Ben Barrientos

Ben Barrientos was elected to the Livermore City Council representing District 2 in November of 2022. Ben currently serves as President of the Livermore Lions Club, is the head wrestling coach at Oakland High School, and is a substitute teacher.

Ben was born in San Francisco to parents originally from El Salvador who met during WWII in the city. They were welders, building ships for the Navy. After the war, his father worked at US Steel and his mother worked for the US Postal Service. Ben attended South San Francisco High School where he excelled in cross country, track, and wrestling. Ben went on to attend the College of San Mateo and later transferred to Chico State. While there, he continued wrestling, was elected student body vice president, and earned his Bachelor’s degree and California teaching credential.

As a new teacher, Ben was hired to teach kindergarten in Union City. During his career, he also taught other elementary and middle school grades. When teaching in Oakland, Ben was very active in the teacher’s union, was elected to serve on the California Teachers Association State Councils and several times as a delegate to the National Education Association where he advocated for California students, teachers, and classrooms.

When he lived in San Jose, Ben was elected member of the Berryessa Union School Board. In addition, he served on the Santa Clara Water Board and other county commissions. Ben earned a Master’s degree from Pepperdine University and an Administration credential from National University. With this degree and credential, he became a Dean of Boys, Vice Principal, and Principal in Oakland, South San Francisco, and Ventura County.

In 1997, Ben and his wife Ann moved from San Jose to Livermore, where they currently reside in Springtown. They are members of Asbury United Methodist Church. Ben and Ann are both retired educators who play active roles in community projects and fundraising through Livermore Lions Club, make cross-country road trips to visit family, and attend performances at the Bankhead.