By Ruth SOWBY

At Burbank’s Castaway restaurant more than 200 guests celebrated the 35th year of the publication of Business Life magazine. This milestone was especially meaningful for publisher Gregory Krikorian who co-founded the publication with his late father John Krikorian, a first-generation Armenian American. John’s parents fled the 1915 Armenian Genocide and settled in Hartford, Connecticut. John and wife Elsie raised eight children. After serving as vice president of the Hartford Courant newspaper, John pulled up stakes and moved to California launching with son Gregory their own publishing company, Cal-Conn Enterprises, in 1990 – the beginning of Business Life. Since its founding, Business Life has published more than 300 issues.

On Wednesday, May 21, with former Burbank mayor Marsha Ramos as emcee, John Krikorian’s legacy was well celebrated when community business leaders were honored. Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian was one of those recognized with the Commitment to Excellence Award. Najarian is also president of the Hollywood Burbank Airport Authority. Najarian announced that the new terminal at the airport will open in October 2026.    

Ginger Cole, president of Soroptimist International of Americas, was one of those awarded with the Business Life Visionary Trailblazer Award. 

The Pillars of Dedication Award was given to Kathryn Barger, chair, LA County Board of Supervisors. The second honoree of the Pillars of Dedication Award was the late Larry Zarian, Glendale’s first mayor. He was in office for three terms.  

The program ended with a flourish as Zarian’s three sons were introduced at the podium. Vincent and twins Greg and Lawrence received the loudest applause of the afternoon.  

“Our father always reminded us that the ‘the city of Glendale is my fourth child,’” said Lawrence. “Thanks for loving our dad.”