Contact Information
Part of the Stanislaus State Warrior Entrepreneur & Innovation Program. In Partnership with the Porges Family Foundation.
Honoring the entrepreneurial and community spirit of innovative leaders from the Central Valley.
About the Speakers
Clive Grimbleby
Certified Public Accountant
Grimbleby Coleman
Retired Principal and Founder, Grimbleby Coleman Advisors & Accountants
Clive Grimbleby, CPA, is a visionary leader and one of the founders of Grimbleby Coleman Advisors & Accountants. After starting his career and honing his accounting skills at a large international firm in Sacramento, Clive took over his father Roy Grimbleby’s practice in 1981. Over the years, Clive and his partners transformed Grimbleby Coleman into one of the largest and most respected accounting and advisory firms in Stanislaus County. The firm’s tagline, “It’s the people behind the numbers,” reflects the core of this transformation. In 2021, he completed a successful business succession by transitioning leadership to his son, Ian Grimbleby, CPA.
Respected for his calm, forward-thinking leadership, Clive has become known for simplifying complex business challenges. He specializes in structuring family-owned enterprises and has helped countless small and large companies navigate their operational challenges and identify and capitalize on economic opportunities.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Clive is deeply committed to promoting the accounting industry, education, and economic development in California’s Central Valley. He is currently serving on the board of the Stanislaus Community Foundation and as chair of Stanislaus Equity Partners. Over the years, Clive has been an active board member of Community Hospice, Opportunity Stanislaus, Del Rio Country Club, Memorial Hospital Foundation, San Joaquin Chapter of the CPA Society and the Evangelical Covenant Church in Escalon and the Western Region. He has also taught finance and business management in the Ernest & Julio Gallo Master of Management program at UC Merced.
Clive and Jean have been married for 48 years (they are Sonora High School sweethearts). They are blessed with three married children and nine grandchildren. An extra blessing is that all their children and grandchildren live in the Modesto area.
Clive holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from California State University, Sacramento, a MBA from Golden Gate University and he is a Certified Public Accountant.
Terence Pitre, Dean
College of Business Administration
Stanislaus State
Dr. Terence Pitre, an established leader in accounting and finance, became the new dean of the College of Business Administration in August 2022.
Dr. Pitre joined Stanislaus State from Bowling Green State University where he served as department chair of Accounting and Information Systems. Additionally, he was appointed as the Richard W. and Patricia A. Maurer Family Distinguished Endowed Professor. Dr. Pitre holds a doctorate in accounting from Michigan State University in addition to degrees from Tulane University and the University of Louisiana-Lafayette.
Dr. Pitre — who brings expertise in college and departmental Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation — believes an accessible, affordable, professional business education empowers people of all ages and backgrounds to transform their lives and realize their personal and professional potential.
Network, Learn & Be Inspired
Whether you’re a business major preparing for your post-college career or a community member interested in starting your own business here are the top reasons to attend this year’s event:
- A chance to meet and ask questions of some of the Central Valley’s most influential and successful business leaders.
- Opportunities to build and expand your professional and personal networks.
- Hear compelling stories and anecdotes of how business leaders overcame challenges and difficulties.
- Meet like-minded individuals who are passionate, driven and know how to turn their dreams into reality.
- The event is free, and all are welcome to participate.
Persons with disabilities who need accommodations or have questions about access may contact Monica Doll at mdoll@csustan.edu or (209) 667-3836.
In Partnership with the Porges Family Foundation, please join California State University, Stanislaus and the College of Business Administration for Champions of the American Dream.
The Champions of the American Dream event recognizes individuals in the Central Valley who have distinguished themselves by their professional success and have made exceptional contributions to communities in the Central Valley.
In addition to honoring participants’ entrepreneurial and community spirit, the Champions of the American Dream event offers Stanislaus State students and community members an opportunity to interact with regional business leaders who serve as dynamic role models while giving back.
The Champions of the American Dream award has recognized individuals in the Central Valley who not only have distinguished themselves as entrepreneurs but also have made exceptional contributions to the community. They have served as role models for future generations of business leaders, as was intended by Norm Porges when he partnered with the Stanislaus State College of Business Administration to establish the distinctive awards program in 1997.
In addition to honoring the entrepreneurial and community spirit of innovative leaders, the Champions of the American Dream event provides an opportunity for honorees to interact with Stan State students. By sharing their insight and expertise, along with stories of tenacity and hard work, these business leaders nurture the entrepreneurial spirit of our students. They also exemplify Norm’s belief that business people should be involved in giving back to the community. Champions of the American Dream Honorees are honored at an annual recognition event and invited to give remarks on the California State University, Stanislaus campus in Turlock, CA.
Past Honorees
1998 Robert Piccinini
1999 Dan Costa
1999 Donald Mayol
2000 Chester Smith
2000 Ernie Gemperle
2001 Carol Whiteside
2001 Robert Cardoza
2002 David Halvorson ('82)
2002 Bill Ahlem
2003 James Beard
2003 Carl Boyett
2004 Jane Evans Vilas & John Evans
2004 Ralph Juarez
2005 Patty Amador
2006 Mike Zagaris
2007 Tony Mistlin
2007 Tony Mistlin
2018 Norm Porges
2019 José Rodriguez
2019 Jeffrey Grover
2022 Marian Kaanon
2023 Joe Duran
2024 Ann Endsley
Updated: April 18, 2025