Helzer, Jim interview
Item
Title
Helzer, Jim interview
Description
Talks about his working relationship and friendship with Leon S. Peters while he was president of Community Hospital and in the Rotary organization as well as Peters' contributions to the community and Community Hospital in particular.
Creator
Helzer, Jim
Mehas, Dr. Peter G.
Relation
Leon S. Peters Legacy Collection
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
9/18/2009
Format
Microsoft Word 2003 document, 7 pages
Identifier
SCMS_lspl_00008
extracted text
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Good to see you back in Fresno.
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you it's good to be here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Of course I always value the time we spent together and
while you were here ->> Jim Helzer: That’s right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- and a former--present CEO of Community Hospital, now
living up in Northern...
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah in Lincoln, California.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Lincoln? I know exactly where that is.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah right above Roseville.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Right--sure.
>> Jim Helzer: It's a beautiful area in many respects very much like Fresno
climate wise. We have the warm temperatures like they have here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: But it's dry.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Are you going to go to the ballgame tonight?
>> Jim Helzer: I am. We still have our seasons' tickets and so we're keeping
that up.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well Jim even before you were CEO you had a very, very
unique respect of the legend of Leon S. Peters and also his brother Pete. In
particularly when we think of Leon and his involvement, probably the first three
things that come was Community Hospital that was one of his--and his nephew told
us today because of his mother dying at a very early age, that had an impact
upon Leon's interest in health care and for the community. Leon was only six
when she passed away so you're at the center of Community Hospital; Leon S.
Peters was involved and so that's a perspective. The University obviously was
another big one that he got involved with in his not only philanthropy but as a
leadership role. So tell us about your relationship with Leon S. Peters and Pete
Peters.
>> Jim Helzer: Well when I first came here from the University of California
Medical Center in San Francisco, that was my first exposure to him as a person
and working with him; and I came as an assistant and then after about a year and
a half to two, I was elevated into the position of President and CEO with the
hospital. So then that's when my involvement with him became very intense as far
as a relationship. He was a very interesting man to work with. I really think
that he was a tremendous mentor for me, having started my professional career at
a rather young age in such an important position in my early thirties; he was
really a guidance for me in developing my strategy and how to deal with people.
I, one of the things that I also appreciated about Mr. Peters was that he was
always accessible. Even though he had a big business to run, if I would give him
a call on the telephone say I want your thinking on this or your advice on this-sure-- and I'll make arrangements for you to come on out. He was always
accessible and wasn't where he thought he was too busy or anything like that. He
was there for which I always appreciated. The other thing that I remember so is
that he, I believe, started in the business that he made very successful, as a
salesperson. And I could see why he was so successful because his personality
was such that he was very warm and very--when you were around him you couldn't
help but believe him because he was so sincere and so honest. The thing that I
heard him say so often and I really believe this was in his heart sincerely is
that he started with nothing in the community and became very successful, and
because he was a successful businessman he became rather affluent. And he always
felt that his success was because of the support that he got from the community;
and that's why I believe that he felt he owed something to the community because
they were so good to him that he wanted to put something back into the
community. And I believe that was his backbone in regards to his philanthropy
program. I know besides the hospital and he did love the hospital, but he also
loved the university and he loved the symphony and these types of things. And he
would put money into those things because he felt he owed it because of how the
community helped him become successful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: On personal traits whenever people and I think you were
in Rotary with him as well and I've oftentimes have thought that the Rotary
Creed almost epitomizes Leon's life, is it fair to all concerned, but he also
was a very humble man in the sense that he could be stern but he seemed to be
not involved with wanting credit or ingratiation.
>> Jim Helzer: That's true. Many times when people would start to compliment him
he would kind of edge off and mention other people's names that were there and
were helping so that's so true--he was, he didn't want the credit. He did it
because he felt that he owed it and wanted to do something for the community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He could be pretty tough too when he had to be.
>> Jim Helzer: He was ->> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He didn't show it necessarily.
>> Jim Helzer: -- a good negotiator but the other thing that I admired and
learned from him is that he might disagree with you but he always was respectful
in the way that he disagreed with you. He--one of the other traits that I think
is important in anyone's life is that he never--anyway I never heard him ever
say a bad word about anyone. He might have thought of people, you know, this and
that, but I never heard him say anything that was negative about anyone. And he
dealt with a lot of people of all stratas of life but he was one that respected
them regardless whether they differed with you and if he felt different he'd go
to bat and try to convince you that you were wrong; but he was never negative
about anyone in the community--always positive. And I think it was part of his
upbringing because he was a minority when he came here and unfortunately and
that's the sad part of our history is that there was discrimination towards the
Armenian people. And because of who Leon was and his personality and his ethic
of doing business, he kind of made the beginning of getting the Armenian culture
I believe as a mainstream of our society here in Fresno.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He pioneered the way people wouldn't-- they weren't
allowed to join Sunnyside Country Club. Leon--they weren't allowed to buy in
certain neighborhoods; Leon paved the way not only for the Armenian community
but for other minorities.
>> Jim Helzer: That's exactly right in fact if I recall correctly I think Leon
was the first member of Sunnyside Country Club of a minority.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He was. You're correct.
>> Jim Helzer: So he kind of made some of the advances that we benefit from
today really.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: So in addition to him being your mentor and that was
incredible at your age to be at such an important position to have that, Leon,
as a mentor. What other personal traits that you sort of can recall? Were they
humorous or whatever?
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah well there's one characteristic that he had which I admitted
was he always was in a suit and tie. It might be a sport coat but he always was
dressed with a tie regardless where he went. I think he would have felt
inappropriate if he went anyplace without...
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He'd be proud of you.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right and then he wore a hat. You know that was unusual
for years ago on Wall Street and down in San Francisco in the Financial
District, you'd always see them wear a hat and everybody dressed with a coat and
a tie, ladies the same way. Well he had this custom that wherever he went he had
this tie and coat and his hat; and there were a couple of times I remember where
he would forget it in my office and we'd call and we'd say, "You know we'll
bring it down to you," or "No, no, I'll be coming in for something and I'll pick
it up." But it was an important part of his image but he felt comfortable with
it and I respected him for that; because I think it meant some dignity and
respect that he had for the people that he was going to deal with. He wanted to
be at his best.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Absolutely. He also enjoyed a good cigar.
>> Jim Helzer: Yes he did but he was respectful there too where he wouldn't
smoke in front of anybody that he knew, particularly in the hospital where he
knew it might be a disadvantage so he wouldn't do it there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people have said that it was very, very
difficult to say no to Leon. When Leon would put kind of a tap on you it was
very, very difficult. Why do you think that was so?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very, very influential and people respected him; but
because he was affluent people would come to him and ask him for this and ask
him for that and he was always obliging, he would give. So then when it came for
times when there was a stadium or whether there was the symphony or whether
there was a hospital, he'd go back and he would ask them and then of course they
felt well Leon you gave to me and so I'll give to you.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well in a positive since he was so much like the
Godfather of Fresno that he helped lots of people out and so when he had causes
of Community Hospital, the university, the symphony it was difficult to say no
to him.
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think it was also a kind of an endorsement. Like you say,
people respected him and they knew if he was in a cause that he knew that it was
going to be handled appropriately, that the finances were going to be
accountable and so they really supported things that they knew he was in.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Were you here when he passed away?
>> Jim Helzer: I was unfortunately. In fact I was still head of the hospital at
that particular time and many of the last days he was in our hospital. It was a
sad time when I heard that he had an inoperable cancer. In fact I went to his
memorial service because he was a dear friend besides being my boss. I really
became attached to him just because of the rapport that we had developed. I had
no secrets from him and he told me what he thought even though he might differ
with me. He would challenge me and I'd have to justify it and so he was easy to
work with, very easy to work with but you knew like, that he was on top of
things so you couldn't go in with--not sufficient to sell, and sell your case.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What was your sort of insight into how he approached his
debt? That here was a person that was larger than life yet he has cancer at a
still relatively young age.
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was brave about that too. He knew what was happening. I
remember one of the last events that he went to, a social event at our home in
fact. We were entertaining the physician leadership and the Board of Directors
and their spouses were there, and he was at that particular time I guess the
cancer was showing some physical changes in his tummy. And so he made a comment
that he just thought he was gaining weight and it wasn't that at all. It was the
cancer was starting to develop but he--even though he knew the seriousness of
this he had a deep faith which I don't think people really knew because he
didn't push it; but he did it through his ethics and the way he handled his
business was because of his Christian feelings and his devout Christianity.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What do you think will be his legacy to this community?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think what he did was instill a spirit of when the
community is good to you, you give back; and so I think he really started a
program where there were others that followed that felt the same way and that's
why I think Fresno is very fortunate that so much of what has been accomplished
in Fresno is because of the philanthropical attitude. And I think Leon really
was one of those first ones that started it and showed the benefit and he was
gratified. That made him very happy when he could give and see something become
a reality like the stadium, like the hospital wing or whatever. That was his
gratification in giving. He felt very good about that.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: It seems to be in talking to many people in the community
such as you, this theme keeps coming back he wanted to give back; he wanted to
give back his ethics, the ethics of the person--he was a tough negotiator but
his word was his bond, you could shake, could shake his hand. One of the
purposes of you participating in this, we want the students out at the
university to, whether they're business students in classes of ethics and begin-it seems on today's world the shake of the hand is no longer good and if you
can make a quick buck and get away with it at all levels whether it's in
Washington or on Wall Street. And we really want students to say here's a man
that was a successful businessman, a philanthropist, but had ethics of the
highest standard.
>> Jim Helzer: Well it's interesting you say that because when I got the outline
of the things that you might be covering, I actually thought to myself he would
have been an excellent teacher of a class of ethics at the business school at
the university. Because I think that's one thing that's kind of missing in some
of the business schools; we can just see that now back in what's happening in
Wall Street and so forth is that a young person gets out of school hasn't really
been indoctrinated; and he was such a good example of how you can make it by
still having high ideals and high ethical compass.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well you were fortunate to have folks like Bud Richter
and Jim Mayer and Leon S. Peters and that is why Community Hospital has been
such a great institution and leading that institution at the right time. What
would you say that probably Leon's greatest contribution to the hospital is?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I'll think of one thing and there were many contributions so
this does not mean this is a...but I remember he came into my office one day and
closed the door; and he said, "Jim," he said, "you're really enthused about
pushing for this new Clovis Hospital, aren't you?" And I said, "Yes, Mr. Peters,
I am and I really feel that it's a vision, that's a growth area," and at that
particular time there were some other Board members that were seeing the same
vision and that was Gene Ford and Joe Levy and Bud Richter and so he said, "Well
it's going to be a big project but if you really feel that your heart's in it
and that's the vision and I'm hearing it from others too, then I'm going to
support you." And what happened then after that is besides those I already
mentioned that were aboard, we were able to get a unanimous commitment on the
part of the Board that that was part of the future and so we undertook the
venture of building the Clovis Community Hospital. And it's done wonders, it's
growing and in fact they're having to add and a lot of growth is out there, and
at that time we knew that 168 was planned and now that's a reality. So again,
his vision and his being able to bring groups together to see benefit of
something; so I look at him as being really the one that helped me with getting
that project through and getting Clovis as it is today.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well thank goodness you did because I was out there the
other day. My wife had some knee surgery and it is a marvelous, marvelous
hospital and certainly serving a need; and that Clovis community has just
continued to grow. Jim, what about this personal, personal memory that if you
were to describe as obviously he was your boss but you know everybody knows he
was also sort of your friend. What kind of personal memories do you have of him?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very--they would invite us periodically with friends
and having dinner over at their home. Leon and Alice would have us over when
they knew that we knew somebody else that they knew and we would have dinner
together. And of course Alice was a wonderful cook and we would have and still
is one of my favorite meals—shish kebab and pilaf and just very gracious hostess
and host--they were always there to entertain us and that's not always the case
when you have a boss like that that will take you in and treat you like that
which I appreciated and was wonderful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah, what you said, excuse me –>> Jim Helzer: Well I was going to say there was another unique thing about Leon
that a lot of people don't know is that even though I mentioned about his always
being attired in this executive profile, is that he would like to rough it every
once in a while. Usually every year a group of men and I can only think of one
name that was a group--one was Lew Eaton and Leon and another couple of people,
and usually someone from the U.S. Forestry Division would go with them and
they'd go up in the mountains on horseback, camping and kind of rough it. And
one unfortunate thing he was on a horse one time and was on a path, and a branch
or something came back and knocked him off the horse and did something to his
shoulder and we had to helicopter him down. And we came to the hospital and we
took care of him and again he kind of made a, funny of it, you know, I mean
instead of taking it so personal and how did this happen to me, he kind of made
it a joke that this happened and brought levity to something that could have
been very serious. So he had another side that a lot of people didn't know but
he enjoyed that and it was a once a year and he enjoyed the camaraderie with the
guys. And I wish I remembered all their names; I remember one and that was Lew
Eaton.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah well Lew Eaton loved the mountains. When I went to
his memorial service and they played the Stanford Fight Song which Bud Richter
really liked but Lew loved those mountains and loved hiking in the back country.
Well as an educator, I would be remiss if I gave an exam, didn't say, is there
anything I should have asked and I didn't? Would you share any last thoughts?
>> Jim Helzer: No I think we've--I would just say that he was a great man and
this community has benefitted tremendously by him. And I'm so glad you're doing
this because history is important. The young people coming along should know
some of the pillars of our past that have really made the community like it is
today and certainly Leon is one. The university, the hospital, the symphony and
other things are there because of the effort and the communication that he had
to others to bring them into fold made this a very successful community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well, I think that is why your contributions along with
others are going to help in future generations’ understanding. Not only what
philanthropy is but what it means to be a successful businessman and to give
back the debt that we owe to others. I oftentime have enjoyed the saying by
Popham there, the destiny that makes us brothers and then go his way alone. All
that we send in the lives of others come back into our own. And Leon S. Peters
has sent so many things out to our community and we all are benefactors of it
and we all have a responsibility to carry on. And so when you look at the people
like Leon, his brother Pete, the Lew Eatons, the Mayers, the Richters and as you
go through, the Smittcamps. These are the pillars of our community and it would
make a difference.
>> Jim Helzer: He and Alice never had any children but he looked at his nieces
and nephews and his other brothers as his really important family. But as far as
he was concerned his nieces and nephews were his sons and daughters. It was a
close family. The whole Peters family is to be respected for what they've done
for our community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: And I think that agrarian background in being brought up
on a farm, all of his experiences, his nephew related that to us today the fact
that he got involved with health care because of his mother dying at the age; he
got involved with education because he was a very wise man but never had the
formal degree; and those are the things that formulated a lot of his philosophy
in his early years.
>> Jim Helzer: There's an interesting aspect that he and Alice actually met in
an agricultural setting. Alice worked at one of the raisin houses in Del Rey and
Alice always kind of bonded with me because my father had a packinghouse in Del
Rey too and she knew this. So she would always relate that Jim and I had this
bond of having this relationship with Del Rey. This is a small community
adjacent to Fresno and so he actually met her and started courting her when she
was working at one of the raisin houses and that's how their relationship
blossomed and they got married. And that's how he met her is out there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Bud?
>> Bud Richter: I’ve got a question.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Certainly.
>> Bud Richter: Jim has seen Leon in many, many meetings and volunteers and
staff and employees. Are there any particular leadership qualities that you have
seen that were very memorable and how Leon conducted and ran and got good
results for the meeting both in good times and in bad times?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think he was an excellent listener. He never made--if you
had made a point regardless of whether it was minor to him or major he would
listen. And people respected that that he respected their opinion. He may not
agree with it but he wanted their input. He was never short with anybody and he
had this ability to bring people together because you can imagine when you have
some very talented people on boards like he had because they were all very
strong individuals and they all had their expertise; but he had this way about
him that he could bring people together even though they may have differences
and he was an excellent listener. He knew and then he knew when the right time
to kind of bring people together. It was kind of a sense of a timekeeper like a
comedian has timing, well as a businessman he had the proper timing of when to
bring people together, but one of his fortes was he listened and people knew
that they were being heard.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Anything else Bud? Well Jim Helzer it's so nice to see
you back again and hopefully you'll bring good luck to our Bulldogs.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah and I
because I think this is a
-- young people will take
they'll feel better about
their community.
want to express my appreciation to you for doing this
wonderful tribute to Leon and I just pray that people
heed to some of the philosophy of his life because
it when they know that they have done something for
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well I know Bud Richter and Bob Oliver we're all excited
about this project and we're so pleased that the university out at the new
Madden Library out there is going to house an archive –>> Jim Helzer: Excellent.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- all of this and it's going to be a state-of-the-art in
terms of the technology of being able to pass on to the students and working
with an ethic class out in the university to incorporate all of this. And so it
is so important that the youth of our community hear the Leon S. Peters stories
and folks like you who had the opportunity to be mentored and what you've done
for our community well while you were here. And we're truly appreciative and
it's good to have you back and may life continue to be kind to you.
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you very much and I appreciate this opportunity. Thank
you.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you it's good to be here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Of course I always value the time we spent together and
while you were here ->> Jim Helzer: That’s right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- and a former--present CEO of Community Hospital, now
living up in Northern...
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah in Lincoln, California.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Lincoln? I know exactly where that is.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah right above Roseville.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Right--sure.
>> Jim Helzer: It's a beautiful area in many respects very much like Fresno
climate wise. We have the warm temperatures like they have here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: But it's dry.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Are you going to go to the ballgame tonight?
>> Jim Helzer: I am. We still have our seasons' tickets and so we're keeping
that up.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well Jim even before you were CEO you had a very, very
unique respect of the legend of Leon S. Peters and also his brother Pete. In
particularly when we think of Leon and his involvement, probably the first three
things that come was Community Hospital that was one of his--and his nephew told
us today because of his mother dying at a very early age, that had an impact
upon Leon's interest in health care and for the community. Leon was only six
when she passed away so you're at the center of Community Hospital; Leon S.
Peters was involved and so that's a perspective. The University obviously was
another big one that he got involved with in his not only philanthropy but as a
leadership role. So tell us about your relationship with Leon S. Peters and Pete
Peters.
>> Jim Helzer: Well when I first came here from the University of California
Medical Center in San Francisco, that was my first exposure to him as a person
and working with him; and I came as an assistant and then after about a year and
a half to two, I was elevated into the position of President and CEO with the
hospital. So then that's when my involvement with him became very intense as far
as a relationship. He was a very interesting man to work with. I really think
that he was a tremendous mentor for me, having started my professional career at
a rather young age in such an important position in my early thirties; he was
really a guidance for me in developing my strategy and how to deal with people.
I, one of the things that I also appreciated about Mr. Peters was that he was
always accessible. Even though he had a big business to run, if I would give him
a call on the telephone say I want your thinking on this or your advice on this-sure-- and I'll make arrangements for you to come on out. He was always
accessible and wasn't where he thought he was too busy or anything like that. He
was there for which I always appreciated. The other thing that I remember so is
that he, I believe, started in the business that he made very successful, as a
salesperson. And I could see why he was so successful because his personality
was such that he was very warm and very--when you were around him you couldn't
help but believe him because he was so sincere and so honest. The thing that I
heard him say so often and I really believe this was in his heart sincerely is
that he started with nothing in the community and became very successful, and
because he was a successful businessman he became rather affluent. And he always
felt that his success was because of the support that he got from the community;
and that's why I believe that he felt he owed something to the community because
they were so good to him that he wanted to put something back into the
community. And I believe that was his backbone in regards to his philanthropy
program. I know besides the hospital and he did love the hospital, but he also
loved the university and he loved the symphony and these types of things. And he
would put money into those things because he felt he owed it because of how the
community helped him become successful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: On personal traits whenever people and I think you were
in Rotary with him as well and I've oftentimes have thought that the Rotary
Creed almost epitomizes Leon's life, is it fair to all concerned, but he also
was a very humble man in the sense that he could be stern but he seemed to be
not involved with wanting credit or ingratiation.
>> Jim Helzer: That's true. Many times when people would start to compliment him
he would kind of edge off and mention other people's names that were there and
were helping so that's so true--he was, he didn't want the credit. He did it
because he felt that he owed it and wanted to do something for the community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He could be pretty tough too when he had to be.
>> Jim Helzer: He was ->> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He didn't show it necessarily.
>> Jim Helzer: -- a good negotiator but the other thing that I admired and
learned from him is that he might disagree with you but he always was respectful
in the way that he disagreed with you. He--one of the other traits that I think
is important in anyone's life is that he never--anyway I never heard him ever
say a bad word about anyone. He might have thought of people, you know, this and
that, but I never heard him say anything that was negative about anyone. And he
dealt with a lot of people of all stratas of life but he was one that respected
them regardless whether they differed with you and if he felt different he'd go
to bat and try to convince you that you were wrong; but he was never negative
about anyone in the community--always positive. And I think it was part of his
upbringing because he was a minority when he came here and unfortunately and
that's the sad part of our history is that there was discrimination towards the
Armenian people. And because of who Leon was and his personality and his ethic
of doing business, he kind of made the beginning of getting the Armenian culture
I believe as a mainstream of our society here in Fresno.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He pioneered the way people wouldn't-- they weren't
allowed to join Sunnyside Country Club. Leon--they weren't allowed to buy in
certain neighborhoods; Leon paved the way not only for the Armenian community
but for other minorities.
>> Jim Helzer: That's exactly right in fact if I recall correctly I think Leon
was the first member of Sunnyside Country Club of a minority.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He was. You're correct.
>> Jim Helzer: So he kind of made some of the advances that we benefit from
today really.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: So in addition to him being your mentor and that was
incredible at your age to be at such an important position to have that, Leon,
as a mentor. What other personal traits that you sort of can recall? Were they
humorous or whatever?
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah well there's one characteristic that he had which I admitted
was he always was in a suit and tie. It might be a sport coat but he always was
dressed with a tie regardless where he went. I think he would have felt
inappropriate if he went anyplace without...
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He'd be proud of you.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right and then he wore a hat. You know that was unusual
for years ago on Wall Street and down in San Francisco in the Financial
District, you'd always see them wear a hat and everybody dressed with a coat and
a tie, ladies the same way. Well he had this custom that wherever he went he had
this tie and coat and his hat; and there were a couple of times I remember where
he would forget it in my office and we'd call and we'd say, "You know we'll
bring it down to you," or "No, no, I'll be coming in for something and I'll pick
it up." But it was an important part of his image but he felt comfortable with
it and I respected him for that; because I think it meant some dignity and
respect that he had for the people that he was going to deal with. He wanted to
be at his best.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Absolutely. He also enjoyed a good cigar.
>> Jim Helzer: Yes he did but he was respectful there too where he wouldn't
smoke in front of anybody that he knew, particularly in the hospital where he
knew it might be a disadvantage so he wouldn't do it there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people have said that it was very, very
difficult to say no to Leon. When Leon would put kind of a tap on you it was
very, very difficult. Why do you think that was so?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very, very influential and people respected him; but
because he was affluent people would come to him and ask him for this and ask
him for that and he was always obliging, he would give. So then when it came for
times when there was a stadium or whether there was the symphony or whether
there was a hospital, he'd go back and he would ask them and then of course they
felt well Leon you gave to me and so I'll give to you.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well in a positive since he was so much like the
Godfather of Fresno that he helped lots of people out and so when he had causes
of Community Hospital, the university, the symphony it was difficult to say no
to him.
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think it was also a kind of an endorsement. Like you say,
people respected him and they knew if he was in a cause that he knew that it was
going to be handled appropriately, that the finances were going to be
accountable and so they really supported things that they knew he was in.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Were you here when he passed away?
>> Jim Helzer: I was unfortunately. In fact I was still head of the hospital at
that particular time and many of the last days he was in our hospital. It was a
sad time when I heard that he had an inoperable cancer. In fact I went to his
memorial service because he was a dear friend besides being my boss. I really
became attached to him just because of the rapport that we had developed. I had
no secrets from him and he told me what he thought even though he might differ
with me. He would challenge me and I'd have to justify it and so he was easy to
work with, very easy to work with but you knew like, that he was on top of
things so you couldn't go in with--not sufficient to sell, and sell your case.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What was your sort of insight into how he approached his
debt? That here was a person that was larger than life yet he has cancer at a
still relatively young age.
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was brave about that too. He knew what was happening. I
remember one of the last events that he went to, a social event at our home in
fact. We were entertaining the physician leadership and the Board of Directors
and their spouses were there, and he was at that particular time I guess the
cancer was showing some physical changes in his tummy. And so he made a comment
that he just thought he was gaining weight and it wasn't that at all. It was the
cancer was starting to develop but he--even though he knew the seriousness of
this he had a deep faith which I don't think people really knew because he
didn't push it; but he did it through his ethics and the way he handled his
business was because of his Christian feelings and his devout Christianity.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What do you think will be his legacy to this community?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think what he did was instill a spirit of when the
community is good to you, you give back; and so I think he really started a
program where there were others that followed that felt the same way and that's
why I think Fresno is very fortunate that so much of what has been accomplished
in Fresno is because of the philanthropical attitude. And I think Leon really
was one of those first ones that started it and showed the benefit and he was
gratified. That made him very happy when he could give and see something become
a reality like the stadium, like the hospital wing or whatever. That was his
gratification in giving. He felt very good about that.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: It seems to be in talking to many people in the community
such as you, this theme keeps coming back he wanted to give back; he wanted to
give back his ethics, the ethics of the person--he was a tough negotiator but
his word was his bond, you could shake, could shake his hand. One of the
purposes of you participating in this, we want the students out at the
university to, whether they're business students in classes of ethics and begin-it seems on today's world the shake of the hand is no longer good and if you
can make a quick buck and get away with it at all levels whether it's in
Washington or on Wall Street. And we really want students to say here's a man
that was a successful businessman, a philanthropist, but had ethics of the
highest standard.
>> Jim Helzer: Well it's interesting you say that because when I got the outline
of the things that you might be covering, I actually thought to myself he would
have been an excellent teacher of a class of ethics at the business school at
the university. Because I think that's one thing that's kind of missing in some
of the business schools; we can just see that now back in what's happening in
Wall Street and so forth is that a young person gets out of school hasn't really
been indoctrinated; and he was such a good example of how you can make it by
still having high ideals and high ethical compass.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well you were fortunate to have folks like Bud Richter
and Jim Mayer and Leon S. Peters and that is why Community Hospital has been
such a great institution and leading that institution at the right time. What
would you say that probably Leon's greatest contribution to the hospital is?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I'll think of one thing and there were many contributions so
this does not mean this is a...but I remember he came into my office one day and
closed the door; and he said, "Jim," he said, "you're really enthused about
pushing for this new Clovis Hospital, aren't you?" And I said, "Yes, Mr. Peters,
I am and I really feel that it's a vision, that's a growth area," and at that
particular time there were some other Board members that were seeing the same
vision and that was Gene Ford and Joe Levy and Bud Richter and so he said, "Well
it's going to be a big project but if you really feel that your heart's in it
and that's the vision and I'm hearing it from others too, then I'm going to
support you." And what happened then after that is besides those I already
mentioned that were aboard, we were able to get a unanimous commitment on the
part of the Board that that was part of the future and so we undertook the
venture of building the Clovis Community Hospital. And it's done wonders, it's
growing and in fact they're having to add and a lot of growth is out there, and
at that time we knew that 168 was planned and now that's a reality. So again,
his vision and his being able to bring groups together to see benefit of
something; so I look at him as being really the one that helped me with getting
that project through and getting Clovis as it is today.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well thank goodness you did because I was out there the
other day. My wife had some knee surgery and it is a marvelous, marvelous
hospital and certainly serving a need; and that Clovis community has just
continued to grow. Jim, what about this personal, personal memory that if you
were to describe as obviously he was your boss but you know everybody knows he
was also sort of your friend. What kind of personal memories do you have of him?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very--they would invite us periodically with friends
and having dinner over at their home. Leon and Alice would have us over when
they knew that we knew somebody else that they knew and we would have dinner
together. And of course Alice was a wonderful cook and we would have and still
is one of my favorite meals—shish kebab and pilaf and just very gracious hostess
and host--they were always there to entertain us and that's not always the case
when you have a boss like that that will take you in and treat you like that
which I appreciated and was wonderful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah, what you said, excuse me –>> Jim Helzer: Well I was going to say there was another unique thing about Leon
that a lot of people don't know is that even though I mentioned about his always
being attired in this executive profile, is that he would like to rough it every
once in a while. Usually every year a group of men and I can only think of one
name that was a group--one was Lew Eaton and Leon and another couple of people,
and usually someone from the U.S. Forestry Division would go with them and
they'd go up in the mountains on horseback, camping and kind of rough it. And
one unfortunate thing he was on a horse one time and was on a path, and a branch
or something came back and knocked him off the horse and did something to his
shoulder and we had to helicopter him down. And we came to the hospital and we
took care of him and again he kind of made a, funny of it, you know, I mean
instead of taking it so personal and how did this happen to me, he kind of made
it a joke that this happened and brought levity to something that could have
been very serious. So he had another side that a lot of people didn't know but
he enjoyed that and it was a once a year and he enjoyed the camaraderie with the
guys. And I wish I remembered all their names; I remember one and that was Lew
Eaton.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah well Lew Eaton loved the mountains. When I went to
his memorial service and they played the Stanford Fight Song which Bud Richter
really liked but Lew loved those mountains and loved hiking in the back country.
Well as an educator, I would be remiss if I gave an exam, didn't say, is there
anything I should have asked and I didn't? Would you share any last thoughts?
>> Jim Helzer: No I think we've--I would just say that he was a great man and
this community has benefitted tremendously by him. And I'm so glad you're doing
this because history is important. The young people coming along should know
some of the pillars of our past that have really made the community like it is
today and certainly Leon is one. The university, the hospital, the symphony and
other things are there because of the effort and the communication that he had
to others to bring them into fold made this a very successful community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well, I think that is why your contributions along with
others are going to help in future generations’ understanding. Not only what
philanthropy is but what it means to be a successful businessman and to give
back the debt that we owe to others. I oftentime have enjoyed the saying by
Popham there, the destiny that makes us brothers and then go his way alone. All
that we send in the lives of others come back into our own. And Leon S. Peters
has sent so many things out to our community and we all are benefactors of it
and we all have a responsibility to carry on. And so when you look at the people
like Leon, his brother Pete, the Lew Eatons, the Mayers, the Richters and as you
go through, the Smittcamps. These are the pillars of our community and it would
make a difference.
>> Jim Helzer: He and Alice never had any children but he looked at his nieces
and nephews and his other brothers as his really important family. But as far as
he was concerned his nieces and nephews were his sons and daughters. It was a
close family. The whole Peters family is to be respected for what they've done
for our community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: And I think that agrarian background in being brought up
on a farm, all of his experiences, his nephew related that to us today the fact
that he got involved with health care because of his mother dying at the age; he
got involved with education because he was a very wise man but never had the
formal degree; and those are the things that formulated a lot of his philosophy
in his early years.
>> Jim Helzer: There's an interesting aspect that he and Alice actually met in
an agricultural setting. Alice worked at one of the raisin houses in Del Rey and
Alice always kind of bonded with me because my father had a packinghouse in Del
Rey too and she knew this. So she would always relate that Jim and I had this
bond of having this relationship with Del Rey. This is a small community
adjacent to Fresno and so he actually met her and started courting her when she
was working at one of the raisin houses and that's how their relationship
blossomed and they got married. And that's how he met her is out there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Bud?
>> Bud Richter: I’ve got a question.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Certainly.
>> Bud Richter: Jim has seen Leon in many, many meetings and volunteers and
staff and employees. Are there any particular leadership qualities that you have
seen that were very memorable and how Leon conducted and ran and got good
results for the meeting both in good times and in bad times?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think he was an excellent listener. He never made--if you
had made a point regardless of whether it was minor to him or major he would
listen. And people respected that that he respected their opinion. He may not
agree with it but he wanted their input. He was never short with anybody and he
had this ability to bring people together because you can imagine when you have
some very talented people on boards like he had because they were all very
strong individuals and they all had their expertise; but he had this way about
him that he could bring people together even though they may have differences
and he was an excellent listener. He knew and then he knew when the right time
to kind of bring people together. It was kind of a sense of a timekeeper like a
comedian has timing, well as a businessman he had the proper timing of when to
bring people together, but one of his fortes was he listened and people knew
that they were being heard.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Anything else Bud? Well Jim Helzer it's so nice to see
you back again and hopefully you'll bring good luck to our Bulldogs.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah and I
because I think this is a
-- young people will take
they'll feel better about
their community.
want to express my appreciation to you for doing this
wonderful tribute to Leon and I just pray that people
heed to some of the philosophy of his life because
it when they know that they have done something for
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well I know Bud Richter and Bob Oliver we're all excited
about this project and we're so pleased that the university out at the new
Madden Library out there is going to house an archive –>> Jim Helzer: Excellent.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- all of this and it's going to be a state-of-the-art in
terms of the technology of being able to pass on to the students and working
with an ethic class out in the university to incorporate all of this. And so it
is so important that the youth of our community hear the Leon S. Peters stories
and folks like you who had the opportunity to be mentored and what you've done
for our community well while you were here. And we're truly appreciative and
it's good to have you back and may life continue to be kind to you.
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you very much and I appreciate this opportunity. Thank
you.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Good to see you back in Fresno.
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you it's good to be here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Of course I always value the time we spent together and
while you were here ->> Jim Helzer: That’s right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- and a former--present CEO of Community Hospital, now
living up in Northern...
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah in Lincoln, California.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Lincoln? I know exactly where that is.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah right above Roseville.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Right--sure.
>> Jim Helzer: It's a beautiful area in many respects very much like Fresno
climate wise. We have the warm temperatures like they have here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: But it's dry.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Are you going to go to the ballgame tonight?
>> Jim Helzer: I am. We still have our seasons' tickets and so we're keeping
that up.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well Jim even before you were CEO you had a very, very
unique respect of the legend of Leon S. Peters and also his brother Pete. In
particularly when we think of Leon and his involvement, probably the first three
things that come was Community Hospital that was one of his--and his nephew told
us today because of his mother dying at a very early age, that had an impact
upon Leon's interest in health care and for the community. Leon was only six
when she passed away so you're at the center of Community Hospital; Leon S.
Peters was involved and so that's a perspective. The University obviously was
another big one that he got involved with in his not only philanthropy but as a
leadership role. So tell us about your relationship with Leon S. Peters and Pete
Peters.
>> Jim Helzer: Well when I first came here from the University of California
Medical Center in San Francisco, that was my first exposure to him as a person
and working with him; and I came as an assistant and then after about a year and
a half to two, I was elevated into the position of President and CEO with the
hospital. So then that's when my involvement with him became very intense as far
as a relationship. He was a very interesting man to work with. I really think
that he was a tremendous mentor for me, having started my professional career at
a rather young age in such an important position in my early thirties; he was
really a guidance for me in developing my strategy and how to deal with people.
I, one of the things that I also appreciated about Mr. Peters was that he was
always accessible. Even though he had a big business to run, if I would give him
a call on the telephone say I want your thinking on this or your advice on this-sure-- and I'll make arrangements for you to come on out. He was always
accessible and wasn't where he thought he was too busy or anything like that. He
was there for which I always appreciated. The other thing that I remember so is
that he, I believe, started in the business that he made very successful, as a
salesperson. And I could see why he was so successful because his personality
was such that he was very warm and very--when you were around him you couldn't
help but believe him because he was so sincere and so honest. The thing that I
heard him say so often and I really believe this was in his heart sincerely is
that he started with nothing in the community and became very successful, and
because he was a successful businessman he became rather affluent. And he always
felt that his success was because of the support that he got from the community;
and that's why I believe that he felt he owed something to the community because
they were so good to him that he wanted to put something back into the
community. And I believe that was his backbone in regards to his philanthropy
program. I know besides the hospital and he did love the hospital, but he also
loved the university and he loved the symphony and these types of things. And he
would put money into those things because he felt he owed it because of how the
community helped him become successful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: On personal traits whenever people and I think you were
in Rotary with him as well and I've oftentimes have thought that the Rotary
Creed almost epitomizes Leon's life, is it fair to all concerned, but he also
was a very humble man in the sense that he could be stern but he seemed to be
not involved with wanting credit or ingratiation.
>> Jim Helzer: That's true. Many times when people would start to compliment him
he would kind of edge off and mention other people's names that were there and
were helping so that's so true--he was, he didn't want the credit. He did it
because he felt that he owed it and wanted to do something for the community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He could be pretty tough too when he had to be.
>> Jim Helzer: He was ->> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He didn't show it necessarily.
>> Jim Helzer: -- a good negotiator but the other thing that I admired and
learned from him is that he might disagree with you but he always was respectful
in the way that he disagreed with you. He--one of the other traits that I think
is important in anyone's life is that he never--anyway I never heard him ever
say a bad word about anyone. He might have thought of people, you know, this and
that, but I never heard him say anything that was negative about anyone. And he
dealt with a lot of people of all stratas of life but he was one that respected
them regardless whether they differed with you and if he felt different he'd go
to bat and try to convince you that you were wrong; but he was never negative
about anyone in the community--always positive. And I think it was part of his
upbringing because he was a minority when he came here and unfortunately and
that's the sad part of our history is that there was discrimination towards the
Armenian people. And because of who Leon was and his personality and his ethic
of doing business, he kind of made the beginning of getting the Armenian culture
I believe as a mainstream of our society here in Fresno.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He pioneered the way people wouldn't-- they weren't
allowed to join Sunnyside Country Club. Leon--they weren't allowed to buy in
certain neighborhoods; Leon paved the way not only for the Armenian community
but for other minorities.
>> Jim Helzer: That's exactly right in fact if I recall correctly I think Leon
was the first member of Sunnyside Country Club of a minority.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He was. You're correct.
>> Jim Helzer: So he kind of made some of the advances that we benefit from
today really.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: So in addition to him being your mentor and that was
incredible at your age to be at such an important position to have that, Leon,
as a mentor. What other personal traits that you sort of can recall? Were they
humorous or whatever?
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah well there's one characteristic that he had which I admitted
was he always was in a suit and tie. It might be a sport coat but he always was
dressed with a tie regardless where he went. I think he would have felt
inappropriate if he went anyplace without...
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He'd be proud of you.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right and then he wore a hat. You know that was unusual
for years ago on Wall Street and down in San Francisco in the Financial
District, you'd always see them wear a hat and everybody dressed with a coat and
a tie, ladies the same way. Well he had this custom that wherever he went he had
this tie and coat and his hat; and there were a couple of times I remember where
he would forget it in my office and we'd call and we'd say, "You know we'll
bring it down to you," or "No, no, I'll be coming in for something and I'll pick
it up." But it was an important part of his image but he felt comfortable with
it and I respected him for that; because I think it meant some dignity and
respect that he had for the people that he was going to deal with. He wanted to
be at his best.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Absolutely. He also enjoyed a good cigar.
>> Jim Helzer: Yes he did but he was respectful there too where he wouldn't
smoke in front of anybody that he knew, particularly in the hospital where he
knew it might be a disadvantage so he wouldn't do it there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people have said that it was very, very
difficult to say no to Leon. When Leon would put kind of a tap on you it was
very, very difficult. Why do you think that was so?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very, very influential and people respected him; but
because he was affluent people would come to him and ask him for this and ask
him for that and he was always obliging, he would give. So then when it came for
times when there was a stadium or whether there was the symphony or whether
there was a hospital, he'd go back and he would ask them and then of course they
felt well Leon you gave to me and so I'll give to you.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well in a positive since he was so much like the
Godfather of Fresno that he helped lots of people out and so when he had causes
of Community Hospital, the university, the symphony it was difficult to say no
to him.
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think it was also a kind of an endorsement. Like you say,
people respected him and they knew if he was in a cause that he knew that it was
going to be handled appropriately, that the finances were going to be
accountable and so they really supported things that they knew he was in.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Were you here when he passed away?
>> Jim Helzer: I was unfortunately. In fact I was still head of the hospital at
that particular time and many of the last days he was in our hospital. It was a
sad time when I heard that he had an inoperable cancer. In fact I went to his
memorial service because he was a dear friend besides being my boss. I really
became attached to him just because of the rapport that we had developed. I had
no secrets from him and he told me what he thought even though he might differ
with me. He would challenge me and I'd have to justify it and so he was easy to
work with, very easy to work with but you knew like, that he was on top of
things so you couldn't go in with--not sufficient to sell, and sell your case.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What was your sort of insight into how he approached his
debt? That here was a person that was larger than life yet he has cancer at a
still relatively young age.
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was brave about that too. He knew what was happening. I
remember one of the last events that he went to, a social event at our home in
fact. We were entertaining the physician leadership and the Board of Directors
and their spouses were there, and he was at that particular time I guess the
cancer was showing some physical changes in his tummy. And so he made a comment
that he just thought he was gaining weight and it wasn't that at all. It was the
cancer was starting to develop but he--even though he knew the seriousness of
this he had a deep faith which I don't think people really knew because he
didn't push it; but he did it through his ethics and the way he handled his
business was because of his Christian feelings and his devout Christianity.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What do you think will be his legacy to this community?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think what he did was instill a spirit of when the
community is good to you, you give back; and so I think he really started a
program where there were others that followed that felt the same way and that's
why I think Fresno is very fortunate that so much of what has been accomplished
in Fresno is because of the philanthropical attitude. And I think Leon really
was one of those first ones that started it and showed the benefit and he was
gratified. That made him very happy when he could give and see something become
a reality like the stadium, like the hospital wing or whatever. That was his
gratification in giving. He felt very good about that.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: It seems to be in talking to many people in the community
such as you, this theme keeps coming back he wanted to give back; he wanted to
give back his ethics, the ethics of the person--he was a tough negotiator but
his word was his bond, you could shake, could shake his hand. One of the
purposes of you participating in this, we want the students out at the
university to, whether they're business students in classes of ethics and begin-it seems on today's world the shake of the hand is no longer good and if you
can make a quick buck and get away with it at all levels whether it's in
Washington or on Wall Street. And we really want students to say here's a man
that was a successful businessman, a philanthropist, but had ethics of the
highest standard.
>> Jim Helzer: Well it's interesting you say that because when I got the outline
of the things that you might be covering, I actually thought to myself he would
have been an excellent teacher of a class of ethics at the business school at
the university. Because I think that's one thing that's kind of missing in some
of the business schools; we can just see that now back in what's happening in
Wall Street and so forth is that a young person gets out of school hasn't really
been indoctrinated; and he was such a good example of how you can make it by
still having high ideals and high ethical compass.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well you were fortunate to have folks like Bud Richter
and Jim Mayer and Leon S. Peters and that is why Community Hospital has been
such a great institution and leading that institution at the right time. What
would you say that probably Leon's greatest contribution to the hospital is?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I'll think of one thing and there were many contributions so
this does not mean this is a...but I remember he came into my office one day and
closed the door; and he said, "Jim," he said, "you're really enthused about
pushing for this new Clovis Hospital, aren't you?" And I said, "Yes, Mr. Peters,
I am and I really feel that it's a vision, that's a growth area," and at that
particular time there were some other Board members that were seeing the same
vision and that was Gene Ford and Joe Levy and Bud Richter and so he said, "Well
it's going to be a big project but if you really feel that your heart's in it
and that's the vision and I'm hearing it from others too, then I'm going to
support you." And what happened then after that is besides those I already
mentioned that were aboard, we were able to get a unanimous commitment on the
part of the Board that that was part of the future and so we undertook the
venture of building the Clovis Community Hospital. And it's done wonders, it's
growing and in fact they're having to add and a lot of growth is out there, and
at that time we knew that 168 was planned and now that's a reality. So again,
his vision and his being able to bring groups together to see benefit of
something; so I look at him as being really the one that helped me with getting
that project through and getting Clovis as it is today.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well thank goodness you did because I was out there the
other day. My wife had some knee surgery and it is a marvelous, marvelous
hospital and certainly serving a need; and that Clovis community has just
continued to grow. Jim, what about this personal, personal memory that if you
were to describe as obviously he was your boss but you know everybody knows he
was also sort of your friend. What kind of personal memories do you have of him?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very--they would invite us periodically with friends
and having dinner over at their home. Leon and Alice would have us over when
they knew that we knew somebody else that they knew and we would have dinner
together. And of course Alice was a wonderful cook and we would have and still
is one of my favorite meals—shish kebab and pilaf and just very gracious hostess
and host--they were always there to entertain us and that's not always the case
when you have a boss like that that will take you in and treat you like that
which I appreciated and was wonderful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah, what you said, excuse me –>> Jim Helzer: Well I was going to say there was another unique thing about Leon
that a lot of people don't know is that even though I mentioned about his always
being attired in this executive profile, is that he would like to rough it every
once in a while. Usually every year a group of men and I can only think of one
name that was a group--one was Lew Eaton and Leon and another couple of people,
and usually someone from the U.S. Forestry Division would go with them and
they'd go up in the mountains on horseback, camping and kind of rough it. And
one unfortunate thing he was on a horse one time and was on a path, and a branch
or something came back and knocked him off the horse and did something to his
shoulder and we had to helicopter him down. And we came to the hospital and we
took care of him and again he kind of made a, funny of it, you know, I mean
instead of taking it so personal and how did this happen to me, he kind of made
it a joke that this happened and brought levity to something that could have
been very serious. So he had another side that a lot of people didn't know but
he enjoyed that and it was a once a year and he enjoyed the camaraderie with the
guys. And I wish I remembered all their names; I remember one and that was Lew
Eaton.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah well Lew Eaton loved the mountains. When I went to
his memorial service and they played the Stanford Fight Song which Bud Richter
really liked but Lew loved those mountains and loved hiking in the back country.
Well as an educator, I would be remiss if I gave an exam, didn't say, is there
anything I should have asked and I didn't? Would you share any last thoughts?
>> Jim Helzer: No I think we've--I would just say that he was a great man and
this community has benefitted tremendously by him. And I'm so glad you're doing
this because history is important. The young people coming along should know
some of the pillars of our past that have really made the community like it is
today and certainly Leon is one. The university, the hospital, the symphony and
other things are there because of the effort and the communication that he had
to others to bring them into fold made this a very successful community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well, I think that is why your contributions along with
others are going to help in future generations’ understanding. Not only what
philanthropy is but what it means to be a successful businessman and to give
back the debt that we owe to others. I oftentime have enjoyed the saying by
Popham there, the destiny that makes us brothers and then go his way alone. All
that we send in the lives of others come back into our own. And Leon S. Peters
has sent so many things out to our community and we all are benefactors of it
and we all have a responsibility to carry on. And so when you look at the people
like Leon, his brother Pete, the Lew Eatons, the Mayers, the Richters and as you
go through, the Smittcamps. These are the pillars of our community and it would
make a difference.
>> Jim Helzer: He and Alice never had any children but he looked at his nieces
and nephews and his other brothers as his really important family. But as far as
he was concerned his nieces and nephews were his sons and daughters. It was a
close family. The whole Peters family is to be respected for what they've done
for our community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: And I think that agrarian background in being brought up
on a farm, all of his experiences, his nephew related that to us today the fact
that he got involved with health care because of his mother dying at the age; he
got involved with education because he was a very wise man but never had the
formal degree; and those are the things that formulated a lot of his philosophy
in his early years.
>> Jim Helzer: There's an interesting aspect that he and Alice actually met in
an agricultural setting. Alice worked at one of the raisin houses in Del Rey and
Alice always kind of bonded with me because my father had a packinghouse in Del
Rey too and she knew this. So she would always relate that Jim and I had this
bond of having this relationship with Del Rey. This is a small community
adjacent to Fresno and so he actually met her and started courting her when she
was working at one of the raisin houses and that's how their relationship
blossomed and they got married. And that's how he met her is out there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Bud?
>> Bud Richter: I’ve got a question.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Certainly.
>> Bud Richter: Jim has seen Leon in many, many meetings and volunteers and
staff and employees. Are there any particular leadership qualities that you have
seen that were very memorable and how Leon conducted and ran and got good
results for the meeting both in good times and in bad times?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think he was an excellent listener. He never made--if you
had made a point regardless of whether it was minor to him or major he would
listen. And people respected that that he respected their opinion. He may not
agree with it but he wanted their input. He was never short with anybody and he
had this ability to bring people together because you can imagine when you have
some very talented people on boards like he had because they were all very
strong individuals and they all had their expertise; but he had this way about
him that he could bring people together even though they may have differences
and he was an excellent listener. He knew and then he knew when the right time
to kind of bring people together. It was kind of a sense of a timekeeper like a
comedian has timing, well as a businessman he had the proper timing of when to
bring people together, but one of his fortes was he listened and people knew
that they were being heard.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Anything else Bud? Well Jim Helzer it's so nice to see
you back again and hopefully you'll bring good luck to our Bulldogs.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah and I
because I think this is a
-- young people will take
they'll feel better about
their community.
want to express my appreciation to you for doing this
wonderful tribute to Leon and I just pray that people
heed to some of the philosophy of his life because
it when they know that they have done something for
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well I know Bud Richter and Bob Oliver we're all excited
about this project and we're so pleased that the university out at the new
Madden Library out there is going to house an archive –>> Jim Helzer: Excellent.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- all of this and it's going to be a state-of-the-art in
terms of the technology of being able to pass on to the students and working
with an ethic class out in the university to incorporate all of this. And so it
is so important that the youth of our community hear the Leon S. Peters stories
and folks like you who had the opportunity to be mentored and what you've done
for our community well while you were here. And we're truly appreciative and
it's good to have you back and may life continue to be kind to you.
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you very much and I appreciate this opportunity. Thank
you.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you it's good to be here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Of course I always value the time we spent together and
while you were here ->> Jim Helzer: That’s right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- and a former--present CEO of Community Hospital, now
living up in Northern...
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah in Lincoln, California.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Lincoln? I know exactly where that is.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah right above Roseville.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Right--sure.
>> Jim Helzer: It's a beautiful area in many respects very much like Fresno
climate wise. We have the warm temperatures like they have here.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: But it's dry.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Are you going to go to the ballgame tonight?
>> Jim Helzer: I am. We still have our seasons' tickets and so we're keeping
that up.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well Jim even before you were CEO you had a very, very
unique respect of the legend of Leon S. Peters and also his brother Pete. In
particularly when we think of Leon and his involvement, probably the first three
things that come was Community Hospital that was one of his--and his nephew told
us today because of his mother dying at a very early age, that had an impact
upon Leon's interest in health care and for the community. Leon was only six
when she passed away so you're at the center of Community Hospital; Leon S.
Peters was involved and so that's a perspective. The University obviously was
another big one that he got involved with in his not only philanthropy but as a
leadership role. So tell us about your relationship with Leon S. Peters and Pete
Peters.
>> Jim Helzer: Well when I first came here from the University of California
Medical Center in San Francisco, that was my first exposure to him as a person
and working with him; and I came as an assistant and then after about a year and
a half to two, I was elevated into the position of President and CEO with the
hospital. So then that's when my involvement with him became very intense as far
as a relationship. He was a very interesting man to work with. I really think
that he was a tremendous mentor for me, having started my professional career at
a rather young age in such an important position in my early thirties; he was
really a guidance for me in developing my strategy and how to deal with people.
I, one of the things that I also appreciated about Mr. Peters was that he was
always accessible. Even though he had a big business to run, if I would give him
a call on the telephone say I want your thinking on this or your advice on this-sure-- and I'll make arrangements for you to come on out. He was always
accessible and wasn't where he thought he was too busy or anything like that. He
was there for which I always appreciated. The other thing that I remember so is
that he, I believe, started in the business that he made very successful, as a
salesperson. And I could see why he was so successful because his personality
was such that he was very warm and very--when you were around him you couldn't
help but believe him because he was so sincere and so honest. The thing that I
heard him say so often and I really believe this was in his heart sincerely is
that he started with nothing in the community and became very successful, and
because he was a successful businessman he became rather affluent. And he always
felt that his success was because of the support that he got from the community;
and that's why I believe that he felt he owed something to the community because
they were so good to him that he wanted to put something back into the
community. And I believe that was his backbone in regards to his philanthropy
program. I know besides the hospital and he did love the hospital, but he also
loved the university and he loved the symphony and these types of things. And he
would put money into those things because he felt he owed it because of how the
community helped him become successful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: On personal traits whenever people and I think you were
in Rotary with him as well and I've oftentimes have thought that the Rotary
Creed almost epitomizes Leon's life, is it fair to all concerned, but he also
was a very humble man in the sense that he could be stern but he seemed to be
not involved with wanting credit or ingratiation.
>> Jim Helzer: That's true. Many times when people would start to compliment him
he would kind of edge off and mention other people's names that were there and
were helping so that's so true--he was, he didn't want the credit. He did it
because he felt that he owed it and wanted to do something for the community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He could be pretty tough too when he had to be.
>> Jim Helzer: He was ->> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He didn't show it necessarily.
>> Jim Helzer: -- a good negotiator but the other thing that I admired and
learned from him is that he might disagree with you but he always was respectful
in the way that he disagreed with you. He--one of the other traits that I think
is important in anyone's life is that he never--anyway I never heard him ever
say a bad word about anyone. He might have thought of people, you know, this and
that, but I never heard him say anything that was negative about anyone. And he
dealt with a lot of people of all stratas of life but he was one that respected
them regardless whether they differed with you and if he felt different he'd go
to bat and try to convince you that you were wrong; but he was never negative
about anyone in the community--always positive. And I think it was part of his
upbringing because he was a minority when he came here and unfortunately and
that's the sad part of our history is that there was discrimination towards the
Armenian people. And because of who Leon was and his personality and his ethic
of doing business, he kind of made the beginning of getting the Armenian culture
I believe as a mainstream of our society here in Fresno.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He pioneered the way people wouldn't-- they weren't
allowed to join Sunnyside Country Club. Leon--they weren't allowed to buy in
certain neighborhoods; Leon paved the way not only for the Armenian community
but for other minorities.
>> Jim Helzer: That's exactly right in fact if I recall correctly I think Leon
was the first member of Sunnyside Country Club of a minority.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He was. You're correct.
>> Jim Helzer: So he kind of made some of the advances that we benefit from
today really.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: So in addition to him being your mentor and that was
incredible at your age to be at such an important position to have that, Leon,
as a mentor. What other personal traits that you sort of can recall? Were they
humorous or whatever?
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah well there's one characteristic that he had which I admitted
was he always was in a suit and tie. It might be a sport coat but he always was
dressed with a tie regardless where he went. I think he would have felt
inappropriate if he went anyplace without...
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: He'd be proud of you.
>> Jim Helzer: That's right and then he wore a hat. You know that was unusual
for years ago on Wall Street and down in San Francisco in the Financial
District, you'd always see them wear a hat and everybody dressed with a coat and
a tie, ladies the same way. Well he had this custom that wherever he went he had
this tie and coat and his hat; and there were a couple of times I remember where
he would forget it in my office and we'd call and we'd say, "You know we'll
bring it down to you," or "No, no, I'll be coming in for something and I'll pick
it up." But it was an important part of his image but he felt comfortable with
it and I respected him for that; because I think it meant some dignity and
respect that he had for the people that he was going to deal with. He wanted to
be at his best.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Absolutely. He also enjoyed a good cigar.
>> Jim Helzer: Yes he did but he was respectful there too where he wouldn't
smoke in front of anybody that he knew, particularly in the hospital where he
knew it might be a disadvantage so he wouldn't do it there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: A lot of people have said that it was very, very
difficult to say no to Leon. When Leon would put kind of a tap on you it was
very, very difficult. Why do you think that was so?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very, very influential and people respected him; but
because he was affluent people would come to him and ask him for this and ask
him for that and he was always obliging, he would give. So then when it came for
times when there was a stadium or whether there was the symphony or whether
there was a hospital, he'd go back and he would ask them and then of course they
felt well Leon you gave to me and so I'll give to you.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well in a positive since he was so much like the
Godfather of Fresno that he helped lots of people out and so when he had causes
of Community Hospital, the university, the symphony it was difficult to say no
to him.
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think it was also a kind of an endorsement. Like you say,
people respected him and they knew if he was in a cause that he knew that it was
going to be handled appropriately, that the finances were going to be
accountable and so they really supported things that they knew he was in.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Were you here when he passed away?
>> Jim Helzer: I was unfortunately. In fact I was still head of the hospital at
that particular time and many of the last days he was in our hospital. It was a
sad time when I heard that he had an inoperable cancer. In fact I went to his
memorial service because he was a dear friend besides being my boss. I really
became attached to him just because of the rapport that we had developed. I had
no secrets from him and he told me what he thought even though he might differ
with me. He would challenge me and I'd have to justify it and so he was easy to
work with, very easy to work with but you knew like, that he was on top of
things so you couldn't go in with--not sufficient to sell, and sell your case.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What was your sort of insight into how he approached his
debt? That here was a person that was larger than life yet he has cancer at a
still relatively young age.
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was brave about that too. He knew what was happening. I
remember one of the last events that he went to, a social event at our home in
fact. We were entertaining the physician leadership and the Board of Directors
and their spouses were there, and he was at that particular time I guess the
cancer was showing some physical changes in his tummy. And so he made a comment
that he just thought he was gaining weight and it wasn't that at all. It was the
cancer was starting to develop but he--even though he knew the seriousness of
this he had a deep faith which I don't think people really knew because he
didn't push it; but he did it through his ethics and the way he handled his
business was because of his Christian feelings and his devout Christianity.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: What do you think will be his legacy to this community?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think what he did was instill a spirit of when the
community is good to you, you give back; and so I think he really started a
program where there were others that followed that felt the same way and that's
why I think Fresno is very fortunate that so much of what has been accomplished
in Fresno is because of the philanthropical attitude. And I think Leon really
was one of those first ones that started it and showed the benefit and he was
gratified. That made him very happy when he could give and see something become
a reality like the stadium, like the hospital wing or whatever. That was his
gratification in giving. He felt very good about that.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: It seems to be in talking to many people in the community
such as you, this theme keeps coming back he wanted to give back; he wanted to
give back his ethics, the ethics of the person--he was a tough negotiator but
his word was his bond, you could shake, could shake his hand. One of the
purposes of you participating in this, we want the students out at the
university to, whether they're business students in classes of ethics and begin-it seems on today's world the shake of the hand is no longer good and if you
can make a quick buck and get away with it at all levels whether it's in
Washington or on Wall Street. And we really want students to say here's a man
that was a successful businessman, a philanthropist, but had ethics of the
highest standard.
>> Jim Helzer: Well it's interesting you say that because when I got the outline
of the things that you might be covering, I actually thought to myself he would
have been an excellent teacher of a class of ethics at the business school at
the university. Because I think that's one thing that's kind of missing in some
of the business schools; we can just see that now back in what's happening in
Wall Street and so forth is that a young person gets out of school hasn't really
been indoctrinated; and he was such a good example of how you can make it by
still having high ideals and high ethical compass.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well you were fortunate to have folks like Bud Richter
and Jim Mayer and Leon S. Peters and that is why Community Hospital has been
such a great institution and leading that institution at the right time. What
would you say that probably Leon's greatest contribution to the hospital is?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I'll think of one thing and there were many contributions so
this does not mean this is a...but I remember he came into my office one day and
closed the door; and he said, "Jim," he said, "you're really enthused about
pushing for this new Clovis Hospital, aren't you?" And I said, "Yes, Mr. Peters,
I am and I really feel that it's a vision, that's a growth area," and at that
particular time there were some other Board members that were seeing the same
vision and that was Gene Ford and Joe Levy and Bud Richter and so he said, "Well
it's going to be a big project but if you really feel that your heart's in it
and that's the vision and I'm hearing it from others too, then I'm going to
support you." And what happened then after that is besides those I already
mentioned that were aboard, we were able to get a unanimous commitment on the
part of the Board that that was part of the future and so we undertook the
venture of building the Clovis Community Hospital. And it's done wonders, it's
growing and in fact they're having to add and a lot of growth is out there, and
at that time we knew that 168 was planned and now that's a reality. So again,
his vision and his being able to bring groups together to see benefit of
something; so I look at him as being really the one that helped me with getting
that project through and getting Clovis as it is today.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well thank goodness you did because I was out there the
other day. My wife had some knee surgery and it is a marvelous, marvelous
hospital and certainly serving a need; and that Clovis community has just
continued to grow. Jim, what about this personal, personal memory that if you
were to describe as obviously he was your boss but you know everybody knows he
was also sort of your friend. What kind of personal memories do you have of him?
>> Jim Helzer: Well he was very--they would invite us periodically with friends
and having dinner over at their home. Leon and Alice would have us over when
they knew that we knew somebody else that they knew and we would have dinner
together. And of course Alice was a wonderful cook and we would have and still
is one of my favorite meals—shish kebab and pilaf and just very gracious hostess
and host--they were always there to entertain us and that's not always the case
when you have a boss like that that will take you in and treat you like that
which I appreciated and was wonderful.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah, what you said, excuse me –>> Jim Helzer: Well I was going to say there was another unique thing about Leon
that a lot of people don't know is that even though I mentioned about his always
being attired in this executive profile, is that he would like to rough it every
once in a while. Usually every year a group of men and I can only think of one
name that was a group--one was Lew Eaton and Leon and another couple of people,
and usually someone from the U.S. Forestry Division would go with them and
they'd go up in the mountains on horseback, camping and kind of rough it. And
one unfortunate thing he was on a horse one time and was on a path, and a branch
or something came back and knocked him off the horse and did something to his
shoulder and we had to helicopter him down. And we came to the hospital and we
took care of him and again he kind of made a, funny of it, you know, I mean
instead of taking it so personal and how did this happen to me, he kind of made
it a joke that this happened and brought levity to something that could have
been very serious. So he had another side that a lot of people didn't know but
he enjoyed that and it was a once a year and he enjoyed the camaraderie with the
guys. And I wish I remembered all their names; I remember one and that was Lew
Eaton.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Yeah well Lew Eaton loved the mountains. When I went to
his memorial service and they played the Stanford Fight Song which Bud Richter
really liked but Lew loved those mountains and loved hiking in the back country.
Well as an educator, I would be remiss if I gave an exam, didn't say, is there
anything I should have asked and I didn't? Would you share any last thoughts?
>> Jim Helzer: No I think we've--I would just say that he was a great man and
this community has benefitted tremendously by him. And I'm so glad you're doing
this because history is important. The young people coming along should know
some of the pillars of our past that have really made the community like it is
today and certainly Leon is one. The university, the hospital, the symphony and
other things are there because of the effort and the communication that he had
to others to bring them into fold made this a very successful community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well, I think that is why your contributions along with
others are going to help in future generations’ understanding. Not only what
philanthropy is but what it means to be a successful businessman and to give
back the debt that we owe to others. I oftentime have enjoyed the saying by
Popham there, the destiny that makes us brothers and then go his way alone. All
that we send in the lives of others come back into our own. And Leon S. Peters
has sent so many things out to our community and we all are benefactors of it
and we all have a responsibility to carry on. And so when you look at the people
like Leon, his brother Pete, the Lew Eatons, the Mayers, the Richters and as you
go through, the Smittcamps. These are the pillars of our community and it would
make a difference.
>> Jim Helzer: He and Alice never had any children but he looked at his nieces
and nephews and his other brothers as his really important family. But as far as
he was concerned his nieces and nephews were his sons and daughters. It was a
close family. The whole Peters family is to be respected for what they've done
for our community.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: And I think that agrarian background in being brought up
on a farm, all of his experiences, his nephew related that to us today the fact
that he got involved with health care because of his mother dying at the age; he
got involved with education because he was a very wise man but never had the
formal degree; and those are the things that formulated a lot of his philosophy
in his early years.
>> Jim Helzer: There's an interesting aspect that he and Alice actually met in
an agricultural setting. Alice worked at one of the raisin houses in Del Rey and
Alice always kind of bonded with me because my father had a packinghouse in Del
Rey too and she knew this. So she would always relate that Jim and I had this
bond of having this relationship with Del Rey. This is a small community
adjacent to Fresno and so he actually met her and started courting her when she
was working at one of the raisin houses and that's how their relationship
blossomed and they got married. And that's how he met her is out there.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Bud?
>> Bud Richter: I’ve got a question.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Certainly.
>> Bud Richter: Jim has seen Leon in many, many meetings and volunteers and
staff and employees. Are there any particular leadership qualities that you have
seen that were very memorable and how Leon conducted and ran and got good
results for the meeting both in good times and in bad times?
>> Jim Helzer: Well I think he was an excellent listener. He never made--if you
had made a point regardless of whether it was minor to him or major he would
listen. And people respected that that he respected their opinion. He may not
agree with it but he wanted their input. He was never short with anybody and he
had this ability to bring people together because you can imagine when you have
some very talented people on boards like he had because they were all very
strong individuals and they all had their expertise; but he had this way about
him that he could bring people together even though they may have differences
and he was an excellent listener. He knew and then he knew when the right time
to kind of bring people together. It was kind of a sense of a timekeeper like a
comedian has timing, well as a businessman he had the proper timing of when to
bring people together, but one of his fortes was he listened and people knew
that they were being heard.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Anything else Bud? Well Jim Helzer it's so nice to see
you back again and hopefully you'll bring good luck to our Bulldogs.
>> Jim Helzer: Yeah and I
because I think this is a
-- young people will take
they'll feel better about
their community.
want to express my appreciation to you for doing this
wonderful tribute to Leon and I just pray that people
heed to some of the philosophy of his life because
it when they know that they have done something for
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: Well I know Bud Richter and Bob Oliver we're all excited
about this project and we're so pleased that the university out at the new
Madden Library out there is going to house an archive –>> Jim Helzer: Excellent.
>> Dr. Peter G. Mehas: -- all of this and it's going to be a state-of-the-art in
terms of the technology of being able to pass on to the students and working
with an ethic class out in the university to incorporate all of this. And so it
is so important that the youth of our community hear the Leon S. Peters stories
and folks like you who had the opportunity to be mentored and what you've done
for our community well while you were here. And we're truly appreciative and
it's good to have you back and may life continue to be kind to you.
>> Jim Helzer: Well thank you very much and I appreciate this opportunity. Thank
you.
==== Transcribed by Automatic Sync Technologies ====