Candidate for
Member of the State Assembly; District 20; Democratic Party

Garrett Yee is a long-time local resident of the 20th Assembly District area. He has lived in Fremont for over 40 years, Newark for two years, and Union City for almost a year. Garrett has a rich history of community service and results. At every stage in his life, Garrett has participated in a number of local community organizations where he has made a difference. Garrett is a local leader committed to public service with a deep sense of community responsibility.

In 2002, Garrett was elected to the Ohlone College Board of Trustees and in 2006, he was re-elected to a second term. The son of a teacher, Garrett understands the importance of education. As a member of the College Board, Garrett has been an advocate for higher education. During his tenure as the Board Chair, he helped to address critical issues to improve overall effectiveness for student learning. He strongly supported the responsible construction of a LEED Platinum certified campus in Newark and a projected LEED Gold student center on the Fremont campus. He commonly known as the "voice of reason" on the board and is seen as a strong advocate by faculty and students alike.

Garrett is proud to serve our country as a Colonel in the United States Army Reserve. He is one of few individuals across our country that holds a locally elected office and has served with the military in Iraq. Commissioned through the ROTC program at Santa Clara University in 1987, Garrett was first called to active duty in 2003 to serve as a Plans Officer in support of the Operation Enduring Freedom. In 2005, Garrett was again called to active duty to serve as the Battalion Commander of a logistics support battalion. In 2006, Garrett was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Garrett's background in infrastructure and small businesses were put to use while serving in Iraq where he focused on reconstruction. His efforts led to the publication of a handbook now used by the Department of State.

For the past 15 years, Garrett has served the community. Garrett has served as President of Citizens for Better Community, a local service organization; District Chairman for the Boy Scouts of America, which represents over 1500 youth members; Chair of the Fremont Library Advisory Commission; and President of the South Bay Chinese Club of Southern Alameda County. He has been recognized locally and nationally for his service. The Argus newspaper named Garrett as one of "10 People to Watch in 2003"; Citizens for Better Community named him the "Citizen of the Year" in 2005; the Wall Street Journal featured Garrett and his family for their patriotism in 2006; the Boy Scouts of America named him "Scouter of the Year" in 2007; and the Indo American Community Federation named him "Citizen of the Year" in 2007.

Currently Garrett manages the Rating and Statistical Department of the Workers' Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB). He oversees a professional and technical staff, and teaches continuing education seminars to industry professionals on the Experience Rating System. Since joining the WCIRB in 1989, Garrett has served in a variety of assignments working directly with employers and insurers, and has served as the Policyholder Ombudsman where he assisted hundreds of employers with problems and disputes involving their workers' compensation insurance. He has earned the CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter) and the APA (Associates in Premium Auditing) insurance industry designations.

A dedicated family man, Garrett met his wife, Maria Vera-Yee, while attending Kennedy High School in Fremont. They have been married for over 23 years and have three wonderful children that are the product of Fremont public schools.

Garrett holds a bachelor's degree from Santa Clara University, an MBA from Golden Gate University, and a Masters Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.