Councilmember Wendy Bucknum

Council Member Wendy Bucknum was initially elected to serve as a member of the Mission Viejo City Council in 2014.  She brings a wealth of practical business experience, a long history of community involvement, and a solid record of volunteerism in our schools, community, and youth sports programs. 

Council Member Bucknum has a strong business background from her almost 30 years serving in the community association industry and is a champion for City policies that are fair, understandable, cost effective, and good for the economy. She is a mom who understands and values partnerships with schools to give Mission Viejo youth a meaningful educational experience and safe place to learn.  As an active volunteer she understands the unique needs of kids, families, and seniors, and supports programs to serve all. 

Wendy's primary goals are to maintain and enhance Mission Viejo's public safety record, create a healthy local business economy, streamline governmental processes, preserve parks, trails and open spaces, to protect Mission Viejo's schools and neighborhoods, and to maintain and enhance city infrastructure and the community facilities Mission Viejo residents use and enjoy.   

Residents of Mission Viejo since 1992, Wendy and her husband Paul have raised their two children in this amazing community.  Over the years, she frequently has been a volunteer in classrooms, for sports teams, and at Mission Viejo Nadadores Swim Meets.  She is a past board member for both the Mission Viejo High School Aquatic Boosters and the Football Boosters, and a past committee chair for Mission Viejo High School Grad Night.

Regional and City Representation

Council Member Bucknum has a long history of community service.  She served as Mayor for calendar year 2017 and 2022, prior to serving on the council, she served four years on the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission and was chair of that commission in 2012.  She serves as Chair on the Orange Council of Governments General Assembly (OCCOG), and served as representative for District 13 of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Governing Board since 2018, and Community, Economic and Human Development Committee since 2015.  She served on the Association of California Cities, Orange County Board from 2014-2022. Wendy has also served on the Orange County's Local Agency Formation Commission (Orange LAFCO) since 2015.  In addition, Wendy served as a member of the Standing CUSD/Mission Viejo Ad Hoc Committee.  She currently serves on the City's Olympic Ad Hoc Committee, and the Housing Ad Hoc Committee.   She also established the Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition as well as the recently formed California Sober Living and Recovery (SOCSLAR) Task Force. 

Other Areas of Service

She is an emeritus board member of the California Women's Leadership Association Board and a member of the Mission Viejo Elks Club and Mission Viejo Chamber of Commerce.  Wendy is also a regular participant in communitywide events, such as the Mission Viejo Walk Against Drugs, Arbor Day and the Inner Coastal Cleanup Day along Oso Creek Trail.  In addition, she is a long-time member the South Orange County Economic Coalition, which she chaired in 2013-14.

Email:         wbucknum@cityofmissionviejo.org