Diko Chekian

Prestige SurfaceWorks

Diko Chekian was proudly born, raised and educated in Fresno. Following Edison High School, he graduated from CSU Fresno with a B.S. in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship and a Minor in Armenian Studies, where he worked as a photographer for the Collegian and was very active with the Armenian Studies Program as a webmaster, photographer for the quarterly newsletter, and President of the Armenian Students Organization on campus.

With the granite countertop industry growing, he joined Prestige SurfaceWorks to lead the family business. During the last five years as CEO, Diko grew sales and developed new processes to improve efficiencies and reduce manufacturing bottlenecks by implementing technology. In 2006, Prestige moved into a five acre state-of-the-art facility. The company has recently received acclaim from the Mayor’s office as a “Zero Waste” company and was a recipient of the 2009 California Family Business Award.

He continues his involvement with the Armenian Community through various projects and will be working with the City of Fresno’s new Downtown and Community Revitalization department this year to promote an Armenian Festival in Downtown Fresno.

Forty Under Forty, presented by Business Street, a monthly business publication serving Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Madera County since 2001. Information on 40 Under 40 may be found at www.40U40.com. Business Street Copyright 2008.