Meet Joaquin
I have lived in Half Moon Bay for 38 years and have been active in the community for over 25 years. I have been an elected City Council Member since 2020, and am the current Mayor for the City of Half Moon Bay. I am bilingual in Spanish and English. I have a degree in Sociology from CSU Chico, and came back to Half Moon Bay after college in order to serve the community I grew up in.
Throughout my career, I have worked in various capacities throughout the county and at present I am the Regional Director for JobTrain, here in Half Moon Bay. My involvement with the community includes, but is not limited to, being a 5th Grade teacher in the Immersion Program at Hatch School for the Cabrillo Unified School District and then a Juvenile Correctional Officer for the County of San Mateo in the Juvenile Probation Department, and working with nonprofit organizations such as Puente de la Costa Sur and Ayudando Latinos a Soñar (ALAS). I am also the founder of Rancho San Benito, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) that focuses primarily on farmworker upward mobility and environmental conservation.
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My dedication to the community includes providing innovative ideas that engage all the voices of our community to build the economy, create equity and create sustainable environmental solutions. Providing a safe and secure environment for our families to enjoy a good quality of life and make Half Moon Bay a great place to live is very important to me.
Community Service
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Latino Advisory Council Founding Member
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Coastside Immigration Advocacy Group
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Bay Area Border Relief (BABR)
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Half Moon Bay City Council 2020 - present
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HMB Vice Mayor 2023, Mayor 2024
AWARDS
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Half Moon Bay Coastside Chamber of Commerce Role Model of the Year 2019