Horstmann, John, 2013 Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award recipient
Item
Title
Horstmann, John, 2013 Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award recipient
Description
Talks about Fresno, attending Fresno State and meeting his wife there and going to work for New York Life Insurance, giving back to the community and being honored to receive the Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award.
Creator
Horstmann, John
Mehas, Dr. Peter G.
Relation
Leon S. Peters Legacy Collection
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
2013
Format
Microsoft Word 2013 document, 4 pages
Identifier
SCMS_lspl_00038
extracted text
[ Silence ]
>> [Background Music] The Leon S. Peters Award is the highest honor the Greater Fresno Area
Chamber of Commerce can bestow on an individual. It represents the virtues of Leon S. Peters,
outstanding business leadership and a devotion to public service.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: [Background Music] We're very fortunate to live in Fresno. I often -- I
look at the schools, and I got a great education through the school system and then I went on to
Fresno State, and I graduated from Fresno State. And probably the best part of all that is that I
met my wife, Lollie [assumed spelling], at Fresno State, and she was the love of my life, and has
been ever since. And, uh -- so that's what I accomplished by going to Fresno State, the end result
was meeting Lollie.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: The one that won me and I wanted them was the New York Life Insurance
Company. And I went with New York Life, basically, to go into management. And then when
the opportunity came to go into management, we decided to -- for numerous reasons, decided to
stay in sales. And so I started with New York Life February 1st, so I -- and, you know, I kind of
laugh, because you know, I've been married 56 years, I've been with New York Life 55 years,
and I look at this and I tell people, it's kind of boring, one wife, one job. I mean, you know, but
that's the [laughter] way it is and it's -- made the right choices all the way around.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Growing up in Fresno, what changes have you seen since, you know, you
started off? And obviously there's been a lot of changes in Fresno.
>> John Horstmann: Yes, there has been over the years, and yet Fresno's still a great place to
live. I still believe that Fresno and the Fresno -- central area around here is it -- it's the best-kept
secret. I think there's too many people that don't realize how great Fresno is. And we -- and it's
very easy to look at the negatives, but the positives certainly out shadow it and I'm very proud to
live here and give back to the community.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: It's what you can do for the organization...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...not what the organization can do for you.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And I think to go in with that attitude, you meet lots of lasting friends and - I got involved because there was so many areas that I felt that I could help. And I did it, not for
the awards or anything like that. I did it because I believe in our community and glad to help
out.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: I think the main thing is to believe in yourself and work in areas that you
have a passion, that you -- to feel that you -- where your expertise are. The biggest thing that I
think we'll go with is honesty. And I feel that in with honesty...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...you have -- when you go through your daily activities, ask yourself if you
make some decisions that may be questionable. Ask yourself would you mind seeing what you
said today, on the front page of the Fresno Bee tomorrow.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And if you can't answer that question, then you better take a good look.
And so I think the honesty and then your integrity is the main thing. Everything else will fall
into place.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: What'd it mean to you to be a part of now that very, very distinguished
group of past recipients?
>> John Horstmann: It was a definite honor. I mean, it was an honor. It was a surprise. I mean,
it was not in -- when I walked into that room, it was not on my radar. That I was receiving this
award. And yet it is a tremendous honor. It's a tremendous honor to be associated with all those
people. And then I look back, too that I -- I think it's interesting and is it, of the Leon S. Peters
Award winners, Claude Laval.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Sure.
>> John Horstmann: I mean, to have two winners of Leon S. Peters Awards that started
kindergarten together, I mean, I think this was -- this just shows you that T. L. Hedon [assumed
spelling] was a good city school when we were there.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: To have Kathy and John both come into business with me. And this is not
something that I pushed. This was their desire. And to work together as a family and be a team.
And be able to cherish that part of it, too. Is it easy? No, it's not easy. Family businesses are not
easy. But, it's -- we all have the same goals and accomplishments from the standpoint of giving
back, education and just being involved. And they -- and both Kathy and John have done that.
And then I have three superstars as grandchildren that I expect to do the same thing with.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: They are our legacy, aren't they?
>> John Horstmann: They sure are.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: When we did an analysis -- when we thought we may have some problems
because of communication, well we had an outsider come in and analyze our business. And the
problem -- surprise, surprise -- was me. It wasn't the kids or anybody else. And it's -- you have
to be able to listen. You have to be able to give up and -- some of your things or ways that you
feel are correct, because there's a new era coming in and they have ideas. And their ideas are
good. I come back -- as you notice, I come back a lot to Lollie. But Lollie was vital. She was so
vital in this business. Anything that we have -- and I've said this over and over -- anything that
we've ever accomplished is because of the support that I've gotten from my wife.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: There's a lot of people out there -- and I don't care who you are -- every
one of us -- in one way or another -- can give back to this community.
[ Music ]
>> [Background Music] The Leon S. Peters Award is the highest honor the Greater Fresno Area
Chamber of Commerce can bestow on an individual. It represents the virtues of Leon S. Peters,
outstanding business leadership and a devotion to public service.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: [Background Music] We're very fortunate to live in Fresno. I often -- I
look at the schools, and I got a great education through the school system and then I went on to
Fresno State, and I graduated from Fresno State. And probably the best part of all that is that I
met my wife, Lollie [assumed spelling], at Fresno State, and she was the love of my life, and has
been ever since. And, uh -- so that's what I accomplished by going to Fresno State, the end result
was meeting Lollie.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: The one that won me and I wanted them was the New York Life Insurance
Company. And I went with New York Life, basically, to go into management. And then when
the opportunity came to go into management, we decided to -- for numerous reasons, decided to
stay in sales. And so I started with New York Life February 1st, so I -- and, you know, I kind of
laugh, because you know, I've been married 56 years, I've been with New York Life 55 years,
and I look at this and I tell people, it's kind of boring, one wife, one job. I mean, you know, but
that's the [laughter] way it is and it's -- made the right choices all the way around.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Growing up in Fresno, what changes have you seen since, you know, you
started off? And obviously there's been a lot of changes in Fresno.
>> John Horstmann: Yes, there has been over the years, and yet Fresno's still a great place to
live. I still believe that Fresno and the Fresno -- central area around here is it -- it's the best-kept
secret. I think there's too many people that don't realize how great Fresno is. And we -- and it's
very easy to look at the negatives, but the positives certainly out shadow it and I'm very proud to
live here and give back to the community.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: It's what you can do for the organization...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...not what the organization can do for you.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And I think to go in with that attitude, you meet lots of lasting friends and - I got involved because there was so many areas that I felt that I could help. And I did it, not for
the awards or anything like that. I did it because I believe in our community and glad to help
out.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: I think the main thing is to believe in yourself and work in areas that you
have a passion, that you -- to feel that you -- where your expertise are. The biggest thing that I
think we'll go with is honesty. And I feel that in with honesty...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...you have -- when you go through your daily activities, ask yourself if you
make some decisions that may be questionable. Ask yourself would you mind seeing what you
said today, on the front page of the Fresno Bee tomorrow.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And if you can't answer that question, then you better take a good look.
And so I think the honesty and then your integrity is the main thing. Everything else will fall
into place.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: What'd it mean to you to be a part of now that very, very distinguished
group of past recipients?
>> John Horstmann: It was a definite honor. I mean, it was an honor. It was a surprise. I mean,
it was not in -- when I walked into that room, it was not on my radar. That I was receiving this
award. And yet it is a tremendous honor. It's a tremendous honor to be associated with all those
people. And then I look back, too that I -- I think it's interesting and is it, of the Leon S. Peters
Award winners, Claude Laval.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Sure.
>> John Horstmann: I mean, to have two winners of Leon S. Peters Awards that started
kindergarten together, I mean, I think this was -- this just shows you that T. L. Hedon [assumed
spelling] was a good city school when we were there.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: To have Kathy and John both come into business with me. And this is not
something that I pushed. This was their desire. And to work together as a family and be a team.
And be able to cherish that part of it, too. Is it easy? No, it's not easy. Family businesses are not
easy. But, it's -- we all have the same goals and accomplishments from the standpoint of giving
back, education and just being involved. And they -- and both Kathy and John have done that.
And then I have three superstars as grandchildren that I expect to do the same thing with.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: They are our legacy, aren't they?
>> John Horstmann: They sure are.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: When we did an analysis -- when we thought we may have some problems
because of communication, well we had an outsider come in and analyze our business. And the
problem -- surprise, surprise -- was me. It wasn't the kids or anybody else. And it's -- you have
to be able to listen. You have to be able to give up and -- some of your things or ways that you
feel are correct, because there's a new era coming in and they have ideas. And their ideas are
good. I come back -- as you notice, I come back a lot to Lollie. But Lollie was vital. She was so
vital in this business. Anything that we have -- and I've said this over and over -- anything that
we've ever accomplished is because of the support that I've gotten from my wife.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: There's a lot of people out there -- and I don't care who you are -- every
one of us -- in one way or another -- can give back to this community.
[ Music ]
[ Silence ]
>> [Background Music] The Leon S. Peters Award is the highest honor the Greater Fresno Area
Chamber of Commerce can bestow on an individual. It represents the virtues of Leon S. Peters,
outstanding business leadership and a devotion to public service.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: [Background Music] We're very fortunate to live in Fresno. I often -- I
look at the schools, and I got a great education through the school system and then I went on to
Fresno State, and I graduated from Fresno State. And probably the best part of all that is that I
met my wife, Lollie [assumed spelling], at Fresno State, and she was the love of my life, and has
been ever since. And, uh -- so that's what I accomplished by going to Fresno State, the end result
was meeting Lollie.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: The one that won me and I wanted them was the New York Life Insurance
Company. And I went with New York Life, basically, to go into management. And then when
the opportunity came to go into management, we decided to -- for numerous reasons, decided to
stay in sales. And so I started with New York Life February 1st, so I -- and, you know, I kind of
laugh, because you know, I've been married 56 years, I've been with New York Life 55 years,
and I look at this and I tell people, it's kind of boring, one wife, one job. I mean, you know, but
that's the [laughter] way it is and it's -- made the right choices all the way around.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Growing up in Fresno, what changes have you seen since, you know, you
started off? And obviously there's been a lot of changes in Fresno.
>> John Horstmann: Yes, there has been over the years, and yet Fresno's still a great place to
live. I still believe that Fresno and the Fresno -- central area around here is it -- it's the best-kept
secret. I think there's too many people that don't realize how great Fresno is. And we -- and it's
very easy to look at the negatives, but the positives certainly out shadow it and I'm very proud to
live here and give back to the community.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: It's what you can do for the organization...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...not what the organization can do for you.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And I think to go in with that attitude, you meet lots of lasting friends and - I got involved because there was so many areas that I felt that I could help. And I did it, not for
the awards or anything like that. I did it because I believe in our community and glad to help
out.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: I think the main thing is to believe in yourself and work in areas that you
have a passion, that you -- to feel that you -- where your expertise are. The biggest thing that I
think we'll go with is honesty. And I feel that in with honesty...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...you have -- when you go through your daily activities, ask yourself if you
make some decisions that may be questionable. Ask yourself would you mind seeing what you
said today, on the front page of the Fresno Bee tomorrow.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And if you can't answer that question, then you better take a good look.
And so I think the honesty and then your integrity is the main thing. Everything else will fall
into place.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: What'd it mean to you to be a part of now that very, very distinguished
group of past recipients?
>> John Horstmann: It was a definite honor. I mean, it was an honor. It was a surprise. I mean,
it was not in -- when I walked into that room, it was not on my radar. That I was receiving this
award. And yet it is a tremendous honor. It's a tremendous honor to be associated with all those
people. And then I look back, too that I -- I think it's interesting and is it, of the Leon S. Peters
Award winners, Claude Laval.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Sure.
>> John Horstmann: I mean, to have two winners of Leon S. Peters Awards that started
kindergarten together, I mean, I think this was -- this just shows you that T. L. Hedon [assumed
spelling] was a good city school when we were there.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: To have Kathy and John both come into business with me. And this is not
something that I pushed. This was their desire. And to work together as a family and be a team.
And be able to cherish that part of it, too. Is it easy? No, it's not easy. Family businesses are not
easy. But, it's -- we all have the same goals and accomplishments from the standpoint of giving
back, education and just being involved. And they -- and both Kathy and John have done that.
And then I have three superstars as grandchildren that I expect to do the same thing with.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: They are our legacy, aren't they?
>> John Horstmann: They sure are.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: When we did an analysis -- when we thought we may have some problems
because of communication, well we had an outsider come in and analyze our business. And the
problem -- surprise, surprise -- was me. It wasn't the kids or anybody else. And it's -- you have
to be able to listen. You have to be able to give up and -- some of your things or ways that you
feel are correct, because there's a new era coming in and they have ideas. And their ideas are
good. I come back -- as you notice, I come back a lot to Lollie. But Lollie was vital. She was so
vital in this business. Anything that we have -- and I've said this over and over -- anything that
we've ever accomplished is because of the support that I've gotten from my wife.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: There's a lot of people out there -- and I don't care who you are -- every
one of us -- in one way or another -- can give back to this community.
[ Music ]
>> [Background Music] The Leon S. Peters Award is the highest honor the Greater Fresno Area
Chamber of Commerce can bestow on an individual. It represents the virtues of Leon S. Peters,
outstanding business leadership and a devotion to public service.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: [Background Music] We're very fortunate to live in Fresno. I often -- I
look at the schools, and I got a great education through the school system and then I went on to
Fresno State, and I graduated from Fresno State. And probably the best part of all that is that I
met my wife, Lollie [assumed spelling], at Fresno State, and she was the love of my life, and has
been ever since. And, uh -- so that's what I accomplished by going to Fresno State, the end result
was meeting Lollie.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: The one that won me and I wanted them was the New York Life Insurance
Company. And I went with New York Life, basically, to go into management. And then when
the opportunity came to go into management, we decided to -- for numerous reasons, decided to
stay in sales. And so I started with New York Life February 1st, so I -- and, you know, I kind of
laugh, because you know, I've been married 56 years, I've been with New York Life 55 years,
and I look at this and I tell people, it's kind of boring, one wife, one job. I mean, you know, but
that's the [laughter] way it is and it's -- made the right choices all the way around.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Growing up in Fresno, what changes have you seen since, you know, you
started off? And obviously there's been a lot of changes in Fresno.
>> John Horstmann: Yes, there has been over the years, and yet Fresno's still a great place to
live. I still believe that Fresno and the Fresno -- central area around here is it -- it's the best-kept
secret. I think there's too many people that don't realize how great Fresno is. And we -- and it's
very easy to look at the negatives, but the positives certainly out shadow it and I'm very proud to
live here and give back to the community.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: It's what you can do for the organization...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...not what the organization can do for you.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And I think to go in with that attitude, you meet lots of lasting friends and - I got involved because there was so many areas that I felt that I could help. And I did it, not for
the awards or anything like that. I did it because I believe in our community and glad to help
out.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: I think the main thing is to believe in yourself and work in areas that you
have a passion, that you -- to feel that you -- where your expertise are. The biggest thing that I
think we'll go with is honesty. And I feel that in with honesty...
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: ...you have -- when you go through your daily activities, ask yourself if you
make some decisions that may be questionable. Ask yourself would you mind seeing what you
said today, on the front page of the Fresno Bee tomorrow.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Mm-hmm.
>> John Horstmann: And if you can't answer that question, then you better take a good look.
And so I think the honesty and then your integrity is the main thing. Everything else will fall
into place.
[ Music ]
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: What'd it mean to you to be a part of now that very, very distinguished
group of past recipients?
>> John Horstmann: It was a definite honor. I mean, it was an honor. It was a surprise. I mean,
it was not in -- when I walked into that room, it was not on my radar. That I was receiving this
award. And yet it is a tremendous honor. It's a tremendous honor to be associated with all those
people. And then I look back, too that I -- I think it's interesting and is it, of the Leon S. Peters
Award winners, Claude Laval.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: Sure.
>> John Horstmann: I mean, to have two winners of Leon S. Peters Awards that started
kindergarten together, I mean, I think this was -- this just shows you that T. L. Hedon [assumed
spelling] was a good city school when we were there.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: To have Kathy and John both come into business with me. And this is not
something that I pushed. This was their desire. And to work together as a family and be a team.
And be able to cherish that part of it, too. Is it easy? No, it's not easy. Family businesses are not
easy. But, it's -- we all have the same goals and accomplishments from the standpoint of giving
back, education and just being involved. And they -- and both Kathy and John have done that.
And then I have three superstars as grandchildren that I expect to do the same thing with.
>> Dr. Pete G. Mehas: They are our legacy, aren't they?
>> John Horstmann: They sure are.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: When we did an analysis -- when we thought we may have some problems
because of communication, well we had an outsider come in and analyze our business. And the
problem -- surprise, surprise -- was me. It wasn't the kids or anybody else. And it's -- you have
to be able to listen. You have to be able to give up and -- some of your things or ways that you
feel are correct, because there's a new era coming in and they have ideas. And their ideas are
good. I come back -- as you notice, I come back a lot to Lollie. But Lollie was vital. She was so
vital in this business. Anything that we have -- and I've said this over and over -- anything that
we've ever accomplished is because of the support that I've gotten from my wife.
[ Music ]
>> John Horstmann: There's a lot of people out there -- and I don't care who you are -- every
one of us -- in one way or another -- can give back to this community.
[ Music ]