Eric Dillie in Livermore & the Tri-Valley: Community Service, Board Leadership, and Letters of Support How 24-year public and charter school educator Eric Dillie combines school leadership, nonprofit board service in Livermore and the East Bay, and decades of support from students, parents, and Tri-Valley neighbors. For more than a decade in Livermore, California, and across a 24-year career in public and charter school education, Eric Dillie has worked from a straightforward conviction: strong public schools and strong local neighborhoods are built the same way—by showing up consistently, listening to families, and putting practical problem-solving ahead of bureaucracy. Whether serving as Executive Director of Summit Public Schools: Tamalpais in Richmond, volunteering on nonprofit and school boards across Livermore and the East Bay, or gathering with neighbors at Livermore Valley Craft Beer Foundation and Rotary events, Eric Dillie's work in Livermore and the Bay Area reflects a lifelong commitment to students, educators, and community service. Below is an overview of Eric Dillie's community service and nonprofit board leadership, his 24-year career in education and school board governance, and the published letters of support for Eric Dillie in The Independent written by former students, parents, teachers, and Tri-Valley civic leaders.
Community Service & Nonprofit Board Leadership in Livermore and the East Bay Since moving to Livermore with his family in 2013, Eric Dillie has dedicated his time outside of school administration to local 501(c)(3) nonprofits focused on youth literacy, scholarships, anti-poverty initiatives, local first responders, and public charter school governance.
1. Livermore Valley Craft Beer Foundation (LVCBF) — Board of Directors As a board member of the Livermore Valley Craft Beer Foundation (livermore.beer) (also at lvcbf.com), Eric Dillie helps steward the foundation's "Beer for Good" mission— covering 100% of event operating expenses through local business sponsorships so that every dollar of ticket proceeds goes directly to Tri-Valley charities, students, and first responders: • Livermore Valley Craft Beer Festival: Named one of California's Top 10 Beer Festivals, the annual spring festival raised $165,000 for Shriners Hospitals for Children during its first five years at the Shriners Event Center and has donated $67,500+ to the Las Positas College Fire Service Technology program and Fire Academy since moving to the soccer field at Las Positas College. • Livermoron Collaborative Release: Every February during SF Beer Week, TriValley breweries partner with LVCBF to brew Livermoron, funding 68,200+ meals to date for local families through Open Heart Kitchen and the Alameda County Community Food Bank. • Livermore Bikes & Brews & Kids Bike Lane: Every October, LVCBF hosts Livermore Bikes & Brews, funding Kids Bike Lane in partnership with the Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District to assemble and donate 426+ brand-new bicycles, helmets, and locks for local students.
2. Rotarian Foundation of Livermore — Board of Directors Building on the shared service mission of Livermore's two Rotary clubs, Eric Dillie serves on the Board of Directors of the Rotarian Foundation of Livermore. The foundation awards annual community grants to Livermore Valley charitable organizations, underwrites local Rotary service projects, and supports third-grade literacy, holiday assistance for Livermore families, and college and vocational scholarships in partnership with the Mario Pedrozzi Foundation.
3. Rotary Club of Livermore Valley — Member & Former Board Member Eric is an active member and former board member of the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley, participating in hands-on community improvement projects, youth leadership initiatives, and international humanitarian programs across the Tri-Valley.
4. KEY Academy (Hayward, CA) — Board of Directors Having previously served from 2018 to 2022 as Superintendent of Schools for Key Educational Group—managing a $6 million budget for a tuition-free K–8 public charter school serving 600+ students (97.5% scholars of color)—Eric continues to serve on the
Board of Directors of KEY Academy, providing school board governance, fiscal oversight, and academic leadership support.
5. Contra Costa County Charter Coalition (5Cs) — Board of Directors Eric serves on the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Charter Coalition (5Cs), collaborating with public charter school leaders and families across the East Bay to strengthen educational equity, college readiness, and transparent school governance.
6. Partners for Change Tri-Valley — Former Board of Directors In Livermore, Eric served on the Board of Directors of Partners for Change Tri-Valley, a Livermore-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering Tri-Valley individuals and families to chart a sustainable course out of poverty through mentorship and financial stability workshops.
7. Rising Young Leaders, East Bay Home Ownership Opportunity & East Bay Entrepreneur Circle Across the San Francisco Bay Area, Eric has also served as Director of Education on the Board of Directors of Rising Young Leaders (a middle-school leadership and communityservice enrichment nonprofit), held board and advisory roles with East Bay Home Ownership Opportunity (supporting economic empowerment and local pathways to home ownership) and the Alameda County Board of Education Trustee Area 5 advisory team, and was a founding member of the East Bay Entrepreneur Circle, connecting smallbusiness owners in Livermore.
Letters of Support for Eric Dillie in The Independent (Livermore, CA) When Eric Dillie ran for the Alameda County Board of Education (Trustee Area 7) in 2022—representing Livermore, Dublin, Pleasanton, Sunol, and eastern Alameda County— nearly a dozen former students, parents, classroom colleagues, and fellow Livermore nonprofit leaders wrote Letters to the Editor of The Independent (independentnews.com), the Livermore Valley's hometown newspaper. Together, those published letters in The Independent offer a firsthand look at how Eric Dillie treats students, supports teachers, and serves the Livermore community. You can read the complete archive on ericdillie.org/letters or directly in The Independent below:
Former Colleagues & Educators on Eric Dillie's School Leadership • Fred Biletnikoff Jr. (Livermore educator and former colleague) — "Dillie Would Be Great Addition to Board of Education" (The Independent, April 7, 2022):
"To our faculty, Eric was a strong mentor that supported, and embraced, the diversity and/or philosophical differences that each of us had. ... Eric did wonders for the positive social, emotional and academic growth for many, many students! ... Eric was an approachable administrator that you could talk to easily without apprehension and was receptive to ideas that benefitted the culture of our school and our students' growth."
Former Students on the Lasting Impact of Eric Dillie's Mentorship • Cody Wade (Former middle school student, submitted via Kala Sanchez, Livermore) — "Eric Dillie for Trustee – He Cares" (The Independent, May 19, 2022):
"Around 17 years ago I had the privilege of having Mr. Dillie as my seventh grade teacher. Despite only knowing him for about a year, his kindness holds a strong memory that's lasted into my adult life. ... Mr. Dillie recognized that I needed someone to believe in me and he took time outside of class to encourage me and offer help when I needed it." • Norma Angelica Brenner (Former student, submitted via Kala Sanchez, Livermore) — "Eric Dillie for ACOE Trustee" (The Independent, March 31, 2022):
"Knowing Eric Dillie as an educator has been one of my greatest privileges. He saw the academic potential I held at the tender age of twelve. ... His support and guidance set me up for success as a business professional, educator, and future therapist for children." • Bailey Musto (Former Livermore student, submitted via Carol Musto) — "Eric Dillie for ACOE Trustee Area 7" (The Independent, March 31, 2022):
"He didn't see me as a student with disabilities, he saw me as a young person trying to shape their mind, grow socially and develop into the person I was
meant to be. ... He truly puts his students and families first, when he makes a statement, he follows through, when he enters a room people look."
Livermore Parents on Eric Dillie's Character and Vision • Phillip Weiss (Livermore parent) — "Eric Dillie for Trustee" (The Independent, April 21, 2022):
"I know Eric to genuinely care for our students and their education. He has a tremendous passion for education, not only in the classroom but throughout the community via his support of the Key Academy in Hayward, his work at LVCP in Livermore, his leadership with Partners for Change, and his service with the Livermore Rotary. ... I encourage everyone to support Eric for Alameda County Board of Education Trustee." • Chuk Campos (Livermore parent & Member, Alameda County Agricultural Advisory Committee) — "Eric Dillie for Board of Education" (The Independent, March 31, 2022):
"Eric is not a bureaucrat. Rather, he works to better education leveraging what works from the past with proven new technologies that make sense – in a very kind, real, engaging way. Eric is a problem solver while being a visionary. He is also honest, forthright, and humble." • Carolyn Trinta (Livermore parent) — "Eric Dillie for County Board Trustee" (The Independent, April 21, 2022):
"He comes from education; he puts children first and is a true warrior in education. ... Eric is also a humanitarian and community champion, being a member of the Rotary Club of Livermore Valley and serves on the Board of Directors at Partners for Change Tri-Valley, a Livermore based 501c3 nonprofit focused on ending the cycle of poverty."
Livermore Civic, Philanthropic & Nonprofit Leaders on Eric Dillie • Mony Nop (Livermore realtor, philanthropist, and community leader) — "Why Vote
for Eric Dillie, Alameda County Board of Education" (The Independent, April 28, 2022):
"Since getting to know Eric over five years ago, we have become good friends. Despite how different we are as people, I have never met anyone more inclusive than Eric. ... He shows up to support various nonprofits and the people he cares about." • Jim Berry (Livermore resident & Treasurer, Robot Garden Makerspace) — "Eric Dillie for Alameda County Office of Education Trustee Area 7" (The Independent, April 21, 2022) & "Eric Dillie for Office of Education" (The Independent, May 19, 2022):
"Eric is a passionate advocate for education and has led some outstanding educational programs with successful outcomes. I believe his knowledge and success-oriented nature will be a great addition to the County's education program." • Bill Stevens (Livermore Rotarian & former 20-year Director, Zone 7 Water Agency Board) — "Vote for Sarah, Dennis and Eric" (The Independent, May 19, 2022):
"He has been a teacher and a school administrator in several communities and the local charter school before joining the group organizing charter schools in the Bay Area. He knows the challenges of trying to provide education for the pupils and the politics that have to be overcome to do the right thing." • Susan Munkner (Livermore nonprofit board colleague) — "Dillie for ACOE" (The Independent, May 5, 2022): Highlighted Eric's collaborative nonprofit board service in the Tri-Valley and his dedication to students and families across Area 7. In addition to these published letters in The Independent, Eric Dillie's candidacy for the Alameda County Board of Education was supported by Tri-Valley and East Bay leaders including Janevette Cole (Trustee, Alameda County Board of Education, Area 5), Kevin Drake (Retired Principal, Granada High School, LVJUSD), Dr. Luis Reynoso (Trustee, Chabot-Las Positas Community College Board), Dennis Gambs and Dick Quigley (Zone 7 Water Board Directors), Kenny Shedd (Retired Police Officer & former Oakland Raider),
Adisa Banjoko (Author & Educator), Kamal Della, Bob Tucknott, Dr. Marion Sanchez, Dimitris Kastriotis, Frank Vallejo, and Dr. Ahmad Zamani. Full details are archived at ericdillie.org/letters.
24 Years in Public & Charter School Education Born in Iowa, Eric Dillie earned his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from the University of Northern Iowa (2001) and his Master of Education in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas (2008). He holds a California Clear Administrative Services Credential, a California Single Subject Teaching Credential in Social Science, a Texas EC–12 Principal Credential, and a Texas 6–12 Social Studies Composite Teaching Credential. Over 24 years in education (full timeline at ericdillie.org/education), Eric has served as: • Executive Director, Summit Public Schools: Tamalpais (Richmond, CA | 2022– Present): Leading a culturally diverse grades 7–12 public charter school of 560+ scholars and 55 staff members with a $6M+ budget focused on college readiness, mentorship, and educational equity (Summit Leadership profile). • Superintendent of Schools, Key Educational Group / KEY Academy (Hayward & Dublin, CA | 2018–2022): Directed operations, accreditation, and a $6M budget for a tuition-free K–8 public charter school. • Director of International Programs, York Education Group (2016–2018): Led global school partnerships and international admissions programming. • Campus Principal & Director of Instruction (2009–2016): Served as Campus Principal in Livermore, California (2013–2016) and previously as Campus Principal and Director of Instruction at Winfree Academy Charter Schools in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex (2009–2013), leading dropout-recovery and academic turnaround initiatives for 1,500+ students across six campuses. • Middle School History Teacher (Texas | 2002–2009): Taught 6th-grade and 7thgrade social studies at C.D. Fulkes Middle School (Round Rock ISD) and Coppell Middle School North (Coppell ISD). Outside of school leadership and nonprofit boards, Eric is also the Producer and Co-Host of Back Room Briefings (YouTube @backroombriefings_podcast), a weekly Bay Area politics, civic issues, and sports podcast recorded with co-hosts Dan Mendoza and Sean Wilson.
Official Pages, Articles & Verified Profiles for Eric Dillie Explore more of Eric Dillie's writing, community projects, and official profiles across the web:
Official Website (ericdillie.org) • Home: https://www.ericdillie.org • About Eric Dillie: https://www.ericdillie.org/about • Education & School Leadership: https://www.ericdillie.org/education • Community & Nonprofit Boards: https://www.ericdillie.org/community (/serving-thecommunity) • Impact & Letters of Support (The Independent): https://www.ericdillie.org/letters • Back Room Briefings Podcast: https://www.ericdillie.org/podcast • All Official Links Directory: https://www.ericdillie.org/links
Nonprofit & School Board Profiles • Livermore Valley Craft Beer Foundation: livermore.beer · lvcbf.com • Rotarian Foundation of Livermore: rotarianfoundationlivermore.org • Rotary Club of Livermore Valley: livermorevalleyrotary.org • KEY Academy Board of Directors: keyacademycharter.org • Contra Costa County Charter Coalition (5Cs): cococharters.org/about • Summit Public Schools Leadership: summitps.org/who-we-are/summit-leadership/ · Summit Tamalpais • Partners for Change Tri-Valley: pfctv.org/aboutus
Writing, Media & Social Profiles • Muck Rack (Journalist & Podcaster Portfolio): muckrack.com/eric-dillie-1 · muckrack.com/eric-dillie • Substack Newsletter: ericldillie.substack.com • Medium: ericleedillie.medium.com • WordPress Blog: ericdilliesite.wordpress.com • Weebly Site & Blog: eric-dillie.weebly.com • Strikingly Site & Blog: ericdillie.mystrikingly.com • Linktree & Carrd: linktr.ee/ericdillie · ericdillie.carrd.co • YouTube Channels: youtube.com/@ericdillie · youtube.com/@backroombriefings_podcast • Behance Portfolio: behance.net/ericdillie • About.me: about.me/Eric_Dillie • Swarm (Foursquare): app.foursquare.com/share/profile/510852686
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/eric-dillie-74841650/ • X (Twitter): x.com/eric_dillie · x.com/BRB_Podcast_3 • Instagram & Facebook: instagram.com/ericdillie · facebook.com/ericldillie • Tumblr, Pinterest, Flickr & SoundCloud: tumblr.com/eric-dillie · pinterest.com/eldillie · flickr.com/photos/ericdillie · soundcloud.com/ericdillie