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Kenneth L. Fisher

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Ken Fisher is one of the world's leading financial advisers. Fisher Investments-the global money management firm he founded less than a decade after graduating from HSU-manages tens of billions of dollars for prominent global institutions and affluent individuals. His success has landed him on the Forbes 400 Richest Americans list. Ken Fisher regularly appears in the financial media and widely recognized as a financial guru. In 2011, he ranked in the top 5 most accurate market forecasters on CXO Advisory Group's Guru Grades* list. In 2010, he was named to Investment Advisor's 30 for 30** list-recognizing him as one of the most influential investment advisors in the previous 30 years. Beyond serving as Fisher Investments' CEO, Ken Fisher is a prolific author. His "Portfolio Strategy" column has run in Forbes magazine since 1984-making him thefourth longest-running columnist in the magazine's over 90 year history. He has written 8 finance books, including 5 national bestsellers: The Only Three Questions that Count (originally published in 2006 and re-released in 2012), Ten Roads to Riches (2008), How to Smell a Rat (2009), Debunkery (2010) and Markets Never Forget-But People Do (2011). Ken Fisher is also regarded as one of the world's foremost experts on 19th century logging and has documented more than 35 abandoned logging camps in the northern Santa Cruz Mountains. His passion for redwoods led him to endow the Kenneth L. Fisher Chair in Redwood Forest Ecology at HSU. It is the first named chair in Humboldt State's history and the first endowed chair in the world devoted to a single species of tree. (Read more about the Kenneth L. Fisher Endowed Chair.) Ken Fisher and his wife, Sherrilyn, have three adult sons. Leader of a major company, famous author and columnist, father, husband-Ken Fisher clearly has a lot on his plate. How does he manage to stay so productive? "I relaxed once and I never want to go through that again," Fisher says with a wry smile. "When I was young," he continues on a more serious note, "I got in my bones how compound interest works. Compound interest deployed right is magic, not just in finance, but in all of life. I compound my human capital at a slightly higher annual rate than most folks do because most don't try to-and I never, ever stop compounding." *www.cxoadvisory.com/gurus. As of 5/29/2012. Fisher Investments has no affiliation with CXO Advisory Group. Ken Fisher's market forecasts in Forbes represent his personal forecasts of the overall market and are not an indication of the performance of Fisher Investments. Not all forecasts may be as accurate as those in the past. Investing in securities involves the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. **Thirty for Thirty, Investment Advisor, 5/1/2010

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Wesley Chesbro

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Who would have predicted that Wesley Chesbro's stint in Humboldt State's student government would prove the beginning of a career in public service that would span over 37 years and include two terms in the California State Senate? Actually, if you knew Chesbro in those early days, you probably wouldn't have been surprised one bit. After all, he was elected to the Arcata City Council at the tender age of 22. Chesbro served on both the city council and the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. During that time he helped to found both the Arcata Community Recycling Center and the Northcoast Environmental Center, serving as the first Executive Director of both organizations. In 1990 Chesbro became a founding member of California's Integrated Waste Management Board, where he successfully helped guide California to a 50 percent reduction in waste going to landfills through recycling and waste reduction programs. As a state Senator Chesbro achieved the Chairmanship of the Senate Budget Committee, where he was a champion for higher education, K-12 education, environmental protection, local government and rural health care. Upon leaving the State Senate last year due to term limits, Chesbro was re-appointed to the Integrated Waste Management Board and is now working to push waste reduction beyond 50 percent and focusing on reducing the contribution waste management makes to global warming. What inspired Chesbro to devote so much of his life to serving the public? "I was raised in a family where I was taught that your actions speak louder than your words," the former senator explains. "My father was a minister and my mother was a school teacher and they spent their lives serving others. It was their example that led me to a life of public service." Wesley Chesbro and his wife Cindy have two sons, Alan and Collin. Chesbro is very proud that his son Alan is currently a junior at Humboldt State University, majoring in political science.

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Robert Thomas

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A man known for studying the history of rocks is also making a history of his own as man with a passion for change, public outreach, and of course, geology. Rob Thomas' childhood summer trips to National Parks first ignited his interest in geology, something that still burns strongly today. As a professor at University of Montana Western, his professional passions are still field geology and geological education. During his tenure at Montana Western, he helped the campus evolve from a traditional state 'normal school' into an experiential learning university, that uses an immersion scheduling system where students take one course at a time. Thomas teaches most of his courses where the class' lab is the natural lab of southwestern Montana. With another strong passion for public outreach, Thomas has helped run 10 "Geo Venture" field trips for the Geological Society of America, for which he was awarded the Society's Distinguished Service Award. The Geo Venture trips provide both scientists and the average person with enriching learning experiences of each unique destination, such as the Canadian Rockies and the Yellowstone, Teton and Glacier National Parks. In addition, he has also co-authored 25 geological road signs that have been placed along the Lewis and Clark trail in Montana, and is co-writing a layperson book entitled "Geology Underfoot in Montana." He has also organized numerous symposia and authored and co-authored numerous publications. With such a long and extensive resume of accomplishments, Thomas still thinks his most important contributions are his two daughters, Abbey and Haley, and his nearly 20-year marriage to Anneliese Ripley.

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Lyle Laverty

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Lyle Laverty is more than just an outdoorsman and registered professional forester; he is a man of professionalism, public service and leadership. Upon graduation from Humboldt State, Laverty began his 30-year career with the US Forest Service. During this time, Lyle served at the local, regional, national and even international levels, culminating in 2001 when he became the Associate Deputy Chief of the Forest Service at the USDA headquarters. While at the USFS, Laverty was involved in creating management plans to improve habitat and protect species listed under the Endangered Species Act. From California he moved to the Rocky State to become the Director of Colorado State Parks. Under his leadership, two new state parks were created, and two more are now in the planning stage. Attendance increased substantially at the Colorado State Parks when under Laverty's guidance, including expanded opportunities for economically disadvantaged youths from urban settings to experience the great outdoors. Laverty also travelled to Lebanon several times on USAID missions at the request of the USFS and the Ambassador to Lebanon to provide technical assistance to the Lebanese on natural resource issues. As a seasoned high performing public servant, in October 2007, Laverty was confirmed by the US Senate as the Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, a position giving him the responsibility for overseeing policy for the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service.

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Terry Grosz

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Whether as a professional in the field of wildlife law enforcement or as a prolific writer, Terry Grosz has distinguished himself with a kind of passion, dedication, integrity and professionalism that often exemplify Humboldt State alumni. The beginning of his 32-year career in wildlife law enforcement came in 1966 with the California Department of Fish and Game in Eureka. After several years and a transfer to Colusa, he was hired by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), moving into increasing responsibility for conservation and wildlife law enforcement in successively larger geographic regions, from jurisdiction over the central half of Northern California to finally Assistant Regional Director for Law Enforcement where he supervised FWS's wildlife law programs covering 750,000 square miles. When Grosz became the FWS Senior Special Agent, he wrote regulations, policy and procedures, responded to congressional inquiries, provided advice, guidance and expertise. But it wasn't just a desk job. He also traveled throughout Asia assisting foreign governments in curtailing the smuggling of wildlife and establishing cooperative international law enforcements programs. In all the various positions held by Terry, he supervised agents who protected wildlife from being smuggled or imported illegally into the US, protected eagles from being poisoned or trapped, and more. In 1998, Grosz retired from the FWS and began a second career as a prolific writer, and has since authored and published seven books, with several more on the way. Clearly, he's got a lot of material to work with. Many of his stories have hilarious moments and hair-raising adventures, some others are sad and tragic, they are all about the men and women who work as wildlife conservation officers trying to preserve our natural heritage for future generations. Visit Terry Grosz' website: www.terrygrosz.com

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Richard Cuneo

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Giving a century-old company a facelift was more than just a risky move, it was a brilliant one by Richard Cuneo. A man widely recognized for his career in the wine industry, Cuneo is currently Chairman of the Board of Sebastiani Vineyards and Winery, and credited with helping rebuild the Sebastiani image. In 2001, with Cuneo's diligent hard work and planning behind them, Sebastiani sold off its lower-priced, good value brands to focus solely on its premium wines. The upscale move gave Sebastiani just the desired boost in the market, thus establishing the name Sebastiani to be synonymous with Sonoma's finest wines. While he may be most known for a successful and vibrant career in the wine industry, Cuneo is also strongly committed to community. Cuneo has served on the Board of Directors for several organizations including the Sonoma School Board, Hanna Boys Center, the Sonoma County Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board and the Governing Board of the California State Fair, for which he received the lifetime achievement award. Also a member of the Ducks Unlimited California Legislative Committee, Cuneo was appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture to serve as a member of the U.S. Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee in Washington, D.C., representing the wine industry. With such a large impact locally, statewide and nationally, Cuneo has also made many positive contributions to Italian culture. In honor of these accomplishments, he has been recognized by the Italian Government as a Cavaliere (Knight) Officiale, The Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta recognized him with, among other awards, the Croce di Grand 'Ufficiale Dell' Ordine (Cross of the Grand Official) one of the Order's highest honors, and in 2002, Prince Emmanuel of Savoy recognized Cuneo for his many contributions to Italy's history and culture.

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Richard E. Winnie

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Richard Winnie has always had a strong sense of civic responsibility, from his college days in the political clubs of HSU all the way to advising newly-formed states in Central and Eastern Europe. In his distinguished career as an attorney, he has been solving complex regulatory problems as private and public counsel to all levels of government for over 30 years. Recently the County Counsel to Alameda County, Winnie has also served as staff attorney to the California cities of Berkeley, Oakland, and Santa Rosa. Although his position sometimes inserted him in the middle of polarizing political debates, he consistently maintained his integrity and principles while making decisions that benefit the greater good. In the international realm, he played a pivotal role as legal advisor on the establishment of new economic and governmental institutions in Central and Eastern Europe. He has advised such states such as Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, and Kazakhstan, among others. Winnie volunteered for over 20 years with numerous organizations on projects ranging from governance models to waterfront studies. His interest in civic service dates back to his time at HSU, where he served on the Associated Students Council, volunteered with the campus Young Democrats, and gave the valedictory address to his graduating class.

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John Diaz

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Throughout his journalism career, John Diaz's work has been recognized for its excellence. Dating back to his time as a journalism student at Humboldt State, one former professor recalls, "You couldn't miss John in the classroom, given his effective in-class participation, excellent performance on assignments and sense of humor. My colleagues and I all expected greatness from him in his journalism career and he has met those expectations." Diaz has been editor of the San Francisco Chronicle's editorial page since 1996 and has won numerous awards for editorial writing throughout his 30-year journalism career. His topics have been as diverse as the dysfunction of California Legislature, financial privacy, and untreated mental illness. Because of his reputation as an insightful communicator, he is frequently asked to offer commentary on national television news programs including NewsHour with Jim Lehrer. He has also served as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize in both 2001 and 2002. Diaz continues to give back to his profession by mentoring journalism students and young reporters in the San Francisco area. He regularly volunteers his time with young members of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists and served as guest Editor-in-Residence at HSU, where he critiqued the student newspaper and shared his years of experience with numerous journalism classes.

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Francisco Chavez

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Francisco Chavez has had an illustrious career in biological oceanography. He is a Senior Scientist at Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI), where he has been on staff for 20 years. Born and raised in Talara, Peru, Chavez graduated from HSU in 1977. At MBARI, he pioneered new types of research and played a pivotal role in that institution's success almost since its founding. He sits on numerous ocean and marine observation boards, contributing to our knowledge of and protection of coastal resources. Because HSU is also represented in many of these organizations, Chavez has directly and indirectly contributed to HSU developing effective regional collaborations. In 2005, Chavez was elected a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for his research on the impact of climate variability on oceanic ecosystems and global carbon cycling. Such Fellows are elected for "significant contributions in areas such as research, teaching, technology, services to professional societies, and the communication of science to the public."

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Robert Powers

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Robert Powers passed though Humboldt State's Forestry program in an era when sustainable management and carbon sequestration were faint concepts. Today, the 1966 graduate is a renowned Forest Service scientist who, even in retirement, stays active in cutting-edge research. Forests, he says, offer obvious environmental positives, from habitat to watersheds and, not inconsiderable, beauty. But he says the forests' most basic contribution is not apparent, but is basic to the well-being of the environment - locking up carbon. "The fundamental thing that forests do is capture carbon from the atmosphere in creating vegetation," Powers says. The central question now, he says, is how modern management is affecting the land's ability to do this. Forest soils are earth's largest terrestrial sink for atmospheric carbon. Soil, Powers says, is like an organism, with juvenile and mature stages, but with one major difference. "It takes millennia for the soil to develop," Powers says. "But poor management can degrade it in the blink of an eye." In seeking to understand soil's survivability, Powers conceived the North American Long-Term Soil Productivity Research Program. At more than 70 sites across North America, data is collected to improve our understanding of how soil changes affect plant growth and to develop means for measuring this. "Until now, it's largely been speculative and anecdotal," he says. Powers' research could yield key clues to crafting climate catastrophe countermeasures. He credits his HSU experience with cultivating his curiosity. He initially considered U.C. Berkeley (where he eventually earned his Ph.D.), but decided on HSU for a more intimate undergraduate experience, and it paid off. "I enjoyed the hands-on experience with young, enthusiastic professors," he says. "You don't always get that at a larger university. They got students to look at the forest as more than a collection of trees."