“One of the joys of serving on city council is the people I meet,” says Orange   Councilwoman Kathy Tavoularis.  “I love meeting a neighbor I don’t know.  So many of the people I’ve met are wonderful.”

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Kathy Tavoularis, District 3

Orange Councilwoman Kathy Tavoularis has an appreciation for being an American. Born in Montreal, Canada, to parents who emigrated from Greece, Tavoularis went through the naturalization process to become a citizen.

“I am the only immigrant on the city council,” she says.

Tavoularis, along with her older brother Pete, a long-time history teacher and coach at Orange High School before passing away in 2020, and older sister Sperry, were raised in the U.S.  They first resided in Quad Cities, Illinois before the family moved to Orange in 1981, where Tavoularis attended Taft Elementary, Peralta Jr. High and Villa Park High Schools. Her first job was at Sears at the Mall of Orange.

“They put me in charge of fitting men for suits when I was 16,” she says, laughing.

Tavoularis went on to California State University, Long Beach where she received a degree in political science.

“We grew up with my parents always telling us how lucky we were to live here,” she recalls.  “My father’s village in Greece was occupied during World War II, and my mom experienced the same in Athens.  As a result, all three of us majored in political science.  It was never discussed; it was just what we all knew.  Freedom was all that was ever talked about.”

She began a career in politics and public affairs, opening her own firm in 2007 running political campaigns, both nationally and locally.

“It was never my intent to run for public office,” she says. “But there was a vacancy in the 3rd district when Mike Alvarez resigned.  My brother had just passed and a couple people encouraged me to run as a tribute to my brother because he loved the people of Orange so much, especially the kids that came through his classroom.”

She was appointed in April 2021 and elected the following year.

“So now I have this opportunity to represent the areas of Peralta and the Mall of Orange,” Tavoularis says.  “I am passionate about my district because I grew up right here.  This is my home.”

Susan Tillou has known Tavoularis since junior high.  “Our career lives ran in parallel in that we believe in community voice and activism but more behind-the-scenes rather than the spotlight,” says Tillou, who was recently appointed to the Santiago Creek Commission.  “We are both at that time of life when we appreciate the community we grew up in and want to bring our skills back to serve Orange.”

Tavoularis considers Orange a special place.  “I know all 34 cities in Orange County really well because of my job,” she says.  “But Orange is unique and you have a council that cares and is invested.”

Kathy Tavoularis
714-744-2211  /  [email protected]