A family-owned Auburn business, a Rocklin manufacturing plant and a leading force behind Lincoln’s drive to become an All-America Cityreceived major awards at the Placer County Economic Development Summit March 28.
The summit is an annual breakfast meeting sponsored by the county’s Economic Development Board. More than 200 people attended the 16th annual event at Sun City Lincoln Hills March 28.
During the summit each year, the board presents awards to recognize outstanding contributions to local economic-development efforts.
This year, the board’s Private Sector Award went to Vian Enterprises, an Auburn company that manufactures lubrication pumps for aeronautical, aerospace and military uses.
“The company’s products are synonymous in the industry with quality and safety,” said Roseville City Councilman John Allard, who serves as chairman of the Economic Development Board.
The award also honored The Broach Masters, a Vian sister company that manufactures gear-making tools.
The board’s Public Sector Award went to Roger Ueltzen, chairman of the Lincoln Economic Development Committee.
“Roger was the leading force behind the city of Lincoln’s entry into the All-America City program and worked diligently for two years to help the city become a winner of the award in 2006,” said Lincoln Economic Development Manager Steve Art in a letter nominating Ueltzen for the award.
Greenheck Fan received the Employer of the Year Award from the Business Advantage Network, a local coalition of government and nonprofit agencies involved in job-development work.
The company’s manufacturing plant in Rocklin works closely with the network, sharing job leads, participating in events such as job fairs and holding onsite recruitments at the Roseville One-Stop Career Center, a facility that houses many of the network’s members.
VIAN ENTERPRISES
The family-owned company was recognized for its contributions to the economic development of Auburnand for helping meet critical needs of the United Statesmilitary and aerospace industry.
Founded by Don and Ann Vian in the 1960s, the company moved to Auburnin 1980. It is now run by the couple’s children and employs more than 80 people.
The company provides highly skilled, well-paid jobs for its employees, and its workforce has more than doubled over the last five years. The company also contributes to the economy of the Auburnarea by buying locally whenever possible.
GREENHECK FAN
A nomination form submitted on the company’s behalf emphasizes that the Rocklin plant makes a concerted effort to hire veterans and cooperates with the Business Advantage Network on many fronts.
“Greenheck Fan also hosted a tour of their expanded facility to the Business Advantage Network in December 2006,” it explains. “They provided BAN members with detailed information on their hiring process, desired skill sets for new employees, benefits and other information to assist future job seekers referred from Business Advantage Network members.”
ROGER UELTZEN
“As a retiree, Roger could have selected to take up golf and spend his years relaxing,” said Art in his letter nominating Ueltzen. “Instead, Roger has placed himself in the middle of the development of Lincolnand its desire to become a business leader and developer of jobs.”
The letter says Ueltzen frequently analyzes the economic development efforts of other cities and counties, and presents promising ideas to the Lincolncommittee.
The letter notes that winning the National Civic League’s designation as an All-America Citywill help Lincolnin its efforts to expand its job base and attract tourists.
Ueltzen also volunteers for community events in Lincoln. He coordinated its first Relay for Life, an event that raises funds for cancer research.