SACRAMENTO, Calif. – This afternoon, Senator Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park) welcomed La Verne Mayor Tim Hepburn to the California State Senate for a formal recognition of his regional leadership and service as President of the San Gabriel Valley Council of Governments (SGVCOG).

Speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Rubio praised Hepburn’s collaborative approach to public service, highlighting his efforts to bring cities together around shared priorities – from wildfire safety and insurance access to transit expansion and regional investment.

“Tim has spent years working, not just for his own community, but for the entire San Gabriel Valley,” Rubio told her colleagues. “As SGVCOG President, he’s helped shape regional priorities by bringing cities together, by finding common ground, and making sure every city has a voice at the table. I think that’s his gift.”

SGVCOG represents 31 cities and more than two million residents. Under Hepburn’s leadership, the organization has tackled complex issues including housing, homelessness, infrastructure, and public safety. His tenure has been marked by a focus on practical solutions and a deep respect for local input.

Senator Rubio also recognized Hepburn’s local leadership in La Verne, where he was first elected to the City Council in 2015 and became mayor in 2020. His work to secure funding for a pedestrian bridge tied to the Gold Line extension was cited as a key example of his results-oriented style.

Known for his trademark bow ties, Hepburn brings more than four decades of experience in the electrical industry and currently serves as Second Vice President of the California Association of Councils of Governments.

He was joined on the Senate floor by his wife, family, and SGVCOG representatives Ricky Choi and Stephanie Wong, as Senator Rubio presented him with a formal resolution in honor of his public service.