Sacramento Archives

July 1, 2019

RCB Charity of Choice: The Sacramento Tree Foundation

In connection with our biennial Client Appreciation event in September, River City Bank selects one organization as the focus for our charitable fundraising, the Charity of Choice. The Charity of Choice receives a $5,000 donation from the Bank plus proceeds raised by RCB employees through fundraising activities including Jeans Day and bake sales. This year, we are pleased to announce the Sacramento Tree Foundation is the Bank’s Charity of Choice. The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a community benefit organization working to build healthy, livable communities in the Sacramento region by growing the best urban forest in the nation.

Recently, Sacramento Tree Foundation’s Executive Director, Ray Tretheway, stopped by RCB’s Corporate office to give a brief presentation on the foundation and the impact they have on our community. He discussed the organization’s current plans to plant and steward 5 million new trees region-wide. Of which, one million trees are targeted for under-resourced, low tree canopy neighborhoods. For nearly 40 years, the Sacramento Tree Foundation has witnessed and fostered what Tretheway has called, “a community-wide renaissance on how residents see and value trees.” It’s continuing work will be felt for generations to come.

To find out how you can volunteer or learn more about the Sacramento Tree Foundation, visit their website at www.sactree.com.

July 1, 2019

Client Profile: The Sacramento SPCA

With leashes in hand and shoes laced up, River City Bank joined the Sacramento SPCA at their 2019 Doggy Dash. A beautiful spring day accompanied RCB employees and their families as they came out in full force to show their support. The event drew more than 5,000 participants, and RCB was proud to be one of the largest groups in attendance. The event raised more than $164,000 to help provide direct care and safe refuge for thousands of animals. However, this event is just a small part of what the SPCA contributes to our community. We sat with Kenn Altine, Chief Executive Officer of the Sacramento SPCA, to find out more about this worthwhile organization that not only shelters and cares for animals, but one that is also helping people who love animals.

The SPCA has been around for 127 years. How much has changed since they opened their doors in 1892?

The SPCA was founded in the late 1800s and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1927. Though the role of the Sacramento SPCA in our community has evolved over the years (from originally being involved in investigating and enforcing laws surrounding animal cruelty cases and complaints), our mission has remained the same – providing homeless animals with individual comfort, shelter, and love. We provide compassionate medical care to tens of thousands of animals annually and offer a variety of programs and services designed to keep people and pets together for life.

The Sacramento SPCA provides more than shelter and medical services to animals. What services do you offer that most folks would be surprised to hear?

Most people identify animal shelters as a place where stray and homeless animals are housed and also adopted to new families. While we certainly do house stray and homeless animals, as well as find them new homes, we do give much more than shelter to the animals and people in our community. We serve the entire Sacramento region as a premier provider of low-cost spay/neuter services, collaborating with local rescue groups, feral cat caregivers, those in need, and the public to alter more than 18,300 animals in 2018. Additionally, 16,200 low-cost and no-cost vaccinations were provided to the community, 1,200 animals received low-cost veterinary exams and more than 3,600 sick, injured, and homeless animals found new homes through the shelter’s adoption facility. An active humane education program reaches over 7,000 children each year, and a dog training program gives advice and training to more than 3,000 adults each year. We reach out to seniors as hundreds are visited under the pet-facilitated visitation program, and thousands receive free vaccinations for their pets. Over 800 volunteers augment the care for the thousands of unwanted, abused and injured animals that seek shelter at the Society and help with special events

Sacramento SPCA CEO, Kenn Altine, enjoys a comforting moment with cat Tomasina prior to her surgery in the shelter’s spay & neuter clinic.

Sacramento SPCA CEO, Kenn Altine, enjoys a comforting moment with Tomasina prior to her surgery in the shelter’s spay & neuter clinic.

Where do most of your animals come from?

Because we are the only owner-surrender facility in the Sacramento region, the majority of animals housed and adopted through the Sacramento SPCA begin their journey with us after being surrendered by their owner(s). There are many reasons why an individual or family would decide to surrender their animal, most of which are related to housing, veterinary costs, other financial reasons, pet behavior, separation/divorce, or original owner passed away, and the other family members cannot care for the pet.

To help more animals in our region and the surrounding communities, the Sacramento SPCA also regularly transfers animals in from other overburdened shelters. The relocation of these pets not only allows the overburdened shelter to have open kennels for incoming animals but gives the pets transferred the opportunity to find loving homes in a new environment. In 2018, the Sacramento SPCA transferred in 438 animals from other shelters, including animals from the Sacramento City & County shelters, as well as areas impacted by Hurricane Michael and the Camp Fire. So far this year, we have already transferred in more than 300 animals, putting us on track for 600 transfers in 2019.

Team River City Bank at the 2019 Doggy Dash

Team RCB at the 2019 Doggy Dash (photo credit: [email protected])

Besides the Doggy Dash, what other fundraising events happen throughout the year?

We host three signature events annually, more than a dozen smaller events, and participate in a multitude of other community partner-hosted events throughout the region. Our signature events consist of: The Doggy Dash 2k/5k walk and pet festival each April, held at William Land Park; our fall gala, held at the Sacramento SPCA (this year on October 26th) and the Jingle Bell Pup Crawl in December (December 14th this year), which begins at Midtown’s Truitt Bark Park in partnership with a handful of local breweries.

We also regularly host “Yappy Hours” at local breweries throughout Sacramento. These are great opportunities for the community to join us with their pup to enjoy brews, food, raffle prizes and fun (including meeting adoptable dogs) – all to benefit the animals at the Sacramento SPCA. In addition, during the summer months, we host several “Splashy Hours” at The Animal Den Pet Resort & Spa, where people and their pups can have fun escaping the summer heat.

For more information about all our events, visit sspca.org/events.

What advice would you give someone looking to adopt a pet?

If you are like most of us, falling in love with a pet is easy. Pets give us unconditional love and loyalty, and they provide constant companionship. Adopting a pet, however, is a big decision. Dogs, cats, and small animals are living beings that require a considerable amount of time, money, and commitment — more than 15 years’ worth in many cases. Pet ownership can be rewarding, but only if you think through your decision before you adopt. Things to consider before adopting would be:

How much time do you have for a pet?
Can you afford a pet?
Can you have pets where you currently live?
What pet is right for you?
Other Considerations – Depending on the age and behavior of the animal, can you commit your time and money to support ongoing training? Also, who will care for the pet while you are away on vacation or business?

Why did the Sacramento SPCA choose River City Bank?

When we decided to change banks, we had three “set-in-stone” requirements. The first is that the bank had to be financially strong with a track record of managing the accounts and activities of a business. In addition to being a non-profit, we are also a medium-sized employer, run a retail store (our Adoptable Goods thrift store) and have all the accounts payable and receivable associated with any business. Second, we wanted the bank to be local. We are a local organization (not affiliated with the ASPCA or other regional and national groups) and wanted a local partner. Finally, we needed the bank to be invested in the community – not necessarily through donations to animal groups (although that is a plus), but involved in giving their time and their donations to the Sacramento region.

RCB hit all three of those with a proven track record in each, while also aligning with our organization’s mission and core values. While other banks we interviewed offered low or no fees on the services we needed, RCB took the approach of helping us succeed as a business. They also came up with a proposal to help make our money work harder for the animals. We could not be happier with the choice nor the experience we have had as a member of the RCB business family.

March 27, 2019

2019 Regional Business Outlook

Regional-Business-Outlook-Crowd-e1556819814445

River City Bank hosted business clients and community leaders at its annual Regional Business Outlook Event on February 6th. The exclusive event featured presentations on key business topics from noted business leaders and industry experts. River City Bank President and CEO, Steve Fleming, also shared a look at the Bank’s 2018 successes and his perspective on the local economy. 2019 marks the 10th year of this highly-anticipated event as it continues to provide industry and local insight on a variety of topics.

Discussion topics included eCommerce, real estate, and the medical biotechnology industry, and this year’s panel of speakers included: Benjamin Conwell, Senior Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of Cushman Wakefield; Cate Dyer, Founder and CEO of StemExpress; and Greg Paquin, Founder and President of the Gregory Group.

RCB is excited to see what the upcoming year brings. Plans for the 2020 event are already in the works.

River City Bank’s Pat Lewis with Toni Dwyer of DesCor Builders

Regional Business Outlook Speakers: Greg Paquin of the Gregory Group, Cate Dyer of StemExpress, Steve Fleming, and Benjamin Conwell of Cushman & Wakefield

Lina Fat of Fat Family Restaurant Group with Stacy Paragary of Paragary Restaurant Group

Charice Huntley of River City Bank

Steve Fleming addresses the crowd

A question from Samuel Smalls of George K. Baum & Company

Nitish Sharma of the City of Davis, Steve Fleming, Dennis Kauffman and Scott Alvord of the City of Roseville, with River City Bank’s Janette Moynier and Rosa Cucicea

Rick Wylie of Villara Building Systems, Jim Hendersen of Cardinal Realty Finance, and Mike Paris of BlackPine Communities

Steve Bender of Bender Insurance Solutions with River City Bank’s Chairman of the Board, Shawn Devlin, and Steve Boutin of Boutin Jones

January 28, 2019

River City Bank reports record net income of $24 million for 2018

SACRAMENTO, CA — River City Bank (the Bank) reported record net income of $24.0 million, or $16.50 per diluted share, for the year ending December 31, 2018. This was $7.3 million more than the $16.7 million, or $11.52 per diluted share, for the year ending December 31, 2017. The Bank’s earnings for 2018 were higher due to organic growth, as well as lower taxes from the Tax Cut and Jobs Act that was passed at the end of 2017. Earnings in 2017 were impacted by a one-time, non-cash charge of $4.6 million, or $3.18 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter of 2017. The charge was related to the re-measurement of the Bank’s deferred tax assets arising from a lower corporate tax rate. In addition, the 2017 results benefited from a pre-tax $3.5 million gain on sale of an Other Real Estate Owned property and a $765,000 mark to market gain on interest rate swap contracts.

“We are very proud to have finished 2018 with record earnings, significant growth in our customer base, and the successful opening of our loan production office in downtown San Francisco,” said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. “The new office and the recent launch of our Clean Energy Division will provide us with new and additional opportunities to serve the thriving Bay Area marketplace.”

The Bank experienced solid growth in its balance sheet in 2018, as evidenced by 9.6 percent loan growth and 12.4 percent deposit growth.

The Bank’s net interest margin declined from 2.83 percent to 2.73 percent for the years ending December 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. The reduced net interest margin is a function of the Federal Reserve having increased short-term interest rates and the flattening of the yield curve. Consequently, the Bank’s net interest margin compresses as the cost of deposits and other borrowings rise faster than the yield on its earning assets.

“Operational efficiency remains a core competency for the Bank, as evidenced by our 40 percent efficiency ratio for the years ending December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively,” said Anker Christensen, Chief Financial Officer of River City Bank. “We have a highly productive group of employees at the Bank, and managing expenses continues to be a priority for the management team.”

Shareholders’ equity for River City Bank on December 31, 2018 increased $24 million to $209 million, when compared to the $185 million as of December 31, 2017. The growth was driven by increased retained earnings. The Bank’s capital ratios remain well above the regulatory definitions for being Well Capitalized. Common Equity Tier 1, Tier 1 Leverage and Total Risk-based capital ratios were 11.8 percent, 9.6 percent and 13.1 percent, respectively, as of December 31, 2018.

December 20, 2018

Employee Profile: Donna Sutherland

Donna Sutherland is the newest Premier Relationship Manager, Vice President at River City Bank. She is no stranger to River City Bank; in fact, she began her career here at our Woodland Branch as its Assistant Manager nearly a decade ago. Recently, we met with the RCB boomerang to talk about the causes that she is passionate about, and her love for all things Disney.

Hometown: Alameda, CA

First Job: I was a cashier at Del Taco.

Favorite Quote(s): Yesterday is past, tomorrow is not promised, today is a gift, which is why it is called the present. ― Bill Keane

Favorite Movie: The Wizard of Oz – there is a little bit of Dorothy in all of us!

Favorite place in Sacramento: The Firehouse Restaurant. It has a romantic atmosphere, delicious food, and a great wine list.

First site or app you check in the morning: LinkedIn for a quick news download.

Favorite city to visit: San Diego, CA. It has perfect weather and beautiful beaches!

What is something people would be surprised to know about you? I am a huge Disney fan. I love to visit the parks with family and friends whenever I can! I always feel like a kid and enjoy the little details that Disney does throughout the park to make it a magical experience.

Donna at Disneyland in 2018

Which causes/nonprofits do you support? There are two organizations that I support and each for a very personal reason: Shriners Hospital and the March of Dimes. I have a particular affinity for Shriners Hospital because they performed spinal surgery on my daughter. Families are never billed for their services, and they never turn away a child because of a family’s inability to pay. As a mother, the March of Dimes also holds a special place in my heart. The organization works towards reducing premature births and helping mothers have healthier pregnancies.

What is your idea of perfect happiness? Being somewhere on a beach, watching the waves.

What did you want to be when you were a child? I wanted to be a singer, specifically, a country singer.

What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting out? Control what you can control and don’t let the rest weigh you down.

What do you consider your greatest achievement? Building strong relationships in all of the positions I have held and mentoring others to achieve their goals.

What do you like best about working at River City Bank? The culture is amazing! I am proud to work for a bank that cares so much about the customers and communities that we serve.

December 20, 2018

A Celebration of 35 Years of Generosity

The Sacramento Region Community Foundation reached a milestone this year, celebrating 35 years of inspiring philanthropy in the Sacramento region. As a sponsor of the Foundation’s annual Celebration of Generosity event, several River City Bank team members, including SRCF board member Anker Christensen, were in attendance to honor the commitment of fundholders, nonprofit leaders, and community partners who strive to transform the capital area to benefit all. For years, the Foundation has led efforts to grow local giving and build nonprofit capacity, close gender and racial gaps in access to higher education, strengthen the food system that feeds our communities, and foster a vibrant creative ecosystem.

At this year’s event, the Foundation also showcased its new logo and tagline. The newly refreshed brand represents the Foundation’s forward movement in the areas where strategic philanthropy can be a catalyst for change. While they have a new look, the Foundation’s commitment to the community remains unwavering. It will continue its role as the Sacramento region’s trusted steward of social consciousness, creating meaningful impact, as it has been since 1983.

To learn more about the Sacramento Region Community Foundation, visit www.sacregcf.org.

Janette Moynier

Anker and Bonnie Christensen

Charice Huntley

December 20, 2018

The Rotary Club of Carmichael

Uganda Rural Community Water Wells Project

In late 2015, the Rotary Club of Carmichael embarked on a project that would affect the lives of thousands of people in Uganda. The group learned about the rural village in Iyolwa, Uganda named Poyemi through a presentation given by Rotary Member, Richard Olebe. Olebe described Poyemi as a place where villagers spent an average of four to five hours per day walking to and from their primary water source. Much of the time, nearby water sources – like a river or swamp– can be contaminated.

Richard Olebe, a long-time resident of Carmichael who was born and raised in Uganda, proposed the project of building five 200-foot wells in an area where people were living with contaminated water. Olebe, who holds an engineering degree from the University of Nairobi and two master’s degrees from Stanford, spoke on the life-changing benefits these wells can create. The group agreed that this was a project worth taking. Once receiving final approval, the newly-appointed Project Chair traveled to Uganda to iron out the logistics and jumpstart the project.

On December 5, 2018, the project was completed with the final installation of fencing and testing of all the solar-powered submersible pumps associated with each well. The project cost over $200,000 and took three years to finish. The funding for the project originated from grants from the Rotary International Foundation and funds raised by the Carmichael Rotary Club in conjunction with other local clubs within their district. The project commissioning took place at Poyemi on December 15th with Project Chair Olebe and immediate past Carmichael Rotary President Richard Bauer attending the ceremony on behalf of the Carmichael Rotary Club.

The wells now serve approximately 10,000 people and have the potential to output over 7,000 gallons of water per hour. The task that once took several hours to complete reduced to just over 30 minutes per day. The time saved could now be spent studying, earning an income, and performing other essential activities.

By changing the availability of water, the Carmichael Rotary Club’s water wells project has and will continue to have a profound impact on the lives of the people in Poyemi.

Three men standing on muddy ground in front of trees

Richard Olebe with the local team

A group of people dressed colorfully standing in front of two buildings with rusted roofs

Schoolchildren gather at the new well site in Poyemi

Two women in front of faucets filling jugs with water

Villagers draw water from the newly-completed wells in Poyemi

One of the completed wells in Poyemi

October 15, 2018

The California Museum: Inspiring the Future with California’s Past and Present

The California Museum opened its doors on September 9, 1998. As a private non-profit institution focused on California’s rich history and culture, the Museum was created to be the public showplace for contents of the California State Archives.

Former First Lady Maria Shriver began working with the Museum in 2003 to expand its vision and mission. In 2004, the “California’s Remarkable Women” exhibit opened as the first of her many collaborative efforts with the Museum. The Museum’s exhibitions have since then continued to highlight stories to reflect all aspects of California’s diverse population and culture, with a particular emphasis on the contributions of women and under-represented groups.

Today, Governor Jerry Brown and First Lady Anne Gust Brown are Honorary Co-Chairs of the California Museum and the California Hall of Fame. Both the Governor and First Lady continue to work with the Museum in the selection of California Hall of Fame inductees, bringing their appreciation of California history and the educational mission of the Museum to the forefront.

We met with the Museum’s Executive Director, Amanda Meeker, to learn more about and discuss this hidden gem located right in the heart of Sacramento.

The “California at Bat” Exhibit at the California Museum

When did the California Museum for History, Women and the Arts change its name to The California Museum? Why the change? Our name officially remains the California Museum for History, Women & the Arts, but in our day-to-day branding, we go by the shorter version for a couple of reasons. First, the official name is a bit of a mouthful! Second, people who are unfamiliar with the Museum often interpret the name as meaning that our exhibits are only about women. We do have a permanent exhibit celebrating California women, and we recognize the contributions of women and other historically underrepresented groups in all of our programming, but there are plenty of men depicted here as well. The name “California Museum” gives us wide latitude to address virtually any topic about California, past or present.

How many people visit the museum every year? Annual attendance is around 120,000 per year. Of those visitors, about half are students taking part in field trip programs.

What makes the California museum special? Only at the California Museum will you see the California Hall of Fame, an annual ceremony and exhibit where such legendary figures as Harrison Ford, Serena Williams, and Ronald Reagan are represented by artifacts personally loaned by the inductees or their families. The California Museum is also one of the few general museums to house a permanent exhibit about the wartime incarceration of 120,000 Japanese Americans, and we present an annual 8-week education program in which docents who experienced the camps recount first-hand stories of their experiences during WWII.

The Museum offers a diverse set of works. What has been your favorite exhibit thus far? In the twenty years the California Museum has been open, we have presented many wonderful temporary exhibits on topics ranging from natural history to art, cultural history to sports, so it’s hard to choose a favorite. The most popular was our presentation of “With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition.” This traveling exhibit from the Library of Congress featured historic documents such as the Emancipation Proclamation and Gettysburg Address; Mary Todd Lincoln’s emeralds; and items the President had in his pockets the night of his assassination, including a Confederate dollar bill and a pair of eyeglasses broken at the temple that Lincoln had mended with a bit of string.

What are some upcoming exhibits? On display through December 30, 2018 is “California at Bat: America’s Pastime in the Golden State,” which covers California baseball from the Gold Rush to the present, featuring Joe DiMaggio’s New York Yankees rookie uniform, the cap Ted Williams wore the season he was the last MLB player to bat over .400, Jackie Robinson’s MVP award, and scores of other historical items. Additional upcoming exhibits in 2019 include “Before They Were Heroes: Sus Ito’s WWII Images,” which provides a rare look into the daily lives of the Japanese American soldiers whose heroic service made the segregated 442nd Regimental Combat Team the most decorated unit of its size in U.S. military history; and “Dolores Huerta: Revolution in the Fields/Revolución en Los Campos,” a Smithsonian traveling exhibit that highlights the significant role of the iconic Latina leader in California’s farmworker movement.

The Unity Center at the California Museum – Photo by Robert Durell

SACRAMENTO, Calif., July 25, 2017 Children and adults visit the Unity Center's new exhibit at The California Museum, July 25, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. Photo by Robert Durell

In 2017, the Museum launched the Unity Center which celebrates California’s diversity. Tell us more about this unique part of the Museum. The Unity Center initially was conceived in response to the 1999 “Summer of Hate” attacks in Northern California. Its interactive exhibits highlight leaders in the state’s rich civil rights history and encourage visitors to exercise their rights and stand up for the rights of others.

What is one thing that many people do not know about the Museum? Many think that the Museum is a State agency, but it’s actually a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. It relies on the generosity of Museum patrons and receives most of its funding from grants and sponsorships. Admissions and Museum store sales also support our operations.

To learn more about The California Museum or how you can donate, visit their website at www.californiamuseum.org.

September 13, 2018

Kelly Foundation awards $83,000 grant to Saint John’s Program for Real Change

Donation supports families seeking to end the cycle of poverty

SACRAMENTO, CA — The Kelly Foundation awarded $83,000 to Saint John’s Program for Real Change, an organization that operates the largest shelter for women and children experiencing homelessness in the Sacramento region. The donation will go towards the Bridge the Gap campaign which was developed to keep the red doors of Saint John’s open after the County of Sacramento decided not to renew its 15-year contract. The Kelly Foundation’s contribution will provide 638 nights of comprehensive services for families at Saint John’s including housing, drug and alcohol counseling, parenting education, healthy relationship training and childcare. The funds will also help women who are enrolled in the program develop habits and professional skills that can equip them to seek employment and become more self-reliant.

“Saint John’s directly impacts the lives of women and children desperate for change, and we are excited to partner with an organization that helps the community thrive one life at a time,” said Shawn Kelly Devlin, Chairman of the Board of the Kelly Foundation and of River City Bank. “We’re confident this donation will support families in need to become self-sufficient after experiencing such challenging circumstances.”

“We are proud to support the women and children of the Saint John’s Program for Real Change and respect their ambition to better their lives after undergoing detrimental situations,” said Steve Fleming, President and CEO of River City Bank. “Following a significant change in the program’s funding stream, we understand the urgent need to step in and bridge the gap. We’re excited to see the continued success of the program and the effect it has on bettering individuals in our community.”

After a recent expansion in 2017, Saint John’s now serves up to 270 women and children daily with a waitlist of more than 500. Members receive extensive education, counseling and training to help lead them to a future of success both personally and professionally. In addition, the finest chefs from the Sacramento area partner with Plates Café each month to provide a one-of-a-kind gourmet meal in support of the women and children served at Saint John’s Program for Real Change. In early September, the Guest Chef’s Dinner event celebrated the graduation of 12 women who completed the Employment Training Program and are now fully employed.

“Saint John’s Program for Real Change is deeply grateful to the Kelly Foundation team. Not only have they supported our women and children consistently over the past six years, but their added support this year has ensured that our red doors remain open to women and children who want to change their lives,” said Michelle Steeb, CEO of Saint John’s Program for Real Change. “We appreciate the Kelly Foundation and River City Bank for believing and investing in women and children who choose to permanently escape the cycle of poverty and dependence.”

The Kelly Foundation supports health and human services, education, culture, environment and civic improvement through its funding. Each year, the Foundation provides approximately $400,000 in grants to organizations that support the Sacramento region. Since merging with the RCB Foundation in 2009, the Kelly Foundation, of which River City Bank remains a major contributor, focuses on giving back to the greater Sacramento region through charitable donations.

About the Kelly Foundation

The Kelly Broadcasting Company’s KCRA-TV (Sacramento-Stockton-Modest, CA) went on the air on Sept. 5, 1955, and the owners of the Kelly Broadcasting Company established the Kelly Foundation in December 1988 as a formal vehicle for structuring charitable contributions. The Kelly family sold KCRA-TV in 1999 and have continued the Kelly Foundation ever since. In 2009, the River City Bank Foundation merged with the Kelly Foundation, and some executives of the Bank currently serve on the Foundation’s Board. Jon S. Kelly founded River City Bank and continues to support the Bank. His daughter, Shawn Kelly Devlin, currently serves as President and Chairman of the Board. The Kelly Foundation is an expression of the importance the Kelly family places on being a good neighbor and citizen in regions where they do business. For more information on the Kelly Foundation, please visit KellyFoundationSacramento.org or call (916) 978-4892.

About Saint John’s Program for Real Change

Since 1985 Saint John’s Program for Real Change has provided more than 30,000 homeless women and children with the essential tools to rise above their circumstances and make REAL, transformative change in their lives. Operating the largest shelter in the Sacramento Region, Saint John’s Program is the one focused exclusively on women and children–the most vulnerable and rapidly growing segment of the homeless population in our region and nationwide. Dedicated to the eradication of homelessness, this 18-month comprehensive program includes mental health therapy, alcohol and drug counseling, parenting education, high school diploma preparation and attainment, budgeting classes, healthy relationship training and a proprietary Employment Training Program. Accommodating over 700 clients and their children each year with three levels of increasingly independent housing, 96% of Saint John’s Employment Training Program graduates secure unsubsidized employment, a crucial step in their journeys to self-sustainability.

July 3, 2018

Redefining the Family Business

A Q&A with Roy Hill, Jr. of Elite Service Experts

The Hill family founded IMS nearly two decades ago. As a second-generation owner of the company, Roy Hill, Jr. lives and breathes the company’s mission of being the “best” in delivering service and improving the lives and businesses of those they connect with and serving others as they would like to be served. We sat down with Roy to discuss the exciting changes at IMS and how he embraces the unique challenges and triumphs that come along with a family-owned business.

After many years, IMS will become Elite Service Experts. What prompted the change in name?

IMS was started by my father Roy Hill, Sr., in April of 2000. Primarily focused in Commercial Facility Maintenance and Repair services, it quickly grew to incorporate a full line of Facility Services to include Landscaping, HVAC, Janitorial, Roofing, Facility Management, Lighting, Electrical and General Maintenance and Repair Services.

My father unexpectedly passed away in February 2017. This unfortunate event was very tragic for the family as well as the business and those who worked for it. While dad had planned for the succession of the business to my brother and me, we were not prepared for the unfortunate and unexpected situation we found ourselves.

Among the many positive changes we made in the business over the last year, one of them was the decision to create a new company and a fresh start. A new brand and name that would signify the absolute best that IMS has always strived to achieve. We decided on the name Elite Service Experts to boldly express our capabilities above others. We incorporated a Phoenix in the logo to represent a rebirth of our father’s great legacy.

The rebranding of IMS had generated a powerful synergy with our team, and an excitement and momentum from every level of the company. It’s both energizing and exciting to be part of something new that has the experience, knowledge, resources, and connections of a well-established and seasoned business.

Elite is a family-owned business. What are some of the unique challenges that you as CEO have faced?

The family works well together with four family members working in the business, including my brother and partner. Overall, the family supports decisions I make as CEO, but they don’t hesitate to chime in if they have questions or opinions. Their feedback allows me the opportunity to step back and reassess a situation, especially through their eyes. I believe this results in sound business decisions.

We aren’t perfect, but we are a family dedicated to our company mission established by Roy Hill, Sr.

Roy Hill, Jr. and Ryan Petree

Outside of the unique hurdles I have faced with regards to the family-owned business, I have had many other challenges, especially over the last year. The biggest of which would have been the decision to downsize and refocus our services to core competence. That included the decision to eliminate the Janitorial and HVAC Business Units. It would have been easy to stop service and terminate employees. However, all decisions we make in the company must align with our Core Values and accomplish our mission. Our Core Values are Respect, Compassion, Righteous Behavior, and Faith. I had to eliminate two Business Units while maintaining compassion and serving others the way we would want to be served. So I took the challenge head-on and decided to identify prospective Janitorial and HVAC contractors who would be willing to take on the current contracts, while agreeing to hire every employee at their current wage, benefits structure, schedule, etc. This would ensure we have served our customers the way we would want to be served but with compassion for our employees top of mind. In two short months, I completed the challenge leaving Elite Service Experts with three core competencies:

1. General Building Maintenance and Repair specializing in all aspects of building maintenance such as plumbing, electrical, lighting, carpentry, on-site and scheduled building technicians and handyman type services.

2. Landscaping specializing in routine maintenance, field mowing, property clean-ups, irrigation repair and installation, renovations, backflow repair, and certifications, etc.

3. Specialty Services specializing in services such as pressure washing, concrete sealing and staining, construction clean-up, window cleaning and calcium removal, laborer support and more.

How do you characterize your leadership style?

Servant Leadership. I’m not opposed to doing anything my team does; in many cases, I get my hands dirty right alongside them. However, I feel my job as CEO is to motivate the team then get out of their way. You provide guidelines and parameters along with clear goals then empower your team to make the decisions they need to win. Lastly, we are humans and mistakes are inevitable. I feel that mistakes should be a teachable moment that everyone should learn from to avoid making the same one again. We don’t reprimand for mistakes. However, if the same error is made multiple times, it becomes a competence issue. We do reprimand for incompetence.

What piece of advice would you give to a future entrepreneur or your 25-year-old self?

Face your challenges head-on, be flexible and available to employees, learn to say no and remain focused, and believe that anything can happen. Lastly, if you demand your employees to work hard, lead by example.

What’s next for Elite?

We are currently preparing our infrastructure for continued growth. We have invested in a Mobile Field Software for our technicians and crews. We are planning to invest significantly in equipment and vehicle upgrades to maximize efficiencies and reduce operating expense. Lastly, we are looking into offering service solutions for residential applications.

You have many banking options, why did IMS/Elite choose River City Bank?

We have been partners with RCB for well over 15 years. Our relationship is mutually beneficial, and that is a true partnership. We like what RCB stands for in the community and the support it has for Family Businesses in the region. Lastly, there isn’t a branch you can go into that doesn’t treat you like you are their only customer. We look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.