Smittcamp, William, 2017 Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award recipient
Item
Title
Smittcamp, William, 2017 Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award recipient
Description
William Smittcamp talks about his business, Wawona Frozen Foods, his family, his involvement in the community and his thoughts on receiving the Leon S. Peters Distinguished Service Award.
Creator
Smittcamp, William
Relation
Leon S. Peters Legacy Collection
Coverage
Fresno, California
Date
2019
Format
Microsoft Word 2013 document, 2 pages
Identifier
SCMS_lspl_00039
extracted text
[ Music ]
>> William Smittcamp: Wawona Frozen Foods is primarily a peach processor that processes
products for as an ingredient and for food service. We process over 75 million pounds of peaches
in our three facilities and sell them to customers such as Mrs. Smith's and Sara Lee for their pie,
yogurt manufacturers, ice cream, and then supply to the food service trade for white tablecloth
restaurants. We were a fresh packing operation through the '40s and the '50s. And then in 1963,
my brother and dad started Wawona Frozen Foods. We had a close family. Mom and dad, my
older brother, Bob, and my two sisters, Carole and Betsy. It was a great childhood living on the
ranch. But we were expected to work. My parents, I think, created a great work culture for us.
And I hope that I have done the same in my children.
>> One of the things that I love about my dad and his company is that he has worked in every
position that we have. He knows how every piece of machinery ticks and how everything works.
And so, that makes him so invaluable.
>> He juggles a lot. And he will say he doesn't. But he's involved with community activities.
He's involved with business activities. He's involved with our kids' lives. There isn't a lot he says
no to.
>> Bill Smittcamp has served four times now as chairman of the Board of Valley Children's
Hospital, which is an unprecedented number of terms to serve as chair and the only time it's
happened. His service to Valley Children's Hospital spans at least three decades and I believe is
entering the fourth now.
>> He is that guy that you know that you can call on, you know, to go to lunch, to talk about a
problem. He's the guy that you can call at 2:00 o'clock in the morning. And he is a rock, and he is
a leader, and he is the greatest dad ever.
>> William Smittcamp: Well, my family consists of my lovely bride, Linda, that we will be
married 40 years on March 5th. Blake is our oldest, and his wife, Cherie, and our three
grandchildren from that family. And then Bradley, my middle son, who was just married this
past April to Courtney. So I have another daughter-in-law. And then Blair Elizabeth, my blueeyed daughter who now works for Fresno State Alumni Association.
>> Growing up with my dad was the best. He has taught me everything that I know, getting to
ride in the car and come to the plant. And I have vivid memories of being in this office and
getting to sit at his conference table and pretend that I'm working with him with my highlighters
and drawing peaches and what a forklift would look like and ->> William Smittcamp: You know, my mom and dad really believed in family. And it has all put
it on all of us, my brother and my two sisters, to really enjoy our families and understand that
there's a place for work and then there is a place for family.
>> Watching my dad as a grandfather is great. He's super playful. My kids have actually been the
reason that he's gotten back into playing around with his little model trains and getting back into
his hobbies outside of work.
>> He can fix anything. He can do anything. He's kind of -- We laugh and say he's kind of our
superman because anything that falls apart, dad can fix.
>> A special quality of Bill's is he never loses his sense of humor and he always makes sure that
a sense of humor is injected into difficult conversations and takes extra care to make sure when
people leave the room, after tough decisions, that they leave the room as friends and colleagues
and without hurt feelings on their sleeve. And it's a quality that I have always appreciated and, in
fact, try and emulate whenever I can in my day-to-day life or leadership accountabilities.
>> To read the nomination letters that were written about Bill to receive this award were just
incredible. He's an incredible man, and he's in a company of incredible men that have received
this award ahead of him. So I am just proud as can be that he is among them.
>> William Smittcamp: I knew Leon Peters, just sir, because dad served on many boards with
him, that our paths would cross. And again, my recollection of him, quiet, humble man that
could move a lot of things. And the past recipients, they were some of my biggest mentors and
really some of my biggest cheerleaders. You know, being the youngest, dad and I were really
close. And I'm hoping that I'm following in his footsteps as he wanted me to. And my children, I
believe, are doing the things that he would like them to do. It is truly an honor and a very
humbling experience to be a recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award.
[ Music ]
>> William Smittcamp: Wawona Frozen Foods is primarily a peach processor that processes
products for as an ingredient and for food service. We process over 75 million pounds of peaches
in our three facilities and sell them to customers such as Mrs. Smith's and Sara Lee for their pie,
yogurt manufacturers, ice cream, and then supply to the food service trade for white tablecloth
restaurants. We were a fresh packing operation through the '40s and the '50s. And then in 1963,
my brother and dad started Wawona Frozen Foods. We had a close family. Mom and dad, my
older brother, Bob, and my two sisters, Carole and Betsy. It was a great childhood living on the
ranch. But we were expected to work. My parents, I think, created a great work culture for us.
And I hope that I have done the same in my children.
>> One of the things that I love about my dad and his company is that he has worked in every
position that we have. He knows how every piece of machinery ticks and how everything works.
And so, that makes him so invaluable.
>> He juggles a lot. And he will say he doesn't. But he's involved with community activities.
He's involved with business activities. He's involved with our kids' lives. There isn't a lot he says
no to.
>> Bill Smittcamp has served four times now as chairman of the Board of Valley Children's
Hospital, which is an unprecedented number of terms to serve as chair and the only time it's
happened. His service to Valley Children's Hospital spans at least three decades and I believe is
entering the fourth now.
>> He is that guy that you know that you can call on, you know, to go to lunch, to talk about a
problem. He's the guy that you can call at 2:00 o'clock in the morning. And he is a rock, and he is
a leader, and he is the greatest dad ever.
>> William Smittcamp: Well, my family consists of my lovely bride, Linda, that we will be
married 40 years on March 5th. Blake is our oldest, and his wife, Cherie, and our three
grandchildren from that family. And then Bradley, my middle son, who was just married this
past April to Courtney. So I have another daughter-in-law. And then Blair Elizabeth, my blueeyed daughter who now works for Fresno State Alumni Association.
>> Growing up with my dad was the best. He has taught me everything that I know, getting to
ride in the car and come to the plant. And I have vivid memories of being in this office and
getting to sit at his conference table and pretend that I'm working with him with my highlighters
and drawing peaches and what a forklift would look like and ->> William Smittcamp: You know, my mom and dad really believed in family. And it has all put
it on all of us, my brother and my two sisters, to really enjoy our families and understand that
there's a place for work and then there is a place for family.
>> Watching my dad as a grandfather is great. He's super playful. My kids have actually been the
reason that he's gotten back into playing around with his little model trains and getting back into
his hobbies outside of work.
>> He can fix anything. He can do anything. He's kind of -- We laugh and say he's kind of our
superman because anything that falls apart, dad can fix.
>> A special quality of Bill's is he never loses his sense of humor and he always makes sure that
a sense of humor is injected into difficult conversations and takes extra care to make sure when
people leave the room, after tough decisions, that they leave the room as friends and colleagues
and without hurt feelings on their sleeve. And it's a quality that I have always appreciated and, in
fact, try and emulate whenever I can in my day-to-day life or leadership accountabilities.
>> To read the nomination letters that were written about Bill to receive this award were just
incredible. He's an incredible man, and he's in a company of incredible men that have received
this award ahead of him. So I am just proud as can be that he is among them.
>> William Smittcamp: I knew Leon Peters, just sir, because dad served on many boards with
him, that our paths would cross. And again, my recollection of him, quiet, humble man that
could move a lot of things. And the past recipients, they were some of my biggest mentors and
really some of my biggest cheerleaders. You know, being the youngest, dad and I were really
close. And I'm hoping that I'm following in his footsteps as he wanted me to. And my children, I
believe, are doing the things that he would like them to do. It is truly an honor and a very
humbling experience to be a recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award.
[ Music ]
[ Music ]
>> William Smittcamp: Wawona Frozen Foods is primarily a peach processor that processes
products for as an ingredient and for food service. We process over 75 million pounds of peaches
in our three facilities and sell them to customers such as Mrs. Smith's and Sara Lee for their pie,
yogurt manufacturers, ice cream, and then supply to the food service trade for white tablecloth
restaurants. We were a fresh packing operation through the '40s and the '50s. And then in 1963,
my brother and dad started Wawona Frozen Foods. We had a close family. Mom and dad, my
older brother, Bob, and my two sisters, Carole and Betsy. It was a great childhood living on the
ranch. But we were expected to work. My parents, I think, created a great work culture for us.
And I hope that I have done the same in my children.
>> One of the things that I love about my dad and his company is that he has worked in every
position that we have. He knows how every piece of machinery ticks and how everything works.
And so, that makes him so invaluable.
>> He juggles a lot. And he will say he doesn't. But he's involved with community activities.
He's involved with business activities. He's involved with our kids' lives. There isn't a lot he says
no to.
>> Bill Smittcamp has served four times now as chairman of the Board of Valley Children's
Hospital, which is an unprecedented number of terms to serve as chair and the only time it's
happened. His service to Valley Children's Hospital spans at least three decades and I believe is
entering the fourth now.
>> He is that guy that you know that you can call on, you know, to go to lunch, to talk about a
problem. He's the guy that you can call at 2:00 o'clock in the morning. And he is a rock, and he is
a leader, and he is the greatest dad ever.
>> William Smittcamp: Well, my family consists of my lovely bride, Linda, that we will be
married 40 years on March 5th. Blake is our oldest, and his wife, Cherie, and our three
grandchildren from that family. And then Bradley, my middle son, who was just married this
past April to Courtney. So I have another daughter-in-law. And then Blair Elizabeth, my blueeyed daughter who now works for Fresno State Alumni Association.
>> Growing up with my dad was the best. He has taught me everything that I know, getting to
ride in the car and come to the plant. And I have vivid memories of being in this office and
getting to sit at his conference table and pretend that I'm working with him with my highlighters
and drawing peaches and what a forklift would look like and ->> William Smittcamp: You know, my mom and dad really believed in family. And it has all put
it on all of us, my brother and my two sisters, to really enjoy our families and understand that
there's a place for work and then there is a place for family.
>> Watching my dad as a grandfather is great. He's super playful. My kids have actually been the
reason that he's gotten back into playing around with his little model trains and getting back into
his hobbies outside of work.
>> He can fix anything. He can do anything. He's kind of -- We laugh and say he's kind of our
superman because anything that falls apart, dad can fix.
>> A special quality of Bill's is he never loses his sense of humor and he always makes sure that
a sense of humor is injected into difficult conversations and takes extra care to make sure when
people leave the room, after tough decisions, that they leave the room as friends and colleagues
and without hurt feelings on their sleeve. And it's a quality that I have always appreciated and, in
fact, try and emulate whenever I can in my day-to-day life or leadership accountabilities.
>> To read the nomination letters that were written about Bill to receive this award were just
incredible. He's an incredible man, and he's in a company of incredible men that have received
this award ahead of him. So I am just proud as can be that he is among them.
>> William Smittcamp: I knew Leon Peters, just sir, because dad served on many boards with
him, that our paths would cross. And again, my recollection of him, quiet, humble man that
could move a lot of things. And the past recipients, they were some of my biggest mentors and
really some of my biggest cheerleaders. You know, being the youngest, dad and I were really
close. And I'm hoping that I'm following in his footsteps as he wanted me to. And my children, I
believe, are doing the things that he would like them to do. It is truly an honor and a very
humbling experience to be a recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award.
[ Music ]
>> William Smittcamp: Wawona Frozen Foods is primarily a peach processor that processes
products for as an ingredient and for food service. We process over 75 million pounds of peaches
in our three facilities and sell them to customers such as Mrs. Smith's and Sara Lee for their pie,
yogurt manufacturers, ice cream, and then supply to the food service trade for white tablecloth
restaurants. We were a fresh packing operation through the '40s and the '50s. And then in 1963,
my brother and dad started Wawona Frozen Foods. We had a close family. Mom and dad, my
older brother, Bob, and my two sisters, Carole and Betsy. It was a great childhood living on the
ranch. But we were expected to work. My parents, I think, created a great work culture for us.
And I hope that I have done the same in my children.
>> One of the things that I love about my dad and his company is that he has worked in every
position that we have. He knows how every piece of machinery ticks and how everything works.
And so, that makes him so invaluable.
>> He juggles a lot. And he will say he doesn't. But he's involved with community activities.
He's involved with business activities. He's involved with our kids' lives. There isn't a lot he says
no to.
>> Bill Smittcamp has served four times now as chairman of the Board of Valley Children's
Hospital, which is an unprecedented number of terms to serve as chair and the only time it's
happened. His service to Valley Children's Hospital spans at least three decades and I believe is
entering the fourth now.
>> He is that guy that you know that you can call on, you know, to go to lunch, to talk about a
problem. He's the guy that you can call at 2:00 o'clock in the morning. And he is a rock, and he is
a leader, and he is the greatest dad ever.
>> William Smittcamp: Well, my family consists of my lovely bride, Linda, that we will be
married 40 years on March 5th. Blake is our oldest, and his wife, Cherie, and our three
grandchildren from that family. And then Bradley, my middle son, who was just married this
past April to Courtney. So I have another daughter-in-law. And then Blair Elizabeth, my blueeyed daughter who now works for Fresno State Alumni Association.
>> Growing up with my dad was the best. He has taught me everything that I know, getting to
ride in the car and come to the plant. And I have vivid memories of being in this office and
getting to sit at his conference table and pretend that I'm working with him with my highlighters
and drawing peaches and what a forklift would look like and ->> William Smittcamp: You know, my mom and dad really believed in family. And it has all put
it on all of us, my brother and my two sisters, to really enjoy our families and understand that
there's a place for work and then there is a place for family.
>> Watching my dad as a grandfather is great. He's super playful. My kids have actually been the
reason that he's gotten back into playing around with his little model trains and getting back into
his hobbies outside of work.
>> He can fix anything. He can do anything. He's kind of -- We laugh and say he's kind of our
superman because anything that falls apart, dad can fix.
>> A special quality of Bill's is he never loses his sense of humor and he always makes sure that
a sense of humor is injected into difficult conversations and takes extra care to make sure when
people leave the room, after tough decisions, that they leave the room as friends and colleagues
and without hurt feelings on their sleeve. And it's a quality that I have always appreciated and, in
fact, try and emulate whenever I can in my day-to-day life or leadership accountabilities.
>> To read the nomination letters that were written about Bill to receive this award were just
incredible. He's an incredible man, and he's in a company of incredible men that have received
this award ahead of him. So I am just proud as can be that he is among them.
>> William Smittcamp: I knew Leon Peters, just sir, because dad served on many boards with
him, that our paths would cross. And again, my recollection of him, quiet, humble man that
could move a lot of things. And the past recipients, they were some of my biggest mentors and
really some of my biggest cheerleaders. You know, being the youngest, dad and I were really
close. And I'm hoping that I'm following in his footsteps as he wanted me to. And my children, I
believe, are doing the things that he would like them to do. It is truly an honor and a very
humbling experience to be a recipient of the Leon S. Peters Award.
[ Music ]