Candidate for
Council Member; City of Cupertino

Geoff Patnoe

Geoff Patnoe, a candidate for the Cupertino City Council, is currently serving on the Cupertino Planning Commission.

Geoff is a Public Affairs Executive with The Weber Group, a consulting firm that brings public relations and public affairs counsel to many of the region's top high technology companies. With a background in community relations, Geoff has also worked throughout California to improve the quality of life in various communities in the state. His leadership has led to the approval and success of many civic projects ranging from re-development and other land use issues as well as the protection of open space.

Prior to his private sector work, Geoff was an aide to State Assemblyman Jim Cunneen and also served as a Communications Aide to California Governor Pete Wilson.

A product of the Cupertino community, Geoff attended Stevens Creek Elementary School, Kennedy Jr. High School and is a graduate of Monta Vista High School. An Eagle Scout, Geoff was appointed in 1989 by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Mineta and U.S. Congressman Douglas Bosco to the U.S. House of Representatives Page Program and served from 1989 to 1990. In 1991, Geoff was named to the Santa Clara County Youth Hall of Fame.

In addition to his government experience, Geoff posses a long list of service to the City of Cupertino. Geoff was a volunteer Recreation Leader with the Cupertino Parks and Recreation Department in 1987 and 1988. He also was a guest speaker at Monta Vista High School for several years discussing community involvement with graduating seniors. In addition to his appointment by the Cupertino City Council to the Planning Commission, Geoff is a graduate of the Leadership Cupertino Program and is also a member of the Cupertino Chamber of Commerce and the Cupertino Historical Society. Earlier this year, Geoff served on the Steering Committee for the Support our Cupertino Schools bond measure which will result in nearly $80 million for schools in the Cupertino Union School District.

The son of educators, Geoff's father was one of the first teachers at Cupertino's De Anza Community College and served as their first music director. Since his death in 1981, the college has honored Herb Patnoe annually with the "Patnoe Jazz Festival" which unites music students from throughout the region in a daylong festival celebrating music education. Geoff's mother, Shelley is the school psychologist at Sequoia High School in Redwood City and his brother Christopher is an engineer at Apple Computers in Cupertino.

Geoff graduated from the University of California at Davis with a degree in Political Science and Public Service in 1995. He is engaged to marry Christine Lemen in October 2001. They first met while both were working at Cupertino's Good Earth Restaurant in the early 90's. Christine is currently the Manager of Board Relations with the San Jose Convention and Visitors Bureau.