Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Women in Boardroom Law: Are Fresno Companies Complying?
gvw_david_taub
By David Taub, Senior Reporter
Published 4 years ago on
December 20, 2019

Share

California’s women in the boardroom law goes into effect Jan. 1. Authored by Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson (D-Santa Barbara), it mandates that the boards of publicly traded companies have women directors.

Photo of GV Wire's David Taub
David Taub
Politics 101
Three such companies in Fresno County, all banks, qualify and have already met the first step — one woman by 2020.
But the next milestone — three female members on boards of six or more by the end of 2021 — is yet to be achieved.
Dorothea Silva
Central Valley Community Bancorp, the corporate parent of Central Valley Community Bank, took a proactive step by naming Sacramento accountant Dorothea Silva to the 12-member board. Silva is the second woman, joining Karen Musson.
“We are fortunate to be able to attract individuals such as Dorothea, an accomplished leader in her industry with a diverse background who brings new perspectives and strength as a financial expert to our well-established Board and Audit Committee,” bank president and CEO James Ford said in a news release.
According to their respective websites, Fresno First Bank has two women on its 10-member board, and United Security Bank has one.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the number of California-based all-male boards of companies in the Russell 3000 went from 93 when the law was signed in 2018 to 17 as of last month.
“In just one year, Senate Bill 826 has had an enormous impact on gender equity in the boardroom. The law sparked a national conversation about the makeup of our boards, led several companies to bring more women onto their leadership teams, and opened doors for talented women across the state,” Jackson said in a news release “With numerous independent studies showing that corporations with women on their boards are more profitable, there is simply no excuse for shutting women out of the boardroom.”
The law is being challenged in court. But, for now, it stands.

Fast Start for Clovis Bond Supporters

The committee designated to raise funds for Measure A, the Clovis Unified school bond on the March 3 ballot, is raking in the money.
So far, Citizens for the Future of Clovis Schools — Yes on Measure A has attracted $135,000 in contributions.
The bond would raise $408 million while increasing property taxes $25 per $100,000 of home value. For example, a home valued at $250,000 would see a $62.50 increase.
Yes on A spokeswoman Kelly Avants said the money will go to the usual campaign efforts: signs, mailers, and advertising.
Avants, who is also the district spokeswoman, spoke with GV Wire while off the clock from her official job. State law does not allow a district employee to campaign on the people’s time.
Nearly all the reported contributors are tied to the construction or real estate industries. At this stage in the campaign, only contributors of $1,000 or more must be reported within 24 hours.
SIM-PBK, the Fresno architecture firm with many school sites on its resume, contributed $20,000. So did Clovis-based electrical contractor Westech Systems.
“I would say that donations have come from a variety of private citizens and businesses, all of whom have expressed a recognition for the value that high quality, well maintained, and up-to-date schools have for a community,” Avants said.
A list of supporters of $1,000 or more:

Name Date  Amount
SIM-PBK 10/30/2019              $20,000
Westech Systems 12/11/2019              $20,000
Clovis Management Association 9/27/2019              $16,000
Cencal Services 11/1/2019              $15,000
Durham Construction Company 12/17/2019              $12,000
Valley Unique Electric 10/29/2019                 $6,500
San Joaquin Glass 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Vintage Park Royal Management 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Grioux Glass, Inc. 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Boulder Creek Royal T Management 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Briner & Son, Inc. Briner & Son Landscape Management 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Granite Ridge Royal T Management 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Palm Lakes Royal T Management 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Howe Electric Construction, Inc. 12/18/2019                 $5,000
Lawson Mechanical Contractors 12/18/2019                 $2,500
Lawson Smith, LLP 12/18/2019                 $2,500
Louis Brosi (C-III Construction) 12/18/2019                $1,000
TOTAL            $135,500

Democratic Tensions over Council Endorsement

Here’s an interesting item from the San Joaquin Valley Sun. Matt Rogers resigned from the Fresno County Democratic Central Committee over the group’s endorsement of Tyler Maxwell in the Fresno City Council District 4 race.
“I do not support him because I believe he is fundamentally dishonest,” Rogers told the Sun.
Asked for a response to Rogers’ allegation, Maxwell said, “Right now I am solely focused on connecting with District 4 residents and learning more about what issues are important to them. I will continue to concentrate on the concerns of my neighbors and what is best for our district moving forward.”
Rogers is a former Fresno-based staffer for U.S. Senator Kamala Harris. He endorsed Nathan Alonzo in the council race, according to a tweet. Alonzo is registered to vote as no party preference.
[Update 12/23/19: this story has been updated to reflect Rogers’ status no longer working for Harris’ office]


Nathan Alonzo (left) and Tyler Maxwell shake hands following a District 4 City Council forum at Fresno State on Nov. 19, 2019 (GV Wire/David Taub)

DON'T MISS

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

DON'T MISS

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

DON'T MISS

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

DON'T MISS

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

DON'T MISS

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

DON'T MISS

Chinese Leader Xi Issues a Positive Message to US Business Leaders as Ties Improve

DON'T MISS

You Might Spot a Mountain Lion in California, But Attacks Like the One That Killed a Man Are Rare

DON'T MISS

Fresno Mayor Dyer Is the Man in Japan

DON'T MISS

Cargo Ship Lost Power, Issued Mayday Before Hitting Baltimore’s Bridge

DON'T MISS

Trump’s Social Media Company Soars Nearly 50% in Its First Day of Trading on Nasdaq

No data was found
David Taub,
Senior Reporter
Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

14 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

14 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

14 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

15 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

15 hours ago

CA’s Liberal Government Has a Long History of Caving to Special Interests

15 hours ago

Corrupt Process? Bullard, Edison Parents Blast Handling of Superintendent Search

15 hours ago

Police Had About 90 Seconds to Stop Traffic Before Baltimore Bridge Fell. 6 Workers Are Feared Dead

17 hours ago

NBC Has Cut Ties With Former RNC Head Ronna McDaniel After Employee Objections, Some on the Air

17 hours ago

Here Are Some Numbers That Will Help You Get Your March Madness Fix for the Sweet 16

17 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has sunk or disabled a third of all Russian warships in the Black Sea in just over two years of war, the navy spokes...

8 hours ago

8 hours ago

Ukrainian Navy Says a Third of Russian Warships in the Black Sea Have Been Destroyed or Disabled

Composite image of President Trump and Devin Nunes
12 hours ago

Wired Wednesday: How Going to Work for Trump Turned Devin Nunes Into a Millionaire

13 hours ago

Former Sen. Joe Lieberman, Democrats’ VP Pick in 2000, Dead at 82

14 hours ago

Trump Criticizes Judge and His Daughter After Gag Order in Hush-Money Case

14 hours ago

CA Insurance Market ‘in Chaos,’ Says Former Insurance Commissioner. Can Lara Fix It?

14 hours ago

Stock Market Today: S&P 500 Sets a Record After Wall Streets Breaks Out of Its Lull

15 hours ago

House Speaker Mike Johnson Headed to Fresno on April 4

15 hours ago

Bredefeld, Smittcamp Debate the Salary of Valley Children’s CEO

MENU

CONNECT WITH US

Search

Send this to a friend