Supes for Lunch with SF Public Works Director, Alaric Degrafinried

Alaric Degrafinried was appointed acting director of San Francisco Public Works on January 28, 2020, by City Administrator Naomi Kelly. He most recently served as City Purchaser and Director of the San Francisco Office of Contract Administration.

Alaric joined the City in 2007 as Contract Compliance Officer with the Human Rights Commission and then managed the commission’s Local Business Enterprise Division. He moved to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission in 2011 to manage professional services contracts and was promoted to manager of the agency’s Contract Administration Bureau. He joined the San Francisco Office of Contract Administration in 2017 as deputy director and assumed the top post and the role of City Purchaser in 2018.

Alaric grew up in Denver and after graduating from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, he started his career in the private sector as a finance manager for General Electric in 1993. However, after seven years there, he said he knew he wanted to do more with his life, which included giving back to the community.

He joined the Peace Corps, serving two years in Haiti. While in Haiti, he worked primarily with rural micro-credit organizations. It was there he realized the importance of making connections with communities. His work helped people start and grow their small businesses so they could support themselves and their families. His stint in the Peace Corps cemented his desire to pursue a career in public service. That led to a law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law.

Throughout his tenure with the City, he has aimed to implement policies and procedures that promote an open and transparent government. Outside of his official duties with the City, he served on the Oakland Public Ethics Commission, when he was a resident there, from 2008-2011. 

Alaric lives in Berkeley with his wife and 8-year-old daughter.  When not at work, he enjoys playing almost any sport and occasionally referees for local youth sports leagues (mostly basketball or football).