Meet Lee Pierce
Lee Pierce is a native son of the North Bay with deep roots in Napa County where he grew up, in Vallejo where much of his family lives, and Santa Rosa, where he was the first person of color to win a City Council seat in 2004. He lives and works in Santa Rosa now after a long career in business and in public service.
While growing up in Napa Valley, Lee picked grapes and prunes to help out his parents who worked as a domestic and a farm laborer. He graduated from St. Helena High where—in his first run for political office– he was elected Student Body President in 1965.
Lee’s political background is rooted in community action. Lee has been a lifelong Democrat. In 2007 he was among the first elected officials in California to endorse Barack Obama. He served on the Santa Rosa City Council and as Vice Mayor from 2006 -2007.
He championed Santa Rosa ’s tougher, more stringent “Smoking Policy” and was widely known for his responsiveness to his constituents. Prior to his election to the Council in 2004, Pierce served on the Santa Rosa Planning Commission. This past February, he was appointed to serve on Sonoma County ’s Minority Citizens Advisory Committee of the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Throughout his career, Lee held many leadership and management positions—across the public and private sectors— with such organizations and companies as Hewlett-Packard, Sonoma County, and John Muir Hospital. Lee has also belonged to two workers’ unions during his career. Lee is currently the owner of his own small-business consulting firm, Lee Pierce & Associates. Prior to establishing this business, Lee owned a gemstone company for over 10 years. He is also a part-time talk show host afternoons from 3 to 6 p.m. on radio station KSRO 1350 AM with Steve Jaxon. Lee donates many hours of his time per month assisting community based and non-profit organizations and individuals.
Lee served his country in the U. S. Army. He attended Sonoma State University and the University of San Francisco. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Human Relations & Organizational Behavior.
Besides endorsements from district residents, business leaders and community groups, Lee’s campaign has also received endorsements from prominent current and former elected officials such as: Sonoma County Supervisor Mike Kerns, Santa Rosa Vice Mayor Marsha Vas Dupre, Former Santa Rosa City Council Member Carol Dean, Napa Vice Mayor Juliana Inman, Napa City Council Member James Krider, Calistoga Mayor Jack Gingles, Vallejo City Council Member Joanne Shivley, Sebastopol City Council Member Kathleen Shaffer and Former Mayor of Rohnert Park Tim Smith.
