Council Member Pete V. McCracken, elected in June of 2006, is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University in Agricultural Engineering and has been a resident of Porterville since May of 1976.
He served on the Porterville Planning Commission from 1980 through 1986 and was Chairman of the Planning Commission from 1982 through 1986.
From 1978 through 1988, he consulted for the World Bank in Portugal, Jordan, Egypt, Thailand, and the Yemen Arab Republic specializing in agricultural irrigation and drainage. From 1985 through 1988, he managed a 10,000 hectare (24,710 acres) multi-crop farming operation northeast of Hodeida, Yemen Arab Republic.
Besides his international activities, Council Member McCracken has worked as an information systems consultant for several San Joaquin Valley agricultural entities, owned and operated a country western dance studio, and currently is the chef/owner of Le Bistro, a fine dining restaurant featuring American and Continental cuisine, located in downtown Porterville.
He is a Past President of the American Society of Agricultural Consultants, a member of the National Association of Parliamentarians, a member of the American Personal and Private Chefs Association, a member of the American Legion, and a Viet Nam Era U.S. Army Veteran, 1965-1967.
Council Member McCracken is married to Wanda and has one son, Matthew, and three step-children, Steven, Louis, and Wanda M.
Council Member McCracken currently serves as Chairman of the Internal Audit Committee of the City of Porterville.
