Press Release: Redwood City – San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce honors Tom Mohr with the Chamber’s 2016 Cornerstone Award.
The Executive Committee for the Redwood City – San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors has named Tom Mohr, Trustee for the San Mateo County Community College District and longtime Chamber Board member, as the first recipient of the 2016 Cornerstone Award. Mohr will be celebrated and honored at The Chamber’s 119th Annual Awards Dinner to be held on Thursday evening, January 26th at Pullman SF Bay Hotel.
Mohr is current Board Vice President-Clerk of the San Mateo County Community College District. He was elected to the Board in November 2013. He began a fifty-year career in education as a high school teacher in St. Louis, Missouri and the Bay Area. Mohr served as principal of three different high schools in the North County. He held the position of Assistant Superintendent of Instruction in the San Mateo Union High School District from 1986 through 1996 and Superintendent from 1996 through 2004. Shortly after retirement from the high school district, he became the President of Cañada College and served in that role for six years before retirement. Mohr’s leadership at Cañada led to the college becoming a state leader in rates of transfer to universities. He partnered with faculty and staff in creating a new vision and strategic plan to create the curriculum and programs necessary to connect with a global economy. He worked very closely with the Sequoia Union High District to integrate programs and classes between the college and local high schools, bolstering career tech programs, and strengthened the transfer program. Mohr has been an actively involved Chamber Board member for over 8 years. He is the Current Chair of the Chamber’s Education Committee. As a proud member of the Chamber of Commerce, he strives to create and foster connections within the business community to increase jobs in the local labor market. Educated in both science and humanities. Mohr holds a BS from St. Louis University and an MA from the University of San Francisco. He resides in San Mateo with his wife Sandy.
“For years, Tom has been front and center in finding ways to join forces between business and education. He has a passionate belief in educating our youth and providing opportunities for them to succeed and therefore contribute to the overall economy of our county.”
-Steve Elliott, Chairman of the Board, Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce
Managing Director of Real Estate Development, Stanford University
“I firmly believe there is no person more deserving to be honored with the Cornerstone Award than Tom Mohr. He has devoted his entire career to educating the students of San Mateo County as a teacher, principal, high school superintendent, college president, and current member of the Board of Trustees of the San Mateo County Community College District. Tom cares deeply for his community and believes that all individuals should have equal access to quality public education. He has impacted the lives of countless families in our community while continuing, to this present day, to be an active voice and unwavering advocate for those who want to pursue opportunity and personal advancement through teaching and learning. Unquestionably, our community is a far better place to live and learn because of Tom Mohr and his innumerable contributions and, while this award is another milestone achievement for him, we simply can’t give Tom enough awards, accolades or gratitude to offset his selfless service to the residents of San Mateo County.”
-Ron Galatolo, Vice-Chair of Community Development, Redwood City-San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce
Chancellor, San Mateo County Community College District
The Cornerstone Award was created to honor individuals and/or organizations for their ability in making a meaningful and lasting impact in their communities, devoting time, talent and resources to community development and philanthropic initiatives. They can be economic drivers — providing jobs and fueling growth; they are always exemplary stewards. Honorees include individuals or companies of all sizes and industry segments that have made a commitment to strengthening the foundation of the communities they call home.
The Redwood City – San Mateo County Chamber of Commerce’s Cornerstone Awards program honors an individual, non-profit, or business selected by the Chamber’s Executive Committee.
