Bio

In 1951, W.J. Mazzetti established what today is known as Blue Banner Company. Tom Mazzetti serves as president of the family-run business, which is located in downtown Riverside on Third Street. Blue Banner is a grower and shipper of citrus through its marketing partner, Sunkist Growers. Workers in the Riverside facility pack three million cartons of grapefruit and oranges each year.

In 1951, Tom was 14 years old, and getting ready to attend Riverside Poly High School. Little did Tom know the role he would play in developing one of the best booster groups at the community college level. After graduating from RCC, he became a founding member of an athletic booster club that today is known as the Tiger Backers. Dr. Charles Kane and current Athletic Director Barry Meier started the club when he became head football coach in 1980.

Tom’s decision to someday become a Tiger Backer member actually began while he was a student at RCC. He was heavily involved in student activities, serving on the Riverside Cabinet Steering Committee, Social Committee, Greek Council, Inter-Frat Council, Kappa Upsilon President (1956-57), Chairman of Orientation Workshop, and R ally Committee. Even then, he was eager to help make Riverside City College a better place.

His generosity and desire to make RCC a leader has continued through his assistance with the annual Tiger Backer Golf Tournament and other Tiger Backer events. Tom, a lifelong Riversider, and his wife, Barbara, who have been married for 49 years, have two children, and a great-grandchild.