Spend a few minutes downtown with lifelong Mill Valley resident Cliff Waldeck and you’ll be reminded that there are very few people in Mill Valley, Marin or even the wider Bay Area who don’t already know and respect him.
That’s because Waldeck has been a nearly ubiquitous presence in Mill Valley, from his two terms on the City Council and a stint as Mayor to his role as a go-to office supplies and business products salesperson for an array of companies over the years. Over the span of a long career, Waldeck’s jovial, personal touch has never waned.
For the past several years, Waldeck has sold business products for Indoff, a “one-stop shop” that has been in business for more than 50 years. He serves as head of Bay Area Business Development for Indoff.
Waldeck recalls getting his start in the business at age 11 when he joined his father during the summer and school breaks at the family business, Waldeck Office Supplies, in downtown San Francisco. Waldeck’s father, Carl Waldeck, emigrated from Berlin via Manila and founded Waldeck’s Office Supplies in downtown San Francisco, with Waldeck joining the business following his graduation from UC Berkeley. They worked together until Carl’s retirement and later Waldeck’s closed after 55 years in business.
Waldeck recently expanded his team at Indoff to include Margaret, Laura and Doug. “Please tell us about your project and the goal you want to achieve, and we’ll make it happen… all in a warm, collaborative and timely fashion,” Waldeck says.
While Waldeck continues to expand grow his business with Indoff, he remains deeply committed to his community and the betterment of the town. The latest example is his recent appointment by to the Southern Marin Fire District’s Board following the resignation of Stephen Willis. Waldeck became eligible for the appointment after the consolidation of the Mill Valley Fire Department and the Southern Marin Fire Protection District. His latest appointment comes on the heels of Waldeck’s prior appointments by the Governor to serve on the SF Bay Regional Water Board and as a representative on the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. Clifford also chaired the Regional Airport Planning Committee.
Waldeck also serves as a substitute teacher in our local schools. He enjoys Southern Marin life with his wife, daughter and two dogs.
Waldeck is also a longstanding supporting of the arts, serving as a “parking choreographer extraordinaire” for the O’Hanlon Center for the Arts and is a passionate participant in getting Engine No. 9 back to Mill Valley.