Forrest Lanning

Forrest Lanning is a Bay Area native, structural engineer, and neighbor. He earned a degree in Architectural and Structural Engineering from California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and later conducted earthquake engineering research at Stanford University. A career spanning more than two decades, Forrest has dedicated his work to helping communities rebuild from disasters and become safer and more resilient through practical problem-solving, and responsible stewardship of public resources.

Forrest lived and worked overseas, helping communities prepare and recover from major earthquakes and tsunamis in New Zealand, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Afghanistan, Costa Rica, and Colombia. Working with organizations including USAID, the United Nations, the World Bank, and local governments, he led disaster recovery programs that rebuilt and retrofitted schools, strengthened critical infrastructure, and improved earthquake preparedness. Managing projects with limited budgets taught him the importance of prioritizing investments, eliminating waste, and finding practical solutions that deliver the greatest benefit for every dollar spent. These experiences reinforced his belief that effective leadership begins with listening to the community, evaluating the facts, and making thoughtful, practical decisions that put residents first.

Forrest and his wife, Sara, are proud to call El Cerrito home. He is committed to serving the community with integrity, common sense, and sound judgment, working collaboratively to solve problems and make thoughtful decisions that reflect the best interests of both today's residents and future generations.