Jerry’s interest in public service began as a Junior Statesman at Abraham Lincoln High School in San Jose, where he was president of his chapter and mayor of the Central Coast Region. He was president of the Junior Statesmen Summer School, Class of 1957. Since 1971, Jerry has served as trustee of the foundation, including three years' service as its president.

Jerry began his public service career with the city of Oakland, Calif., where he served in a variety of management positions over a 10-year period, concluding as assistant city manager, the chief operating officer role. Subsequently, Jerry served as the city manager of the cities of Fresno, San Jose and Cincinnati. He was selected as the leader of the state and local government team in the National Performance Review, the Reinventing Government initiative of the early Clinton administration, lead by Vice President Al Gore. Jerry also served as president of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Newfarmer is a graduate of San Jose State University with a degree in business administration. He received his masters of public administration (with distinction) from the University of California at Berkeley. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy with the rank of lieutenant after service on destroyers that included a tour of duty in Vietnam.