RE-ELECT
MEET JAY HOWARD
Professional and Community Work:
Jay has worked as a carpenter throughout his entire career, primarily serving communities throughout Contra Costa County. He has also dedicated countless hours to community service, including past volunteer work with Habitat for Humanity in Spokane, Washington, and serving as a board member of Mother Brown’s Dining Room and Homeless Shelter in the Bayview district of San Francisco.
A strong advocate for civic engagement, Jay is an active member of several community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Rotary Club, and the Sportsmen’s Club. He serves on the board of Loaves and Fishes and has been actively involved with the Martinez Historical Society, helping lead efforts to restore and preserve the Martinez Historical Museum.
Jay is also the founder and director of the "Carpenters Who Care" program, a volunteer initiative that has completed numerous community improvement projects, including restoration work at the Martinez Historical Museum and home repairs for local seniors, such as bathroom renovations to improve safety and accessibility.
In his professional career, Jay serves as a Senior Superintendent for G Swanson Construction, overseeing Bank of America branch renovation projects throughout the Bay Area. He also serves as a board member for the Nor Cal Carpenters Union and as a representative on the Carpenters Local Union 152 Executive Committee.
His decades of experience in construction, labor leadership, volunteer service, and community improvement have equipped him with strong leadership, team-building, communication, and problem-solving skills. Jay is committed to bringing those same values and experiences to his service on the Martinez City Council.
Personal Life:
Jay grew up on a small ranch in the Alhambra Valley, where his grandparents, Dessie and Glenn Dashiell, raised chickens and his mother, a dedicated single parent, boarded horses while raising Jay and his siblings. As a child, he spent countless hours exploring the Alhambra Valley hills with his dogs, developing a lifelong appreciation for Martinez’s open spaces, natural beauty, and community character.
Today, Jay lives in downtown Martinez with his wife, Traci Storr-Howard, who works as a Project Office Manager for a construction company, and their two dogs, Hitch and Tizzy.
Jay is the proud father of two accomplished children. His son, Justin Howard, serves as a Superintendent for a union construction company and continues the family tradition of leadership within the trades. His daughter, Sierra Howard, earned her degree in molecular biology and has recently been accepted to Columbia University, where she will pursue her master's degree in New York.
Jay’s deep roots in Martinez, commitment to family, and lifelong dedication to serving others continue to shape his vision for the future of the community he proudly calls home.
