Two Ceres businesses were honored at the 2015 California Small Business Day Awards event hosted by California legislators in Sacramento on June 10.
Casey Moving Systems was named as the 21st Assembly District's 2015 Small Business of the Year, nominated by Assemblyman Adam Gray, D-Merced. Representing the Casey family at the luncheon was Jay Casey and his daughter, Katie.
EXIT Realty Consultants was nominated by Senator Anthony Cannella, R-Ceres, as the 2015 Small Business of the Year award recipient for the 12th Senate District. Representing EXIT Realty was broker/owner Kris Klair, managers Chuck Bukhari and Renee Ledbetter, and Office Coordinator Clarissa Azevedo.
The Ceres-based Casey Moving Systems has offices in Stanislaus, Merced, and San Joaquin counties and serves all of Northern California. In January 2014, the Ceres Chamber of Commerce named Casey Moving Systems "Business of the Year."
As a family business, Casey Moving has always worked to include their employees as part of their extended family. They have retained a reputation for integrity and quality service. With 50 employees, they meet the demands of a growing industry. They specialize in global relocation services and document storage. Although their original task was to serve as a moving company, Casey has integrated the company to serve both individuals and businesses to meet their relocation needs.
"The Casey family has not only defined themselves as leaders in small business, but committed themselves to the community as a whole," said Gray. "The Casey family has set an example of dedication and success in the community and it is my privilege to recognize them as the Small Business Nominee from the 21st Assembly District."
"This award means a great deal to our business and our 50 years of service," said Jay Casey, general manager. "We would not be successful without the entire team at Casey Moving and our loyal clients."
EXIT Realty Consultants was founded by Klair in 2005 and has expanded to six locations covering much of the Central Valley with offices in Ceres, Modesto, Fresno, Turlock and Manteca. Cannella recognized the hard work and stamina of EXIT agents and staff for growing the business during an economic downturn.
"Kris' business has become an important part of the community. He believes that giving back and helping out those around you is how one builds and sustains in any community," said Cannella. "In my hometown of Ceres, EXIT has teamed with the Ceres Fire Department to host an annual barbecue to benefit breast cancer awareness and because of their strong ties to the community EXIT has been named the best real estate firm by Ceres Courier readers two years in a row."
"Aside from our commitment to community through volunteerism and charitable outreach, we have a commitment to increase housing opportunities for all by donating a percentage of all sales commissions to the Habitat for Humanity," said Klair. "We use our business success as leverage to give back to the communities we serve."
In all, 89 businesses were honored at the event. According to statistics from the Small Business Administration, California's small businesses employed half or 6.3 million of the state's private workforce in 2011 and made up 99.2 percent of all employers in the state.
