Rick Stern founded Palo Alto-based Stern Mortgage Company in 1982 and retired from it in 2010. His educational background includes a B.S. in Marketing from Bradley University and a degree in Hotel, Motel, and Restaurant Management from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. In 2010, Rick and Stern Mortgage received the “Outstanding Business” Tall Tree Award by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce in honor of the company’s commitment to a “community-minded business ethic that serves to enhance the richness of Palo Alto.” Rick has contributed many hours of volunteer work to local organizations including serving as president of the Kiwanis Club of Palo Alto, chair of the YMCA board of managers and chair of the board of the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce. Rick has served as a driver for Avenidas’ Door to Door program since 2013.