AGRICULTURE

Quady Winery in Madera has unveiled updated labels and packaging for the 2018 vintage of its fastest growing brand, Electra and Red Electra Moscato. Electra and Red Electra are often known as the “angel wines” by fans for the defining angel featured on the front label. Originally painted by Ardison Phillips, the angel is inspired by a likeness of Allison Quady, the daughter of owners, Laurel and Andrew Quady. The updated label accentuates the artist’s vision of the Electra angel.

“We’ve always viewed winemaking as a form of artistic expression, and we’ve held to that philosophy when making all of our wines. Updating our labels to highlight the artistry of the Electra angel illustrates that connection,” states Laurel Quady, Co-Owner and CFO of Quady Winery. 

Quady’s Electra brand is growing rapidly, displaying over 10% growth year over year, doubling in size over the past five years. Andrew Quady attributes the brand’s success to the delicate flavors, intense aromas, and balance found in the Electra brands. These qualities, combined with unique packaging, have spurred the majority of growth for Quady Winery over the past ten years. 

Consumers will find the updated designs on the 2018 vintages of Electra and Red Electra Moscato. Bottling for the 2018 vintages has already begun. Electra and Red Electra are available at retailers nationwide, on the Quady Winery website (www.quadywinery.com), and in the Quady Winery tasting room.

SMALL BUSINESS

Fresno’s Der Manouel Insurance Group, a Division of HUB International, is pleased to announce that Jim Wood, director of marketing for the agency, has been named chief marketing officer for the national agribusiness & food practice at HUB International.

EDUCATION

Valerie Rempel, Ph.D., has been selected as dean of the Fresno Pacific Biblical Seminary and vice president of Fresno Pacific University starting July 1.

Appointed interim vice president in August 2018, Rempel has been dean since 2014. She is also an associate professor at the seminary, holding the J.B. Toews Chair of History and Theology. She joined the seminary faculty in 1996 and has a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, M.A. degrees from both Vanderbilt and Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary (FPBS) and a B.A. from Tabor College.

Rempel’s primary mission in teaching is to encourage students to deepen their love for the church and its complexities, and to gain both knowledge and appreciation for the Christian tradition.

ENGINEERING

MKN & Associates, a consulting civil engineering firm, is pleased to announce the addition of Ryan Provost as a full-time assistant engineer. He is a recent graduate from the Civil Engineering program at Fresno State and former recipient of our annual Fall internship-scholarship program.

Editor’s note: This item ran in the June 14 edition with the incorrect photo.

Tyler Wilfong, an employee for Cornerstone Structural Engineering Group, was recently selected to receive a $2,500 scholarship from the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) through American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC).  

Scholarship winners will be honored at the annual Awards Luncheon at the ACEC Fall Conference in Chicago in October. Wilfong is working towards a master’s degree at California State University, Fresno.  

He originally pursued structural engineering because of his love of architecture and math at a young age.  He hopes to use his structural engineering knowledge to help people in the future.   

In addition to this national scholarship, Wilfong also received a scholarship from ACEC California, San Joaquin Valley Chapter as well as a scholarship from American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

HEALTH CARE

Fresno Surgical Hospital was recently recognized with an Award of Distinction for Excellent Performance in Inpatient Surgical Services and as a Top Performer for Inpatient Services for Patient Experience by national healthcare research leader Professional Research Consultants, Inc. 

The Excellence in Healthcare Awards recognize organizations and individuals who achieve excellence throughout the year by improving patient experiences, healthcare employee engagement, and/or physician alignment and engagement based on surveys of their patients.

EDUCATION

Westlands Water District awarded scholarships to six high school seniors in recognition of the students’ exceptional academic achievement. Each recipient, all of whom are from westside communities, will receive $1,000 towards their community college or university expenses. Applicants were judged on their academic performance, school activities, community leadership and each applicant submitted an essay on an agricultural-related topic.

The District congratulates the following 2019 scholarships winners:

Joe Cardiel III, a senior at Firebaugh High School, plans to attend Fresno State University where he will major in Agriculture Education with plans to pursue a career as an Agricultural Educator. 

Marvin Cornejo, a senior at Mendota High School, is an honors student who plans to attend Fresno State University to pursue a degree in Chemistry. Following college, Cornejo aspires to pursue a career as a Pharmacist. 

Myriam Castro, a senior at Tranquility High School, will graduate in the top five of her class. Castro plans to attend Fresno State University where she will major in Criminology.

Peter Hawken, a senior at Lemoore High School, was honored as the Chemistry Student of the Year. Following graduation, Hawken will attend the University of California, Santa Cruz where he will major in Environmental Science. 

Jazmin A. Murillo, a senior at Coalinga High School, plans to attend West Hills College Coalinga where she will major in Political Science and film. Following college, Murillo plans to pursue a career as a Paralegal and as a Film Director. 

Emma Andrade, a senior at Riverdale High School, is an honor roll student who plans to attend Fresno State where she will major in Physics and plans to pursue a career as an Experimental Physicist.R