Matt Francois was first elected to the City Council in November 2018, and re-elected in 2022. He also served as Mayor in 2022. He is a 20-plus year resident of Walnut Creek, father of two children, a community volunteer and a land use attorney.  He served on the Planning Commission from 2007 to 2018, and on the Transportation Commission from 2006 to 2007.

He graduated from UC Berkeley with a Bachelor of Arts in History, and received his law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law in 1995.

Work experience

• Land Use Attorney, Rutan & Tucker, 2014 to Present
• Land Use Attorney, Sedgwick, Detert, Moran & Arnold, 2010 to 2014
• Land Use Attorney, Cassidy, Shimko, Dawson & Kawakami, 1999 to 2009
• Assistant General Counsel, California Resources Agency, 1998 to 1999
• Associate Consultant, Assembly Local Government Committee, 1996 to 1997

Community involvement

• Walnut Creek City Council, 2018 to Present
  • Council Liaison, Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 2022 to Present
  • Council Liaison, Diablo Regional Arts Association, 2018 to 2020
  • Council Liaison, Rossmoor, 2020 to 2021
  • Council Liaison, Walnut Creek Sister Cities International, 2021 to 2022
  • Director, Central Contra Costa Solid Waste Authority (Recycle Smart), 2018 to Present (Chair, 2021 to 2022)
  • Member, City Attorney Committee, 2021 to 2022
  • Member, Diversity Equity & Inclusion Task Force, 2021 to Present
  • Member, Finance Committee, 2021 to 2022
  • Member, Housing & Community Development Committee, 2018 to 2020
  • Member, Legislative Committee, 2021 to 2022
  • Member, Public Education Committee, 2018 to Present
  • Member, Public Safety Committee, 2022 to Present
• Walnut Creek Planning Commission, 2007 to 2018 (Chair, 2010 and 2015)
• Walnut Creek Transportation Commission, 2006-2007
• Boys Team Charity, 2017 to Present
• Cub Scouts, Pack 302, Den Leader, 2010 to 2012
• Dewing Park Swim Team, 2007 to 2019
• Friends of the Creek, Creek Clean-Up, 2018 to Present
• Mt. Diablo Education Foundation, 2020 to Present
• Pied Piper Cooperative Pre-School, 2003 to 2009
• St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 2006-present (Lector 2011 to 2014)
• Walnut Creek Citizens Institute, 2007
• Walnut Creek Community Service Day, 2018 to Present
• Walnut Creek Education Foundation, 2006 to Present
• Walnut Creek Library Foundation, Board of Directors, 2009 to 2010
• Walnut Creek Little League, 2012 to 2014
• Walnut Creek Sister Cities Youth Ambassador Exchange Program, 2013 to 2014
• Walnut Creek Soccer Club, 2007-2017 (Assistant Coach, 2010)
• Yes! for Walnut Creek, 2009