TED ROSSIN SELECTED AS 2011 NICE GUY OF THE YEAR
Ted Rossin, a leader in the San Diego’s steel industry, was born in Chicago and moved to Indiana with his family when he was eight. He spent his childhood there and began his career in the steel industry when he started working in a steel shop for his father in 1963. He graduated from Purdue University and then served in the United State Navy Seabees from 1965 – 1969, which included two tours in Vietnam. He subsequently moved to San Diego in 1979 when he went to work for Bannister Steel. He began as an estimator, was promoted to General Manager in 1982 and then to Vice President in 1987. In 1996, after the passing of Ralph Bannister, Rossin and other partners bought Bannister Steel. Soon after, Rossin became the CEO. In 1998, Rossin and his partners sold to Schuff Steel from Arizona. He continued to work for Schuff Steel for the next seven years. In 2005, Rossin and Jeff Clinkscales, who have worked together for 28 years, established Rossin Steel. Rossin and Clinkscales have been involved in hundreds of projects in the San Diego area, including such high profile projects as Horton Plaza Mall, Del Mar Race Track Grandstands, Trolley Bridges, many buildings for Qualcomm, and the tower at Lindberg Field.
Rossin is very active in the construction industry and has served on the Board of Associated General Contractors San Diego Chapter (AGC) 17 years. In 2001, he was the first subcontractor to be named President of AGCSD. He was also one of the charter members who helped start the American Subcontractors Association Chapter in San Diego.
Rossin is also committed to giving back and supporting the San Diego region. He is a board member of the Century Club, the San Diego Nice Guys and Bannister Family House, as well as a supporter of Mulcahy Food for Marine Families, Pro Kids, United Cerebral Palsy, Jackalope, and East County Boys & Girls Club. He was named the Construction Building Industry’s “Good Scout of the Year” in 2009 by the Boy Scouts of America.
Rossin and his wife, Connie enjoy time with their twin daughter’s and son’s families, including five grandchildren and two black labs.
“We are privileged to have Ted Rossin as our Nice Guy of the Year,” said Nice Guys President, Kristy Gregg. “His achievements as a businessman are matched only by his generosity for others in our community. He is a dedicated community leader who has been a long-time contributor to many organizations in San Diego. He exemplifies what the Nice Guys organization and its members are all about.”
PETER FARRELL SELECTED AS 2010 NICE GUY OF THE YEAR
Peter Farrell is Founder and Executive Chairman of NYSE-listed ResMed Inc., a global leader in the development, manufacture and marketing of innovative products for the diagnosis, treatment and management of sleep-disordered breathing. Born in Sydney, Australia, he has won numerous civic, academic and professional awards including the Australian, San Diego and US National Entrepreneur of the Year awards for Life Sciences. He holds bachelors and masters degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Sydney and MIT, a PhD in bioengineering from the University of Washington as well as a Doctor of Science from the University of New South Wales (UNSW) in Sydney for research related to treatment with the artificial kidney. He has published 150 articles in peer-reviewed journals. He also holds fellowships at several universities and academies, including the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. In 2004 he was made a member of the Order of Australia.
Farrell serves on the boards of the UCSD Rady Business School and the Jacobs School of Engineering. He’s current Chair of the Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center at UCSD and the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at UNSW. He is also Chair of the Executive Council of the Division of Sleep Medicine at Harvard Medical School and President of the Board of Trustees of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego.
His numerous charitable interests include MIT, UCSD, UNSW, the University of Sydney, Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego and the San Diego and Sydney Operas. He has also gifted a Chair in Sleep Medicine to Harvard and significantly supports the MIT/Harvard Health Science and Technology Program. Along with his wife and three children on the Board, the Farrell Family Foundation contributes to many San Diego and international causes.
CONRAD PREBYS SELECTED AS 2009 NICE GUY OF THE YEAR
Each year, the Nice Guys select one distinguished San Diegan who demonstrates their dedication to making San Diego a better place to live, work, and play. The selection process begins early in the year and a committee of Nice Guy members come together to begin the selection process. This is one of two major fund raising events that take place each year to fund the requests received from San Diegans in need of a hand up. Proceeds from this event are distributed to the charity(s) selected by the honoree and to the Nice Guy organization. The monies that remain with the Nice Guys are used to fund charity requests and to pay for the annual Community Christmas Party.
The Nice Guy of the Year Gala has been an annual event for the past 30 years. The Nice Guy of the Year Gala is a black tie event which takes place in the fall of each year. It is always a memorable evening that includes an awards ceremony honoring the newest addition to the distinguished list of honorees. The evening includes dinner and dancing to one of San Diego’s finest local bands.
CONGRATULATIONS CONRAD
The 2009 Nice Guy of the Year is Conrad Prebys, a successful business man, community leader, philanthropist and quiet benefactor to those in need. Conrad, the owner of Progress Construction Company, Inc., exemplifies what the Nice Guys organization and members are all about. The Nice Guys are proud to honor him as the 2009 Nice Guy of the Year.
Mr. Prebys is inspired to share his good fortune with the San Diego community. In addition to the Nice Guys, his generosity has included capital and operating gifts to the Boys and Girls Clubs of East County, the San Diego Opera, the Old Globe Theatre, Scripps Mercy Hospital, the San Diego Zoo, UCSD Music Centre and the Burnham Institute for Medical Research – to name a few.