CHILDHOOD & BACKGROUND
Eric was born and raised in Modesto, growing up between Burbank Elementary and completing homework at a corner desk in his parents’ business on Paradise Road. He boxed at the Maddux Youth Center at Fourth Street Park and played Little League baseball with Westport Southside Youth Baseball, experiences that reinforced discipline, teamwork, and personal responsibility.
Growing up, Eric learned the value of hard work, accountability, and respect for others from both his family and his community. Those lessons shaped Eric’s commitment to public service and his belief that Modesto should remain a city where families feel safe, neighborhoods are cared for, and opportunity is within reach for everyone.
In 2001, Eric's parent's moved from West Modesto to Ceres, where they raised Eric and his five siblings. He then attended Samuel Vaughn Elementary, Blaker Kinser Junior High, and graduated from Central Valley High School in 2010.
His father is a Stationary Engineer at Kaiser Permanente, Modesto Medical Facility and his mother works for Stanislaus County Office of Education, Child and Family Services.
Eric’s grandfather immigrated from Mexico to California in the early sixties with his wife and nine children, after years of seasonal work as a migrant farmworker in the Central Valley. The family eventually settled in West Modesto in the early seventies and raised 12 children.
EDUCATION
After high school, Eric attended Modesto Junior College, where he served in student government. He transferred to earn a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Spanish from the University of Idaho, where he was also elected by his peers to student government leadership.
While serving on the university student senate, Eric advocated for students with disabilities, informed in part by his own experience growing up with a mild form of Tourette's. He later went on to earn his master’s degree in Political Management from the George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management.
• B.A., Political Science and Spanish (University of Idaho)
• Master’s Degree, Political Management (George Washington University)
EARLY CAREER
Eric's early career has been dedicated to public service, working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Stanislaus County, the Boy Scouts of America, and as a member of Congressional staff for California’s 10th District.
Most recently, Eric worked on K–12 English Learner policy at the state level for Californians Together, advocating for bilingual education across California. Alvarez also served as chair of the Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce government relations committee from 2018-2022, advocating for small businesses and advancing economic development initiatives across the region.
ELECTED OFFICE
Eric currently serves as the Councilmember for District 2 and was appointed Vice Mayor in 2024, where he focuses on delivering real results for our neighborhoods through public safety coordination, economic development efforts, and delivering effective city services.
Alvarez serves as chair of the Economic Development Committee, the Appointments Committee, and is the regional representative for Stanislaus County cities on the League of California Cities - Central Valley Division.
Eric is a homeowner in West Modesto, where he resides with his fiancé.