Fire smart. Fiscally sound.
For Southern Marin.

I’m Eric Steinhofer and I’m running for the SMFD Board to bring twenty years of investing, energy, software and infrastructure experience at Charles Schwab, PG&E, Schneider Electric and climate tech startups to strengthen and build wildfire prevention, fuel management, and emergency readiness to help the community that my family and neighbors call home.

Southern Marin Fire District needs someone on the Board that understands the utility provider, its grid and how to make sure our fire fighters have the information they need to manage fire risk and keep our community safe. I can fill the knowledge gap on the Board and leverage my experience working to ensure our Fire District has the resources we need from partners to keep our community fire safe.

Endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters, Union 1775 for the local First Responders that protect and serve Southern Marin

Eric Steinhofer at the Dipsea race in Mill Valley.

+20 Years of investing, energy and infrastructure experience

Former Board Member at Marin County Bicycle Coalition

Mill Valley Resident Since 2008 and live in Tam Valley with my family

ABOUT ERIC

I’ve called Mill Valley home since 2008 and I live with my family in Tam Valley — inside the wildland-urban interface SMFD is built to protect.

I’ve spent my career managing large teams, large budgets for complex projects at Charles Schwab, Schneider Electric, PG&E and climate tech starts, and now work as an energy consultant and advisor.

My background means energy resilience, budgets for fuel break, emergency vehicle access planning, and utility coordination aren't new territory and I can quickly step into an oversight and governance role at SMFD.

I’ve served on the Board of the Marin County Bicycle Coalition and have direct governance experience and a longstanding interest in how fire roads, trails, and emergency access can serve the community in more than one way.

Energy & Infrastructure Leadership

Two decades directing large teams and multi-million dollar budgets at Charles Schwab, Schneider Electric, PG&E and climate tech startups .

Climate & Wildfire Focus

Advisor to climate tech startups, with a career built around addressing climate-driven risk.

Local Board Governance

Former Board member, Marin County Bicycle Coalition — direct experience board governance and oversight.

Community Roots

I was raised in Sebastopol in Sonoma County and I’ve been a resident of Mill Valley since 2008. I’m a Tam Valley homeowner. I’ve volunteered for Troop 1 in Mill Valley and I’m a proud parent of an Eagle Scout.

ENDORSEMENTS

  • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), Union 1775

  • Adrian Brinton, Sausalito City Council Member Candidate

  • Jeff Brown, Tamalpais Community Services District Board Member

  • James Goddard, Marin County Board of Education Candidate

  • Luke Ham, Mt. Tam Church Pastor

  • Sharon Nakatani, Mill Valley School District Board Member

  • Amy Svendberg, Southern Marin Fire District Board Candidate

  • Steve Woodside, Sausalito Mayor

I’ll bring my energy experience and perspective to the board. I closely followed statewide wildfire management policy when I worked at PG&E and I’ll use my experience to help protect constituents. I’ll focus on four priorities.

WHERE ERIC WILL FOCUS

Wildfire Readiness

Fuel breaks & vegetation management

Bring utility-sector experience to strengthen SMFD's wildfire prevention and vegetation management programs, especially along the wildland-urban interface. Increase focus on removal of invasive, non-native vegetation like French broom, Scotch broom and Eucalyptus.

Fiscal Responsibility

Public-private partnerships

Push SMFD to explore public-private partnerships that reduce fire risk — without asking Southern Marin taxpayers for more.

Emergency Access

Roads, routes & readiness

Advocate for smart, fiscally responsible investment in the emergency vehicle access and fuel breaks that keep our community safe.

Firefighter and Paramedic Well Being

Competitive Pay and Benefits

Listening to the work force to ensure Southern Marin has the competitive pay, benefits and leadership that is required to attract and retain the professional caliber support we need.

“I love Marin County. I want to put twenty years of experience to work for SMFD and our community — keeping Southern Marin safe.”

Eric Steinhofer · Candidate, SMFD Board of Directors

GET INVOLVED

steinhoferforSMFD@gmail.com