At age 96, Ed Kashian still runs the day-to-day operations as CEO of his land development company.

“He is 100% active in most of the decisions being made here as a group. He’s at work every day, in most meetings, and still deciding what the future looks like,” said Tracy Kashian, spokesperson for Lance-Kashian & Company and Kashian’s daughter-in-law.

He keeps up with the times, Tracy Kashian said.

“He’s also very tech savvy. He has the newest iPhone and downloads apps,” she said. “He reads so much, knows what’s coming, and can forecast for sure.”

Ed Kashian has been one of Fresno’s top developers for more than 60 years. He is now receiving one of the area’s most prestigious honors.

The Fresno Chamber of Commerce announced Wednesday that Kashian is the 2026 recipient of the 42nd annual Leon S. Peters Award during a news conference outside the Lance-Kashian office in north Fresno.

“It’s long overdue. He certainly would have qualified for this award many years ago. But we’re here today, and we’re happy to be here,” chamber President/CEO Scott Miller said.

The chamber will hold a ceremony to honor Kashian on March 13 at Pardini’s Catering and Banquets. The luncheon will also honor several other award winners.

Kashian ‘One of the Best Listeners’

Ed Kashian did not speak at the ceremony but did pose for photographs with the media.

Retired Judge Robert Oliver, a 2002 Peters Award recipient, called Kashian “one of the best listeners I’ve ever run across.”

“It didn’t mean he was agreeing, but he was listening to what you were saying so he could then act on that,” Oliver said. “Every time I’ve had the opportunity to interact with Ed Kashian, I learned something. I learned from someone who thinks into the future.”

Tracy Kashian fought back tears as she spoke about her father-in-law and their special relationship.

“He is incredibly funny and so generous. He is the best person to go to dinner with because he will order everything on the menu,” Tracy Kashian said. “There’s something about someone who has a really hard shell on the outside. I think they’re really soft on the inside. So yes, the honor means a lot.”

Developing Fresno

Kashian founded Lance-Kashian & Co. in 1964. He later bought out partner Theodore Lance but kept the company name.

Some of his most visible projects include the River Park shopping center, Campus Pointe at Fresno State, and the recently opened Fancher Creek development.

He also helped develop the first Costco in Fresno, located on West Shaw Avenue.

Philanthropy has also been an important part of Kashian’s life.

Kashian served on the Community Medical Center board in the 1990s.

“This work was important to him because he believes meeting the health care needs of our most vulnerable right here at home, and caring for the least among us, is a responsibility we all share,” Tracy Kashian said.

He also helped bring the UCSF medical campus to downtown Fresno and rallied for the founding of UC Merced.

He and his wife, Jeanne, donated $5 million to UC Merced’s new Medical Education Building that is scheduled to open this fall. In 2024, he was awarded the UC Merced Chancellor’s Medal, the university’s highest honor.

Animals are another passion of Kashian’s, and he helped secure land for the city’s animal shelter.

“He’s never given up on supporting the less fortunate, helping local nonprofits, and building our city,” Tracy Kashian said.

Other Award Recipients

The chamber announced other award winners:

• Harold Zinkin Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Liz McIlvaine, Total Concepts;
• Community Champion of the Year Award: California Teaching Fellows Foundation;
• Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jasmine Ruiz, Cry Baby Cookies;
• Child-Friendly Business of the Year: Art of Comfort.

About the Leon S. Peters Award

The award, which was was created in 1984, was established to preserve the memory and legacy of Leon S. Peters and to honor Central Valley leaders who demonstrate in their personal and business life the values, ethics and character exemplified by Peters.

Peters manufactured a wine grape crusher and seamless stainless steel tanks that revolutionized wine production.. He gave back to his community in many ways, serving in leadership capacities and donating millions of dollars to a variety of causes through the Leon S. Peters Foundation. He died in 1983.