A crowd of more than 350 turned out for a Nov. 19 luncheon at the Hotel Irvine to celebrate five honorees of the Business Journal’s 15th annual Family Owned Business Awards.
Gavin Herbert, Jr., chief executive and president of Corona Del Mar-based Roger’s Gardens, delivered the keynote address, sharing lessons he’s learned working at the business, which he’s run since 1995.
“For family businesses to survive, it takes a multi-generational commitment,” said Herbert, Jr., whose company was the recipient of last year’s Medium-Sized Business award. “Family businesses require leaders first, and owners second.”
Herbert attended the luncheon with his father and son, who share the same name. Gavin Herbert, Sr., has founded several businesses, including Irvine-based drugmaker Allergan Inc., which this week agreed to be acquired by Actavis PLC for about $68 billion.
This year’s award winners covered a broad range of industries and family backgrounds in the following categories:
Up & Coming: American Handforge, based in Irvine.
Small Business: Hughes Marino Inc.’s, based in San Diego, with offices in Irvine.
Medium-sized business: Trantronics Inc., based in Irvine.
Large Business: Earth Friendly Products, based in Addison, Ill., with manufacturing in Garden Grove.
Longevity: DeNault True Value, based in San Clemente.
Each of the honorees will be profiled in the Business Journal’s print edition of Dec. 1.
