Meet Rico

Although I have met many of our community members over the past years, while volunteering and serving on City Council and as the current mayor I thought it important to remind those who I am and what San Bruno means to me. 

I am a third generation, lifelong resident who grew up on San Antonio Avenue across from the train tracks. I spent much of my childhood playing in the nearby fields, exploring the hidden areas of our neighborhood and riding bikes and building forts with friends.

My first job was a newspaper carrier for a small section of our neighborhood. This quickly expanded to 3 routes as my boss noticed my ambition and enthusiasm for the job. My second job was at a local restaurant called La Fiesta, which is now Celia's. I worked almost every available position, starting as a busboy then a dishwasher and finally as a host and waiter. During my time there I learned a lot from the owners about the challenges many small businesses face and how to conquer them.

As a teenager I attended Capuchino High School and got my first taste of local government by serving as the Student Body President. During my senior year the school began a fundraiser to save a local preschooler, who needed a bone marrow transplant that was not covered by insurance. Seeing her parents struggle financially to save their child’s life led us to develop numerous fundraising events which led to the successful monetary goal to assist her family. It taught me that anything can be accomplished through cooperation in a community.

I first got the opportunity to work for the city in the Parks and Recreation Department in which I was in charge of youth activities. We had a teen room where teens could come and have a safe environment to hangout and entertain each other. I remember going to the city with ideas of providing pizza and game nights, but unfortunately was turned down to budget restrictions. This did not deter me, and I soon was soliciting the community for private funds to support our youth programs and eventually hit our goal once again. To this day I make sure to stay in touch with many of those involved in the program and it has been wonderful to see many of them raising families in the city they grew up in. 

There are many people who are responsible for the individual I am today. Through their teaching, guidance and at times scolding, I feel I have become a stronger and better person. All of which has provided me the ability to serve in local and regional government and continue to serve as your Mayor.