Gene Traverso was quick to deflect attention from himself Thursday at the 16th annual James B. and Billie Keegan Leadership Awards. At 72, it was just his time to be honored, he said.
"If you last long enough, I guess, it's just a process of elimination," he said before accepting the Keegan leadership award.
Doubtful. The nearly 400 people who gave Traverso a standing ovation at the Rohnert Park Doubletree hotel were clearly applauding him for more than just showing up.
"He's generous as hell," said Bob St. Clair, a Hall of Fame football player from his days with the San Francisco 49ers who served with Traverso on Summit State Bank's board of directors. "He gives his time to the community. He's not just a great businessman, he's a very nice person."
For many, Traverso's last name may ring most familiar because of his family business. In 1922, his grandfather, father and uncle founded a Santa Rosa mainstay, Traverso's Gourmet Foods, Wines and Liquors where Traverso started working at age 10.
The segue from stock boy to stock buyer came quickly. Traverso bought his first investment shares in high school, an early foothold in the financial world he later joined as a major player. Traverso later helped found, run and grow banks from Santa Rosa to San Diego.
His business dedication has been matched with commitment to community. For 27 years Traverso served on either the Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees or on the hospital foundation board. He has also helped guide the Hanna Boys Center, St. Eugene School Board, Community Foundation - Sonoma County, American Red Cross, the Sonoma County Economic Development Board and the Sonoma County Fair Board.
"Gene has given back more than his share," said Jim Keegan, the leadership award's namesake. "He's a good friend of Sonoma County."
Proceeds from the luncheon go to Santa Rosa Memorial's Palliative Care Center, which provides end-of-life care.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: