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Sam Grinels
A Virginia native, Sam Grinels attended Old Dominion College Technical Institute before going into the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves in 1966. He arrived in California just after the “summer of love” in September of 1967. “To my great relief,” Sam says, “the summer of love lingered well into the fall!”
He worked at Watkins-Johnson Company in Palo Alto on space communications systems for the Apollo program, Earth Resources Technology program and others before returning to school. Sam graduated from Foothill College, before earning his San Jose State degree, a BS in Business Administration (concentration in finance), in 1972. Later, he earned an MBA from the University of Southern California.
After positions at the Bank of America, Community Bank of San Jose and a local ad agency, Sam started Grinels-DiMarco Ad Agency in 1979, which gradually evolved into his current business, CommCraft, which does marketing, consulting, web design and graphic design/food packaging. Among his most recognizable projects is Sun-Maid food packages, including: Sun-Maid Raisin Bread, Chocolate Covered Raisins, English Muffins, Trail Mix Cookies, Oatmeal Raisin Cookies and others are currently on store shelves or in theatres.
Outside his considerable San José State University involvement, Sam’s hobbies include: Wine making (at the world famous Chateau Garage!), music (rhythm guitar in group ‘The Grateful Dads’), backpacking (primarily California’s Sierra, but also Alaska, Wyoming, Arizona, Washington and Utah), amateur radio (Amateur Extra Class: AB6QB), and travel.
Married to the lovely Fran Grinels for just over 35 years, Sam has two daughters: Jennifer, a singer, songwriter and actress, and Cara, a Pilates fitness instructor, yoga teacher for kids and circus performer.
Things Sam would like to accomplish related to SJSU Alumni Association/Board:
- Greater visibility for Association and the University
- Greater understanding of Association's constituencies (needs/perceptions/etc.)
- Engage and enhance involvement of Association members with the Association and the University
- Implement effective use of online communications tools for the Association Board