Maria Ristow

I am honored to serve as your Vice Mayor, and I look forward to working with Mayor Moore, my fellow

Council members, and Town staff in serving the residents and business community of Los Gatos.

A native Chicagoan, I earned my BS in Chemistry the University of Illinois in Urbana. Taking my first

position at a research center working on chemical sensors, I then transferred to a semiconductor

project. Following the call of Silicon Valley, in 1987 my husband and I moved to California and settled

in Los Gatos. I fell in love with Los Gatos immediately, and I have dedicated myself in a variety of

volunteer roles to making my adopted hometown a better place for all.

From spending years with our children at a co-op preschool, through volunteering at St. Mary’s,

Fisher, and Los Gatos High School, to coaching youth soccer and volleyball, I came to know residents

across our entire community. Eventually I chose to serve the Town in more a more formal capacity.

• 2014 appointed to the Housing Element Advisory Board

• 2014 enrolled in Leadership Los Gatos.

• 2015-2019 Member and Chair of the Transportation & Parking Commission

• 2016-2019 Member and Chair Bicycle & Pedestrian Advisory Commission

• 2020 Member of Complete Streets & Transportation Commission.

• 2014 onward: Safe Routes to School volunteer, 5th Grade Bike Skills assistance.

2020 Elected to Los Gatos Town Council and reappointed in 2024 (unopposed)

Appointed to serve on various internal and regional boards and commissions, including:

• General Plan Committee

• Housing Element Advisory Board

• Policy Committee

• Conceptual Development Advisory Committee

• Senior Service Committee

• Finance Commission (2023 and 2026)

• League of California Cities (Peninsula Division) (2023)

• Santa Clara Valley Water District (Valley Water) Commission, presently alternate

• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) State Route 85 Corridor Policy Advisory Board

• West Valley Sanitation District Board of Directors, Vice Chair (2022)

• Santa Clara County Housing and Community Development Advisory Committee

• Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Policy Advisory Committee, Vice Chair

• Solid Waste Management Joint Powers Agency (JPA) Board of Directors (Alternate)

• West Valley Clean Water Program Authority (Alternate)

• Santa Clara County Cities Association, Legislative Action Committee

I am an avid cyclist, biking for transportation, exploration and exercise. I have a strong understanding

of the infrastructure assets and deficiencies in Los Gatos and nearby communities, as observed from

the seat of a bicycle. I also enjoy hiking and appreciate the nearby trail escapes right in and near our

community, although walking up and down the hilly streets of Los Gatos provides its own pleasures.

Knowing that change is inevitable, I am convinced that Los Gatos can shape our response to the

forces around us in a way that accommodates the demands of the growing region while keeping the

charm and livability of our Town. Transportation and housing are tightly coupled, and solving these

issues will require looking at the entire picture. Speaking with a large number of residents and

business owners over the past several years, I understand that my priorities of active transportation,

affordable housing, environmental sustainability, economic vitality, and racial and socioeconomic

diversity are shared by a good number of Los Gatans. A top goal is to keep residents and the business

community engaged as we collaborate to address the challenges facing our Town.

I enjoy meeting and listening to people and am available by email: MRistow@losgatosca.gov