Edesa Bitbadal has over 12 years experience in public service. She began her career as Senior Legislative Aide to then Assemblywoman Elaine Alquist and Senior Policy Director to Councilmember Linda J. LeZotte. In the last six years Ms. Bitbadal served the City of San José as a Development Officer for the San José Redevelopment Agency. In this capacity she was instrumental in transforming Downtown San José through managing highly-visible programs such as the Facade Improvement Program, Public Space Programming, Business Retention and Attraction Program, and Downtown Holiday and marketing programs. Additionally, Ms. Bitbadal managed the San José Redevelopment Agency’s Child care program and development of Smart Start San José Child Care centers in San José.

Ms. Bitbadal also dedicates her personal time to improve the City of San José through her volunteer work. She is a current Boardmember of Crime Stoppers Silicon Valley, a member of the San José Junior League, and a neighborhood volunteer.

Focus Areas: Land Use, North San Jose Neighborhood, Redevelopment, Media Relations, National Issues, Office Technology, and Personnel.

Commission Assignments: ABAG, League of California Cities, and VTA Board- Policy Advisory Committee.

Committee Assignments: Rules and Open Government; Community and Economic Development.

edesa.bitbadal@sanjoseca.gov

Margie Espinoza brings over tens years of executive assistant experience; 8 years for former Vice Mayor Pat Dando, and most recently in District 4 for then Councilmember Chuck Reed. She has extensive background in public and community service, having worked for a private non-profit community organization for nearly 22 years. Margie speaks Spanish.

Focus Areas: Councilmember Scheduling, Office Administration, Constituent Services, and Event Planning.

margie.espinoza@sanjoseca.gov

Stephanie Fong worked in various local and state government offices prior to joining the District 4 office, including the California State Assembly and the Governor's Office. Stephanie received her Bachelors Degrees in Sociology and Asian American Studies from UC Davis and her Masters Degree in Public Administration from San José State University. Stephanie speaks Cantonese.

Focus Areas: Berryessa Neighborhood, Budget, Parks & Recreation, Capital Projects, Trails, Sister Cities, Seniors, Youth, Intern Coordination, Transportation, Code Enforcement, Web Content, and Constituent Services.

Commission Assignments: ABAG, San José Arena Authority, and VTA Board- Policy Advisory Committee.

Committee Assignments: Neighborhood Services and Education, Public Safety, Finance and Strategic Support

stephanie.fong@sanjoseca.gov

Kathy Duong was born and raised in San José and is a proud product of District 4 schools.  After receiving her Associates degree in Liberal Arts at De Anza College, Kathy transferred to University of California, Berkeley to graduate with a Bachelors degree in Landscape Architecture and a minor in City Planning.  Kathy has a long history of community involvement, including mentoring and tutoring at risk Southeast Asian youth, and organizing voter registration and bone marrow drives during her undergraduate years. Before joining the District 4 Team, Kathy interned with the City of Cupertino's Community Development Department. Kathy speaks Vietnamese.

Focus Areas: North Valley Neighborhood, Land Use, Environment, Public Safety, Housing, Airport, Childcare, Code Enforcement, Neighborhood Clean-Ups, Newsletter, Web Content, Vietnamese Media Relations and Constituent Services.

Commission Assignments: Airport Commission, Recycling and Waste Reduction Commission of Santa Clara County, Santa Clara Valley Water Commission, Silicon Valley Anti-Litter Campaign, and Recycled Water Liaison Committee.

Committee Assignments: Public Safety, Finance, and Strategic Support; Transportation and Environment

kathy.duong@sanjoseca.gov

Yvonne Wong
Council Assistant

Yvonne Wong is a first generation Chinese-American and has resided in San José since 1998. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Hospitality Management from San Jose State University in 2001 and received her Masters degree of Public Administration from San Jose State University in 2008. She worked as event/service manager at private business sector for 6 years before joining Councilmember Kansen Chu.

Prior to immigrating to the United States, Yvonne Wong was a journalist/editor covering political and social issues for a major newspaper in China. Yvonne Wong is also interested in exploring the changing trends of Chinese/Asian Americans in Silicon Valley from 1990s to present and how it will impact our communities in the future.

During her spare time, Yvonne is a bilingual volunteer trainer with City of San José's Office of Emergency Services which provides education, training and support to community members so that they may effectively assist their families and the community in times of danger, and be prepared to make the right decisions that will benefit everyone.

Focus Areas: Alviso Neighborhood, Chinese Media Relations, Mobilehome Communities, Human Rights, Code Enforcement, and Street and Traffic Constituent Services.

Commission Assignments: Human Rights Commission, Mobilehome Advisory Commission and Santa Clara Valley Habitat Conservation Committee.

yvonne.wong@sanjoseca.gov

Phi Nguyen
Intern

Phi Nguyen was born and raised in Milpitas and is currently attending San Jose State University pursuing a Political Science major. Phi transferred to San Jose State from Mission College of Santa Clara. This is Phi’s first internship and he is glad to be a part of the District 4 Team. Phi speaks Vietnamese.

Focus Areas: Code Enforcement and Constituent Services

phi.nguyen@sanjoseca.gov

Chris Zhou
Intern

Chris Zhou was born in Kingsville, Texas and raised in Berryessa. Chris is currently pursuing a high school diploma at Piedmont Hills High School in San José. Chris is the president of the Amnesty International Student Group of Piedmont Hills and is also the Amnesty International Student Activist Coordinator of Northern California. Chris was recently appointed as representative of District 4 on the Neighborhoods Commission. Chris is also the youth liaison for the Berryessa Citizens Advisory Council and North Valley Community Association. Chris speaks Mandarin.

Focus Areas: Code Enforcement, Constituent Services and Community Outreach

chris.zhou@sanjoseca.gov