Draft:Alex Bastian
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Alex Bastian | |
|---|---|
| Born | |
| Alma mater | University of California, Los Angeles; University of San Francisco School of Law |
| Occupation(s) | Hospitality Executive, Attorney, Public Advocate |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Known for | President & CEO of The Hotel Council of San Francisco; Public advocacy in hospitality and criminal justice |
| Board member of | San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco Travel Association, Armenian Bar Association, California Travel Association |
| Awards | Best Verdict Award (Trial Practice), CALI Award for Excellence (Public International Law) |
Early Life and Education
Alex Bastian was born and raised in San Francisco. He later moved to Los Angeles where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, in December 2004. He later obtained his Juris Doctor from the University of San Francisco, School of Law, in May 2008. During his legal studies, he received the "Best Verdict" award in Trial Practice and the "CALI Award for Excellence" in Public International Law.[1] San Francisco and Los Angeles have both been home to Bastian over the years.
Career
[edit]Hospitality Industry Leadership
[edit]Bastian currently is the President & CEO of The Hotel Council of San Francisco.[2] San Francisco's hospitality and tourism industry in 2024 helped support nearly 62,000 jobs and generated around $604 million in tax revenue.[3] Named one of the San Francisco Business Times' "Newsmakers 100: The People to Know Now in the Bay Area,"[4] Bastian is recognized for his impactful public advocacy and leadership in the industry and San Francisco at large. As an advocate for San Francisco's hospitality and tourism industry, he has collaborated with city and state leaders to promote economic growth, policy reform and advancing public safety efforts.[5]
Notable achievements include:
[edit]- By working collaboratively with leaders across San Francisco, Bastian led efforts of the successful 2024 passage of Proposition M, San Francisco's first business tax cut ballot initiative. The measure permanently adjusts rates like the gross receipts tax (0.1% to 3.716%) and raises small business exemptions to $5 million, generating $50 million annually to support city services and the hospitality sector.[5][6] Prop M eased small business and hospitality tax burdens through a $5 million gross receipts exemption, while adjusting rates for large businesses to fund $50 million in city services. The measure, introduced during a period of economic recovery, is projected to save the hotel industry more than $8 million annually.
- Bastian spearheaded the first-ever "Security Committee" for the hospitality sector, enhancing public safety through resource-sharing, training, and partnerships with law enforcement.[7]
- Bastian was named in the "Newsmakers 100: The People To Know Now In The Bay Area" by the San Francisco Business Times[4] (for notable work in public advocacy for the San Francisco Bay Area.)
Legal Career
[edit]Before his role in hospitality, Bastian started his career in public safety. He worked in the District Attorney's Office of San Francisco and Los Angeles. He began his career prosecuting cases in the San Francisco District Attorney's Office, and later held key roles in management and public policy, leading efforts in policy reform and public safety.
Los Angeles District Attorney's Office (2021–2022)
[edit]As a Special Advisor to the Los Angeles District Attorney, Bastian played a crucial role in shaping public safety policies and criminal justice reforms, with a primary focus on enhancing public safety and accountability.
San Francisco District Attorney's Office (2010–2021)
[edit]Bastian worked as an Assistant District Attorney prosecuting cases at the San Francisco District Attorneys' office holding key positions in management and public policy. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff, managing regulatory, media, legislative, and community engagement initiatives.
Media and Public Engagement
[edit]Bastian has been an influential voice in the media, authoring multiple opinion editorials on criminal justice, urban policy, and tourism. His articles have appeared in The New York Times,[8] The Hill,[9] San Francisco Chronicle,[10] SFGate,[11][12][13][14] San Francisco Business Times,[15] and San Francisco Examiner.[16][17][18]
He has also been featured in live national news appearances, including CNBC,[19] Fox News,[20][21] discussing topics ranging from economic recovery to public safety across California.
Board Memberships and Associations
[edit]Bastian serves on the boards of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce,[22] San Francisco Travel Association,[23] the Armenian Bar Association,[24] and California Travel Association.[25]
References
[edit]- ^ "Public International Law - University of San Francisco School of Law Fall of 2006 | CALI". www.cali.org. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Meet the Team". Hotel Council of San Francisco. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "San Francisco Travel Announces 2025 Tourism Forecast and 2024 Results | San Francisco Travel". www.sftravel.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ a b "Newsmaker 100: The people to know now in the Bay Area". www.bizjournals.com. 2025-06-25. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Proposition M | San Francisco Voter Information". voterguide.sfelections.org. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ writer |, Patrick Hoge | Examiner staff (2024-11-06). "Prop. M business tax reform backers tout 'victory'". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Security & Safety". Hotel Council of San Francisco. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2017-10-27). "Opinion | Seeing Danger in a Face". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex; Bortz, Jon E. (2024-04-11). "With US cities struggling, San Francisco has actually become a shining model of recovery". THE HILL. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex. "Why I couldn't quit San Francisco — and you shouldn't either". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2025-02-11). "'San Francisco is not a beautiful city': Charles Barkley loses the plot". SFGATE. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex. "Fancy San Francisco hotels haven't been this cheap to book in years". SFGATE. Archived from the original on 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex. "Here's why San Francisco is a better city to visit than Las Vegas". SFGATE. Archived from the original on 2025-06-17. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2022-11-14). "It's time to double down on tourism to save San Francisco". SFGATE. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2025-05-16). "Guest opinion: Why S.F. needs business tax reform". www.bizjournals.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2018-07-18). "Travel should be a basic right for all civilians". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2015-11-26). "The growing pains of growth, gentrification". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Bastian, Alex (2016-05-10). "The truth is not for sale". San Francisco Examiner. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Hotel Council of San Francisco CEO is optimistic the city can make a comeback". CNBC. 2023-06-08. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Fox News presses Gascon adviser on transgender child molester's sentence | Fox News Video". Fox News. 2022-02-22. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ Casiano, Louis (2022-06-15). "Embattled Los Angeles DA George Gascon loses top aide as recall effort gains steam". Fox News. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Board of Directors". San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Board of Directors | San Francisco Travel". www.sftravel.com. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Board of Directors". Armenian Bar Association. Retrieved 2025-06-25.
- ^ "Board of Directors". California Travel Association. Retrieved 2025-06-25.