Richard L. Prada

Business

Thirty-eight years ago, Richard L. "Dick" Prada moved to Manteca with his wife, Velma. A native of San Francisco, Dick had graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, and had worked with property developers in Albany, Walnut Creek, and Sacramento.

While continuing to work with Realtors on property development and sales in the Manteca area, Dick finally opened his own real estate company on North Main Street. That firm set about building homes, apartments, and business structures in the community, among them the former Brawley's Restaurant and the Manteca Inn.

Mr. Prada has always believed in businessmen giving back to the communities in which they work. He has served as a mentor for others getting started in business, sharing his experience gained while creating mortgage, real estate, and travel businesses.

Dick has demonstrated his commitment to community service as a 32-year member of the Kiwanis Club, rising to the office of Governor of the California-Nevada-Hawaii District of Kiwanis International.

In the 1980's, Dick and others organized the Manteca CAPS, a program for developmentally challenged adults. He has served on the CAPS board for the past 19 years.

Through his business and community work, Dick Prada has added immensely to the health and wealth of Manteca.