Becky Morgan (politician)
Rebecca Quinn Morgan | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 4, 1938 Hanover, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, businesswoman |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Known for | California State Senator, President and CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network |
Rebecca Quinn Morgan (born December 4, 1938) is a former Republican who served as a California State Senator.
Early life and education
Morgan was born in Hanover, New Hampshire and completed her Bachelor of Science degree at Cornell University in 1960. She worked as an educator between 1960 and 1962 before becoming district office manager for Congressman Pete McCloskey in 1972. From 1973 until 1978, she was a member of the Palo Alto Unified School District Board of Education. In 1978, she obtained an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Business career
Prior to entering public office, Morgan held the position of assistant vice president at Bank of America. She left the bank in 1980 to serve on the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors.
Political career
Following a single term on the Board of Supervisors, Morgan was elected to the California State Senate in 1984 representing the 11th District. She secured re-election in both 1988 and 1992. During her tenure, she chaired the Senate Select Committee on Child Care and Development and served as vice chair on multiple other committees. Her legislative responsibilities included membership on committees such as Education; Budget and Fiscal Review; Transportation, Energy and Public Utilities; and Revenue and Taxation.
In response to Southern Pacific's 1986 decision to discontinue managing the Caltrain commuter rail service, Morgan sponsored legislation that created the Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board, which ensured Caltrain's operation under a new governing entity.
Philanthropy
Morgan stepped down from the Senate on August 17, 1993, to assume the roles of President and CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network, a nonprofit alliance comprising business, government, and educational organizations dedicated to promoting economic development and quality of life improvements in Silicon Valley after the early 1990s economic downturn. Later that year, she co-established the Morgan Family Foundation to support initiatives in youth development, education, and environmental protection. Additionally, she was elected to serve a five-year term on the Stanford University Board of Trustees. In 1998, Morgan joined the Cornell University Board of Trustees and was reappointed in 2002. Between 2008 and 2009, she participated in California's Commission on the 21st Century Economy. In 2011, Morgan and her husband contributed $10 million toward Cornell University's strategic goals.
The Morgans announced the dissolution of their foundation effective December 31, 2019.
Personal life
Residing in Los Altos Hills, California, Morgan is married to James C. Morgan, whom she met while attending Cornell. James Morgan was CEO of Applied Materials from 1977 until 2003 and served as Chairman of its Board from 1987 through 2009. The couple has two grown children named Jeff and Mary.