Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: President Noelia Corzo, District 2
Subject: San Mateo County Exposition and Fair Association Board of Directors
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommendation for the appointment of Iliana Rodriguez to the San Mateo County Exposition and Fair Association Board of Directors, as a Director for a first term effective October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2029.
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BACKGROUND:
The San Mateo County Event Center (“Event Center”), located in the City of San Mateo, serves as an emergency evacuation center for San Mateo County residents, hosts conferences and conventions, and is the site of the San Mateo County Fair. The Event Center is managed by a non-profit organization, the San Mateo County Exposition and Fair Association (“Association”), whose Directors are appointed by the Board of Supervisors.
The Association’s Board of Directors (“Board of Directors”) consists of 11 Directors, all of whom must be residents of San Mateo County. Directors are each allowed to serve up to four three-year terms.
DISCUSSION:
Iliana Rodriguez is being recommended for appointment to a seat held by Thomas Ames, who reaches a maximum term of service on September 30, 2026 after twelve dedicated years on the Exposition and Fair Association’s Board of Directors. Upon approval, Iliana Rodriguez’s term is effective October 1, 2026.
Iliana Rodriguez is a longtime public-sector leader who dedicated 38 years to serving San Mateo County, culminating her career as Assistant County Executive. A Daly City native, Iliana earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and a master’s degree in public administration from San Francisco State University. Throughout her career, she focused on strengthening County systems, improving service delivery and supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable residents.
Iliana began her career with the County in the District Attorney’s Office Child Support Enforcement Division, where she helped improve processes and strengthen services for families. She later led the Human Services Agency, overseeing a broad range of safety-net programs, including homelessness prevention and services, public assistance, children and family services, employment programs and other supports for residents in need.
In 2017, she joined the County Executive’s Office as Deputy County Executive and was confirmed by the Board of Supervisors as Assistant County Executive in 2023. In that role, she helped coordinate countywide strategies across Health, Housing, Human Services, Child Support and other major areas of County government.
Iliana played a central role in San Mateo County’s efforts to address homelessness and expand affordable and supportive housing. Her work included helping establish the Center on Homelessness and advancing the County’s goal of reaching “functional zero” homelessness. Under initiatives she helped guide, the County opened six hotel conversions for formerly unhoused residents, developed a 270-room Navigation Center and added more than 660 housing units. She also helped advance the County’s first permanent farmworker housing project in partnership with the City of Half Moon Bay.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Iliana served as incident commander for the County’s Emergency Operations Center, coordinating the County’s response during one of the most complex emergencies in its history while helping maintain essential services and support for residents.
A strong advocate for mentorship and leadership development, Iliana was recognized throughout her career for her approachable leadership style and commitment to developing the next generation of public-sector leaders. The Board of Supervisors’ 2024 Women in County Government resolution specifically recognized her emphasis on serving vulnerable residents with compassion, empathy and innovation. In December 2024, she was named the Women in County Government Special Honoree.
Rodriguez retired from San Mateo County service on December 31, 2025, after 38 years. Since retiring, she has continued her commitment to public service as a member of the 2026 County Charter Review Committee. In April 2026, the Board subsequently approved bringing her back in a limited extra-help capacity to provide senior-level strategic coordination and support related to the County’s Vehicle License Fee litigation and related informational and outreach efforts.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.