“Democracy is not a spectator sport, use your voice.”

Community Service

Eric Hart has a long history of service to the Willits and broader Mendocino County communities.

Community Leadership & Public Service

For years, Eric has been strategically working inside the systems that serve Mendocino County; strengthening institutions, building partnerships, and helping our community respond to real challenges.

Before running for office, he spent years:

  • Reviewing county systems from the inside and working with leaders

  • Managing half million dollar grant programs

  • Building coalitions across organizations

  • Stabilizing struggling nonprofits

  • Leading emergency preparedness efforts

  • Serving in formal government oversight roles

Improving our county isn’t a campaign promise for him, it’s just what he loves doing and has been doing for years.

  • Strong public institutions require transparency, structure, and steady leadership.

    Mendocino County Civil Grand Jury

    • Juror (2022–2024) County Government Chair

    • Juror (2023–2024) Special Districts Chair - report later recognized by the California Civil Grand Jury Association as a model grand jury report

    • Technical Advisor (2024–2025)

    Chaired oversight of county government operations and special districts, helping review performance, accountability, and transparency across departments.

    Election Integrity & Public Process

    • Alameda County Elections Inspector (6 years)

    • Mendocino County Election Judge (2 years)

    He’s worked inside the mechanics of democracy, ensuring elections are run professionally, fairly, and transparently.

  • Wildfire resilience is not just policy, it’s operational leadership.

    Ridgewood Fire Safe Council – Founding Chair (2019–Present)

    • Expanded from ~40 homes to 30 square miles serving ~1,000 residents

    • Got the area Firewise certified

    • Secured $1 million in funding for fuels mitigation and other projects

    • Organized chipper days and free home assessments

    • Proposed, got engineered, and funded the Two Rock Lookout wildfire alert cameras covering Willits, Brooktrails, Comptche, and Jackson State Forest

    Mendocino County Fire Safe Council – Board of Directors (2024–Present)

    • Organized five local fire safe councils to put on The Wildfire and Insurance Forum at the CCC in Oct 2025

    Mendocino County COAD/VOAD Representative

    Team Rubicon – Mendocino Planning Lead (2020–Present)

    • Engaged and helped plan two Team Rubicon operations to clear fire fuels along evacuations routes around the county, and do defensible space work for at risk community members

    Certified Wildland Firefighter (FFT2, 2022)

    Certified in Home Hardening & Defensible Space Assessment by NFPA

    FEMA Disaster Response trained

    This work connects residents, first responders, nonprofits, and county systems, and turns planning into action.

  • Community Revitalization and Cultural Institutions
    Community institutions are economic engines and cultural hubs

    Community Foundation of Mendocino – Founding Advisory Council Member

    WELL (2021-Present) member and CoCom Board

    Friends of the Mendocino Museum

    Willits Center for the Arts – Board of Directors (2021–Present)

    • Helped stabilize and revitalize the organization after COVID and local economic downturn

    • Built a sustainable membership structure

    • Led development of a new website including artist resources and local artist marketplace

    • Facilities Chair: commercial kitchen build, event lighting, PA system upgrades

    • Organized 25th Anniversary celebration

    • Led policy committee to bring operational clarity and long-term financial stability

    The WCA is now financially stable, investing in staff, offering new programs, and building long-term sustainability.

  • Co-Founder and Sponsor of Willits High School Interact Club (promotes Community Service and Leadership)

    Mendocino Environmental Center Member

    Willits Rotary Member

    Leadership Mendocino

    • Class XXVIII Graduate

    • Steering Committee Member

    Seabiscuit Therapeutic Riding Center Sponsor

    KZYX and KLLG Sponsor

    CA Civil Grand Jury Association Member

Service to Community

I became involved in helping organize a Fire Safe Council for our neighborhood when working from home for Oakhart Consulting. When neighbors asked me to chair the group, I agreed. With the help of dedicated volunteers, we grew from serving about 40 properties to covering a 30-square-mile area southwest of Willits, supporting more than 1,000 residents. We expanded services to include education, defensible-space assessments, community chipper days, and secured close to $1 million in outside funding to strengthen wildfire resilience.

That experience brought me back to the principles of Servant Leadership — putting community needs first and stepping forward when help is needed… that leadership is service. Since then, I’ve continued working with community organizations wherever I could be helpful — from WELL to the Mendocino County Civil Grand Jury.

Over time, I was asked to serve on several boards and advisory groups, including the Willits Center for the Arts, the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, and the Mendocino Community Foundation. What began as volunteer service has grown into the central focus of my time and energy, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to give back to the community I call home.

About Eric