Tara Lynn Gray, image via Fresno Metro Black Chamber

The Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce and Fresno-based Imperial Electric Service were honored at the annual Ron Brown/Aubry Stone Memorial Business & Economic Conference held by the California Black Chamber of Commerce in Sacramento.

The Fresno Chamber was named “Chamber of the Year,” while Imperial Electric, owned by Fresno native Windell Pascascio Jr., was named “Small Business of the Year.” At the awards ceremony held Aug. 16, presenters said the Fresno Metro Black Chamber was chosen because of its “new and innovative” approach to helping small businesses grow. This is the organization’s second win this decade.

“Small business growth is at the heart of community economic development and this recognition by our peers underscores the value we bring to small businesses and the work we do on their behalf,” said Fresno Metro CEO Tara Lynn Gray in a statement.

Pascascio began his electrical business, which also does solar, in 2016. In 2017, he reached out to the Fresno Metro Black Chamber for assistance. According to him, he did $3 million in business in the first quarter of 2019.

“Being a part of the Fresno Metro Black Chamber opened up huge doors for me, hard-to-knock-on doors,” he said. “Contractors, agencies and institutions. Our membership has given us access to projects that have grown my business tremendously this year.

Fresno Metro has introduced an array of new programs over the last three years and focus on helping members grow their businesses.