Craig School of Business

2012 California Family Business Award Winner

Excerpt provided by The Business Journal
Michael Kincheloe, Staff Writer
Photo by Clay Moffitt
Published Friday, January, 20, 2012

J.D. Heiskell & Comany of Tulare was awarded the 23rd Annual California Family Business Award on January 19th in a ceremony hosted by the Institute for Family Business and The Business Journal.

The Hillman family was on hand to accept the award during a ceremony last night presented by The Business Journal. J.D. Heiskell & Co. celebrated its 125th anniversary last year. President and fourth generation family member Scot Hillman said the award just might be the company's highlight of the year

"There are 350 more days left in the year, so I guess it's all down hill from here," Hillman joked while accepting the award. His parents Pat and Dale Hillman were also on hand.

J.D. Heiskell & Co. is the country's fourth-largest animal feed manufacturing company in the U.S. It has operations in seven other states beside California and employs about 300 people in the Valley alone.

The company was one of five finalists up for the award, now in its 23rd year. The award is presented by the Institute for Family Business at California State University, Fresno. Criteria used to select the winner include longevity, implementing innovative strategies, incorporating family into the business, instituting a succession plan and community contributions.

Take a look at the J.D. Heiskell Company (Hillman Family) nomination form