Carlos Bustamante was born in Santa Ana to immigrant parents in 1965. He attended Mater Dei High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Force shortly after graduation. In the Air Force, Carlos was assigned to Space Command, 2nd Space Communications Squadron in Colorado, where he helped defend the United States against nuclear missile attacks.  He was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal and a Certificate of Recognition from the U.S. Secretary of Defense for his dedicated service during the “Cold War”.

After serving his country for three years, Carlos was accepted to a continuing education program to pursue a formal education. He enrolled at Santa Ana College, earning an Associate Degree in Liberal Arts and transferred to California State University, Fullerton, majoring in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and in 1991 earned his Bachelor of Arts degree.

Following graduation from Fullerton, Carlos accepted a position with the Los Angeles County Marshal's Office as a Background Investigator.  Later, he was offered a position with the State of California, Board of Equalization (tax investigations).  While employed by the State, Carlos was recruited by the Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) and attended Golden West Police Academy.  After completing the Police Academy at the top of his class (top 10%), he began his career as an agent for ABC and was shortly thereafter recruited into the Special Operations Unit where he conducted narcotics, USDA fraud & multi-agency undercover investigations.  For his law enforcement work, he was awarded commendations from both the State of California and the Los Angeles Police Department.  Carlos also became a member of the California Narcotic Officers Association.

Carlos continued to seek new opportunities, and in 2000 accepted a position with the County of Orange, County Executive Office as a Human Resources Manager where he oversaw the County’s Marketing Program.  In 2003 he was promoted to a Senior Manager position working for the Chief Information Officer where he was responsible for countywide information technology projects and managing the county’s web team.  In 2005 he was promoted to Assistant Director, Planning & Development Services for the County of Orange and currently serves as Director of Administration, Orange County Public Works.

Carlos’ community service career began in 1997 when he was appointed to the Santa Ana Cable Television Advisory Board.  In 1999 he was appointed to the Santa Ana Community Redevelopment and Housing Commission and chaired the commission in 2001 and 2003.  In 2000 Carlos became a member of the Santa Ana Kiwanis Club and in 2002-2003 he served as Club President.  He was later awarded the Kiwanis International “Distinguished President” award for his service.   Carlos also volunteered his time by serving on the Board of Governors for Bowers Museum.  He has also volunteered for O.C. Habitat for Humanity and served as a committee member for “Paint-Your-Heart-Out Santa Ana”.  In 2006, Carlos was appointed to the Western Medical Center Governing Board, was nominated and inducted into the Santa Ana College Hall of Fame and joined the Professional Services Reserve for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, where he volunteers his time in the Aero Squadron assisting in surveillance, search & rescue and prisoner transfer missions.