Three Cal State East Bay alumni recognized for CSU's 'Working for California' campaign
Left to right: CSUEB President Leroy M. Morishita and Cal State East Bay Education Foundation President Evelyn Dilsaver congratulated CSUEB alumni Tessie Guillermo and David Rinetti, chosen by the CSU for its "Working for California" campaign. Taking part in the congratulatory celebration were CSUEB Alumni Board President Judy Silva and Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees Bob Linscheid. (Photo: Jesse Cantley)
- February 17, 2014
Three well known Bay Area leaders who are alumni of Cal State East Bay have been selected by the California State University system for its alumni “Working for California” Web site that was launched Feb. 10.
ZeroDivide Foundation President and CEO Tessie Guillermo ‘80, Oakland Athletics Vice President David Rinetti ’86, and Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan ’90 were honored as part of their selection at a luncheon on the Hayward Campus.
Chair of the CSU Board of Trustees Bob Linscheid and Cal State East Bay President Leroy M. Morishita spoke of the major workforce contributions and leadership efforts made by Guillermo, Morgan and Rinetti.
“We are proud of the significant and lasting impacts Tessie, David and Joe have made in their professional and personal lives,” said Morishita. “They are wonderful examples of where a Cal State East Bay education can take you. We are proud to count them among our alumni.”
Guillermo has led San Francisco-based ZeroDivide’s investment in technology-based solutions for community enterprises, improving economic conditions and increasing civic engagement with disadvantaged communities. Before joining ZeroDivide in 2002, she spent 15 years as CEO of the Asian and Pacific Islander American Health Forum, a national health policy/advocacy organization located in San Francisco. She is co-founder of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network and the National Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans. Guillermo has been a member of the California Endowment’s Board of Directors since 2003 and was appointed by former President Bill Clinton in 2000 to serve as an inaugural member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
"I originally attended Cal," she said. "But I transferred to [East Bay] because I believed I would get a better education -- and I did."
Rinetti, who has spent more than three decades with the Athletics in various capacities, oversees event management, and coordinates all game day employees, security, ticket takers, parking, grounds crew, and has assisted in all construction related to issues at Oakland Coliseum. He is the baseball team’s liaison with local law enforcement agencies and Major League Baseball’s Security Department.
"I chose Cal State [East Bay] because it allowed me to go to school and get a good education, while also working for the A's,” Rinetti said. “I can honestly say I wouldn't be where I am today without that opportunity."
He began working for the Athletics in 1981, serving as stadium operations assistant and organizing in-stadium promotions and giveaways. Rinetti has worked with Major League Baseball security at the 1995, 1998 and 2007 World Series in addition to the 1998, 2002 and 2007 All-Star Games.
Morgan has been a longtime businessman in his native East Bay since retiring as a major league baseball player for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Oakland Athletics during a 20-year career. A member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, the two-time National League “Most Valuable Player” – who led the Reds to two World Series championships – was presented with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during CSUEB’s 2008 commencement ceremony. A former ESPN announcer and commentator, Morgan established a scholarship fund for CSUEB’s Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education in 1984, and has given more than $150,000 towards it. The native of Oakland also has contributed to the Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation.