Richard Pivnicka
Hon. Richard Pivnicka, was named Honorary Consul General of the Czech Republic in 1994, founded CzechTech, a tech people and VC network in Silicon Valley, which was awarded the Czernin Palace bronze medal by the Czech government (www.czech-tech.net). In 2012, he received his first patent and is currently engaged as an advisor to international venture capital funds and start-ups. He is a frequent speaker and judge at business plan competitions, both in the Bay Area and in Europe. He served as Vice President and General Counsel for Gerson Bakar & Associates for over two decades and is currently a Member of its Board of Directors and its Legal Advisor. The firm is one of the largest developers, owners, and managers of a diversified billion-dollar portfolio of residential, office, and retail properties, which includes Levi’s Plaza World Headquarters in San Francisco and Carmel Plaza Shopping Center. He and his wife Barbara founded Atherton Heritage LLC, an enterprise dedicated to the acquisition, restoration, and sale of significant historic homes. Their restoration of the Mark Hopkins Family Mansion in Atherton, California, received the California Heritage Council’s Award and was selected the Decorators Showhouse. Subsequently, their project, located in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights, was selected as the San Francisco Decorator Showcase house. He holds a BA in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame, an MBA in Finance from New York University, and a JD from the University of San Francisco, where he served on the Law Review. Mr. Pivnicka served in the US Marine Corps Reserves and has been active in numerous international, national and community organizations. Mr. Pivnicka is active in Bay Area and Silicon Valley General Counsel Groups, and is the Vice Chairman and Trustee Emeritus of the Djerassi Resident Artists Program. For over 20 years he has been a Member of the Board of Governors of the Commonwealth Club, the nation’s oldest and largest public affairs forum, where he is currently an Advisory Board Member. He is a sculptor, swimmer, author, documentary film producer and mentor. A 22-year Woodside resident, he grows and produces wine on his property -- “Bohemia” was named a 2014 award winner in the Golden Gate Wine Society Competition.