ABOUT WILLIAM SMITH

I am running for City Council because my parents’ combined influence—my mother’s nurture and my father's Union-forged discipline—created a drive in me to help others achieve their goals. The challenges my Mexican immigrant mother faced, including critical communication barriers and personal instability, instilled a lifelong commitment to ensuring every resident of Ward 6 has the security and opportunity to thrive. My father, a proud Local 12 Operating Engineers Union Worker, provided the focus required to persevere, giving me a deep appreciation for the value of hard work and organized labor. My passion is seeing communities come together, and my experience as a former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer for the Orange County Hispanic Youth Chamber of Commerce demonstrated the power of diversifying engagement to create real pathways for career development and higher education for historically underserved students. I seek to bring this inclusive, organizing spirit to City Hall, fostering a sustainable mindset of efficient communication and collaboration across all community groups.

Professionally, I bring 8 years of extensive medical device experience in R&D, quality, and manufacturing. As an R&D Medical Device Engineer, I ensure product safety and regulatory compliance by adhering to strict FDA standards. My daily work involves expert risk assessment, technical discussion, and collaborative decision-making with subject matter experts to align complex, multi-million dollar projects. This technical discipline—the focus on identifying gaps, defining specifications, and assuring rational change—is the precise skill Ward 6 needs in its City Council. I will translate this eight years of professional rigor into forward-thinking policy, focused on growing local talent, securing safe neighborhoods, and building an inclusive, innovative Riverside where opportunity exists for all.