Council Member Octavio Cesar Martinez omartinez@cityofwhittier.org

Octavio Cesar Martinez was elected to the Whittier City Council District 2 in April 2022. Prior to being elected to the City Council, he served on the Whittier City Cultural Arts Commission and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Hispanic Outreach Taskforce (HOT).

A resident of Whittier for over 35 years, has three adult children: David Octavio, Michael John and Christina Catherine and three grandchildren: Miriam, Lidia, and Maxwell. His professional experience includes 30 years in telecommunications, non-profit work, fund raising, and running a small business in Whittier. 

He has shared his knowledge of leadership, personal development, forgiveness and relational skills with individuals and organizations throughout the United States, and around the world. He has addressed audiences and conducted seminars for businesses, colleges, faith communities, and NGOs in Ecuador, India, Norway, Italy, Germany, Scotland, and Tajikistan. He has guest lectured at Bethel University, Asbury University, Fuller Seminary, BIOLA University, DeVry University, and Blue Mountain Community College. Octavio has been interviewed by Matt Lewis of CNN, The Bottom Line Show radio show (KBRT), several podcast shows, and broadcast his TEDx talk from Whittier to Dusseldorf, Germany and throughout Europe.

Octavio is the author of, "It Was A Beautiful Day When My Father Died", on the emotional, and mental health benefits of forgiveness. Along with Dr. Marcus Goodloe he co-authored "HABITS: Six Steps to the Art of Influence" on the basic principles of leadership. Octavio serves on the League of California Cities Community Services Policy Committee.

City Council Appointed Organizations

• California Contract Cities Association, Delegate
• Clean Power Alliance of Southern California, Alternate
• Greater L.A. County Vector Control District, Alternate
• Hillside Open Space Education Coalition, Alternate
• Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority , Alternate
• Southeast Water Coalition, Delegate
• Whittier/Puente Hills Conservation Authority, Alternate
• Wildlife Corridor Conservation Authority , Alternate
• Independent Cities Association (ICA), Alternate

City Council Ad Hoc Committees

• Gold Line Light Rail
• State Legislation
• City Branding