Mayor Pro Tem Gene Hernandez is a 34-year resident of Yorba Linda, whose career in public service spans more than three decades. He was born and raised in Burbank, California, and is a third-generation Californian. Gene received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration of Criminal Justice from San Jose State University and his Masters of Science Degree in Management from Cal Poly, Pomona.  He is a graduate of Class 15 of the California POST Command College and Class 154 of the F.B.I. National Academy.  Gene began his notable career in law enforcement as a police officer with the City of Fullerton in 1972.  He then transferred to the Orange Police Department in 1975, where he attained the rank of Captain, with his last assignment being the Administrative Division Commander. Other assignments included: Detective, Motor Officer, SWAT Team Member and Team Leader, Accident Investigator and Project Manager for the then-new Orange Police Facility.  In 1998, he assumed the Chief of Police position with the City of Chino and held that position until his retirement in December of 2006.

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Seeking a new way to serve his community, in 2012, Gene was elected to the Yorba Linda City Council. In 2014, he served as Mayor and currently excels in the role of Mayor Pro Tem. During his tenure on the City Council, Gene has served the City on a number of regional, county boards, including the Orange County Fire Authority, where he was voted by his peers to serve as Chairman.

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Gene believes in a transparent and accessible government that serves the people, not the other way around. As a servant-leader, Gene works hard to ensure all businesses and residents are treated with respect and dignity. He has supported the Yorba Linda Chamber of Commerce and their efforts to find public-private partnerships to assist the local economy during the recession.

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"By example, Gene has led a city-wide effort for civic volunteerism and community involvement."

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Gene's commitment to community service extends well beyond the dais; his passion is hands-on community volunteerism and world humanitarian travel. His volunteerism includes Wheelchair Distribution Projects in Puerto Vallarta, Hermosillo, San Carlos and Guaymas, Mexico, a Water Well Project in Zambia, Africa, Team Leader of the Rotary Group Study Exchange (District 1910-Austria, Hungary, Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina), Corazon Home Builds in Tecate, Mexico, Rotary International District Governor (District 530), National Immunization Days in India (distribution of polio vaccines), Rotary International Polio Vaccine Distribution in Caborca Mexico and is a 34-year Rotarian.  

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Beyond his career as a dedicated public servant, Gene is a proud family man. He has been married for 51 years to wife, Louise, and has three children and five grandchildren, most of whom reside in the City of Yorba Linda.  

 

Gene is eager to continue serving the residents of Yorba Linda and is asking for support from his fellow residents in his re-election to the Yorba Linda City Council in November 2020.