Stephen Hamill is a visionary leader whose career blends public service, business, and civic engagement.

As founder and CEO of the public purchasing exchange, he transformed how agencies contract and procure. 

Earlier, he guided budgets and policy for Alameda County and later led HB Capital Resources.

USF impacted my life in a great way. It changed its trajectory of my life. It changed the trajectory of my career. It opened windows of opportunities for me and not only windows, but doors of opportunity.

I look at USF and I say, you know, the first responsibility is to educate yourself as an individual and certainly, USF provided that opportunity.

Once you have that foundation, then it's a matter of aligning yourself with an institution that has a mission that's beyond yourself and really beyond the institution to the outside world.

A fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, Stephen also served as chair emeritus of the USF Board of Trustees and co-chairs the Campaign Advisory Committee.

Beyond professional life, he has spent decades coaching youth sports and supporting maritime heritage.

It feels good to be able to say, I gained something from USF.

It feels just as good to say I gave something back. And I think that's important, that kind of engagement.

USF has a lot of very talented and successful people, and they're engaged and they're involved with USF.

So for me, and I think for others, you can continue to grow and learn from the amazing and extraordinary people that are engaged at USF.

So my involvement continues and I hope it can only grow and, and get better.

And someday, maybe I'll be able to say I've given as much as I've gotten.

For his leadership in public service, his investments in USF's future, and his lifelong commitment to service, USF Honors Stephen A. Hamill with the Alumnus of the Year award.