Robert Lewis Harris is a distinguished lawyer, activist, and business executive whose impactful career bridges law, civil rights, and corporate leadership. Born on March 4, 1944, in Arkadelphia, Arkansas, to Lucy and Benjamin Harris, he relocated with his family to California in 1960. After graduating from Oakland Technical High School in 1961, Harris pursued higher education at Merritt College, earning his associate’s degree in 1963, followed by a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University in 1965—a university that later honored him by inducting him into its Hall of Fame in 2007. Harris began his professional journey serving four years as a probation officer, an experience that inspired him to study law. He attended the University of California, Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall), receiving his J.D. in 1972. Shortly thereafter, Harris joined Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), where he launched an impressive 34-year tenure, advancing through the ranks as both an attorney and executive. By the time he retired in January 2007, Harris had risen to key leadership positions, notably as Vice President of Community Relations and later as Vice President of Environmental Affairs. In these roles, he strengthened the company’s engagement with diverse communities and elevated its […]