FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 16, 2020
MEDIA CONTACT: Rachel Davis, Office of Mayor Sam Liccardo, 408.712.9149, rachel.davis@sanjoseca.gov
SAN JOSÉ, CA – Yesterday, City Council approved Frederick ‘Fred’ Ferrer as the new Chair of Charter Review Commission, along with 22 other members of the commission who will determine potential changes to the City’s charter.
Fred Ferrer is the CEO of Child Advocates of Silicon Valley and has over three decades of nonprofit leadership in Silicon Valley, leading numerous groundbreaking policy and system reform initiatives. He currently serves as the chair for Santa Clara University’s College of Arts and Sciences Leadership Advisory Board where he’s also a Dean’s Executive Professor of Public Health.
“Fred will lead the commission with the same passion, intelligence, and competence he has shown for decades as a widely respected non-profit leader in Silicon Valley,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo. “I’m grateful for Fred’s willingness to take on this role, and to ensure all of San Jose’s diverse voices will be heard.”
Fred comes to the Commission with an extensive history of leadership and advocacy experience, including serving as the CEO of the Health Trust, a $100 million public charity foundation, and as the former Executive Director of Estrella Family Services. He has also been on the adjunct child development faculty at De Anza College and an instructor in the Special Education credential EPIC program at the Santa Clara County Office of Education. He previously chaired Santa Clara’s Blue Ribbon Commission on Diversity and Inclusion; the Rocketship Public Schools Board; and the FIRST 5 Santa Clara County Commission and is a member of the Children’s Discovery Museum LGBTQ Advisory Board.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to be of service to my city as a member of this commission,” said Frederick J. Ferrer, CEO of Child Advocates of Silicon Valley. “As Chair of the commission, I look forward to shepherding a fair and inclusive process so that we can present to Council the best possible recommendations.”
Ferrer attained a B.S. degree from Santa Clara University, an M.S. degree from San Jose State University, and an honorary Doctorate of Public Service from Santa Clara University. He is a distinguished recipient of the John Gardner Leadership Award from ALF-SV; the Human Relations Award from the Santa Clara County Commission on Human Relations; and PACT’s Community Builder Award.
The rest of the commission represents all corners and communities in San Jose. To see the confirmed members of the Charter Review Commission, visit here.