Pat Eklund grew
up in Marin County and graduated from Terra Linda High School in 1969.
The day after graduation, she began working for the US Army Corps of
Engineers, spending five years at the Bay Model in Sausalito and three
years in San Francisco. Pat worked full-time to earn her tuition for
college, which she attended full-time. Despite carrying that heavy workload,
she graduated from San Francisco State University in 1974 with a Bachelor
of Arts (cum laude). Pat went on to receive her Masters in Public Administration
(cum laude) from Golden Gate University in 1979. And later, in 1987,
she obtained a Masters of Science in Environmental Management from the
University of San Francisco.
In 1977, Pat began
working for the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) where she is
currently employed as an Environmental Manager. Pat has been at the
EPA for over 24 years, during which, she managed several programs including
the Underground Storage Tanks, Ground Water, Ocean Dumping, Section
404 of the Clean Water Act and the National Pollution Discharge Elimination
System Programs.
Continuing her
desire to give back to the community, Pat served on the Novato Planning
Commission for over two years. She also served on the Marin County Flood
Control District Board, as President of the Hillside Park East Homeowner's
Association, on the Novato Community Hospital Board and on the North
Marin Federation of Homeowner's Board. Currently, Pat is on the Hamilton
Restoration Advisory Board, the Steering Committee for the North Bay
Wetlands Project, the Environmental Quality Public Safety Committees
for the League of California Cities, the Board of Directors for the
League of California Cities and serves as President of the Mayors and
Councilmembers Department for the League of California Cities. Pat also
is Vice-Chair of Action for Better Cities that is working to protect
the fiscal stability of the cities throughout the State of California.
The practical knowledge
that Pat has accumulated in her professional and civic life has been
very helpful in her work on the City Council as well. Pat was first
elected in June 1995 and won her re-election to the Council in November
1997 with approximately 65% of the vote. While serving on the Council,
Pat has been a proven leader. Due to the illness of Mayor Ernie Gray,
Pat led the Council in producing a new General Plan that is very balanced,
allowing for economic growth and protecting our high quality of life.
This is the most comprehensive and environmentally protective General
Plan Novato has ever had.
Pat has worked
to keep Novato the safe and family friendly city we want. She led the
fight to keep Novato Police Dispatch and worked to add more youth and
senior programs, acquire Scottsdale Marsh and Pond and improve our streets
and roads to relieve traffic congestion and improve safety. Pat approved
the building of our new hospital and worked with CalTrans to improve
the Rowland Blvd. offramp.
Pat has helped
institute a model-recycling program, is currently working to create
a Green Business Program and is implementing the Urban Growth Boundary.
Currently, Pat
is helping revitalize our downtown, creating a Novato Arts Center and
implementing the award winning Hamilton Reuse Plan that will benefit
all of Novato with senior housing, recreation facilities and work force
housing for local police, fire personnel, schoolteachers and others.
Because she listens to all voices, Pat Eklund is working to keep Novato
a city in balance.
Though the Council
and the EPA keep her busy, Pat still finds time to be a member of the
Soroptomists of North Bay, American Association of University Women,
Novato Chamber of Commerce, Novato Historical Guild, Marin Conservation
League and the Sierra Club. She is also an honorary member of the Indian
Valley Artists.
Pat Eklund knows
how to get things done – by bringing the people of Novato together
to make our city a better place to live
