Las Positas College is losing one of its key advocates next June when foundation CEO Ted Kaye re-retires after 10 years at the helm.
Ted, who retired from the Disney Company after a 25-year career to move north to the Bay Area and into the non-profit sector, took the helm of the fledgling Las Positas Foundation in 2003. This week, he told his board and college President Barry Russell that he would leave in June. He left Disney in his 50s and is ready to focus on grandkids as well as travel and enjoy a more relaxed life.
When Ted took over, the foundation had raised just $36,000 in a year. Over his tenure, he has raised that to a consistent $400k with highs of more than $900k and $1,099,000 this year thanks to a $500,000 gift to the child-care program.
His engaging personality as well as a business background focused on results have positioned the foundation very well to move ahead. One particular emphasis for both the college the foundation has been the Veteran's First program that supports vets in a variety of ways as they seek additional education.
Ted leaves Las Positas with a foundation endowment of about $700k—a significant number for a community college that typically is a tough sell. Most successful donors remember where they finished instead of where they started. Ted has successfully built bridges into the community to help families and employers recognize the key asset that a quality undergraduate institution can be in the human and economic success of the valley.
Just what upsets Pleasanton neighborhoods continues to fascinate me.
One of the latest examples was the neighbors living near the gas station at the corner of Santa Rita Road and West Las Positas Boulevard that has operated for 25 years.
They opposed station owner, Michael Roesbery's plans to enhance his business by adding a self-service car wash and a 7-11 convenience store on the site. The new Union 76 station at the corner of First and Ray streets did the same thing except did not have room for the car wash.
Among the objectors was former Mayor Brandes who threatened a referendum. Ironically, after his council term, Brandes was instrumental in locating two other gas stations in town. Among the objections was that they 7-11 will be too close to Fairlands School.
Seems like there was lots of grasping at straws.
Both the city staff and the Planning Commission recommended the proposal, which won the votes of four members of the council. Only Councilwoman Karla Brown was opposed, saying among other things that the city did not need another 7-11. That may be her opinion, but should not have entered into what was a decision about a permitted land use within existing zoning. Her view about being too close to Fairlands was better rationale, although a bit of a stretch in my view.
