Full Biography for Mark Leno

Candidate for
Board of Supervisors

Biography

On April 22, 1998 Mark Leno was appointed to the seat on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors vacated by the City's newly elected treasurer, Susan Leal.

A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Leno attended the University of Colorado at Boulder, then went on to become valedictorian of his graduating class at the American College of Jerusalem, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts degree. Leno also spent two years in Rabbinical Studies at Hebrew Union College in New York.

Long before becoming Supervisor, Leno was both a business and community leader in San Francisco. Leno has received numerous awards including: the 1995 Small Business Owner of the Year from the Small Business Network; the 1991 Community Service Award from the Raoul Wallenberg Jewish Democratic Club; the 1995 Hormel Community Service Award from the Human Rights Campaign; and the James R. Sylla Award from the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Leno is the owner of Budget Signs, Inc., a small, 8-employee business located in the Mid-Market neighborhood. Leno founded Budget Signs in 1978 and was later joined by his life partner, Douglas Jackson. Together, the two entrepreneurs steadily grew their sign business until Jackson passed away from complications relating to AIDS/HIV in 1990. This deep loss would not deter Leno. Instead, he redoubled his work and volunteer efforts in community service.

Leno has served on the boards of many local and national organizations, including Haight Ashbury Community Services, the American Jewish Congress, Mobilization Against AIDS, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Leno has been an advocate on issues relating to HIV/AIDS, civil rights, immigrants' rights, and women's rights.

Supervisor Leno sits on the Economic Development, Transportation and Technology Committee, and the Housing and Neighborhood Services Committee.