BIOGRAPHY

Matthew has dedicated his career to fighting for better jobs with fair pay and benefits for local families – while strengthening the local economy and expanding apprenticeship programs, job training and worker safety.  He currently serves as the Business Representative for the San Diego Building and Construction Trades Council.  In that capacity, Matthew has helped make sure many important community infrastructure investments are safely and properly built – including hundreds of structures at local schools, community colleges, universities and hospitals. At the same time, he works to make sure pay rates, overtime laws, worker safety laws and standards on public works projects are adhered to.

Matthew joined the U.S. Army Reserves out of high school and served for nine years.  He was inspired to learn the value of motivation and a strong work ethic. Meanwhile, he earned his Associates Degree from Southwestern Community College, and then his Bachelors’ Degree at California State University at Dominguez Hills. He was the first member of his family to earn a college degree.

A third-generation Laborer – following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather – Matthew got his start in the construction trades at UC San Diego. He excelled in in his field and took leadership roles in managing workers’ safety and overseeing payroll and project budgets. He is proud of the career he built through hard work – and is giving back to the community by making sure others overcome adversity and have the opportunity to pursue good jobs with fair pay and benefits – and career advancement.

As a leader who stands up for workers and working families, Matthew Leyba-Gonzalez is a voice we continue to need on the Imperial Beach City Council. We can count on him to work for safer neighborhoods and to improve opportunities for all the people of Imperial Beach.