VIG 11/03/26-Candidate Statements-Town of Ross

For over 15 years I’ve called Ross home with my wife Sally Shekou and children Grace and Ryan. Our closest friends are here and we truly love this community.

After graduating with an Economics degree from Harvard University and an MBA from UC Berkeley, I’ve spent the past 30+ years planning, building, and operating large commercial real estate projects. Notable examples include the Autodesk headquarters building and Flyte Sports Center at San Rafael Airport.

Ross faces numerous major construction projects over the next 4 years: flood control, Ross Common playground, PGE undergrounding, and of course the Town Center rehabilitation. I believe my construction experience and hands on approach will help us complete these projects in a cost effective manner.

I have demonstrated this ability as President of the Friends of Ross Firehouse and key member of the Citizens Advisory Committee. In collaboration with many talented Ross professionals, we have created a new vision for our Town Center that retains our state registered historic firehouse, thereby providing us with the opportunity to restore best in class fire and emergency medical response to Ross families.

If you vote for me, I’ll work to rely less on expensive consultants and more on the volunteer expertise, experience, and generosity of the remarkable people that call Ross home.

The Town of Ross has been my home for 40 years, and as a longtime resident, I have a strong understanding of our Town’s past and future direction.

Following my retirement as a CFO, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of FLG Partners based in Palo Alto, I’ve leveraged my experience in business and finance to positively contribute to our community as your Ross Town Treasurer.

Since my appointment as Town Treasurer by the Ross Town Council, I’ve worked to ensure our tax dollars are wisely reinvested for our community – maintaining balanced budgets while looking ahead to the future. As part of this, I formed and chaired the Citizens Advisory Committee to bring stakeholders together on the revitalization of our Town Center, and after more than a decade of discussions, the Ross Town Council has advanced our citizen-led plan to bring this concept to reality.

This spirit of collaboration will guide my leadership as your next Ross Town Councilmember. From an improved Town Center and strong fiscal management to smooth streets and reliable public safety services, I’ll ensure we continue building a brighter future for new and longtime residents alike.

Please join community leaders, friends, and neighbors like you in supporting my candidacy as your next Ross Town Councilmember.

I respectfully ask for your vote.

www.KuhnforRoss.com

Ross has been my home for nearly three decades, and I have been fortunate to raise my family in this extraordinary community. My three older daughters grew up here and are now in their 20s. My wife, Natalie, and I are currently raising our two younger children in Ross and remain actively involved in our local schools and community, including Ross School, where I am honored to serve as the incoming President of the Ross School Foundation.

Throughout my career, I have built and managed businesses, focusing on fiscal responsibility, long-term planning, and bringing people together to solve complex challenges. As Ross faces important decisions about public safety, infrastructure, and the future of our town, I believe residents deserve transparent government, thoughtful leadership, and meaningful community engagement.

My priorities are straightforward: strengthen public safety and emergency preparedness, support our outstanding schools and Safe Routes to School, responsibly invest in and maintain our infrastructure and community assets, ensure fair and predictable permitting processes and exercise careful stewardship of taxpayer resources while ensuring Town decisions reflect the values and priorities of Ross residents.

I will listen carefully, work collaboratively, and always put the interests of our community first. It would be an honor to serve on the Ross Town Council.

I have been a member of the Ross Town Council since 2017 (re-elected twice). I was Mayor for a year during the pandemic. Since April 2025, I have served as Mayor again, navigating complex and challenging Town facilities and other issues.

I am a retired attorney; after Stanford Law School, I practiced complex litigation as a partner with a national firm. We moved to Ross in 1992. Our three children attended Ross School and Branson.

For more than two decades, I have volunteered to enhance our community, holding many leadership positions: Ross School Trustee (President twice – instrumental in rebuilding the K-5 facilities and gym); Ross Valley Fire Board, currently President; Marin Wildfire Prevention Authority Board since 2020, President (2023-24); Winship’s Firewise founder (recently helped form two more in Town); and UC Marin Master Gardener (since 2016).

On the Council I have played a key role addressing issues including emergency preparedness, fire, paramedics, police, flood risk, pedestrian pathways, Branson, Ross Common and the Housing Element. I balance wants and needs with affordability, helping save over $13,000,000 during my tenure to rectify deteriorated and obsolete facilities, my highest priority along with fire preparedness.

If reelected, I will continue to make fact-based, fiscally prudent, transparent, and fair decisions for our Town.