September 1, 2004

Riverside, CA - La Sierra University ‘s Foundation has chosen Henry W. Coil, Jr. Past President of Tilden Coil Constructors, Inc. general contractors and engineers in Riverside, Ca., as chair of the La Sierra University Foundation. Coil, who has a rich history with education and service to boards, including his service as the LSU foundation board chair, and non-profits organizations. Coil is also serving a six-year stint as a member of the La Sierra University Board of Trustees and is a member of 23 other local boards.

A civil engineer with a law degree, Coil built upon the established work of Riverside’s Marshall Tilden when he joined Tilden’s custom home construction business in 1971. “He (Tilden) retired in 1973 and I changed the company’s interest to commercial, industrial and institutional work which was more my expertise,” says Coil. “Having business and legal knowledge can be helpful for people sitting on boards. It helps to understand legal problems in the decision process.”

“Henry Coil is one of Riverside's most well respected citizens,” says Jeffry Kaatz, La Sierra University vice president for advancement and university relations. “His leadership as chair for the La Sierra University Foundation Board brings to the university a wealth of experience and wisdom, and an important sense of what it takes to build community. La Sierra University is blessed to have Mr. Coil as one of its ambassadors.”

“La Sierra University has established more of a community outreach under current president Lawrence T. Geraty. They were recently mentioned in US News and World Report and I was very surprised,” says Coil. “I knew that they were good but I did not know that they were at the very top.” US News and World Report names La Sierra University as the most diverse master’s university in the west.

Coil was the sole owner of Tilden Coil Constructors, Inc. until he turned the company over to five men several years ago. Tilden Coil Constructions, Inc. is a full service construction company active in building institutional, commercial and industrial projects ranging from $1 million to more than $50 million.

Coil earned a civil engineering degree from the University of California, Berkley and a law degree from Western State University. He has been involved with several local higher educational boards including University of California, Riverside and the University of Redlands. Coil is also active with the local Boy Scouts board.

The recipient of the 2003 La Sierra University Presidential Citation for Distinguished Service to Riverside Coil was also inducted into the Cal Hall of Fame.