Leo Perales
Meet Leo Perales
Leo Perales comes from a proud legacy of hard work and perseverance. His great-grandparents and grandparents migrated from Texas to Washington in the 1930s and 1940s as part of the migrant labor streams. For decades, they worked the asparagus, cherry, potato, and cauliflower fields in the Sunnyside Valley. In the 1980s, Leo’s parents moved from Sunnyside to the Tri-Cities, where they laid down roots and raised their family. Leo is the eldest son of Lloyd and Jennifer Perales—his father a lifelong roofer and his mother a former daycare supervisor.
From a young age, Leo was taught the values of work ethic, self-reliance, family, and gratitude to those who lend a hand. These values shaped his belief in service to others and a deep commitment to community. Born in Pasco and raised in the Tri-Cities for the past 35 years, Leo has witnessed firsthand the city’s growth and transformation. He graduated from Columbia Basin College in 2012 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from Heritage University, graduating Summa Cum Laude.
A devoted husband and father, Leo has been married to his wife Janette for ten years. Together, they are the proud parents of three children: Jade, Kingston, and Laia. Professionally, Leo serves as the General Manager of GeoProfessional Innovation, a local geotechnical engineering, environmental, and special inspection firm. His work spans the region—from the Kadlec parking garage in Richland to Oregon’s first natural gas co-generation plant in Boardman. He has also consulted on high-profile projects at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation, including ERDF and the K Basins.
In Pasco, Leo’s contributions can be seen throughout the city’s infrastructure. He has played a role in major projects such as the Pasco Police Department, the Process Water Reuse Facility, water and wastewater treatment plants, road preservation efforts, and the Zone 3 Water Reservoir—among many others.
Leo leads with a servant’s heart, grounded in humility, gratitude, and faith. In 2023, District 3 elected Leo to be their voice on the Pasco City Council, and he has tirelessly worked to ensure every resident is heard and respected. In less than 18 months on the Council, Leo earned both the Certificate of Municipal Leadership and the Advanced Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities—an achievement that reflects his commitment to good governance, professional development, and policy knowledge. That education has equipped him to face the complex issues confronting the City of Pasco today and into the future, with vision, accountability, and unwavering dedication.
Our Families Are The Building Blocks Of Our Pasco Community
Putting the Community First
Leo’s service to his community is extensive. He got his bug to engage with his local government due to a code violation for some weeds that got out of control at his parent’s house. He went down to city hall to see about this potential fine and had all sorts of questions for the city staff. That spurred him to get involved in his local government and he hasn’t stopped since.
Boards and Commissions Leo has served on:
- HAPO Center Advisory Board
- Block Watch Captain-Pasco Neighborhood Watch Program-Linda Lovissa
- Downtown Pasco Development Authority Volunteer
- Fiery Foods Festival Volunteer
- City of Pasco Business Advisory Council
- Vice President of the Latin Business Association
- Member of the Antonio Zambrano-Montes Community Workgroup for Pasco Police Reform
- Past Member of LULAC Pasco Chapter
- Benton-Franklin Juvenile Justice Truancy Board
- Washington State Partnership Council on Juvenile Justice Subcommittee on Racial Disparities
- Kennewick Housing Authority Commissioner
- Benton County Planning Commissioner
- Kennewick Code Enforcement Board