Biography – John Zaragoza

Supervisor John C. Zaragoza has a long history of distinguished public service. John Zaragoza was elected into the Ventura County Board of Supervisors in November 2008. Prior to being elected Supervisor for the Fifth District, Zaragoza served on the Oxnard City Council from 1996 to 2008. Four of those twelve years he served as the Mayor Pro-Tem. Being part of the Board of Supervisors, John Zaragoza has been serving on the following Boards and Commissions representing the County of Ventura.

• Camarillo and Oxnard Airport Authority
• Gold Coast Transit (GCT)
• Ventura County Transportation Commission (VCTC)
• United Way of Ventura County
• Emergency Planning Council (EPC)
• Regional Defense Partnership for the 21st Century (RDP21)
• Beach Erosion Authority for Clean Oceans and Nourishment (BEACON)
• Association of Water Agencies (AWA)
• Air Pollution Control District (APCB)
• Behavioral Health Advisory Board (BHAB)
• Ventura Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCo)
• Juvenile Justice Coordinating Council (JJCC)
• California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
• Alternate for both Fox Canyon Groundwater Management Agency (FCGMA) and Ventura County Council of Governments (VCOG)
• Other Boards and Commissions required

By forming partnerships and collaborating with other agencies and private industry, Supervisor Zaragoza has been able to accomplish many things that have benefitted the community.

One of the Supervisor’s first projects was the “Nyeland Acres Center”. This was a great accomplishment in bringing a community together. The Nyeland Acres Center was created to give kids a place to go when they are not in school. The center also provides family services that benefit the Nyeland Acres Community. In 2011, Supervisor Zaragoza led the way to help save McGrath State Beach from closing. As a result of fundraising efforts by Zaragoza and others, the park was able to make necessary repairs and remained open.

Later on the year, Zaragoza was inducted to Oxnard High School’s (OHS) 2011 Hall of Fame as a role model that has serviced his community for many years. He was among 27 other OHS alumni that were chosen for that years Hall of Fame.

Recently, Supervisor Zaragoza brought Labor Unions together with private industry to provide over $400,000 in material and labor to pave Wright Road, a private dirt road in El Rio, Oxnard. One of the Supervisor’s main concerns was the kids who attend Rio School were walking to school in the dirt or mud if it was raining.

Supervisor Zaragoza was unopposed as he ran for Re-election in 2012. His new term begins in 2013 for a second term.

• 1962, Began his career serving the public, working as a Bus Operator for the City of Oxnard.
  – Promoted to Assistant Transit Supervisor, then Refuse Supervisor.
• 1978 was promoted to Refuse Superintendent.
• 1993, Retired as Oxnard Refuse Superintendent.
• 1996, Elected to the Oxnard City Council.
  – Served as a City Council member for 12 years and Mayor Pro Tem for 4 years.
  – Served on numerous Board and Commissions.
  – Brought Oxnard residents and businesses lower crime rates, improved youth, recreation and senior programs, high quality affordable housing, increased budget reserves, outstanding environmental programs and increased job opportunities.
• 1993 until December 2008, became a successful small full time business owner of Home Center Real Estate and Zaragoza Tax Service.
• November 2008, Elected to the County Board of Supervisors, and began serving on the Board in January 2009.