Biography
- Born & raised in Santa Barbara County and graduated from local schools in Casmalia and Santa Maria.
- Two Children: Daughter, Brandi and Son Joseph Dean, M.D.
- Married for 50 + years to his high school sweetheart, Sylvia.
- While working and raising a family, attended night school, earning a Masters Degree and ABD Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. A.S. & A.A. Degree Allan Hancock, B.A. Degree LaVerne College. Certificate Degree Criminal Justice, UCSB.
Public Service Involvement
- Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, Fifth District Supervisor, re-elected to his second term in the June 2006 election with 73% of the popular vote.
- Chairman, Board of Supervisors 2003
- Chairman, Santa Barbara County Association of Governments, 2006
- Chairman, Santa Barbara KIDS Network for the past 4 years
- Chairman, Indian Gaming Committee and currently a member of the Committee
- Commissioner, Local Agency Formation CommissionB
- Board Member, Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District
- Board Representative on numerous social, human & youth services committees including the Central Coast.
- Commission for Senior Citizens Area Agency on Aging; the In-Home Care Network; the Juvenile Justice Coordinating
Committee and the Mental Health Committee
- Police Chief of the Santa Maria for 8 1/2 years, with a total of 34 years in the City Police Department.
- Mayor of Santa Maria.
- Santa Maria City Councilman.
- Vice-Chair Central Coast Water Authority.
- Member Santa Barbara County Water Purveyors.
- Allan Hancock College Board of Trustees.
- Co-Chair Juvenile Justice Master Plan Task Force of Santa Barbara County.
- Board Member of United Way of the Central Coast.
- Board Member of the Central Coast Water Authority.
- Member of the Rotary Club.
- Board member of Shelter Services for Women.
- Santa Maria West Main Street Revitalization Committee.
- North Broadway Improvement Committee
- Growth Mitigation Task Force
- Juvenile Justice Master Plan Task Force of Santa Barbara County.
Awards
Supervisor Centeno has received numerous awards. The two which stand out are:
- National Police Chief of the year W-TIPS. (We Turn in Pushers.)
- Robert Grogan Award for Public Service.