Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1349956
After years spent in the almond growing and hulling/shelling business, the Paiva and Koehnen families formed a partnership and launched Riverwest Processing in 2004. "Jim and I decided to start Riverwest partially in order to vertically integrate – it's one more way to touch the product and ensure the highest quality – but also to offer another option to friends and neighbors for further processing," said Koehnen. "It's always good to take your product to more than one processor, so we were more than happy to take some of our almonds to Riverwest. I had a very close relationship with Jim and Mike – I knew and trusted them to do the right thing," said Heringer. Beyond his direct involvement in the industry, Paiva helped start multiple local businesses. In 2002, Paiva established Chico Farm and Orchard, an agricultural equipment store, in partnership with current company president Tom Dixon and Ed McLaughlin of EMAC Farms. Paiva also helped finance the North Valley Ag Services chemical and fertilizer company and, according to McLaughlin, was "a driving force in the building and success of the Northern California National Bank." "Jim was a Founding Board Member, shareholder, customer and great ambassador for Northern California National Bank," said current bank President and CEO Todd Lewis. "Jim has spent countless hours serving the almond farmers, small business owners and individuals in Northern California as a business advisor and advocate." Beyond his many roles in agri-business, Paiva invested countless hours and resources supporting his local community. Among the organizations and efforts he supported were the Junior Livestock Auction, Chico High School FFA and scholarships for students seeking a higher agricultural education, 4-H, the Chico High School Farm and Learning Lab, Nord Country School, the Salvation Army Recovery Center and Catholic schools in northern California. "We all have our favorite events," said Jeff Shimizu of Shimizu Brothers, Inc. "For Jim, two of his favorite fundraisers were the annual Nord Country Charter School pie auction and the hugely successful cioppino community fundraiser." Paiva also hosted attendees of the Agri-Business Bus Tour, who visited Paiva Hulling and Shelling and Riverwest Processing as part of Chico's Farm City Celebration, which aims to increase understanding of agriculture within the urban community. The heart of the man Beyond his plethora of career and community contributions, Paiva may be best remembered for the dignity and respect he showed all people, particularly his employees. "17 years ago, when I interviewed for the general manager position at Riverwest, there were not many women in that type of role in the industry. But Jim took a chance on me. He really supported me, and I'll never forget that," said Barbara Smith, former general manager and sales and marketing director at Riverwest Processing. Smith fondly remembers Paiva calling out "Hi kids!" each time he stepped foot in the office, as if he was greeting his extended family. "Perhaps what I admired most about Jim was his kind heart. He knew all of his employees by name, he greeted them warmly, hugged them, joked with them and shared with them his sincere compliments and praise," said Ago Dermenjian of Derco Foods. "Jim would tell me during every visit (to Riverwest), 'I have reached this level of success because of the people who work with me.'" "Jim's success is that he cares about people. His employees have the greatest respect for him and he for them. He has helped many of them buy homes, put their children through college and in many cases helped them buy their own orchards," said McLaughlin. Toward the end of his life, Paiva told Darwin Smith he'd like to own a cattle ranch in Montana someday, and soon a running joke developed: Paiva would manage the ranch in the summer and Smith in the winter; a good deal for Paiva. Before Paiva passed, Smith went to visit him. Kneeling by his bedside, Smith told Paiva, "I'll see you in Montana. Go buy the ranch, Jim." Perhaps Paiva is already there, thrilled to daily learn about a whole new industry and still working seven days a week. Paiva is survived by his wife Geraldine and sons Jim and Dan. The Almond Board is proud to recognize Paiva's years of service and dedication to the California almond industry, including three years on ABC's Production Research Committee, and sends its sincerest condolences to the Paiva family. A special thank you to all those who contributed to this article. In 2020, Chico Electric honored Paiva with the Nielsen Memorial Founder's Sustainability Award. Almond Board of California 4