as CBDO, Robert McLean as COO, and Frank 

Lindsay, as Vice President. 

Roebbelen now employs 352 people, including several 

who have been with the company thirty years or more, and 

is headquartered in El Dorado Hills. Other locations 

include Sacramento, Concord, and most recently added 

Anaheim, California. 

Roebbelen specializes in the construction of institutional, 

commercial, industrial and public works projects for clients 

throughout California. The firm provides general contracting, 

construction management, design-build, lease-leaseback 

and value analysis services for its clients. 

Roebbelen’s Technology Team is powered by advanced 

hardware and software tools aimed at collaboration and 

project coordination from the very beginging of a project. By 

utilizing precise laser scanned measurements and an augmented 

reality model simulation, the client, design team, 

and end-user develop a unified understanding of a project as 

it progresses through construction. 

As one of the top three general contractors in the region, 

Roebbelen brings nearly sixty years of local experience to an 

integrated construction approach. Roebbelen’s experienced 

staff offers a breadth of knowledge, with many having professional 

backgrounds in construction management, architecture, 

civil engineering, electrical engineering, and certified 

public accounting. The staff at Roebbelen draws on its experiences 

to raise quality and value while maintaining tight control 

over the schedule and budget. 

“In North America today, there’s more emphasis on cheaper 

and faster, and craftsmanship gets lost in the shuffle,” 

CEO Ken Wenham said in an interview with Construction in 

Focus magazine. “We like to combine the mastery of craft 

with modern technology to produce the best product we can 

for our clients.” 

Roebbelen is involved in projects for a wide range of 

clients, including education, federal facilities, healthcare, 

higher education, industrial, office buildings and recreational 

facilities. Among the many well-known Roebbelen projects 

are Mercy Hospital in Redding and Folsom, Sacramento 

Municipal Utility District (SMUD) historic office renovation, 

REACT Center in Stanislaus County, PG&E Service Center in 

Auburn, and Folsom Cordova Unified School District Office 

Education Center. 


226

Whether general contracation or construction management 

clients can rest assured knowing Roebbelen provides 

the highest level of dedication, project delivery, and quality 

of service. 

Roebbelen’s distinctive logo has a long history reaching 

back to the middle ages. When trade guilds thrived in 

Central Europe during the middle ages, three tools symbolized 

the mastery, knowledge, and craftsmanship of the building 

trades: the compass, the trowel and the broadax. 

In 1870, these three emblems were consolidated creating 

a logo for the Staatsbauschule Buxtenhude School of 

Architecture and Structural Engineering in Germany. 

Company founder Hans Roebbelen was a distinguished 

graduate of that school. 

It was customary at the time for student graduates to 

adopt an emblem—or mark—and because of his outstanding 

achievement, Roebbelen was one of only two students granted 

the privilege of displaying the school symbol as his own. 

Roebbelen Contracting and its employees are very supportive 

of community activities, including the Builders Fore 

Kids bi-annual golf tournament to raise funds for local children’s 

charities. Since 2002, Roebbelen has raised more 

than half a million dollars for the project. The company also 

supports Align Capital Region Workforce Development, 

Sacramento Children’s Home, Sacramento Children’s 

Museum, Jeff Mitchell Field, Reading Partners, UC Davis 

Hospital, Ronald McDonald House and many others. 

Roebbelen Contracting has received the A+ 

Employers/Employees Choice Award for ‘Best Place to Work’ 

and is a twelve-time winner for the Distinguished Projects 

honor awarded by the Western Council of Construction 

Consumers. The company consistently ranks on ENR’s Top 

400 Contractors List. 

Looking to the future, Roebbelen Contracting continues 

to expand its healthcare market while growing education, 

corrections/civic/justice, public works and corporate contracting 

and construction management market segments. In 

achieving these goals, the company will remain true to its 

core values: Treat individuals with dignity and respect; conduct 

business with honesty, integrity and fairness; create 

relationships that benefit every stakeholder; and continuously 

raise the benchmark of quality in the industry. 

“I like to say we’re a sixty-year-old start-up company 

because every day we’re looking for better, faster, and more 

efficient ways of serving our clients,” says Wenham. “It’s all 

about teamwork and having a good time.” 

 

Above: Sacred Heart Elementary School Courtyard, Sacramento. 

Below: California Exercise Stimulation Center, designed to improve training 

rooms for emergency response personnel. 


227

COACT DESIGNWORKS 

(FORMERLY STAFFORD KING 

WIESE ARCHITECTS) 

History of Coact Designworks predecessors 

• 1945-1966 Gordon Stafford Architect 

• 1966-1969 Stafford Peckinpaugh 

• 1969-1994 Stafford, King & Associates, Architects 

• 1994 Stafford King Wiese Architects 

• 2018 Coact Designworks 

History changed significantly in 2018 for Sacramento firm 

Stafford King Wiese Architects. After emerging from the worst 

economic recession since opening its doors in 1945, firm 

leadership felt the timing was right to make a bold statement 

about the firm’s strength, new markets, design philosophy and 

firm culture—and move forward with a complete rebrand. 

Formerly known as Stafford King Wiese Architects, the firm 

was rebranded as Coact Designworks. 

Coact—meaning joint work toward a common goal; 

combines the actions of many, and as such, has the greatest 

potential for revolutionary change. Designworks—as knowledge 

and process to meet the client’s needs. Together, these words 

embody the firm’s core values for success. 

Coact Designworks, the fourth-oldest architecture firm in 

Sacramento, provides architectural design and planning solutions 

to public and private clients throughout California and Western 

Nevada. Today, the firm provides expertise in four major market 

areas: commercial, education, healthcare, and retail. 

When founder Gordon Stafford began the practice in 

1945, he focused on commercial and residential projects. 

Upon award of his first school project, he knew that he had 

found his calling and began concentrating on education 

facility design. School construction was in high demand and 

the firm earned a reputation as the premiere K-12 educational 

architect in Northern California. 

Stafford added a business partner, Gordon King, who was 

paramount in earning this reputation. His passion, leadership, 

and contribution to educational facility planning was 

acknowledged in 1969 when the firm name was changed to 

Stafford King & Associates, Architects. Later in his career, 

King was honored with the Distinguished Fellow designation 

by the American Institute of Architects. 

Stafford transitioned the firm leadership to his son, John, 

when he retired in 1980. Together, John and King continued 

to strengthen the firm’s reputation in education architecture 

throughout northern California with John leading design and 

King leading planning. 

Stafford King & Associates, Architects merged with Brian 

Wiese Architects in 1994 to prepare for the next leadership 

transition. This was a pivotal time for the firm as Wiese led the 

diversification of project types, building upon his expertise to 

include higher education and healthcare. The following year, 

Kelly Reynolds joined, bringing his expertise in commercial 

and civic projects, earned from leading his own firm. This 

diversification proved to be highly beneficial during the global 

financial crisis a decade later. John retired in 1996 and Wiese 

assumed the role of the firm’s third president, leading the firm 

until 2007. In addition to the firm’s new market sectors, a 

strong presence in the education market continued throughout 

Wiese’s tenure to present, with new campuses and renovation 

projects for K-12, community college and university clients 

throughout Northern California. 

Pat Derickson, who joined the firm as part of the merger, 

served as project architect on numerous projects. One of 

his first assignments, which would chart his career path, was 

a 100,000-square-foot expansion and renovation of Methodist 

Hospital in Sacramento—a client the firm maintains to this 

day. In 2003, Derickson was promoted to principal and 

director of healthcare, Reynolds served as principal and 

director of civic and higher education, Wiese remained 

president and director of K-12 education, and Gregg Rock 

joined the firm as director of operations. 


228

When Wiese retired in 2007, Derickson was chosen 

as the firm’s fourth president and Rock, who had become 

a principal, was promoted to vice president. Together, they 

have served as the firm's leadership since. That same year, the 

housing market crashed and many publicly and privately 

funded projects were eliminated, however, the firm continued 

to thrive based on its established expertise in a variety of 

market sectors. 

With the continued success of the Healthcare Studio and 

its increased portfolio of work, the firm was awarded a major 

healthcare project—a 220,000-square-foot nurse tower and 

emergency department for Rideout Regional Medical Center 

in Marysville, California. The project not only served as a 

steady source of work during the next decade, but also served 

as a major opportunity to evolve the firm’s healthcare 

expertise with several strategic hires in planning, design and 

patient-centered expertise. 

In 2015, Mark Marvelli joined the firm to build a retail studio, 

bringing thirty years of expertise in this market. Under Marvelli's 

leadership, the firm has experienced significant growth in this 

sector with projects ranging from new 

neighborhood shopping centers and 

restaurants to renovations of existing 

centers, all bringing significant 

economic impact to new and 

established neighborhoods. 

The firm’s foundation of diversified 

expertise in commercial, education, 

healthcare, and retail, as well as a 

reputation built on client service, has 

allowed Coact Designworks to emerge 

from the last recession stronger than 

ever and poised for continued success. 

To learn more about Coact 

Designworks, the team behind 

the brand and to view their 

extensive portfolio of work, 

visit www.coactdesignworks.com. 

 

Opposite, top: John F. Kennedy High School, Sacramento City Unified School 

District (1968). 

Opposite, bottom: The firm’s four presidents (top, left to right) Gordon 

Stafford, founder; John Stafford, 1980-1996; (left to right, bottom) Brian 

Wiese, 1996-2007; and Pat Derickson 2007-present. 

Above: Nurse Tower and Emergency Department, Rideout Regional Medical 

Center, Rideout Health, 2016. 

Bottom: Pleasant Grove High School and Katherine Albiani Middle School, 

Elk Grove Unified School District, 2005. 

The Gordon Stafford Scholarship in Architecture was 

created when the firm decided to celebrate its fiftieth 

anniversary by honoring its founder. Open to California 

minority students pursuing a career in Architecture, the 

scholarship has been awarded to twenty-seven students 

as of 2017, totaling over $400,000. 


229

SPONSORS 

A Therapeutic Alternative ...........................................................................................164 

A-One Bookkeeping & Tax .........................................................................................201 

American Red Cross Gold Country Region (Donated by Best Western)........................146 

Armstrong Plumbing, Inc............................................................................................210 

California Indian Manpower Consortium, Inc. ............................................................148 

Capital Region’s Workforce Development Boards.........................................................167 

CASA de ESPAÑOL.....................................................................................................165 

City of Rocklin............................................................................................................168 

Coact Designworks (Formerly Stafford King Wise Architects)......................................228 

COVA Hotel................................................................................................................200 

Denio’s Roseville Farmers Market & Swap Meet ..........................................................198 

Dignity Health Sacramento .........................................................................................154 

DPR Construction .......................................................................................................214 

Eisley Nursery.............................................................................................................203 

El Dorado County.......................................................................................................166 

Emigh Ace Hardware ..................................................................................................182 

Eskaton.......................................................................................................................142 

Five Star Bank.............................................................................................................186 

Fort Sutter Automotive, Inc. .......................................................................................202 

Friends of the Sacramento Public Library....................................................................152 

Golden 1 Credit Union ...............................................................................................188 

Hornblowers Cruises & Events ...................................................................................199 

INALLIANCE..............................................................................................................150 

Integrative Women’s Healthcare/Caring for Women Wellness Center/ 

Michael P. Goodman, MD, FACOG...................................................................180 

Lammert Inc. ..............................................................................................................169 

McCreey’s Home Furnishings. .....................................................................................176 

The Munirs Company .................................................................................................205 

The Natoma Company-Property Management Services................................................190 

Nugget Market, Inc. ....................................................................................................204 

Owen-Dunn Insurance Services ..................................................................................184 

Quick Quack Car Wash ..............................................................................................179 

Rio City Café ..............................................................................................................206 

Rita Gibson Insurance & Investment Services, Inc. .....................................................196 

River City Bank...........................................................................................................207 

Roebbelen Contracting, Inc.........................................................................................226 

Sacramento Public Library ..........................................................................................152 

SMUD.........................................................................................................................220 

Saint Anna Greek Orthodox Church ...........................................................................163 

Saint Vincent de Paul Society, Roseville.......................................................................162 

Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel ..............................................................................194 

Snider Leasing Corp....................................................................................................224 

Stamas Corporation/Ionic Enterprises .........................................................................218 

Sun City Lincoln Hills.................................................................................................192 

U.S. Bank....................................................................................................................172 

UC Davis Health .........................................................................................................156 

University of the Pacific ..............................................................................................160 

USA Properties Fund, Inc............................................................................................222 

Well Aging Med, Inc. ..................................................................................................158 


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER 

M ICHAEL 

C UFFE 

Michael Cuffe, a native of northern California, is an internationally recognized photojournalist, whose work has been published 

in a variety of books, documentaries, and magazines worldwide. He focuses his camera on capturing the wonders of civilization's 

monumental achievements, nature's splendor, and the creative humans that inhabit planet Earth at this time. A graduate of Loyola 

Marymount University in Television and Film Production, Cuffe began his career working for Paramount Studios and other 

Hollywood based production companies. His lifetime passion for still photography eventually began to blossom into a career, 

with recognition for his documentation of international street artists and the contemporary art world. Notable journalistic 

recognition for his work has come from The Washington Post, CNN, The New York Times, UK's The Guardian, London's The SUN, 

The Huffington Post, and the coveted number one photo on Reddit. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER 

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ISBN: 978-1-944891-64-0 

LEADERSHIP SPONSORS

California's Capital Region: The Sacramento Valley

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