[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.

                          ____________________