Tom Richards, Chair

Mr. Thomas Richards is Chair and CEO of The Penstar Group, a Fresno-based real estate investment, development and construction company. His projects have extended from Santa Barbara to the Central Valley, from Sacramento to Bakersfield and in the Inland Empire from Corona to Victorville.

Mr. Richards works with local government leaders to address homelessness issues in both the City and County of Fresno. He chaired the Planning Council that prepared the 10 Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, sits on the Leadership Council for the same and chairs the Fresno Mayor’s Fresno First Steps Home Initiative.

He was a leader in an initiative to fund, develop and construct a hospitality home in support of families of patients at Community Regional Medical Center’s Level 1 Trauma and Burn Center. The first phase of Terry’s House, which includes 20 suites, completed in 2010 and is named for his brother Terry Richards.

Mr. Richards is a past member or director of the Business Advisory Council for Valley Public Television, the 21st District Agricultural Association and Fresno Unified School District’s Measure K Oversight Committee. He currently is a board member of Fresno’s Property Based Improvement District, Vice Chair of Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation and Chair of both the Fresno Regional Workforce Investment Board and Premier Valley Bank.

Mr. Richards is a licensed real estate broker and general contractor. He lives in Fresno.

Appointed by the Governor.