Great questions! I had never met Linda prior to the election a year ago. When she called me before the election, I had to ask a few questions as to who she was, because I knew a different Linda Hurley on my street. (Yes there are 2 in town!) I will let my fellow trustee go ahead and share more of who she is, so you can truly get to know the person being talked about around town, in the Facebook groups, or online. All of us can get to know someone better!

In that same vein, I would like to share with you a bit about who I am, where I come from (literally and figuratively), and what my vision is. Who is Ryan? As I use community groups to help Sunol residents get to know me, I hope that the moderators of these groups will share my words with equal prominence.

I have tried to get to know Ted and Linda better over our limited interactions in the board meetings, and I give it my best to work as a team on various issues facing the school like flooding, budgets, contracts, architects, construction, etc. and respect what each of them can bring to the table. At times it has been quite spirited, but I remain resolved in my effort to see the good in people and find what unites us rather than what divides. I have voted for what I felt was best for the school and the kids, and I have sided with each of my colleagues on the board at different times. I will continue to strive to work through conflict, toward a board and community that can work together.

My wife Rachel and I were both born and raised in Fairfield, here in the Bay Area. We love it here, loved our childhood and adulthood here, and love raising our kids here. We have our family, friends, colleagues, and connections here. We have lived in San Francisco, Fremont, and now (our favorite!) Sunol.

We bought our place here in Sunol 9 years ago. Prior to and in considering this move, we wanted to find a house that could fit our growing family, a school that we would be excited for our children to attend, and an environment/community we would love. We found it! It is Sunol! Our first experience as Sunolians was the Christmas Train of Lights tradition, and picking up tickets from Ario downtown. It was scores of experiences similar to this that made us continue to fall deeper in love with where we live, and who lives here with us.

I loved walking the streets and meeting and talking to my fellow Sunolians in 2022 while running for the position on the School Board. There are many unique and different people who are so good and so fascinating. I heard about the bed races, the gardens, the wineries, the agriculture, the traditions, the creek, the agencies, the clubs, the NGO's, the education, the volunteerism, the service, the collectivism, and the individualism. We are individuals AND we are a community.

My wife and I became more and more involved in the school since our twin boys started Kindergarten in 2017. We have donated money and time. We have enjoyed getting to know our kids' awesome teachers and administration. We attended board meetings and town halls even when it was only possible virtually during 2020 and 2021. Our kids helped pilot the return to the classrooms. We have moved sand bags, shoveled mud, moved downed trees, and hauled dumpsters of trash alongside all of you. I have been serving as a volunteer trustee for our School Board for over 2 years, with great training and mentoring from our last Board President and others. I appreciate those who have gone before me and shared the benefit of their experience with me. I have attended training, learned from CSBA training and conferences, spent countless hours meeting with Molly and in study and preparation for this school and our community.

At its core, my vision for our future is the same as when I started to seek a school board trustee position, to be a representative of all people living in these valleys. My vision and goals grow and mature with time as I am always learning and growing. I hear your concerns and I am trying to do my best to learn, change, and grow. The vision I have is one of unity in our community, while accepting and not stifling individualism. I would love for all residents to be welcomed to come together at school, community meetings, events, downtown, shops, restaurants, bars, and homes as different individuals, but with equity and kindness for all. I see a place where we do not pry into personal lives, personal identities, beliefs, lifestyles, or practices with judgment, gossip, or rumors. I see a place where we have mutual respect for all and get to know each other for the great humans we each are. I believe in understanding people's differences. I hear you and I welcome open dialogue. I am happy to listen and adjust.

I love this town. I love this state. I love this country. I love the people in it. We are stronger together than if we are divided. As Abraham Lincoln said,

“A house divided against itself cannot stand.”

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. noted,

“We must all learn to live together as brothers, or we will all perish together as fools.”

We can all be a bit different, enjoy our diversity, and still come together united as One Nation. We can come together as One Sunol.