I spent most of my life as a Firefighter, standing in the front lines of countless fires, doing everything in my power to protect my community. My family has a long history of protecting our community, my father passed away in his fire fighting service, one of my brothers is a fire chief in the Murrieta Fire Department, another is a California Highway Patrolman, and another brother was an EMT who assisted victims of 9/11 at Ground Zero.
I have been married to my beautiful wife, Bertha Lopez for 44 years. Before being elected to the Otay Water Board for the first time, I was AYSO President, Sweetwater Little League Coach, and Chula Vista Safety Commission Member. I care deeply about the future of our community, that is why I have always sought to help our children.
I have spent 16 years on the Otay Water Board and accomplished a great many victories for Division 4. From removing dishonest officials, keeping water rates low, issuing over $8.5 million in rebates to customers, and helping the water board receive an A+ credit rating from S&P's.
I was born and raised in a bordertown of Calexico, California, I am the eldest of 8 siblings and was the 1st in my family to attend college at UC San Diego. On campus I met and married my wife, Bertha, and have been married for 45 years. We have 3 children Jose jr. 42, Claudia 40 and Marcos 26 and 5 grandsons. (Tommy 14 and Gio 12 are the oldest grand kids are Claudia's) (Isaac 11, Jordan 8 and Devin 6 are Jose Jr.)
I was raised in a family with a tradition of public safety service. My father, who was a Korean War Army vet, served as a Firefighter/Fire Captain for 40 years for the Calexico Fire Department and I followed his footsteps and served in the San Diego Fire Department for 28 years as a Firefighter/Assistant Fire Marshal. I have a brother, Mike, who is a Division Chief for the Murrieta Fire Department and another brother, Steve, who is a CHP officer in El Cajon Division.
We moved to Chula Vista in 1994 and all of our children graduated from Bonita Vista High School. I devoted much of my time involved in my children's sport activities. Coached baseball at the Sweetwater Little League and coached AYSO in Bonita and was Commissioner of AYSO #581.
Retired in June of 2011 and Bertha retired from the National School District in 2016 after 40 years as a Teacher. Bertha and I have enjoyed traveling and have visited nearly 30 countries. (11 African countries Egypt, Kenya to South Africa) (India, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, China, Malaysia, Dubai, Oman and Sri Lanka)
Otay Water Board Director 2000-2016
San Diego County Water Authority
Water Conservation Garden - Director
San Diego Area Wastewater JPA Commissioner
City of Chula Vista Safety Commission (9 years)
City of Chula Vista Board of Appeals Advisors Commission (9 years)
South Bay Forum AYSO Commissioner #581 (Paradise Valley Youth Soccer)
Sweetwater Little League coach
San Diego Fire Department 28 years (1983-2011)
Retired as the Assistant Fire Marshal SDFD
Founder of the Bomberos de San Diego (SDFD Latino Community Service Organization)
