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Ed Kashian, center, was surprised with the Leon S. Peters award Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 in Fresno. Photo by Dylan Gonzales<\/p>\n
The Fresno Chamber of Commerce announced Edward M. Kashian, CEO and principal of Lance Kashian & Co., as the 2026 Leon S. Peters Award honoree.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
The honor recognizes Kashian\u2019s exceptional leadership, philanthropy and long-standing commitment to the Central Valley and communities beyond, according to a news release.\u00a0<\/p>\n
As head of Lance Kashian, Kashian has played a defining role in shaping Fresno\u2019s economic growth and built environment through the development of significant commercial, health care and mixed-use projects including River Park, Campus Pointe and the Fancher Creek Town Center.<\/p>\n
Equally impactful is Kashian\u2019s commitment to giving back, said the Chamber, which surprised Kashian with the award Wednesday at the Lance Kashian offices in north Fresno.<\/p>\n
With his wife, Jeanne, he has made transformational philanthropic contributions to education, health care and community institutions locally and globally. His support of higher education, medical advancement and
community development reflects a deep belief in opportunity, service and long-term investment in people, said the Chamber.<\/p>\n
\u201cKashian\u2019s leadership is marked not only by professional achievement, but by integrity, generosity, and a dedication to improving lives, qualities that fully embody the spirit of the Leon S. Peters,\u201d said the Chamber in its announcement.<\/p>\n
The Leon S. Peters Award honors individuals who exemplify the qualities of its namesake. Leon S. Peters was widely respected as a businessman, civic leader and philanthropist who came from Armenian immigrants. He grew up on a family farm and began his career as a salesman for Valley Foundry after losing his parents at a young age. He later purchased the company and transformed it into a world-renowned supplier of agricultural equipment by revolutionizing wine production through innovations such as the wine grape crusher and seamless stainless-steel tanks.<\/p>\n
Others will be honored as part of the 2026 Valley Business Awards being held in March. They include:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Harold Zinkin Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Liz McIlvaine, Total Concepts<\/p>\n
\u2022 Community Champion of the Year Award: California Teaching Fellows Foundation<\/p>\n
\u2022 Student Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Jasmine Ruiz, Cry Baby Cookies<\/p>\n
\u2022 Child-Friendly Business of the Year: Art of Comfort<\/p>\n
The 2026 Valley Business Awards will take place on Friday, March 13, as a luncheon at Pardini\u2019s Catering and Banquets.<\/p>\n
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