Kirk Vartan is a native New Yorker, NBC technologist, former hi-tech professional, community activist, and small business founder of two pizza shops, A Slice of New York, in San Jose/Santa Clara and Sunnyvale. In July 2017, A Slice of New York became the first retail worker cooperative in the South Bay and continues to promote the cooperative message to local cities and businesses. Kirk is a strong advocate of smart urban developments, placemaking, mobility solutions, and key influencer for the design of an agrihood in Santa Clara. He is the president of the Winchester Neighborhood Action Coalition, co-founder of Catalyze SV, vice-president of the Cory Neighborhood Association, and a co-chair of the Stevens Creek Advisory Group, sponsored by the City of San Jose.