Electronic Arts CEO to Speak at Undergrad Commencement

John Riccitiello, BS 81, CEO of Electronic Arts, one of the world's largest video game makers, will speak at the undergraduate commencement on Monday, May 16, at 9 a.m. at the Greek Theatre.

The commencement ceremony will be followed by a reception in the Haas courtyard.

Riccitiello began his career at Clorox after graduating from Haas, moving up the corporate ladder in international posts. He worked in Dusseldorf for Clorox and then moved to Cypress for a position as group marketing director with Pepsi. From there he relocated to the United Kingdom to work as CEO of Sara Lee's worldwide bakery division.

Riccitiello was back in the States, working as CEO of Wilson Sports in Chicago, when he was recruited to take the president and COO positions at Electronic Arts in 1996.

At EA, known for such games as Medal of Honor and Madden NFL, Riccitiello spent seven years growing market share, diversifying the product portfolio, and strengthening international business. In 2004, Riccitiello left the video game maker to co-found Elevation Partners, a private equity firm focused on media and entertainment, whose other co-founders included U2 lead singer Bono. In 2007, Riccitiello returned to Electronic Arts to become its CEO.

Riccitiello serves on the Haas Board, an advisory council for the school and the dean.

The Haas School set a policy a few years ago to invite our most distinguished alumni to speak at MBA and undergraduate commencement ceremonies. The goals in doing so are two-fold: to celebrate the powerful alumni network that new graduates will soon be joining and to honor Berkeley-Haas alumni who have demonstrated innovative leadership and can speak to the benefits of Haas culture in their careers.

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