Biography                                                                                                                         

Councilman Zack Reed is honored to have been given the responsibility to serve the Ward 3 community since 2000.  His Ward includes the Mt. Pleasant and Kinsman neighborhoods.

Councilman Reed has made the revitalization and safety of Ward 3 a priority.  Through his zero tolerance for crime policy, he secured funding for surveillance cameras throughout the neighborhood, implemented gun buybacks, allotted money for patrols of off-duty police officers, and helped Ward 3 receive a Weed and Seed distinction.

In an effort to make Ward 3 a destination location, Councilman Reed strives for an environment friendly to economic development.  He has worked to revitalize small businesses in his neighborhood by partnering with community leaders.  He has also developed a revitalization plan for the Kinsman Road Corridor and the E. 116th Street Corridor.

Councilman Reed is an advocate of minority equality in the workforce and has made strides in the educational field, including a proposal for City employees to mentor students.  Other projects include the newly rebuilt A.J Rickoff Elementary, a senior center on Union Avenue, and the environmental cleanup and development of Kinsman and E. 116th.  Future plans include a post office and a library.

Reed began his public service career working for the State of Ohio.  He worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and ran the federal Youth Apprenticeship Program, where the City partnered with unions to hire youth from public housing.  Reed was asked to come to San Francisco to work with Mayor Willie B. Brown to improve public housing, and later became the Intergovernmental Affairs Officer.  Among his achievements, he secured over $30 million to help San Francisco obtain the most improved public housing in the nation. 

In January 2009, Councilman Reed introduced legislation to ban text messaging while driving because of the large amount of injuries and deaths associated with this dangerous action. On July 19, 2009 the ban took effect which carries a fine up to as much as $500.

A graduate from the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, Reed grew up in Mount Pleasant. He attended Golden Gate University and is working toward his bachelor’s in Political Science at Cleveland State University.

Councilman Reed is vice-chair of the Public Utilities Committee, a member of Public Service, Finance, City Planning, Health and Human Services and Legislation Committees and serves as a member of the National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials.