Douglas K. Guerrero

Honorary Degrees
 
 

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Chico​

Douglas K. Guerrero is a champion for academic-industry partnerships and public higher education, and an influential leader in the concrete industry, which supplies the most widely-used building material in the world. He has helped raise millions of dollars to support California State University, Chico and universities across the country. Mr. Guerrero is also a respected mentor, speaking in classes, reviewing student work and providing career advice and connections, regionally and nationally.

Mr. Guerrero was instrumental in establishing the Concrete Industry Management (CIM) degree program at CSU Chico—the only program of its kind in the western United States. He cofounded and chaired the Chico CIM Patrons, a philanthropic group that has donated more than $3.6 million to support student scholarships, faculty salaries, facilities improvements and more. He serves on the CIM National Steering Committee, which also supports the concrete industry programs at Middle Tennessee State University, the New Jersey Institute of Technology and Texas State University. As a member and former chair of the CSU Chico University Foundation Board of Governors, he has helped expand private funding for programs across the CSU Chico campus.

A seventh generation Californian, Mr. Guerrero traces his roots to Juan Bautista de Anza’s second expedition in 1775–76, when his sixth great-grandfather Juan Francisco Bernal and his seven children were among the 30 families who arrived in the Port of San Francisco. He is a former U.S. Navy Lieutenant and holds a Bachelor of Science in architectural engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo and an Executive Master of Business Administration from St. Mary’s College of California.

Before retiring to Chico in 2006, Mr. Guerrero held executive positions at some of the largest cement and concrete companies in the world, including CEMEX, RMC, Lone Star Industries Inc., and Kaiser Cement Corporation. He worked with multinational corporations and congressional leaders to craft regulations that continue to impact the import, sale, production and distribution of cement in the United States. He is respected among his peers for his influence on the modernization of the industry, including his corporate leadership, advancement of concrete industry education, and environmental advocacy.

In recognition of his distinguished career, his contributions to public higher education, and his role as an advocate for student success, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, Chico are proud to confer upon Douglas K. Guerrero the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.​​