Art Agnos served as Mayor of San Francisco from 1988 to 1992, and led the city through the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and the city's recovery. Among his most controversial decisions was to tear down the city's double decker Embarcadero Freeway after the earthquake, opening up San Francisco's waterfront. Agnos previously was a state legislator noted for his leadership on AIDS, welfare reform and health policy. Appointed by President Clinton to head HUD's office for the western region, Agnos has provided training in developing countries on community empowerment for the National Democratic Institute.