In the Spotlight

Welcome to In the Spotlight.

These stories spotlight the people who make San Jose a remarkable place to call home. From unsung heroes to community leaders, we catch up with San Joseans who are doing amazing things — and we share the awe-inspiring stories behind their struggles and successes.

We are telling the unique, ever-changing, diverse story of San Jose. One person at a time.

Who should we feature next? To nominate someone for our next In the Spotlight profile, email [email protected].

Chuck Reed plans to continue statewide pension reform

Former Mayor Chuck Reed is leaving California, but he vows to continue to fight for statewide pension reform. Reed, 71, says he’ll continue working on reeling in the exploding costs of public pensions, the signature issue that won him national notoriety as San Jose’s 64th mayor. He’ll also take on cases for the Silicon Valley law firm where...

Peter Ortiz brings personal experience to education role

He went from a life of gangs and poverty to working at prominent companies like eBay and winning election to Silicon Valley’s most powerful education board. Santa Clara County Board of Education Member Peter Ortiz knows the struggles of many students in his district because he’s lived through them himself. Ortiz, 29, grew up off of...