Eric Figueroa ’92, P’21, a leader in local government in the San Francisco Bay Area, has been appointed to the Rose Institute Board of Governors at Claremont McKenna College (CMC). Figueroa has served as city manager of the City of Martinez since 2019. Working with his city council, Figueroa led Martinez through the Covid-19 pandemic. Prior to his tenure as city manager, Figueroa served as the assistant city manager of the City of San Ramon for nearly five years and also worked for the League of California Cities as a Regional Director. His professional peers have called upon him to serve as incoming president of the City Managers Department of the League of California Cities.
“I am thrilled to take a position on the board of the Rose Institute. Claremont McKenna excels at building responsible future leaders, and the Rose is a major contributor to that mission,” noted Figueroa. “I am honored to join the Rose Institute Board and look forward to serving the students and staff for years to come.”
Figueroa comes from a family of publicly engaged citizens who helped develop his passion for local government. His mother was appointed to the Mountain View City Council when he was nine years old and served as the mayor and as a council member for nineteen years.
Figueroa’s experiences at Claremont McKenna College also helped prepare him for leadership in the public sector. During his time as an undergraduate, he held several internships in government, including roles with the City of Los Altos and in the federal government with the U.S. Senate Budget Committee.
Figueroa lives in San Leandro with his wife, Joanna. They have three children. Benjamin is a graduate of Claremont McKenna in 2021. Zack is majoring in mechanical engineering at UCLA. Elisabeth will be attending the University of California, Los Angeles with a planned major in nursing.
“Eric is an outstanding practitioner who will bring real-world insights to our policy research. This fusion between theory and practice reflects Claremont McKenna College’s pragmatic approach to liberal arts education,” said Ken Miller, director of the Rose Institute. “The board continues to add new members with diverse backgrounds and viewpoints to enrich the institute’s student experience and policy analysis.”
“Working alongside Eric for many years has demonstrated to me all I need to know about his passion for making a difference in the lives of people in the communities he serves,” said Ryder Todd Smith ’96, chair of the Rose Institute’s Board of Governors. “He is well-regarded and respected within the local government community and his position on the board will allow him to continue to make a difference in the lives of future leaders at CMC.”
About the Rose Institute
Founded in 1973, the Rose Institute is one of the nation’s leading academic centers focused on the study of state and local government. The Institute’s research is led by nationally recognized faculty who supervise student research teams. Its areas of expertise include public opinion, redistricting, elections, demographics, criminal justice, and fiscal policy. The Institute helps its students develop their capacity to become leaders in state and local government and other sectors.
The Rose Institute’s Board of Governors provides strategic advice to the Institute and works closely with its faculty and students. The Board includes state and local government officials, consultants, election lawyers, business leaders, thought leaders, and journalists.
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