Ron Cedillos

With a talent for connecting private entities with elected officials, business executive and philanthropist Ron Cedillos has spearheaded numerous projects on behalf of California's citizens. His most highly regarded projects include the creation of the Californians for Aerospace Leadership program, which gathered top executives from nearly every aerospace and defense company in the state to protect the industry's future. Under Ron Cedillos' leadership, the coalition interceded with private contractors and elected state officials to secure financial backing for industry projects and companies, thus protecting countless jobs and safeguarding the state's economy. For this and for a number of other initiatives promoting California's economic success, Ron Cedillos has received state and national recognition, including an offer from President H. W. Bush to serve as Secretary of Commerce.

Ron Cedillos has received appointment to the Council on California Competitiveness and as a California representative to the Border Governors Conference. Past roles include Director of the California Governors Foundation and, for more than nine years, Trustee of the California State University (CSU) system. For his service in this role, Ron Cedillos was granted the title of Trustee Emeritus and awarded an honorary degree from CSU. Additionally, he has served on the Board of Governors for California State University Long Beach.

Also recognized by the private sector for his development and planning expertise, Ron Cedillos has served as president and chief executive officer for a number of companies at the start-up, turnaround, and mature phases of growth. Furthermore, he has served in a consultancy and executive role for companies participating in acquisition and divestiture activity and as interim chief executive officer for firms seeking positive turnaround. He currently fulfills the role of Managing Partner of an investment firm specializing in the acquisition of medium-sized companies, and he donates a significant portion of his personal time to the leadership of several California charities.