About Jack

Deeply Rooted and Forward-Thinking for Pleasanton

Jack Balch is a lifelong resident of the region with deep ties to Pleasanton. He grew up near the Fremont-Sunol border, attending Sunol Glen Elementary and Mission San Jose High, before graduating Cum Laude from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, with a B.S. in Business Administration. Jack’s early years were spent enjoying Pleasanton’s rich traditions, from summers at Shadow Cliffs to evenings downtown enjoying ice cream, fostering his deep appreciation for the community’s unique values and needs.

For over 20 years, Jack and his family have called Pleasanton home, celebrating milestones like their 2003 wedding at Ruby Hill and the birth of their son in 2008. These experiences have deepened Jack’s commitment to preserving Pleasanton as a vibrant, family-oriented community.

Service for Pleasanton’s Future

Jack’s public service began over 15 years ago as a Parks & Recreation and Planning Commissioner in 2009, moving to the Planning Commission in 2014, before his election to the City Council in 2020. Serving as Vice Mayor in 2023 and elected Mayor in 2024, Jack has dedicated himself to fostering transparency, fiscal responsibility, and collaboration to address the city’s needs. He has contributed to various community boards and initiatives, including the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department JPA, StopWaste JPA, and Ava Community Energy JPA.

 An Inclusive, Balanced Approach to Leadership

Jack is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (CPA), accredited Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA), and licensed Real Estate Broker. As Chief Financial Officer of his family’s real estate business, Jack combines financial expertise with civic dedication.

As a local small businessman, husband, and father, Jack is committed to working hard to address challenges like rising costs, sustainability, and efficient use of taxpayer dollars, all while preserving Pleasanton’s character and enhancing its quality of life.

Shaping a Vibrant, Thriving Pleasanton

Jack’s leadership is guided by a vision for a community rooted in inclusion, sustainability, and progress. Join him in building a better Pleasanton by staying involved and sharing your voice. Together, we can ensure our city remains a beacon of excellence for generations to come.

Jack’s Service

Boards, Commissions and Committees

• Mayor, City of Pleasanton (2024 – Present)
• Councilmember, City of Pleasanton (2020 – 2024)
• Vice Mayor, City of Pleasanton, CA (2023)
• Livermore Pleasanton Fire Department Joint Powers Authority, Member (2021-Present)
• Ava Community Energy Joint Powers Authority, formerly East Bay Community Energy (EBCE), Member (2023 - Present)
  • Board Chair (2024 - Present)
  • Executive Committee Chair (2023)
  • Board Vice Chair (2023)
• Alameda County Liaison Committee, Member (2021 - Present)
• Alameda County Mayors' Conference (2024 - Present)
• Alameda County Transportation Commission, Member (2024 - Present)
• Alameda County Waste Management Joint Powers Authority (StopWaste), Member (2021 - 2024)
  • Programs & Administration Committee, Vice Chair (July 2024 - November 2024)
  • Energy Council,  President (July 2022 – June 2023)
  • Energy Council, 1^st Vice President (July 2021 – June 2022)
• City of Pleasanton, Audit Committee, Member (2021 - Present)
• Bernal Property Finance Committee, Member (2021 - 2022)
• Dublin Liaison Committee, Member (2021 - 2022, 2024 - Present)
• Dublin San Ramon Services District Liaison Committee, Member (2021 - 2024)
• East Bay Regional Park District Liaison Committee, Member (2021 - 2024)
• City of Pleasanton, Economic Vitality Committee, Member (2021 - 2022)
• Innovation Tri-Valley, Member (2021 - 2023)
• Tri-Valley Transportation Council, Alt. Member (2023 - 2024)
• City of Pleasanton Parks & Recreation Commissioner (July 2009 - April 2014)
  • Parks & Recreation Master Plan Steering Committee, Member (2012-2014)
  • Kottinger Place Task Force, Alt. then full Member (2012 – February 2014)
• City of Pleasanton Planning Commissioner (May 2014 – November 2020)
  • East Pleasanton Specific Plan Task Force, Alt. then full Member (2012-2015)
• City of Pleasanton Waste & Recycling Committee, Member (2022 - 2024)
• Pleasanton Unified School District Liaison Committee, Member (2024 - Present)
• Livermore Liaison Committee, Member (2024 - Present)
• Zone 7 Liaison Committee, Member (2024 - Present)

More About Jack!

Hobbies: Hiking, Mountain Biking, Gardening (results do vary), Camping, Traveling, Fishing (all types, but dry fly the most), and Golf (again, results vary).

Most visited parks: Kottinger Community Park, Augustin Bernal Park / Pleasanton Ridge, & Sunol Regional Wilderness. 

Favorite meal: This is a 3-way-tie between my wife's Italian wedding soup, my mother-in-law's ricotta gnocchi, or my father's pork ribs cooked on his Traeger BBQ (although we’ve been moving to a Pit Barrel cooker lately)! 

City project most proud to be involved with: There are several, but supporting and voting for our Pleasanton Police Department’s award-winning Alternative Response to Mental Health and providing care to those in crisis is an extreme honor. I’m also very proud to have been a part of the Kottinger Gardens project to house income-eligible seniors, the Iron Horse Trail connections in our community, and supporting enhancements to the Marilyn Murphy Kane Trail.

Favorite frozen treat: ANY! Too many good choices in town to pick just one!