Meet Rocco
Rocco is passionate about making sure that working people in Burien have access to the things they need, affordable housing, accessible transportation, and well paying jobs. And determined that the next generation have the safe streets, ample public parks, and after school programs that will help them grow into Burien’s future leaders.
Rocco was born and raised on naval bases in Central and Southern California before his family settled near their relatives on Long Island, New York. He is proud to come from working class roots, his dad a aerospace manufacturing training manager and veteran, and his mom a special education teacher and union steward. They instilled the values of hard work, honesty, and solidarity. Their example led Rocco to public service.
After college, Rocco served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in West Africa for three years where he worked with schools and taught math, science, and environmental education to kids and adults. He moved to the Puget Sound region in 2012 serving as an AmeriCorps volunteer with a local non-profit. Now Rocco works for King County Metro helping employers and workers get the most out of our transit system, and launching programs to provide transit passes to those who need them the most. At King County he was able to join his first union and is a proud union steward.
Like many others, he moved further from Seattle as the cost of rent continued to rise over the last decade. He was able to put together the money to buy a small condo in Burien in 2018, and has worked hard to make it his home ever since. Rocco met his partner, Evan, right here in Burien, going to The Tin Room on their first date. They decided that Burien was where they wanted to settle and took their time to find a home here together. Rocco will work hard on the city council to make sure that folks have the same opportunities to thrive in Burien!