​​​​Richard H. Sherratt

Civic Leader/Education Advocate

California State University, East Bay

Richard H. Sherratt has been an influential civic and business leader whose distinguished contributions have enriched California State University, East Bay, the California State University and the citizens of California.

As an exemplary civic leader and advocate for education, Mr. Sherratt has been active in support of the university's regional stewardship goal in providing access to high-quality public higher education for the citizens of the East Bay. An accomplished alumnus, Mr. Sherratt earned his bachelor of science in Recreation from California State University, East Bay (then Hayward) in 1970. He has actively served on the Cal State East Bay Educational Foundation Board of Directors since 2002. Currently, he is the board's president, and his leadership has had a profound influence on the strong start and early success of the university's first comprehensive campaign.

As a third generation resident of Alameda, he gives generously of his time and resources to many community and civic entities, serving on several nonprofit boards including the Fukuoka Institute of Technology, Cal State East Bay's international education partner. Recognized for his advocacy of education, he has worked tirelessly with community and educational associations locally and internationally supporting student access and success. Mr. Sherratt, with his wife Susan, has been and continues to be a benefactor of California State University, East Bay.

Mr. Sherratt has enjoyed a storied career as a highly successful entrepreneur and distinguished business leader. Through his astute operational and management acumen, he has founded more than a dozen companies and been instrumental in the development and growth of several prominent national and international companies. Today, he serves as president and CEO of four companies: Ballena Technologies; ERTEC Environmental Systems, LLC; Northern California Swap Meets; and Pacific Financial Corporation. In addition, he remains actively involved in youth baseball, serving as a volunteer coach for Alameda High School and Alameda's Babe Ruth League.

In recognition of his support of higher education, and his civic and professional accomplishments as a community and business leader, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, East Bay are proud to confer upon Richard H. Sherratt the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.