SHELLY LEACHMAN, NEWS-PRESS STAFF WRITER, July 17, 2006, 12:00 AM — Assemblyman Pedro Nava mixed and mingled at a Yardi Systems, Inc., summer barbecue on Saturday, where he presented the company with the 35th Assembly District Business of the Year award. Company founder Anant Yardi accepted a framed proclamation from Mr. Nava, which characterized Yardi Systems as “an exemplary small business” that “empowers, encourages and challenges its employees to work to their highest potential.”
The Goleta-based software provider, with nearly 700 employees worldwide, was also lauded for its volunteer and philanthropic efforts “to advance humanitarian causes,” Mr. Nava said. Such efforts have included work with Direct Relief International, the locally based medical aid organization that nominated Yardi for the award. “The beliefs and values that Yardi instills in its employees is partly what makes it so successful,” said Mr. Nava. “(The company) represents excellence in business operations and a true commitment to grow the community where they live.”
Founded in 1982, Yardi Systems occupied three offices near Milpas Street for years before moving to its current Fairview Avenue location. It now has offices in several cities in the U.S. and around the world, including London, Amsterdam and Hong Kong. Mr. Yardi said he would never have predicted 24 years ago the extent of his success today, and said he was surprised to receive the Business of the Year award. “I wasn’t aware that we were even being considered, but of course I’m quite honored and happy to accept on behalf of all the employees,” he said.
Mr. Nava originally invited Mr. Yardi to Sacramento for a formal presentation, but the humble, soft-spoken business owner said he’d prefer it at the staff’s company picnic. “When I got the call requesting that I go to Sacramento to accept, I was fearful I might have to shake hands with our governor, and that I might leave without a hand,” joked Mr. Yardi.
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