California State SenateCandidate for District 27

Steve Fazio’s roots in the San Fernando Valley date back to the 1960’s, when his family moved to Southern California. Upon arrival and throughout his childhood, Steve was drawn to the unique qualities of the area and knew that it would always be home. After graduating from High School, Steve entered the family business, where he learned the value of hard-work and customer service from his father. He left the business for a short time after purchasing his own dry cleaning facility, but returned to take over the company as his father and his fathers’ partners were nearing retirement.

Steve has spent the last 35 years building a team and expanding Fazio Cleaners, but he has never lost sight of those family values instilled by his parents and grandparents, and those principles remain at the core of the company today. One of these beliefs is to treat customers and employees with respect, and Steve has always understood that, “Without a dedicated workforce that understands how to treat customers– there would be no business!”

For Steve, creating job opportunities and establishing an environment that permits people to rise to their potential has always been his goal as a small business owner. As a State Senator, Steve will use his experience to offer common-sense reforms that create jobs and lessen the everyday burdens that fall upon California’s working-class families.

From 1981-2011, Steve served as a reserve police officer with the Los Angeles Police Department where he was responsible for hundreds of arrests and thousands of calls for service. After his honorable retirement from the LAPD, former Los Angeles Mayor, Antonio Villaraigosa, asked Steve to serve as a member of the Los Angeles City Fire Commission. The LA City Council unanimously approved Steve’s appointment to the board, and when Mayor Villaraigosa was termed out, Steve was the only member to continue his service at the direction of current Mayor, Eric Garcetti.

Now that Steve is a candidate for State Senate, he is no longer able to serve on a city commission, but as an elected representative, Steve will ensure local departments have the resources needed to protect our communities and make sure our region remains a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.

After completing both an MBA and Doctorate at Pepperdine University, Steve received the “Distinguished Alumni Award”, and was asked to teach Strategy as an “Executive in Residence” at the George L. Graziadio, School of Business and Management.

During Steve’s time as an adjunct professor, he developed a passion for education as well as a desire to further his commitment to youth development. He accepted the position of founding President for the Sierra Canyon School Board of Trustees, and as a leader on the board, helped to raise the necessary resources to expand the school that now educates nearly 1,000 students, and has one of the most diverse student bodies of any Independent School in the State of California.

As a State Senator, Steve will be committed to education reform, and he will fight to restore a public education system that continues to fail its students. Steve knows that a quality education is the basis for a successful career, a successful life, and a successful society.

Steve is the founder of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), Las Virgenes Chapter, an organization that advocates for “better leaders through education and idea exchange.” The chapter now serves 50 Young Presidents and CEO’s – covering areas from Encino to Thousand Oaks, and reaching as far north as Bakersfield.

For Steve, the YPO involvement has extended well beyond just business, it’s helped him to better achieve his goals in a variety of areas such as: philanthropy, environmental stewardship, personal growth, and doing ones’ part to make the community, and the world, a little better place.

As an integral member of the community, Steve has offered countless hours to local organizations such as: Cedars Sinai Board of Governors, Woodland Hills Chamber, AIPAC, WPO, AJC, the Lincoln Club, and the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce.

In 2015, Fazio Cleaners received the Small Business of the Year Award, granted by the district’s California State Assembly Member. Steve’s business also earned the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) Hall of Fame award, and was a nominee for the Fernando Award. In 2014, Steve received an award from the LAPD Eagle and Badge Foundation honoring his 30-years of service to the LAPD as a reserve police officer.

Steve and Nicole live in Woodland Hills; they have four children, and a Labradoodle named Dipper.