FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF MAY 16, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Public Information Manager
SUBJECT: BUSINESSES OF THE MONTH — MAY 2023
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and City Council present a certificate to the featured Businesses for May 2023 — A.J. Diani Construction Corp and its affiliate, Diani Building Corp., and to Marian Regional Medical Center and Pacific Central Coast Health Centers (PHC).
BACKGROUND:
The City of Santa Maria and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce have partnered to highlight different businesses in the City through a Business of the Month Program. For the next year, this program gives recognition to local businesses for their longevity and/or for providing significant healthcare contributions. Not only does this give valuable exposure to these local businesses, but it also reminds the community of the unique, diverse, and long- standing businesses they are fortunate to have in Santa Maria.
This month's long-standing business is A.J. Diani Construction Co., and its affiliate, Diani Building Corp. After returning from World War II as a Navy Seabee in the Pacific Theater, A.J. Diani began doing grading jobs for some of the local farmers. He formally started his namesake company in 1949 and it was incorporated in 1958. The company grew from grading, paving, and highway construction, into general building construction, and environmental remediation and restoration. The firm even continues to build launch, radar, and satellite infrastructure, including at Vandenberg Space Force Base. Today its workforce stands at 90. The Diani family's community activities date back 74 years. Representing the business tonight are owners Mike Diani, Don Ward, and Jim Diani.
This month's business being recognized for its healthcare contributions to the community is Marian Regional Medical Center and Pacific Central Coast Health Centers (PHC). This business has grown from one small hospital in the 1940s, into an acute care hospital with a regional trauma center, along with a skilled nursing center, 50 physician offices (PHC), labs, imaging centers, homecare, and hospice and cancer services. The hospital employs 2,600 and PHC employs 700. The business not only serves the community's healthcare needs, it also is financially supportive of homeless housing projects, has a street medicine program, and partners with Allan Hancock College to support its health programs and to train and hire its graduates. Representing the business tonight are Sue Andersen, President and CEO of Marian Regional Medical Center, and Scott Robertson, President of Pacific Central Coast Health Centers.
MARK VAN DE KAMP
Public Information Manager