Biography
Henry T. Perea was elected to the Fresno City Council in November 2002, becoming the youngest person, at the age of 25, ever elected to this position. He was recently re-elected to serve a second term and is the current Acting Council President.
Some of Henry’s major accomplishments include: creating a $45 million dollar program for infrastructure repair and economic development for the inner-city, leading the city’s first solar energy project and "Green" homes initiative, passed a clean-burning fireplace ordinance for new residential developments, led the council to build the city’s first downtown housing project in over 30 years, created a public-private partnership for the city’s first senior center and established Creative Fresno, a group of young professionals dedicated towards evolving Fresno into a creative economy.
In 2005, he was selected by American Council of Young Political Leaders (ACYPL) to join eight other people on a 17 day political exchange to Egypt and Jordan where he met with royalty and numerous dignitaries in both countries. Governor Schwarzenegger appointed Henry to the California Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission which will allow him to bring valley concerns to the state level and he was named one of "The New Guard" by Fresno Magazine in its May 2005 issue. Henry recently completed the Senior Executives in State and Local Government program at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Henry T. Perea began his career in public service with an internship in the Washington DC office of Congressman Cal Dooley. He was then hired by Congressman Dooley as District Representative and worked on defense spending, economic development, Latino outreach and helping both municipalities and non-profits secure federal funding. Henry continued his career in public service with Council President Brad Castillo, contributing to the process of securing the city’s federally designated empowerment zone.
The 7th Council district represents central Fresno, extending as far north as Shaw and Van Ness and as far south as Tulare and Peach. This district encompasses a very diverse population of approximately 65,000 people.
Councilmember Perea has followed his family’s long tradition of public service. His father, Henry R. Perea, served on the Fresno City Council for 6 years and is currently a Fresno County Board Supervisor. His mother Maria Trevino is an investigator for the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office and was the 2005/2006 President of the California Women’s Peace Officers Association.
Henry T. Perea was born and raised in southeast Fresno graduating from St. Helen’s Elementary and San Joaquin Memorial High School. He received his degree in Political Science from California State University, Fresno staying in his hometown to bring positive changes to his community.