Humboldt STaTE Distinguished Alumni award: Ellie Cachette (2006 Alum)

This May it will have been seven years since I graduated from Humboldt State University with a degree in Political Science. Humboldt State was a phenomenal education and experience that I wouldn't change for the world. During my time at HSU I studied Political Science, English and US History. When I wasn't at work at Humboldt Merchant Services (now owned by Moneris Solutions) downloading Verifone Omni 3630's and setting up new gateways for ecommerce accounts, I hiked the hills of campus or raft guided on the seven rivers nearby. Humboldt was good to me and in my opinion one of the most underrated schools on the west coast. 

Quickly after graduating my first "real job" was as a Project Manager for 365 Media working on software projects which quickly led me to joining Recognos where I stayed for a while working on two projects: one for a healthcare group quoting tool for Kaiser Permanente and one for Fisher Investments. Every day I wore a suit and worked in the IT department at Fisher Investments which was started by Ken Fisher a fellow Lumberjack. Working at Fisher inspired me that Humboldt State while small and rustic, probably attracted driven people like myself but people who are modest and not quite known. Ken Fisher is worth an estimated $1.8 Billion dollars and yet he's a reasonable and approachable guy. (If you are reading this Ken we need to catch up! See his award page here) Nonetheless it was inspiring to know that success is not determined by where you went to school but your vision and in 2007 while working at Fisher, Ken Fisher was presented with the "Distinguished Alumni Award." If only one day I could be like Ken.

April 19th 2013
This April I will be presented with the same award as Ken Fisher at Humboldt State University which amazes me to think that in six years I accomplished a mere dream (which also is scary, be careful for what you wish for!).                   Click below for the full story ---->>>

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If you are alumni or we went to school together please send a note and join any of the activities for that weekend, we plan to have a group of family and friends and enjoy the ceremony and see some old spots. 

In another coincidence, the award ceremony falls on the same week as my father's Yahrzeit (anniversary of passing). You can read more about him here or here, he is my ultimate inspiration.

The Power of Dreaming
Lastly, while I feel honored for this award I can't help but think about all the other milestones moving forward. 2012 was filled with personal and professional changes including my cross country move back home to SF. 



וִיהִ֤י  נֹ֤עַם  אֲדֹנָ֥י  אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ  עָ֫לֵ֥ינוּ  וּמַעֲשֵׂ֣ה  יָ֭דֵינוּ  כֹּונְנָ֥ה  עָלֵ֑ינוּ  וּֽמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה  יָ֝דֵ֗ינוּ  כֹּונְנֵֽהוּ׃

“May the beauty of my Master, our God be upon us. And the work of our hands established for us, And the work of our hands, establish it.” Psalm 90:17