Nick Tompkins. Courtesy photo.
SANTA BARBARA — Peoples’ Self-Help Housing is excited to welcome Nick Tompkins as a new member to the Board of Directors. Nick is a sixth generation Central Coast native, a Fresno State University graduate, and brings more than 38 years of entrepreneurial experience to the organization.
“We are very excited to welcome an individual of Nick’s caliber on our Board. His many years of development experience, involvement in the community and charity work are great assets to the diverse leadership mix of our Board of Directors”, says John Fowler, President and CEO of PSHH. “Nick is an incredibly passionate human being, his vast business and nonprofit sector expertise will aid us in charting our course for the future and strategic planning efforts”.
Tompkins founded Apio, Inc. in 1979, which started as a local seedling supplier in Santa Maria Valley. As the President and Chief Executive Officer, Tompkins grew Apio Inc. into the largest manufacturer and marketer of pre-cut value added vegetables to the club, retail, and food service sectors in the U.S as well as being an international exporter of fruits and vegetables.
In 2008, Tompkins changed roles from CEO to Chairman and was named Santa Barbara County’s Agribusiness person of the year. In 2012, he was further recognized and received a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Legislature upon being presented the Excellence in Agriculture Legacy Award.
In 1986, Tompkins acquired and developed his first commercial property on the Central Coast. Now, Tompkins is the owner of NKT Commercial and has approximately 30 properties in his portfolio. Some of these undertakings include developing Kohl’s Shopping Center in Santa Maria, the Granada Tower in Santa Barbara, and the Tank Farm Office Park in San Luis Obispo.
His experience in both commercial and retail property development is superseded only by his support for a number of local nonprofits including Jack’s Helping Hand, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Nick has also been on the Board of Regents and contributed to Mission College Preparatory High School.
About PSHH: Founded in 1970, PSHH is an award winning non-profit organization that develops affordable housing and community facilities for low-income households and homeownership opportunities for working families and special needs populations, such as seniors, veterans, the disabled, and the formerly homeless. With nearly 1,200 self-help homes completed and nearly 1,800 rental units developed, PSHH is the largest affordable housing developer on the Central Coast, with offices in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara. For more information on Peoples’ Self-Help Housing, visit www.pshhc.org, email communications@pshhc.org or phone (805) 781-3088.