Today’s Morning Buzz is brought to you by Alexander Fung, Economic Development Manager from the City of Eastvale, CA. Connect with Alexander on LinkedIn.
What I am eating: Mooncake (because it is Moon Festival!)
What I am watching: “The Paper” on Peacock
What I am working on: Preparing for a Washington, D.C. lobbying trip with my City Council
The 400-Mile Journey
Every week, I begin my 400-mile journey between my home in the San Francisco Bay Area and Eastvale, the city I proudly serve that is located about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. Most mornings start off in the dark as I jet off to the San Jose Airport. The sun usually rises when the flight gets to Kettleman City, halfway between the Bay Area and Eastvale, painting the sky orange while the noise of the jet engine echoes through the cabin. My Clear Plus and TSAPreCheck perks make the airport routine bearable, but what keeps me going is the joy of working for a city that inspires me. It is a long commute, one I make regularly because, despite the distance, Eastvale feels like home.
I love seeing people’s reactions when they realize that I have been flying back and forth every week for more than two years. Most of their jaws drop when they find out I wasn’t kidding about being on a first-name basis with Southwest pilots and flight attendants. I started in Eastvale in 2022, when I was living in Los Angeles and making the “short” 100-mile roundtrip commute to Eastvale. A year later, my wife finished her Ph.D. at UCLA and secured a job offer from Stanford University. Needless to say, that was an offer that she couldn’t refuse.
When we decided to move north, the City graciously offered to provide the flexibility that I needed so that I could continue serving in my position. As an Economic Development Manager, I know that success in this role depends on relationships with the City Council, colleagues, businesses, residents, and the community. It is a job that demands presence. Together with the City’s leadership, we crafted a plan that balances both worlds. With my wife’s support, the City and I agreed that I would work remotely roughly 25% of the time, and that I would be available for weekend conferences and major events. This rhythm allowed me to stay deeply connected to both the family I love and the city I serve.
Choosing Community
Logistical challenges aside, the truth is that I didn’t choose the commute, I chose the community. There are certainly dozens of managerial positions available in cities across the San Francisco Bay Area, but I am staying in Eastvale because it is the kind of city that reminds me of why I got into public service in the first place.
The City Council is visionary and united in putting residents’ needs above personal agendas. Our City Manager is a seasoned innovative professional who genuinely invests in staff’s professional growth, modeling a leadership style rooted in empathy, accountability, and compassion. The city’s staff is deeply committed to service, striving to make Eastvale a place where both residents and businesses feel that they belong. It is rare to find a local government agency that is so aligned in values and grounded in purpose. You don’t walk away from that easily, even when it means packing a suitcase every week.
Eastvale itself is inspiring in other ways. As California’s 3rd youngest city, it embodies the spirit of innovation and possibilities. I am blessed to see the impact of my work every day, through new business openings, site plannings, and events that bring residents and visitors together. It is a place where big ideas can become reality, where innovation and collaboration are not just buzzwords, but guiding principles. Being part of a city that is still writing its story, along with the opportunity to work with a City Council and staff who embrace the idea of servant-centered leadership, makes every mile worth it.
Balancing Challenges
Being a super commuter has taught me as much about leadership as it has about logistics. I have learned to stay flexible when last-minute Council meetings or community events require a flight change, even if it means paying a premium during holidays. I learned to budget not just for travel, but for a peace of mind. More importantly, I have learned that commitment sometimes looks like catching a 6:30 p.m. flight home after a 5:30 p.m. meeting just to make it back in time for dinner with my wife.
These miles have taught me more about servant-centered leadership, management, and commitment than any conference or class could. Growth often happens in the space between comfort and sacrifice. The road, or the runway in my case, has a way of humbling you and reminding you why patience, perseverance, and gratitude matter.
Of course, the personal side is ever-present. My wife and my family always come first, and I am truly glad to work for a city that encourages and embraces this important value. Unless there are major conferences happening, I rarely spend more than two nights away from my wife each week. My wife and I talk for at least an hour every night, sharing about our days, laughing, and praying before we sleep. If she ever needs me back in the Bay Area, I take the first flight home without hesitation.
Finding Meaning in the Miles
Yes, the commute is long, and yes, it is tiring. But it is also deeply meaningful. Every mile reinforces what I believe about public service, that fulfillment doesn’t always come from geography. It comes from purpose and from knowing that your work makes a difference, that you are contributing to something bigger than yourself, and that you are surrounded by people who share the same calling.
This journey may not last forever, but it has taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, balance, and the beauty of serving a community that truly inspires me. In the end, I don’t measure the distance in miles. I measure it in purpose, gratitude, and the privilege of being part of Eastvale’s story.