Mayor John W. Minto
At Large
John Minto's journey began in San Diego, where his parents relocated when he was just five weeks old. Growing up in the City Heights neighborhood shaped his early years. During junior and senior high school, he immersed himself in various clubs and organizations that offered valuable leadership training. These programs included the American Red Cross, Junior Kiwanis, Junior Achievement, Army ROTC, and the San Diego Police Department’s Explorer program.
Following his passion for service, Minto embarked on a commendable 29-year career as a San Diego Police Officer and Detective. Before joining the police force, he was a proud member of IBEW Local 465 and worked for three years at San Diego Gas and Electric Company. His roles spanned Gas Maintenance and Construction, Warehousing, and Overhead and Underground Electric Maintenance and Construction, even spending time as an Apprentice Lineman.
Equipped with extensive training and experience, he succeeded in his first council election in 2002. Minto contributes to the community by serving on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and the League of California Cities (CaCities) Board of Directors. He previously served on the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System Board of Directors and is a dedicated 23-year member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
His involvement extends beyond official capacities as he actively participates in various annual events throughout the district, including those in Santee, El Cajon, Lakeside, and Alpine. These include the Santee Firefighter’s Pancake Breakfast, Santee’s American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, the Santee Chamber of Commerce Awards ceremony, the Miss Santee & Miss Santee Teen pageant, and the Santee Chamber of Commerce Annual Santee Street Fair. Additionally, he is engaged with the East County and Lakeside Chambers of Commerce and has appeared in the Pine Valley Days and Lakeside Parades.