RECOGNIZING ZACH FRIEND FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

RECOGNIZING ZACH FRIEND FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Congressional Record, Volume 171 Issue 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025) [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 14, 2025)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E25] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RECOGNIZING ZACH FRIEND FOR HIS DEDICATION TO THE PEOPLE OF SANTA CRUZ COUNTY ______ HON. JIMMY PANETTA of california in the house of representatives Tuesday, January 14, 2025 Mr. PANETTA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Zach Friend, the author and public servant, for his commitment to the people of Santa Cruz County. Mr. Friend served as a Santa Cruz County Supervisor representing the 2nd District for over a decade. His expertise and experience include serving in the White House Council of Economic Advisers, the U.S. Senate, and the U.S. House of Representatives, but his greatest impacts have been working in local government. After moving on from national and state politics, Mr. Friend spent almost a decade working for the Santa Cruz Police Department as a Crime Analyst and Public Information Officer. In 2013 he was elected to serve as the Representative for the 2nd District on the County Board of Supervisors. While on the board he has worked to improve community access to local government, and has chaired and served several commissions including transportation, criminal justice reform, environment and land use, flood control, air quality and more. As a County Supervisor Mr. Friend has also helped to open a new Aptos Public Safety Center that includes the Sheriff's Office, District Attorney, Probation and the Board's first permanent office--increasing access to public safety and County resources in the district. He also launched the County's first mobile app. My Santa Cruz County allows residents to do everything from reporting potholes to graffiti to abandoned vehicles and even learn about local parks all from their smartphones. Mr. Friend is the author of On Message: How a Compelling Narrative Will Make Your Organization Succeed, an Amazon.com best seller in the Marketing category and winner of the Axiom Business Book Award and distinguished himself as a regular commentator on national television on public affairs. In 2024 Mr. Friend announced he would not seek a fourth term to spend more time with his wife, Tina and their son Elliot. During his time as a County Supervisor, he was frequently tapped to engage with lawmakers and staff at the state and federal levels when the county needed an advocate. Santa Cruz County is thankful for Mr. Friend's commitment to the 2nd District. ____________________