Meet Jerry
Early Background
I was born in Taiwan, where I spent my early childhood years. My father worked as an accountant who taught college courses part time, my mother was a middle school math teacher, and I grew up with a quiet love of library books. When I was nine, my parents made the decision to leave everything they knew and immigrate to the United States, hoping to give my sister and me better educational opportunities.
I entered the American public school system as an ESL student, learning English while adjusting to a new culture and a new country. Those early years weren't easy, but hard work paid off, and by high school I had developed strong academic skills, graduating near the top of my class. I went on to Cornell University, where I earned both a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, working part-time and summers to help pay for tuition and living expenses. My life experience of starting with very little and building a future through education shapes my views about public education today and powers my commitment to ensure that every student has the same opportunities that I had.
Family and Career
I met my wife, Jennifer, here in Silicon Valley. We have two daughters, Sarah and Liz, both of whom grew up in and graduated from CUSD schools. Our family has called Sunnyvale and Cupertino home for more than two decades; we were drawn here, like so many families, by a community that values hard work and a strong education.
Watching my daughters move through CUSD's classrooms, playgrounds, and school events gave me a perspective I don't think you can get any other way. I was a parent packing lunches, attending back-to-school nights, and worrying about the same things every CUSD parent worries about: How is my child learning? Are they safe? Are they growing into who they're meant to be? That's the lens I bring to every decision I make on the Board.
I’ve built my career in software here in Silicon Valley, progressing from an entry-level engineer to a technology executive. Over the course of my career I've held management positions with responsibility for teams of hundreds of engineers and budgets in the tens of millions. My work has always centered on solving complex problems — figuring out what's broken, bringing together different perspectives, and building teams that work at scale. My experience in managing large engineering organizations has provided me with the analytical skills, financial discipline, and collaborative leadership needed to oversee a complex school district like CUSD.
Community Service
My community involvement began in a kindergarten classroom where I spent my Friday mornings helping introduce young students to hands-on science experiments. That early volunteer spirit grew into nearly two decades of service to CUSD schools and our broader community. As a parent, I’ve organized science fairs and book fairs, served as president for PTAs and school site councils, and advocated for students in multiple district advisory committees.
Beyond the schools, I've been a dedicated advocate for Cupertino's libraries, serving as Chair of the Cupertino Library Commission and President of the Cupertino Library Foundation, where I helped launch programs like a teen hackathon series and a middle school summer science research program. I also served on the Cupertino Planning Commission where I’ve advocated for school funding in development projects. In 2016, the City of Cupertino honored me with its CREST Award for my contributions to the community. I am currently serving on the board of the Asian American Parent Association to help parents better understand important and topical issues in public education today.
CUSD Board Member
I was first elected to the CUSD Board of Education in 2018 and have since been elected by my fellow trustees to serve two terms as Board President. Every decision I've made has been guided by the same principles: put students first, listen carefully, and make decisions based on long-term thinking.
During my time on the Board, we've maintained CUSD's tradition of academic excellence. From 2022 to 2025, our students gained over a grade level of learning per year — ranking in the top 4% of school districts nationwide — while California's statewide learning rate continued to decline, according to the Stanford and Harvard Education Scorecard. CUSD ranked 4th out of more than 10,000 districts nationwide in math performance and in the top 1% in reading. Today, two CUSD schools are tied for #1 among California's best elementary schools according to U.S. News & World Report, and many of our elementary and middle schools have earned recognition as California Distinguished Schools.
We've also expanded opportunities for students: bringing the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program to every school site, expanding middle school electives, and expanding Transitional Kindergarten. On school climate, we've added safety fencing at school sites, invested in campus security technology, and responded to parent feedback by improving our school lunches.
We supported our teachers and staff with raises totaling 21% since the 2022-23 school year, and deepened community engagement through our Superintendent's Awards and expanded State of the District events.
I helped lead the campaign for Measure Z, the $347 million facilities bond Cupertino voters approved to modernize our schools, and I've continued to help oversee its implementation as the district has scaled from initial funding to allocating the program's full budget across every campus — delivering new gymnasiums, running tracks, modernized classrooms, and campus-wide facility upgrades in coming years. Under this board's leadership, CUSD was featured on the cover of The Education Magazine in January 2026, recognized for its commitment to academic excellence, equity, and student well-being.
As CUSD enters a new chapter, I'm running for re-election to continue serving the community that gave my own family so much opportunity. I would be honored to earn your vote and continue this work on your behalf.