San Carlos Mayor Omar Ahmad Dies

The city of San Carlos has announced San Carlos Mayor Omar Ahmad died after suffering a heart attack early this morning. He was 46.

Paramedics received a 911 call from Ahmad and responded to his home. He was transported to Sequoia Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to a statement from the city, Ahmad was elected to the San Carlos City Council in 2007. He had previously served as a member of the City's Economic Development Advisory Commission (EDAC). While on the City Council, Omar selected to serve as the Mayor of San Carlos in November by his fellow Council Members.

Ahmad’s life outside of the political realm was as a technical entrepreneur, as he was involved in many start-up companies through the years.

He was a well known entrepreneur in Silicon Valley, having been involved in the start up of a number of companies including the Discovery Channel, @Home, Trusted ID, Grand Central Communications, Napster, Netscape and most recently as the co-founder and CEO of SynCH Energy Corporation.

"Those of us at City Hall who had the opportunity to work with and get to know him are devastated by his loss,” said City Manager Jeff Maltbie. “Omar's dedication to the citizens of San Carlos and his passion for democracy will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

"I’m very sorry to hear the news," Belmont City Council Member Christine Wozniak said. "It’s really sad. I’m very sorry for his family and all his friends."

Ahmad also served on the San Mateo County Transit District Board of Directors and was the Vice Chair of the Peninsula Joint Powers Board. The Transit District has lowered the flags at all its facilities to half-staff in memory and honor of Ahmad.

Caltrain Board President Sean Elsbernd released the following statement after Ahmad's death: "This is a kick in the stomach, a loss that cannot be fully described. He was everything anyone could want in a human being, a public servant, and a friend. He had a good sense of humor. He was absolutely dedicated to public transit and his dedication was matched by his commitment. He also had something you don’t see often – an ability and a willingness, an eagerness, really, to look ahead, to see what the future could hold and to plan and prepare for that future. He loved working on the problems of today, but he loved even more thinking about the possibilities tomorrow could bring. I will miss him dearly."

SamTrans Board President Karyl Matsumoto said, “We are all devastated by Omar's passing. He was kind and funny, warm and genuine and he believed in the work he was doing on behalf of the public. Omar was not afraid to ask the tough questions or make difficult decisions. He was committed to the people who ride our buses and use our Paratransit service. He has left a lasting impact on all of us personally, and on the people of San Mateo County. He loved his work, he was passionate and he had a terrific sense of humor. We treasure the all-too-short time we had with him. He will be sorely missed - farewell Omar.”

SamTrans General Manager/CEO and Caltrain Executive Director Michael J. Scanlon said, “He made things better – by his courage, by his vision, by his creativity, and, perhaps most especially, by his sense of humor and fun. He was deeply supportive of the men and women who work in the public arena and respectful of the work they do and the working people he served have lost a true champion. Now and for decades to come, those of us who were fortunate to know him, who worked with him, who joined him in his battles, who were touched by his humanity, will say with pride that Omar Ahmad was our friend and this statement will be a credit to us all.”

Belmont City Council Member Warren Lieberman opened Tuesday night's city council meeting with a statement on Ahmad's death. Lieberman, who served on the Belmont-San Carlos Fire Commission with Ahmad for more than a year, said the news came as a shock.

"We were all very shocked and saddened by the news this morning when we heard that the mayor of San Carlos had suffered a heart attack," Lieberman said. "We lost someone who had a very, very strong sense of civic responsibility and community. Our thoughts and our prayers go out to his family and friends and to all of San Carlos."