Elected in a December 2023 run-off election, former Eagle Councilmember Brad Pike was sworn in as Eagle’s Mayor on January 9, 2024. This round of serving as mayor – yes, he was mayor of the City of Hollister, California – Mayor Pike shared that, unlike Hollister which had a city manager handling administrative affairs, the City of Eagle’s Mayor is the city manager as well as being the public face of the city. Being the Mayor of Eagle means there are staff members to manage, public appearances to make, council meetings to attend, working sessions to participate in, and ceremonial work along with administrative work to complete week over week.
When asked why he wanted to serve as a mayor again, he shared that “service is a calling. Whether it is coaching baseball, career and volunteer work in fire management, serving as a councilmember, or serving as mayor, service is my calling.”
Integrity. Honesty. Problem solving to address needs first and wants later. Networking to bring the right people to the table to solve problems. These are all hallmarks of Mayor Pike’s approach to working and leading. When working with staff, the Mayor recognizes that each day is different and requires ongoing collaboration.
Given Pike’s team experiences in baseball and fire management, he sees all work as team oriented and shares that “someone has to be the captain” for the work to get done. Openness to ideas from staff and the community is another of Pike’s leadership hallmarks. He asks for staff support and stands by staff as they are the professionals doing the work of the city. Mayor Pike acknowledges that he understands many aspects of the city’s work and is continuing to learn more. “I’m gleaning as much information as I can, it’s important to have dialogue. I enjoy talking with people,” says Pike.
Mayor Pike is also Eagle’s liaison to a dozen other governmental and community entities, all of which work to better the communities they collectively and respectively serve. Working with ACHD and the Eagle business community is important “so that citizens know Eagle is open for business even when the roads are under construction. Eagle has parking and needs to let customers and shoppers know where to find that parking.”
Eagle also has history that as the city’s 14th mayor (Eagle incorporated in 1971), Pike wants to recognize, celebrate, and build upon. “If you lose your history, you lose society,” says Pike. Eagle’s Museum of History and Preservation is tucked onto the City Hall and Library campus in a historic church building.
“Being frugal with the monies that come to the city is important,” says the mayor. “I am needs-driven. Eagle must meet the needs of the community first.” In 1971, Eagle covered 1.5 square miles and had a population of 359. Today, Eagle includes more than 30 square miles and a population of over 30,000 residents.
Eagle has an Urban Renewal Agency that has seven years left on its twenty years of committed work. Eagle is working to form a Downtown Association for businesses and merchants to ensure economic vitality, downtown mobility, and effective downtown development. Mayor Pike wants to enhance what’s in place and continue refining for the benefit of the city and its citizens.
Mayor Pike and his wife have been married over 30 years. They raised two boys. Eagle became the Pike’s home in 2011. CityofEagle.org
"I want the community to be harmonious and to represent Eagle’s citizens."