Joseph P. Parisi

Businessman/Philanthropist

San José State University

Joseph P. Parisi founded Therma Corporation with his wife, Nicki, in 1967. Therma is one of the largest design/build mechanical contracting firms in the Bay Area. Joseph Parisi's service and dedication to the Silicon Valley community through his business and charitable endeavors exemplify the ideals of the California State University.

Having studied mechanical engineering at San José State in the 1960s, he was curious about the mechanical contracting business. The core of the Parisis' entrepreneurship is a philosophy of "working smart" and a "can-do" attitude. In 2002, Joseph Parisi was inducted into the Junior League Business Hall of Fame and is a recipient of the David Packard Civic Entrepreneur Award. He serves on the San José State University Tower Foundation Board, the Valley Foundation, Joint Venture Silicon Valley, Pacific Valley Bank and the Valley Medical Center Foundation. He is a founder of the Santa Clara Valley Contractors Association. Joseph Parisi and his wife have held leadership roles in fundraising for many local organizations, including the United Way Silicon Valley, American Cancer Society, Valley Medical Center Foundation, House on the Hill, March of Dimes, Arthritis Foundation, National Kidney Foundation and the American Heart Association.

In recognition of his outstanding record of achievement, service and dedication to the Silicon Valley community, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and San José State University are proud to confer upon Joseph P. Parisi the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.