Richard Sulpizio says he is one of those people who got lucky, who happened to be in the right place at the right time and the rest is history. He could be right, but chances are that his decision to join a little known small company named Qualcomm before anyone had heard of it was also savvy judgment on his part. Whether it was karma, sharp thinking or the ability to see potential, the decision set his career and life on a prosperous and fortuitous path.

Richard did not think he had much of a future when he went to work for Qualcomm in 1991. At the time he was working for the Burroughs Corporation and did not want to move his family to Philadelphia in a mandatory job transfer. Someone told him a young company named Qualcomm was looking for people. He interviewed with Irwin Jacobs and when he got the job he told his wife Gaby, “They’re a small company, they do something in wireless, and it’s a private company. I’m not sure it’s a long term thing but it will keep us in San Diego and I’ll look for a real job.” Richard is very understated when he says, “it worked out well. We were all blessed.”

Blessings are something the Sulpizios count everyday. Due to Richard’s work and early retirement from Qualcomm in 2001 Richard no longer has to work, but he often returns to the company to manage special projects. Richard and Gaby know life could have turned out quite differently for them. And as a result they feel compelled to share their good fortune with others. Generous with both their time and money, they are the kind of people who give to the community because they feel it is their human responsibility to make life better for others. In fact, the Sulpizios felt so passionately about giving back that in 2004 they made a $10 million naming gift to UCSD for the Cardiovascular Center. The Sulpizios said they hadn’t planned to make the gift but felt it was up to them to take the lead to motivate others to contribute. It worked.

Richard recalls being on the fundraising committee. “We were trying to get naming gifts. I was trying to convince other people in the community that they should step up. Finally, Gaby and I said ‘why don’t we do it?’” Their efforts helped raise $30 million and set the project in motion.

Quite a bold step, but then that’s how the Sulpizios function. They follow their hearts, literally. Anthony DeMaria, M.D., Director of the UCSD Sulpizio Family Cardiovascular Center does not find their dedication so surprising.

"The same leadership qualities that made Rich Sulpizio so successful in other phases of his life have been an asset to the Cardiovascular Center,” says DeMaria. “He leads by example, with vision, action and generosity. We are proud that the Cardiovascular Center bears his name."

Cardiovascular disease has affected both of their families. They’ve lost numerous family members to some form of cardiovascular disease. As the parents of three daughters and five grandsons they were concerned about their offspring inheriting America’s number one killer.

“Knowing how strong heredity is and thinking of my daughters and grandchildren, we thought if we could make this contribution we could help our family and friends,” says Gaby. “There’s so much wonderful work being done at UCSD it gives you hope for the future.”

The Sulpizio family gift will establish a single-site for the Cardiovascular Center that will unify ambulatory, clinical and inpatient care.  The facility will enable physicians and researchers in their quest to discover, deliver and disseminate novel techniques for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease. It will provide the community access to a full range of the latest diagnostic and treatment options in a 128,000 square foot building that will house 16-20 examination rooms, and related diagnostic and treatment services. To be located next to UCSD’s Thornton Hospital, the project will add cardiac catheterization labs and other procedure rooms, 18 additional intensive care and step-down beds for the sickest patients, expansion of emergency room services, and four additional operating rooms.  Construction is expected to begin in early 2008 with completion in 2010.

UCSD has not been the only recipient of the Sulpizios generosity. Numerous organizations from Cal State San Marcos where they founded the Barahona Center for Bilingual Studies to organizations that benefit children, and domestic issues, the Sulpizios follow their interests with their checkbook. 

These days the Sulpizios divide their time between their La Jolla home and Magali Farms, their ranch in Santa Ynez where they raise Thoroughbred horses. Started in 2001 the facility is one of the top farms in California and is noted for breeding, boarding, training and caring for horses injured on the track. At any given time the facility houses over 400 horses, employing 40 people in their care.

Their second passion also grows on Magali land.  Gaby and Rich devoted one and a third of their 23 acres at their Santa Ynez home site to develop a syrah grape vineyard. In 2004 they picked their first crop and bottled 100 cases. The ’05 crop more than doubled the yield, filling 10 barrels they estimate will translate to 250 cases of wine.

“We haven’t yet decided what we’re going to do with the wine, what the future will be,” says Richard. But with their keen sense of business they are admittedly thinking about going commercial.

That first crop and the subsequent bottles hold special memories for them. The label features a photo of the vineyard, their godson’s name and a long stemmed rose. Richard’s mother’s name was Rose.

“We harvested the grapes in the month of September and she was there with us even though she had already suffered three strokes,” Richard remembers. “She got up with us at 5:30 in the morning to help us pick the grapes. She got out there and picked away. Then she accompanied us to the crush and pretended like she was stomping. Mom passed away that December. That is why the rose on the label is so special. At the same time our godson passed away at 22 years of age. We dedicated the vintage to him.”

The label speaks volumes about the Sulpizios. They are people who possess not just great passions but great heart as well.