Rod Diridon, Sr.

Rod Diridon, Sr.
Born February 8, 1939
Residence Saratoga, California
Nationality American
Alma mater San Jose State University
Occupation engineer
Known for Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, California High-Speed Rail Authority

Rod Diridon, Sr. is a former member of the Saratoga City Council, the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, and the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

Rod Diridon Sr. is an Italian-American who was first elected as the youngest-ever member of the Saratoga City Council in 1972.[1] He was first elected to the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors in 1974, and served as a member of the Board from 1975-1995.[2][3] In 2000, Diridon was appointed to the California High Speed Rail Authority by Governor Gray Davis, and was then re-appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. After serving for ten years, he was not re-appointed in 2010.[4] In 1976, he chaired the campaign for the first successful half-cent sales tax for a transit district in California, has subsequently come to be known as "the father of modern transit service," and is presently the executive director of the Mineta Transportation Institute.[5]

San Jose's Diridon Station was renamed for Rod Diridon at the time of its 1994 restoration.[6][7]

In 1980, he was the Democratic candidate for California's 12th State Senate district.

Electoral history

California's 12th District state Senate Special Election, June 3, 1980[8]
Party Candidate Votes Percentage
Republican Dan O'Keefe 82,523 52.72%
Democratic Rod Diridon 55,374 35.38%
Libertarian Bill White 18,625 11.90%
Totals 156,522 100.0%
Voter turnout  %
Republican hold

References

  1. ^ Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, "Congratulatory Proclamation" (June 1st, 2002 - retrieved on September 12th, 2011).
  2. ^ Santa Cruz Sentinel, "High-speed rail holds economic, environmental promise," by Rod Diridon, Sr. (October 12th, 2008 - retrieved on September 12th, 2011).
  3. ^ Join California, "Rod Diridon" (retrieved on September 12th, 2011).
  4. ^ San Jose Mercury News, "Longtime San Jose transportation leader Rod Diridon Sr. leaves high speed rail authority board," by Tracy Seipel (December 31st, 2010 - retrieved on September 12th, 2011).
  5. ^ Mineta Transportation Institute, "Faculty" (retrieved on September 12th, 2011).
  6. ^ Wikipedia contributors, "Diridon Station," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Diridon_Station&oldid=445892979 (accessed September 12, 2011).
  7. ^ San Jose Mercury News, "BART backers pop open champagne, celebrate vision for San Jose's Grand Central Station," by Gary Richards (November 21st, 2008 - retrieved on September 12th, 2011).
  8. ^ Our Campaigns, "CA State Senate 12" (retrieved on September 8th, 2011).