Meet Steve

By Steve Tate

An overview of what I am all about.

I've had the good fortune to have been married to Jennifer for almost 44 years. She is now retired after being a personal trainer, a downtown business owner and a past Morgan Hill School Board Trustee. She is currently serving on the Board of the Morgan Hill Historical Society. She also served as president of the MH Centennial Committee in charge of the many festive 2006 events we had to celebrate Morgan Hill's 100 years as an incorporated City. The Chamber of Commerce selected her to be Morgan Hill's "Woman of the Year" for 2006.

We have two great kids. Our daughter Stacy is married to computer support guru Keith Huddleston. She teaches 8th grade at St. Mary School in Gilroy, where she was Gilroy's "Educator of the Year" in 2005. They have two children, 14-year old Jared who is into both football and baseball; and 11-year old Kylie who plays softball in addition to charming her grandpa. Our son Greg is also married to a Jennifer Tate; he works in the business software arena while she works for The Gap. They live in San Francisco's Marina District.

I'm have been an avid runner, having completed 15 marathons, a 37-mile jaunt up Haleakala mountain on Maui, and a 50-mile run to celebrate turning 50 back in 1994. Asthma is slowing me down now, but I still get out when I can and exercise regularly. I love all sports, especially Giants baseball. Every year Jennifer and I spend the month of March in Scottsdale, Arizona where we attend Giants spring training games and also catch some games at AT&T Park. I enjoy reading, primarily fiction, and also enjoy time at the beach. We love to spend weekends at our Pajaro Dunes condo, especially in the milder winter months. We also love to travel, and after recently visiting our Sister City of Headford in Ireland, hope to some day visit our other three Sister Cities (in Mexico, Italy and Japan).

I'm a member and past-president of the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill. I am a strong supporter of youth leadership activities in Rotary, advising Interact Clubs at both Central and Oakwood High Schools. I'm a member of the Morgan Hill Chamber, which I support through the Ambassador program and as an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors. I served two terms as Board President of Leadership Morgan Hill and continue to support the program. I am also in my seventh year as a member of the Board of Directors of the Housing Trust of Santa Clara County, an important organization that is really making a difference on housing affordability in our region. When I left the Leadership Board, I was asked to join the United Way Silicon Valley Board. It has been a rewarding experience, expanding my insight and contacts in the Silicon Valley region and allowing me to advocate for South County while also increasing United Way's visibility here.

Serving as Mayor is both very rewarding and also very demanding. We have regular Council meetings and frequent additional workshops and other sessions. As Mayor, I chair these sessions and make every effort to oversee the agenda and set the tone to make them meaningful and productive. I also have many constituent meetings and am frequently asked to make speaking appearances at community events. I also serve on the Santa Clara County Library Joint Powers Authority (JPA) Board, City/School District Liaison Committee and Santa Clara County Cities Association Board. I am past president of our Division of the League of California Cities. I work closely with our local Youth Action Council and our Library, Culture and Arts Commission in a Council liaison role.

I truly do love Morgan Hill, and enjoy the hard work necessary to make it even better than it is! I believe I am an effective and productive mayor and ask that you give me the opportunity to continue in the role.