A Glimpse of their Lives
2008 Honorees
Attorney Walt Hays has directed a successful career toward the greater good, using his legal knowledge to further environmental causes. “I have loved the outdoors all my life,” says Walt. “I’m also fascinated by local governments, where an interested citizen can have a measurable impact.” These two interests came together strongly for Walt in 1976 when he and his wife, Kay, and their three children moved to Palo Alto. Put it all together, and it adds up to a lifetime marked by an extraordinary record of service to the community and beyond.
Born in San Mateo, Walt, now a grandfather of three, earned his BA and LlB from Stanford and was awarded a |
Janet Owens’ good friend Jing Lyman, a former Lifetimes of Achievement honoree who nominated Janet for this award, refers to her as a “tiny dynamo.”
“Janet helped achieve dramatic changes, locally and at the state level,” says Jing. “Her effective, knowledgeable, and ceaseless activities in promoting affordable housing were enormous.” Janet’s background is eclectic, to say the least. She received an AB in Psychology from Ohio’s Oberlin College and an MA in Economics from UC Berkeley. Janet worked for the Department of State in Washington, DC as a statistical clerk and an assistant in the Commercial Policy division. Janet then became an editorial assistant at the Brookings Institute, writing articles on developments in US/international relations. Next came the Mutual Security Agency, where Janet prepared budgetary assistance estimates for France. |
Becky and Jim Morgan both have lifetimes of outstanding achievements in their respective fields, as well as their joint efforts in laying the groundwork for a successful future through both applied business acumen and philanthropy. The two of them established the Morgan Family Foundation in 1993, which focuses its grantmaking in the areas of Youth, Education, Environment, and Stewardship. “Our desire to give back stems from our gratitude for our good fortune and our belief that those
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Becky Morgan’s chosen occupations exemplify her philosophy of giving back. She was a teacher who became a businesswoman who went into public service who became head of a local visionary group who ended up a full-time philanthropist. Not bad for a self-proclaimed small-town farmer’s daughter.
Born in Hanover, NH, Becky grew up in Woodstock, VT and earned her BS and Teaching Credential at Cornell. She was a teacher and served on the Palo Alto Unified School |
Association; the National Center for APEC; the Japan-Western US Association; and Joint Venture: Silicon Valley. Jim is also director emeritus and past president of SEMI, the first global trade association.Certain key individuals have shaped Silicon Valley into what it is today. James C. “Jim” Morgan is one of them.
“My mission is to help individuals and organizations meet their potential,” Jim understates; after all, this former CEO of Applied Materials (1977 to 2003) did lead the company from the brink of bankruptcy to a solid position on the Fortune 500 as the world’s leading semiconductor equipment manufacturer.As chairman of the board since 1987, Jim is still involved in ensuring the continued success of Applied Materials. He has also served on the boards of Cisco Systems, Inc.; the American Electronics;the National |
David Mitchell recalls that even when he and wife Lynn were young and immature, “We knew that our love for each other and the world transcended our material desires or our desire for power.” Together they embody a spirit of generosity and doing one’s best to make the world a better place. An example is when the couple teamed up in 1963 to help defeat a state initiative which would have fostered housing discrimination.“We, as privileged people, are grateful and have much to give," says David. "It may not be
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Before Carolyn “Lynn” Mitchell decides to become involved in a cause, she asks herself, “Does this cause appeal to my heart?” If the answer is “yes,” then she sets the intention that her actions be a contribution and a value to herself as well as to someone else. “Life is then a joyful journey,” Lynn states. Lynn’s parents were role models for public service in her hometown of Greenwich, CT. “We were not wealthy, but we were blessed, and I grew up knowing that sharing is an important part of being happy,” Lynn recalls. And so she got involved early in life, as a Girl Scout and United Way volunteer.
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David Mitchell’s volunteerism springs from his long-held belief that his skills should be used not only to support himself and his family, but “to make the world a better place to live.” David, a California native, has tried to back up his good intentions with his legal expertise. He earned his AB in History from Stanford and his JD from Harvard Law School. He was an associate at Kindel & Anderson (Los Angeles) and moved with his family to Palo Alto in 1965. He has practiced in Santa Clara County since then, at Weir, Hopkins et al (1965-8); at Hopkins, Jordan, Mitchell & Sullivan (now Hopkins & Carley) from 1965-87; at McCutchen in its San Jose office from 1987 to 1993; and, since 1993, at Hoge, Fenton, Jones & Appel.
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