Eric Alegria

Eric Alegria is a proven leader who has delivered results for his community as a school board member, former Mayor, and health care executive. He's led businesses, nonprofits, and communities — and in every role, he's brought people together to get things done. On the Rancho Palos Verdes City Council, Eric didn't wait for problems to solve themselves — he brought people together and delivered results. During his first years on the Council, Eric was the only Democrat — and still found common ground to get things done. Reaching across party lines, he worked to declare an emergency to help families devastated by landslides, to make Rancho Palos Verdes the 4th-safest city in California, and to spearhead a comprehensive residential fire prevention program. In Health Care: Eric has dedicated nearly 20 years to making sure health care reaches the people who need it most. He's run operations for nonprofits, clinics, and community health organizations. Today, as Chief Operating Officer of Wellness Equity Alliance, he oversees programs that expand access to equitable care for underserved communities. In Nonprofits: Earlier in his career, Eric led a nonprofit that helped farmworker families access educational and economic opportunities. Today, he continues to reach out to the margins of the community — through service on nonprofit boards, sponsoring a food pantry for South Bay families, and establishing a scholarship fund for Los Angeles County students pursuing careers in public service. In Entertainment: As a California Film Commissioner, Eric worked to protect thousands of entertainment industry jobs — understanding that every job saved means another family with stability and opportunity. As an Educator: Eric has mentored students as an instructor at USC and El Camino College, preparing the next generation to lead. He serves on the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District Board of Education, where he champions student safety, mental health support, and smart investments in aging facilities. He works with teachers, parents, and staff to find solutions — because he knows the best ideas come from the people closest to the problems. As a Small Business Owner: Eric knows what small business owners face because he's lived it — making payroll, navigating regulations, and keeping his West LA business running for over a decade. That experience shaped how he led on the City Council, cutting business taxes to zero and helping local businesses survive the pandemic.