J.B. Balingit Opens Vic’s At Former Foster Freeze Site
Vic’s, a new restaurant named for the grandfather of owner J.B. Balingit, has opened at 1500 Pacheco Blvd., a building that has been home to restaurants after its years as a Foster Freeze ice cream stop.
The new eatery’s name logo has been painted by hand on the building’s front.
Balingit and his wife, Astrid, along with his sister, Rose, and her husband, Lourin, operated The Hideout Kitchen in Lafayette, where diners found a home-like atmosphere.
In naming the new restaurant, which opened Jan. 23, the family chose to honor the grandfather whose life illustrated a strong work ethic and who provided his family with a loving foundation.
The menu features wraps, sandwiches and burgers, salads, a variety of other entrees and a children’s menu.
Vic’s hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Those interested may view the restaurant’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/vicsmartinezca/. Its website is http://vicsmartinez.com/.
MCE Helping California Meet Energy, Climate Goals
MCE Clean Energy, Martinez’s primary source of electrical power, and its partners are striving to help the state meet its energy and climate goals ahead of schedule, said Kalicia Pivirotto, marketing manager
Senate Bill 100, passed in 2018, says that by 2030, 60 percent of the state’s electricity must be powered by renewable energy and requires a zero-carbon electricity grid by 2045.
MCE’s 2019 Integrated Resource Plan shows that the base energy product from MCE, California’s first community choice aggregation program, is projected to be 60 percent renewable this year and should be 70 percent by 2030, ahead of SB 100’s targets. The base energy product is called “Light Green.”
In addition, the greenhouse gas free content is expected to be 90 percent this year and 100 percent by 2022, or 23 years earlier than the state mandate.
MCE’s Deep Green product is both 100 percent renewable sourced and 100 percent greenhouse gas free.
The 2019 plan continues MCE’s commitment to economic health and sustainability of the communities in its service area, including supplier diversity initiatives, ensuring prevailing wages, use of union labor and business and workforce initiative in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
“Our achievements are due to the local leadership of our 33-member communities and the many MCE customers we serve,” said Dawn Weisz, chief executive officer.
Last year, MCE bought nearly 250 megawatts of new renewable electricity from local and in-state sources, and those new projects produced more than 790 labor hours for union workers receiving prevailing wages.
Trezza Retires As BAC Community Bank CEO
William R. (Bill) Trezza, chief executive officer of BAC Community Bank, is retiring after 37 years of leading the bank, building relationships, developing staff and encouraging community support.
Shepherding BAC Community Bank through growth and development, he also has created an executive team to continue that leadership. This executive team consists of successor Chief Executive Officer Dana Bockstahler, hired in 1987; Chief Financial Officer Jackie Verkuyl, hired in 2003; Chief Credit Officer Janet Jenkins, hired in 1983; and Chief Lending Officer Paul Haley, hired in 2011.
Bockstahler has filled many roles at BAC Community Bank, from chief financial officer to operations administrator. “She served as chief operating officer for the past 15 years, and as such managed the bank’s daily affairs,” Trezza said. “This enabled me to work extensively in the field with customers and prospects.”
“I look forward to building upon the strong community relationships and financial foundation Bill developed over the years,” Bockstahler said.
“Bill has been an integral part of BAC Community Bank for the past 37 years,” said Ron Berberian, bank chairperson and president.
“It is difficult to put all of his accomplishments into words. And through most of those years, Dana Bockstahler and the rest of our executive team have worked hand-in-hand with Bill making the bank what it is today,” he said. “So that there is no impact to customers, preparations for a seamless transition have been in the works for quite some time.”
“Our executive management team has worked together at the Bank for a collective period of almost 90 years,” Trezza said. “Each executive team member played a key role in navigating the bank through challenges of the past severe recession. With such experience, I am very confident that this well experienced team will successfully tackle any challenge that the future may bring.”
Trezza will remain a member of the bank’s board of directors and is working with several local community organizations into his retirement.
Business News Welcome At The Martinez News-Gazette
The Martinez News-Gazette’s weekly Martinez Business Beat column is an opportunity for local businesses and companies to tell our readers about business-oriented news, such as moves, grand openings, awards, promotion of employees, staff changes and changes in goods and services.
Submissions will be edited for length and content. Please include who, what, when, where, why and how, preferably in the body of an email; and please provide contact information.
The deadline is 3 p.m. Friday for news items to appear in the following Wednesday edition. Please e-mail news releases and accompanying high-resolution photographs and logos to martinezgazettereporter@gmail.com and put “Attn: Business Beat” in the subject line along with the name of your business.
The Martinez News-Gazette also appreciates area companies’ advertising patronage. For advertising services, please call 925-228-6400.