Sil Garaventa, Jr.
CEO, Garaventa Enterprises
California State University, East Bay
Sil Garaventa, Jr. is an exemplary, engaged citizen who is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Contra Costa County and the City of Concord. A strong advocate of education at all levels, Mr. Garaventa serves on several advisory boards for local schools and universities, including at California State University, East Bay.
The CEO of Garaventa Enterprises, Mr. Garaventa has received numerous awards in recognition of his leadership and innovation in recycling and community refuse disposal. A member of a number of industry-related boards, including the California Refuse Recycling Council, he has provided strong leadership on management programs that foster best practices within the industry that ultimately benefit communities. He also is on the board of directors of the Napa Recycling & Waste Services.
He has given generously of his time to education, currently serving on the Concord Campus Advisory Board for California State University, East Bay. In addition, he is on the board of directors of the Silvio and Mary Garaventa Family Foundation. Mr. Garaventa is the founder and president of Concord Youth Sports Foundation, a venture between the City of Concord and the Concord campus of Cal State East Bay. He believes in the power of education and sports and how they help youth succeed and become future leaders in their communities. His philanthropic activities stress higher education and youth development, and he has been a major supporter of a community youth center and a number of sports fields.
He graduated from the University of Portland in 1971 and has been a major supporter of that institution as well as CSUEB. In his community and civic life, Mr. Garaventa served on the Contra Costa Council, focusing on workforce development and education, and is a member of the Concord Rotary, serving as its president in 1982-83.
In recognition of his strong advocacy of public service, commitment to K-12 and higher education, and his focus on youth programs that promote character development and life-enhancing values, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and California State University, East Bay are proud to confer on Sil Garaventa, Jr. the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters.