Rich Hedges

Rich Hedges

Rich Hedges was born in Kansas City, Kansas. He graduated from Wyandotte High School in Kansas City Kansas in 1960. After working for a number of years, he attended Emporia State University in Emporia Kansas where he received a Bachelors of Science in Education degree in 1970. After moving to San Mateo, California in 1970 and working as a substitute teacher, he attended San Francisco State University where he received a Master of Arts Degree in 1973.

He was employed by the United Food & Commercial Workers International Union where he held positions as organizer, Negotiator, President of a Local Union and his last position was as Executive Assistant to the Director of Region Eight with direct responsibility for Northern California and Hawaii. He retired January 1, 2002.

He has been active in community affairs. He has served San Mateo in many ways. He served on the Citizens Advisory Committee for Bay Meadows II and the Transportation Corridor. In addition he served on the City of San Mateo, Community Compass, the City of San Mateo 2002 Charter Revision Committee, he attended the Citizens Academy and severed for one year on the San Mateo County Civil Council Grand Jury.

He serves on the executive board of the United Home Owners Association of Greater San Mateo, the Executive Board of the San Mateo County Central Labor, the San Mateo County "Workforce Investment Board", the Citizens Advisory Committee to the San Mateo County Transportation Authority, the Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, the Elderly and Disabled Advisory Committee to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, and he is a Board Member of the State of California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology.

He is active in Sustainable San Mateo, Silicon Valley Joint Venture, and SAMCEDA. He is a member of the Greenbelt Alliance and a founding member of the Marina Lagoon Action Committee.

He and his wife Linda have lived in San Mateo since 1970. They have a daughter and three grandchildren who reside in Kansas City. His interests are politics, community development, community organizing, efficient government, social justice reading and grandchildren.