Candidate for
Council Member; City of Santa Ana; Ward 3

Carlos Bustamante was born in Santa Ana in 1965. He attended Mater Dei High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force shortly after graduation. In the Air Force, Carlos was assigned to Space Command in Colorado, where he helped defend U.S. air space. After serving 3 years, Carlos was accepted to a continuing education program where he seized the opportunity to obtain a formal education. Carlos enrolled at Rancho Santiago College, earning an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts. Carlos transferred to California State University, Fullerton, majoring in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance.

Following graduation from Fullerton, Carlos accepted an offer from the Los Angeles County Marshal's Office as a Background Investigator. Later, he was offered a position with the State of California, Board of Equalization. While with the Board of Equalization, Carlos was promoted to a Peace Officer Investigator with the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. As an ABC investigator, he conducted licensing, narcotics, and numerous undercover investigations. Carlos continued to seek other opportunities to learn, which lead to his present position with the County of Orange, County Executive Office. Carlos is currently an Administrative Manager with CEO assigned to the Office of the Chief Information Officer.

Carlos recently earned a Master's Degree in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University. He holds seats on the City of Santa Ana Redevelopment & Housing Commission, the Historic Resources Commission and is a member of the Board of Governors for The Bowers Museum. Carlos and his wife, a teacher with Santa Ana Unified, have two children.

Community Affiliations

Chairman, Redevelopment & Housing Commission- Commissioner, Historic Resources Commission- Board of Governors, Bowers Museum- President, Kiwanis Club of Santa Ana- California Narcotics Officers Association

Honors and Awards

Air Force Achievement Medal- Top 10% Goldenwest Police Academy- Commendation, LA Police Department- Commendation, City of Santa Ana- Commendation, County of Orange