About Steven C. Vargas

Steven C. Vargas has served the City of Brea in elected office across several decades. He first served on the Brea City Council from 1998 to 2002. He returned to the Council following the November 2014 election, was reelected in 2018 and 2022, and served as Mayor of Brea in 2021.

His work in local government has also included committees and regional assignments involving municipal finance, development, infrastructure, transportation, public works, and intergovernmental coordination. He currently serves on Brea's Finance Committee, which reviews City Council agenda items with financial impacts and makes recommendations to the Council. He served for multiple years on the League of California Cities Transportation, Communications & Public Works Policy Committee, the Orange County City Selection Committee, and the North Orange County Cities Joint Powers Authority.

Vargas's government experience extends beyond Brea. He previously served Orange County as a Third District Executive Assistant to Supervisor Todd Spitzer and worked at the federal level as a Community Outreach Coordinator for the Puerto Rico Federal Affairs Administration.

Vargas served in the United States Navy as a nuclear submarine Machinist's Mate and ship's diver from 1980 to 1986. He later rejoined the Navy Reserve in the Civil Engineer Corps and reached the rank of Chief Petty Officer before transitioning to Chief Warrant Officer 2 and then Chief Warrant Officer 3. He continued to progress through the ranks, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander after a 27-year military career.

His military service, spanning five decades, included five military activations following the September 11, 2001 attacks, including a one-year deployment to Iraq during the 2007–08 surge, with service at Al-Asad and Fallujah.

His naval service, rank progression, activations, and deployment reflect a long record of national service alongside his work in local government and the private sector.

Outside elected office and military service, Vargas built a career in construction and workplace safety. He worked as a general contractor by trade and completed 20 years with Chevron, where he served as a Construction Safety Specialist.

That professional background placed him in environments involving construction operations, workplace safety, project execution, and organizational responsibility. His career crossed private-sector and government work, including his Orange County and federal government roles, providing experience with budgets, contracts, and operational accountability.

Vargas holds a bachelor's degree in Science and Technology from Excelsior College of New York and a master's degree in Public Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Vargas's involvement in Brea extends beyond elected office. His community service includes leadership and volunteer involvement with youth, veterans, and nonprofit organizations, including service as a former President of the Placentia Boys & Girls Club, involvement with Boy Scout Pack 820, former Commander of Brea Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5384, and current Commander of Brea American Legion Post 181. He also serves as the District Adjutant for American Legion 29th District.

His public community activities have also included participation in local volunteer efforts and civic events, including community cleanup activities, youth service projects, veterans-related organizations, and charitable and community events. These activities reflect a continuing pattern of civic participation alongside his elected service.

Vargas has lived in Brea since 1989. His connection to the city spans his family life, professional career, community involvement, military service, and multiple periods of service on the City Council.

Over that time, his public involvement has included elected office, local veterans' organizations, nonprofit and youth activities, City committees, and participation in community events.

Vargas has identified one of his most memorable service efforts as taking six Brea firefighters to New York after the September 11 attacks to serve at Ground Zero. According to Vargas, he raised the money from Brea businesses, friends, and family after City funding was not provided because of liability concerns.

The 25th anniversary of September 11 also carries personal significance for Vargas as a New Yorker and as someone whose public service has connected communities on both coasts.

Steven and his wife, Lisa, have built their family life in Brea. Together, they have five daughters and eight grandchildren. All five daughters are college graduates… two are nurses, one is a teacher, one is a PADI Master Scuba Instructor, and one is a film editor.

Travel and spending time together as a family remain an important part of their lives.