The Lake family, owners of California Family Business of the Year recipient Rain for Rent, gathers at Lake Park at the Rain for Rent corporate office in Bakersfield, Calif. Photo by Greg Iger.

The Institute for Family Business last week honored Bakersfield, Calif.-based Rain for Rent at the annual Family Business Award ceremony held in Fresno, Calif. The IFB, a consortium of community members including the Craig School of Business, California State University Fresno, and the Chamber of Commerce, honored the Lake family and Rain for Rent with the California Family Business of the Year Award.

The objective of the IFB award committee has been “tohonor and recognize the many achievements of family businesses in our valley.” Of the top 10 established, family-owned valley businesses nominated, the committee distinguished Rain for Rent as the top contender.

Rain for Rent, provider of liquid-handling solutions, was founded in 1934 by Charles Lake. Today, the second, third and fourth generations actively manage the business.

“The receipt of this award would not have been possible without our customers, employees, and vendors,” said Cynthia Lake, vice president of marketing. “As a family we strive for excellence, to be a good employer, and to be active, supportive members of the communities in which we live and work.”