April 4, 2008

Beacon

Brian Adams: A ‘man for others’

By Bill Highlander
Editor

Brian Adams recalls as a boy helping his father raise money for Lions Club projects on San Jose’s east side. That experience started his giving back to the community and doing good works that are ingrained in his personal and professional life.

As vice-president for advancement at Bellarmine College Preparatory, Adams raises money and oversees marketing/communications and alumni relations for the school. He manages a staff of 12 and is the “face of Bellarmine” in the community.

Brian Adams

Adams has been a recognizable face in the community for most of his adult life. During a 22-year career in television at KICU Channel 36, he worked both behind and in front of the cameras. Speaking of his stint as host of “Dialing for Dollars,” he notes that he used to give away money and now his job involves asking for money.

A deep interest in the movies continues from his days as a film editor and host of an afternoon movie show. His movie reviews and entertainment reports are aired on KLIV radio three days a week and on KRTY on Fridays.

As a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association, Adams, a two-time Emmy nominee, casts his votes for the Critics Choice Awards that are given annually in advance of the Golden Globes. He also gives his reviews of the Academy Award nominees each year at a meeting of the San Jose Rotary Club.

At the TV station, Adams was also a news assignment manager, head of creative services, a reporter and, for five years, the community relations director. People still say they see him on TV although it’s been seven years since he’s been on the air.

Most likely, many have seen Adams as the emcee at a nonprofit fundraising event. “I’ve probably worn out at least three tuxedoes,” he says, as the master of ceremonies for various organizations just in the past few years. He has accepted requests to be an emcee for more than 25 years, doing about 12 events a year.

“I really enjoy doing it and it’s a way I can give back,” says Adams, "but the demands of the job, teaching and family means I have to set priorities.”

Education is integral to the Adams family. Brian is a graduate of State Jose State University with a B.A. in Radio-TV Broadcasting and an M.S. in Mass Communications. He has taught communications classes at Santa Clara University for 19 years; his wife Gina teaches music at St. John Vianney School. Both sons are Bellarmine graduates. Nicholas is a student at San Jose State, and active in the community with Rotaract, a youth auxiliary of the Rotary Club. Jeffrey is majoring in Theater Arts at Santa Clara and tutors at Sacred Heart Nativity School. The whole family exhibits a sense of service.

The Rotary Club is one of several service organizations Adams actively enjoys, serving on several committees including one that seeks to enhance arts education in schools. He is on the board of the American Cancer Society, Santa Clara Unit and advisory boards of Friends of Guadalupe River Park & Gardens, Hospice of the Valley and Family Giving Tree. Adams was one of the first men to be elected to serve on the board of the local YWCA. He plans to add Books Aloud to his activities this year.

His good works have received deserved recognition. The San Jose Public Library’s adult literacy program, Partners in Reading, honored him by establishing the Brian Adams Service Award for deserving volunteers. In 2003, he was inducted into the East Side Union High School District Hall of Fame. The San Jose Chamber of Commerce presented him the 2006 Community Leadership Alumni Award for his involvement in the community.

Brian is the third generation of Adams in San Jose, growing up in the east side foothills. He and his wife, Gina, have enjoyed living in Evergreen for more than 20 years.

Adams epitomizes Bellarmine’s educational philosophy of forming “men for others.” Commitment to service, education, communication and family values - Brian Adams also exemplifies being a BEACON in our Evergreen community.

BEACON

A country song says “you can’t be a beacon if your light don’t shine.”

The Evergreen Times would like for the lights of interesting Evergreen residents to shine through a profile on such persons. Our community has educators, activists, business people, inventors, sportsmen, hobbyists, public safety persons – a plethora of fascinating people who should be recognized by their neighbors as a beacon for community involvement. If you know a person who should be recognized as a BEACON, contact highlander@timesmediainc.com and they will be considered for future issues.