The Board of Trustees elected Jeffrey Raikes ‘80, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to be its newest member, the University announced Friday. Raikes will begin his five-year term on June 1.

After receiving an undergraduate degree from Stanford in engineering-economic systems, Raikes worked at Apple Computer and, later, Microsoft Corp. He became CEO of the Gates Foundation in 2008.

Raikes has remained a part of the Stanford community both by serving on University committees — in particular, the School of Engineering’s Strategic Council and the Major Gifts Regional Committee of The Stanford Challenge — and by establishing a scholarship fund with his wife for Stanford students from rural and inner-city schools.

“Jeff is a dedicated Stanford alum who has been involved in and supportive of many areas of the University,” said Leslie Hume, chair of the Board of Trustees, to the Stanford Report. “With a remarkable career in both the corporate and not-for-profit worlds, he brings to the Board a broad global perspective and a deep knowledge of the education sector that will serve the University well. We are very fortunate to welcome Jeff to the Board.”

The Board of Trustees consists of 35 members, including business leaders, such as the CEO of J.C. Penney and the president of the Keystone Group, as well as the University President, who serves as an ex officio member. The board’s responsibilities range from managing the endowment and setting the budget to setting University policies.

-Kurt Chirbas