Kerry Hillis

hillis   Mayor

   Term: Ends December 2026

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Biography

Family & Community Roots

Kerry grew up in the semi-rural foothills of San Jose and, in 2017, chose to plant roots in Moraga with his wife. They are raising three young children alongside a small menagerie of animals.

Professional Expertise & Leadership

With over a quarter century of experience in public service, Kerry has developed a deep expertise in navigating complex governmental challenges across federal, state, and local levels. His career has been defined by strategic leadership in public affairs, policy development, and governmental relations, particularly in transportation, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Currently, Kerry serves as the Public Affairs Manager for the Western and Central United States at Alstom, a global leader in sustainable mobility solutions. In this role, he actively shapes transportation policy as a Board Member of the Bay Area Council and a key participant in the Bay Area Council Transportation Policy Committee. Separately, he additionally is the Chief Strategy Officer of his family business, Stella Pearl Consulting.

Kerry’s prior roles reflect his deep policy expertise and commitment to public service:

  • Government and Community Relations Representative – Worked as in the government and community relations team for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), covering Central Contra Costa, Alameda, and Santa Clara Counties
  • Crisis Communications, Management, and Government Relations Consultant – Worked on statewide gas pipeline and wildfire safety programs for a major publicly regulated utility
  • Transportation Policy Aide & Communications Director – Served a Santa Clara County Supervisor, advocating for critical regional transportation projects
  • Public Affairs Director – Led strategic communications and advocacy for the San Jose Police Officers’ Association
  • Senior Legislative Aide, California State Senate – Focused on transportation and housing policy for multiple state senators
  • California Executive Fellow – Worked under the Director of California State Parks
  • U.S. Senate Staffer – Gained federal legislative experience early in his career

Public Service & Community Engagement

Kerry has played a pivotal role in shaping Moraga’s future through key leadership positions:

  • Moraga Planning Commission (2019-2022) – As Commissioner, Vice Chair, and Chair, he championed policies to balance responsible development with open-space preservation and revitalization of Moraga’s downtown commercial districts
  • Vice President, Moraga Community Foundation (2020-2022) – Led fundraising efforts, securing over $100,000 for improvements to Moraga Commons Park
  • Elected Moraga Town Councilmember (2022-2026) – Serving a four-year term, focusing on fiscal responsibility, community development, and sustainable transportation solutions

Council & Regional Leadership Assignments

2024-2026 (Current)

  • California League of Cities Transportation, Communications, & Public Works Policy Committee
  • Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection)
  • County Connection Marketing, Planning & Legislative Sub-Committee
  • Southwest Area Transportation Committee
  • Lamorinda Program Management Committee
  • Lamorinda Fee & Financing Agency
  • Town of Moraga Audit & Finance Committee

2022-2024 (Former)

  • Lamorinda School Bus Transportation Agency
  • MCE Clean Energy Board
  • MOFD (Moraga-Orinda Fire District) Liaison (Alternate)
  • Moraga Youth Involvement Committee (MYIC) (Alternate)
  • RecycleSmart Board

Education & Academic Credentials

Kerry holds a B.S. in Political Science from Santa Clara University and a Master’s in Public Policy (M.A.) from Johns Hopkins University, where he specialized in U.S. Social Policy and International Studies