Michael DiGiorgio
Encyclopedia
Michael DiGiorgio is the former mayor of Novato, California
and current director of the Novato Sanitary Board. He was on the Novato city council from 1997–2003 and the sanitary board since 2005.
before a three year stint in the United States Army
. After returning, he completed his undergraduate degree in international trade at San Francisco State University
and went on to get his MBA at Pepperdine.
DiGiorgio has held a myriad of careers before entering politics. He worked on BART
with Kaiser Sand & Gravel, spent time as a stockbroker, worked for the family business at DiGiorgio Corp., managed Sun Aire commuter airliner out of Palm Springs, CA, worked for aircraft speculators out of London, UK before finally moving to Novato in 1989 and purchasing a video store.
in 1993, DiGiorgio was disturbed by the US government's reluctance to return the land to the city of Novato. In efforts to get the land turned over, he joined the Hamilton Advisory Board, and after a successful stint there, was asked to run for city council. He had also been on the Novato Homeless Commission. His early efforts helped transform Hamilton and Ignacio into the thriving communities they are today.
His final years in the city council featured a few bitter controversies. DiGiorgio unsuccessfully lobbied for the dredging of Bahia, a community in northern Novato that had seen its ocean access vanish. He was also part of an investigation, what was later deemed a witch-hunt, by fellow council member Pat Eklund in the "streetgate" scandal. While never even officially accused of any wrongdoing, Eklund's negative campaigning helped lead to DiGiorgio's defeat in the 2003 election.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and current director of the Novato Sanitary Board. He was on the Novato city council from 1997–2003 and the sanitary board since 2005.
Life Before Politics
Born in New York in 1940, DiGiorgio's family moved from New York to California in 1942. DiGiorgio attended Menlo High School and the University of ArizonaUniversity of Arizona
The University of Arizona is a land-grant and space-grant public institution of higher education and research located in Tucson, Arizona, United States. The University of Arizona was the first university in the state of Arizona, founded in 1885...
before a three year stint in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. After returning, he completed his undergraduate degree in international trade at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
and went on to get his MBA at Pepperdine.
DiGiorgio has held a myriad of careers before entering politics. He worked on BART
Bay Area Rapid Transit
Bay Area Rapid Transit is a rapid transit system serving the San Francisco Bay Area. The heavy-rail public transit and subway system connects San Francisco with cities in the East Bay and suburbs in northern San Mateo County. BART operates five lines on of track with 44 stations in four counties...
with Kaiser Sand & Gravel, spent time as a stockbroker, worked for the family business at DiGiorgio Corp., managed Sun Aire commuter airliner out of Palm Springs, CA, worked for aircraft speculators out of London, UK before finally moving to Novato in 1989 and purchasing a video store.
Entry into Politics
After the closure of Hamilton Air Force BaseHamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
in 1993, DiGiorgio was disturbed by the US government's reluctance to return the land to the city of Novato. In efforts to get the land turned over, he joined the Hamilton Advisory Board, and after a successful stint there, was asked to run for city council. He had also been on the Novato Homeless Commission. His early efforts helped transform Hamilton and Ignacio into the thriving communities they are today.
City Council Years
The Hamilton projects consumed much of DiGiorgio's early years in the council. The abandoned naval houses in Ignacio were demolished and multi-million-dollar homes were constructed. Hamilton base itself was revitalized with businesses and million-dollar homes. While not the only driving force behind it, DiGiorgio had a lot to do with the area's renovation.His final years in the city council featured a few bitter controversies. DiGiorgio unsuccessfully lobbied for the dredging of Bahia, a community in northern Novato that had seen its ocean access vanish. He was also part of an investigation, what was later deemed a witch-hunt, by fellow council member Pat Eklund in the "streetgate" scandal. While never even officially accused of any wrongdoing, Eklund's negative campaigning helped lead to DiGiorgio's defeat in the 2003 election.