What Anaheim Can Learn From the Rise of an Engineer-Turned-Mayor, Harry Sidhu
If you walk through Anaheim on any weekday morning, you’ll see what makes the city tick: immigrants, entrepreneurs, families, and public servants—all building futures step by step. Those same forces shaped Harry Sidhu, a retired public servant and former Mayor of Anaheim, whose story is woven into the city’s own story of growth and resilience.
Born in India and arriving in the U.S. with only six dollars in 1974, Sidhu’s journey from janitor to engineer, entrepreneur, and eventually mayor reflects the grit and determination familiar to so many Anaheim residents. Like countless newcomers, he began by learning English, adjusting to a new culture, and taking any job he could find—his first being overnight shifts cleaning at a Holiday Inn.
“I didn’t speak much English, but I knew I had to work hard and stay focused. My father told me, ‘Get educated, and doors will open,’” he recalls.
Engineering a Better Future
Sidhu studied mechanical engineering at Drexel University while holding down low-wage jobs. He went on to work at Amtrak, Kaiser Aluminum, Rockwell International, and Hughes Aircraft. But when asked to relocate out of California, he refused.
“California had become home. I didn’t want to keep uprooting. I wanted to build something lasting where I lived,” he says. That decision—to invest in Anaheim and the region—became central to his career.
From Franchises to Policy
In the 1990s, Sidhu left engineering and entered the food business. He and his wife started with a single Burger King in Hacienda Heights and grew a portfolio of 28 restaurants, including Papa John’s and a Mexican restaurant. Managing franchises taught him the importance of planning ahead and taking care of people—principles he carried into civic leadership.
“Running multiple franchises taught me to plan for problems before they happen. And to take care of your people—employees and customers.”
Entering Public Life
Sidhu moved to Anaheim Hills in 1994 and quickly became active in local issues. His first political campaign for city council in 2002 was unsuccessful, but he returned two years later and won, serving until 2012. He focused on job fairs, health initiatives, and community planning—blending private-sector pragmatism with public service.
In 2018, Sidhu became Mayor of Anaheim, leading a city of over 340,000 residents, Disneyland, and a diverse, working-class population.
Leadership in a Crisis
When COVID-19 struck in 2020, Sidhu faced one of Anaheim’s toughest tests. The city launched large-scale testing and vaccination sites, distributed more than $70 million in relief, and supported small businesses—including many Latino and immigrant-owned ventures—with grants and resources.
“The first thing we did was open an emergency shelter. You can’t fight a pandemic when people are sleeping in parks,” Sidhu explains.
Quiet Legacy, Lasting Impact
Now retired from public office, Sidhu still reflects on the importance of local leadership. He believes real change happens closest to home.
“You don’t need Sacramento or Washington to make a difference. Fix one street. Help one family. That’s real leadership.”
For Anaheim, his journey is a reminder of the city’s own strengths: resilience, entrepreneurship, and the ability of ordinary people to step up and lead.
Final Takeaway
Sidhu didn’t just build a career—he built systems, relationships, and trust. For Anaheim, his story carries a message:
Start small. Serve people. Stay grounded. Success doesn’t always need noise—just consistency and purpose.
“No job I ever had—from sweeping floors to running a city—was too small to take seriously,” he says.
And that’s a lesson Anaheim can take to heart.