Chabot-Las Positas Community College District (CLPCCD) Chancellor Ronald P. Gerhard was recognized on February 22, 2024 with the Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award, a prestigious statewide recognition. It was presented to him by the Association of California Community College Administrators (ACCCA) at their 48th annual conference. 

First presented in 1986, The Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award was named after Harry Buttimer, a founding member of the ACCCA. The award acknowledges presidents, superintendent-presidents, or chancellors who have made outstanding contributions to institutions within the California Community College system. The Distinguished Administrator Award celebrates leaders who exemplify the key characteristics Buttimer embodied - integrity, compassion, and strength in leadership, among other attributes.  

"I am deeply humbled and profoundly honored to accept the Harry Buttimer Distinguished Administrator Award," stated Chancellor Gerhard. "My career in higher education has been fueled by a desire to create the educational system that best serves our students and honors their sacrifice and perseverance. This award is an opportunity to reflect on the guidance and wisdom of mentors that steered me to this calling and to renew my commitment to the students we serve." 

Chancellor Gerhard is the third CLPCCD chancellor to receive this award. Previous CLPCCD recipients of this award include Dr. Susan Cota, who received it in 2006, and Dr. Ronald Kong, who received the Buttimer Award in 1999. 

Chancellor Gerhard’s service in the top leadership position at the district began in January of 2019 when he was named interim chancellor. In 2020, he assumed the permanent chancellor role after a nationwide search. Prior to joining CLPCCD, Gerhard undertook a number of roles within the district including vice chancellor of business services and vice president of administrative services at Chabot College. Previously, he served as vice chancellor for finance and administration at City College of San Francisco and held various positions for ten years at San Bernardino Community College District. Chancellor Gerhard holds an MBA in finance and accounting from the University of California, Riverside and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Redlands. 

"Ron operates through a lens of prioritizing student success and DEIAA, while understanding the importance and contributions of our workforce,” said Wyman Fong, Vice Chancellor of Human Resources at the Chabot-Las Positas Community College District. “This drives his integrity and compassion, and often the resilience needed, when there are competing interests." Vice Chancellor Fong was one of many administrators that brought forward Chancellor Gerhard’s nomination for the award.  
 

Chancellor Gerhard holding the Distinguished Administrator Award 

 

About Chabot-Las Positas Community College District 

CLPCCD serves the San Francisco East Bay Area, particularly southern Alameda County, through its two colleges: Chabot College in Hayward and Las Positas College in Livermore. CLPCCD is governed by a seven-member board of trustees, which is responsible for all policy decisions. Board members are elected from trustee areas by the registered voters of nine communities: Castro Valley, Dublin, Hayward, Livermore, Pleasanton, San Leandro, San Lorenzo, Sunol, and Union City.