Tacoma Community College will present its first Distinguished Alumnus Award to John Hall, president and chief executive officer of Rainier Pacific Financial Group Inc. and Rainier Pacific Bank, during TCC commencement ceremonies June 15.

The Distinguished Alumnus Award is intended to honor outstanding alumni of the college for community accomplishments or career success. Nominees must have earned at least 30 credit hours at TCC or have been full-time students at the college for at least two quarters.

“John is a significant force for positive change in our community and an articulate advocate for TCC,” said Dr. Pamela J. Transue, TCC president. “I’m very pleased that John has been selected as TCC’s first Distinguished Alumnus. He is an outstanding example of a successful TCC graduate.”

Hall has been an active volunteer on behalf of the TCC Foundation’s Invest in Your Future capital and endowment campaign, the community-wide effort that to date has raised more than $6 million to strengthen key academic initiatives at the college and fund capital improvements. Transue also noted that Hall’s TCC connection extends to his family: He married a TCC alumna, and his mother and two sisters attended TCC.

In addition to his volunteer work on behalf of the college, Hall serves on the board of Tacoma Goodwill Industries, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County, the Washington Financial League, United Way of Pierce County and the Business Advisory Board of the University of Washington, Tacoma’s Milgard School of Business. He also serves on various citizens’ committees for the Tacoma Public School District and is a member of the Rotary Club No. 8 of Tacoma.

The TCC Distinguished Alumnus Award is not Hall’s first honor. Previously, the Executive Council for a Greater Tacoma named Hall as one of its top five fast-risers. Hall was also identified as part of a new generation of Pierce County decision makers by The News Tribune’s 1995 “New Wave of County Leaders Pumps Fresh Ideas Into Old Agencies” series. The series recognized Hall for his community contributions and work on education issues.

Hall has more than 18 years of financial services industry experience. Prior to becoming the president and CEO of Rainier Pacific in September 1995, he served as its executive vice president and chief financial officer. Hall is also president of Support Systems Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Rainier Pacific Bank, and serves as chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Rainier Pacific Foundation.

A native of Tacoma, Hall is a certified public accountant and a graduate of the University of Puget Sound as well as TCC. He currently resides in Tacoma with his wife and two sons.
“John is a generous, humble and caring man, working behind the scenes to build a better Tacoma for all its citizens,” his Distinguished Alumnus Award nomination read. “He put himself through school and credits TCC for providing him the kind of affordable, quality higher education needed to be successful as a student and in life.”