Meet Larry Westerlund
Fresno City Council District Four

Born and raised in Fresno, 42-year-old Larry Westerlund represents the third generation of a Central Valley family that established a box manufacturing company to serve local agriculture. As a youth, Larry was encouraged by his parents Richard and Judy Westerlund to become involved in school and community organizations — a philosophy that Larry has continued into adulthood. His exposure to and experience with leadership, administration, and teamwork have helped mold Larry’s vision for the Fresno City Council.

While earning his bachelor’s degree in political science at California State Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, Larry served as Chief of Staff for the ASI president and was a three-year governor of the University Union. In addition to Dean’s List recognition for academic excellence, Larry was named Outstanding Military Science Student with the University’s Army ROTC unit.

Larry also completed a five-month internship with a local U.S. Congressman in Washington, D.C. Larry then was accepted into the U.S. Navy’s Officer Candidate School, graduating with a commission as an Ensign in November 1988. Larry subsequently served two years aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG-27) as a First Division Officer, supervising shipboard aviation operations and a division of 30 personnel.

A move to Sacramento followed as Larry enrolled in the University of Pacific’s McGeorge School of Law. He earned his Juris Doctorate in May 1994; his law school studies were supplemented with post-graduate work in international law at Cambridge University in England.

Larry’s legal career began in 1995 with the Tulare County District Attorney’s office where he prosecuted both misdemeanor and felony cases, including 11 jury trials for “25-to-Life” crimes with an outstanding conviction rate.

In April 1998, Larry was recalled to serve as a Lieutenant in the Navy in Bosnia-Herzegovina, conducting a major study of force structure in support of Operation Joint Guard/Forge.

Larry resumed his legal career in private practice, working for the Fresno Firm of Emerich, Pedreira & Fike as an associate attorney who represented individual and corporate clients in a variety of litigation matters. Larry is also a member of the Marine Corps Memorial Association, American Legion, and the Fresno Rotary Club.

In March 2004, Larry was elected as Council Member for District Four for the City of Fresno. After his election to City Council, but before taking office, Larry returned to active duty for six months serving on staff with the Commander of the Pacific Fleet.

Larry was sworn in as Councilmember for District Four on January 4, 2005. He has also served on the board and chaired the Fresno Redevelopment Agency (RDA) and the Fresno County Transportation Authority (FCTA).

Larry married Dora Rivera in December, 2007. Shortly thereafter, in January 2008, Larry was ordered back to active duty with the U.S. Navy. From May 2008 to April 2009, he served as the Chief of the Counter Terrorism Train and Equipment program for the Joint Special Operations Task Force for the Trans Sahara.

While deployed over-seas Larry was re-elected to his second term as Council Member for District Four on June 2, 2008. Larry was sworn into office on April 7, 2009 after his return from active duty with the United States Navy. He remains active with the U.S. Naval Reserve as a Lieutenant Commander.

Larry’s wife Dora gave birth to their beautiful baby girl, Zoe Westerlund on January 28, 2009.