Mr. Freitas was born on the island of Flores in the Azores (Portugal) on September 5, 1953. He has been married to Maria de Fátima Freitas for nearly half a century. They have two children, Mark and Nicole, and seven grandchildren: Madison, Marisa, Makenzie, Maxsan, Zachary, Mia, and Maile. He has been a resident of Newark for over 45 years.

Education

  • Luis de Camões High School (Lisbon, Portugal) – earned Geography degree
  • Fremont Adult School (1977)
  • Ohlone College (1978)

Business

  • General Building Contractor for Four decades
  • Property Manager

Other

  • His childhood heroes were John F. Kennedy and Mother Teresa
  • St. Edward Catholic Church Parishioner

Government Experience

  • Newark City Council (Elected 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2016, 2020)
  • Newark Vice Mayor 1998, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2020, 2024
  • Board Member – Alameda County Waste Management Authority Board/StopWaste.org
  • Commissioner – ACTC (Alameda County Transportation Commission
  • Board Member – Community Development Advisory Council

Previous:

  • Newark Representative – AC Transit Policy Advisory Committee
  • Board Member – CMA (Congested Management Agency)

Community Experience

  • Member, LUSO American Fraternal Federation
  • Member, P.F.S.A. Supreme Council
  • Member, Newark Optimist Club
  • Member, Portuguese American Cultural Center
  • Member, PALCUS (Portuguese American Leadership Council of the United States in Washington, D.C.)
  • Member of the Newark Portuguese Soccer Club

From Newark City Council Page

PBBI Fresno State congratulates Luís Freitas for many years of service and for being a role model to other immigrants and Azorean descendants in public service.