Lifetime Achievement Award

Roger Valine (’73, Sociology)

Roger Valine is an exemplary example of what it means to be a community leader. Valine recently retired from Vision Service Plans where he served as president and CEO of the nation’s leading provider of eye care health plans. Under his leadership, VSP was listed numerous times on Fortune magazine’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.” At the same time it its revenue grew fourfold to more than $2 billion. Valine’s philosophy of treating others the way you would like to be treated extends far beyond the Sacramento Region. VSP offered $15 million worth of free eye care services to people who lost their homes after Hurricane Katrina.

Valine has been active in the community serving on many boards and committees including the Sacramento State Alumni Association board of directors, the University’s Executive Committee, the Sacramento Entrepreneurship Academy, PRIDE Industries, Transplant Hope, the Sacramento Region Economic Cluster Project, Christian Brothers High School, the Young Presidents’ Organization, and the Valley Vision Workforce Development Regional Cluster Project.

Valine received the Distinguished Service Award in 1997 and was a major donor to the Alumni Center campaign. This is only the fourth time an individual has been selected for the award for Lifetime Achievement.