Introduction to Peter S. Yao

By Peter S. Yao

I LIKE FOR YOU TO KNOW ME BETTER AND I LIKE TO SHARE MY VISION WITH YOU

My father was a professional photographer and did a lot of work for the Claremont Colleges. My mother was a librarian and worked at Honnold Library. Chasing golf balls at the Claremont Golf Course was my first job. Then I worked as a busboy for the Sanford's at the Griswold's Swedish Smorgasbord. I eventually worked my way up to become their first male waiter.

I worked my way through college and eventually earned a BS from UC Berkeley, Masters from SUNY Buffalo. While working professionally, I also earned an MBA from California State University Fullerton and finally a Masters in Management from the Claremont Graduate University.

Prior to my retirement in 2005, I was a director of engineering at Raytheon. I have managed organizations with up to 600 employees and budgets in excess of a million dollars. Throughout my work history, I have overseen defense industry factories with worldwide service support functions and professionals in scientific research.

In 1972, I married my lovely and supportive wife, Linda Chin Yao. She was born in Pomona. Linda earned her BA in art history from UCLA and her Masters in Library Science from USC. She retired from her position as Upland's Library Director in 2003. Our son, Richard, is an Eagle Scout and is currently completing his senior year at Carnegie Mellon University.

I am a Claremonter through and through. Underlying all the issues we must face, I seek to foster the same spirit of warmth and welcome that met my family and I experienced 50 years ago. I see Claremont as a diverse community, sharing the good life and I want to continue on that road. Here are the goals I look forward to working on if re-elected.

Continue to improve the positive aspects of our community.

Claremont does well in the "Good Life" department. This includes everything we enjoy, such as youth and senior programs, sports programs, parks, good schools and economic success. We must always be alert on how we can do things more effectively.

Foster diverse community

A diverse community is a vibrant, energetic and cosmopolitan community. We need to foster greater economic diversity through affordable housing initiatives. We have made progress recently and should continue to look at solving this issue.

Instill a community environment of mutual respect, cooperation and goodwill.

Diverse viewpoints and concerns are vital to a healthy community. The City Council must constantly foster transparency, equity, and accessibility in our city government. This must be a continuing theme in civic life.

I pledge my dedication, energy and leadership to work on the issues I know are important to my fellow citizens.

Thank you.