The San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce has named philanthropist Greg Hind as its 2010 Citizen of the Year. Although Hind has given so much to better the San Luis Obispo area, he does not seek out public glory and recognition. Instead, he humbly thrives behind the scenes, which is why the Chamber chose to honor him this year for his outstanding and unselfish role in the community.
 The Citizen of the Year Award is the Chamber’s most prestigious honor and is the only award presented at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner gala in recognition of unparalleled service to the community of San Luis Obispo.
In July 2006, Hind and his wife, Jane, established the Hind Foundation to provide funding for important projects that have enduring benefits to communities. In 2010, a year when both nonprofits and for-profits found it more difficult to establish funding, the Hind Foundation awarded more than $1 million to Central Coast projects, including the Performing Arts Center, San Luis Obispo County Community Foundation and Central Coast Economic Forecast.
In the past 38 years living in San Luis Obispo County, Hind has been a businessman, an employer, a builder, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. Through these roles he has focused on enhancing and supporting the community’s music, art, conservation, and quality-of-life projects.
He was at one time the fourth largest employer in the county with more than 500 employees. Currently, he is involved in three store-front businesses and several privately operated businesses currently employing 44 people. As a businessman, he founded Hind, Inc. and GH Company and is a managing member of Hind Properties. He is also co-founder and co-owner of DocuTeam and co-owner of Uptown Espresso.
Having established himself in previous years as a successful businessman and community volunteer, he now spends much of this time involved in community philanthropy.
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