Council Member Ross Chun

Ross Chun was selected by his colleagues to serve as Mayor for 2022 and 2019 and as Mayor Pro Tem in 2018 and 2021.

An Aliso Viejo resident for nearly two decades, Ross chose this beautiful city to call home because of its fine schools, diverse recreational activities, and attractive business opportunities. Ross and his family have always been active in the community, local schools, and in city events, enjoying all that Aliso Viejo has to offer.

Ross began his volunteerism in Aliso Viejo with an appointment to the Parks and Recreation Committee where he worked for almost 4 years to ensure the Aliso Viejo Community Association’s 21 parks were maintained beautifully and with a focus on effective management and fiscal responsibility. During his tenure, he was elected as Pacific Grove’s Delegate to The Aliso Viejo Community Association, representing his district to the master association and in city matters that affect his neighborhood and the community for more than 15 years.

In 2006, Ross was elected to the Aliso Viejo Community Association Board of Directors where he served as the Board Secretary, Vice President, and four times as President, leading the Board in developing policies that support the community’s 21 parks, slopes and common areas, and its popular seasonal events. During his three terms as an AVCA director, Ross had an opportunity to work with the City Council and staff to best serve the community.

Ross was appointed by the City Council to Aliso Viejo’s first Planning Commission, where he served with his fellow commissioners to review development plans and make recommendations to the Aliso Viejo City Council. As a Planning Commissioner, he met with city staff, residents and current and potential vendors to review and discuss proposed plans until the commission was later dissolved. Ross has donated countless hours to non-profit charities, raising money to fight cancer, support scouting, and preserve natural resources and the environment, as well as supporting the Capistrano Unified School District and local public and private schools. Organizations such as The Laguna Canyon Foundation, Surfrider Foundation, American Cancer Society, Girl Scouts and Savannah’s Organic Ranch have benefited from Ross’ dedication to volunteerism and interest in supporting worthwhile causes.

Ross represented the City of Aliso Viejo at the San Joaquin Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), where he was twice elected as chairman by the 15 elected city council members and Orange County Supervisors who serve as directors.  There he also chaired the Finance and Investment Committee and the Joint Environmental Committee which he proposed and initiated more than 4 years ago. Additional responsibilities Ross held at the TCA included Director’s roles on the Joint Strategic Planning Ad Hoc Committee, Joint Toll Operations, Joint Marketing and Joint Capital Programs and Projects Committee.

Ross was elected to the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council to represent the TCA and elected Vice Chair of SCAG’s Environmental and Energy Committee. He has since been elected to the organization’s Executive Leadership Committee. Ross was appointed to the Transportation and Communication Policy Committee by The League of California Cities through a League Presidential Appointment and to the Energy and Environment Committee for the Association of California Cities Orange County. Ross now serves as the President of the League of California Cities, Orange County Division, and is meeting with each of the 34 cities that make up Orange County to work toward a consensus for state legislation supported by the League. 

Ross was recently appointed to the Advisory Board of the MASTERthese.org, and is taking part in their MIT Women’s Initiative, presented by two female MIT Engineering Ph.D candidates whose goal is to get girls interested and excited in majors that include Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM). 

On the Aliso Viejo City Council, Ross initiated the first standing committee to meet with leadership at the Capistrano Unified School District, and served on the Aliso Viejo/AVCA Standing Committee, which he previously created while President of the master association 6 years ago.

Ross was appointed to represent the City at Orange County Fire Authority, AV Ranch Foundation, SCAG Transportation Committee, Library Advisory Board (as alternate), San Joaquin Hills Transportation Corridor Agency (as alternate), California JPIA (as alternate), and Coastal Greenbelt Authority in 2021.

Ross has authored and published an educational program that is offered in public schools in California, and works for The American Red Cross in Corporate Development in Humanitarian Services. Over the past 6 years, he has offered internship opportunities to college students who express an interest in government and public policy and in partnership with CUSD Trustee Dr. Gary Pritchard, Ross co-founded the Community Service Scholarship, awarding an Aliso Niguel High School senior with funds to help with college tuition based on academic achievement, athletic participation, community service and financial need.