2025 CalChamber Board Candidates

*First Election for Three-Year Term

Charles D. Ahlem
Founding Co-Owner
Hilmar Cheese Company (global processor and supplier)
B.S. in dairy science, California State University Fresno. U.S. Army Reserve, 1968–1974, honorable discharge with rank of staff sergeant. Owner/operator of family farm, Charles Ahlem Ranch, since 1975. Founding co-owner Hilmar Cheese and business division, Hilmar Ingredients, in 1984. Active in dairy industry leadership groups. Former undersecretary, state Department of Food and Agriculture. CalChamber director since January 2017.

Maryam S. Brown
Chief Executive Officer
Southern California Gas Company (energy utility)
B.S., mechanical engineering, and J.D. (Order of the Coif), Louisiana State University. Stepped up as chief executive officer of Southern California Gas at the beginning of 2025, having been named president at the start of 2019. Joined Sempra Energy in 2016 as vice president of federal government affairs. Previously served as senior energy and environment counsel for the Office of the Speaker, U.S. House of Representatives, and energy chief counsel for the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Began career in 1996 as maintenance engineer for Amoco Oil Company, then served as a corporate attorney in San Francisco office of international law firm Pillsbury Winthrop; manager of public policy/strategic planning for ConocoPhillips; and policy counsel to the U.S. Senate Republican Policy Committee. 2025 CalChamber chair and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since March 2019.

*Willie D. Brown, Jr.
Vice President and General Counsel
H2O America (investor-owned network of local water and wastewater utilities)
B.A., economics, University of California, Berkeley. J.D., Georgetown University Law Center. Since 2008 has been with H2O America (previously SJW Group), parent company of San Jose Water Company, The Texas Water Company, The Connecticut Water Company and The Maine Water Company. Before joining H2O America, was an associate at two Silicon Valley law firms where his practice focused on venture capital financings, mergers and acquisitions, and start-up firms. Before law school, served in the U.S. Air Force, worked as a financial analyst with Applied Materials, Inc., and as a cost accountant with IBM. CalChamber director since May 2025.

*Stephanie Burns
Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Sony Interactive Entertainment (video games and digital entertainment)
B.S., radio, TV and film, Northwestern University. J.D. and graduate, High Tech Law Institute, Santa Clara University School of Law. Leads global legal and public policy for all Sony Interactive Entertainment (SIE) businesses, including PlayStation 5, PlayStation Plus, PlayStation Studios and PlayStation Network. Also leads SIE environmental, social and governance function. Before joining SIE, spent more than 15 years at Amazon, serving most recently as vice president and associate general counsel of the legal team supporting consumer devices and services; also led global legal support for the company’s worldwide operations. Previously served as general counsel for StubHub, leading its legal and government relations teams. CalChamber director since April 2025.

Michael Cahill
President, Rolling Stock
Siemens Mobility, Inc. (transportation/trucking/railroad)
Nearly three decades with Siemens began as a commissioning engineer working in Germany, United States, Italy and South Korea. Before being named to current position in March 2011, held director positions in project management in transportation systems, integrated services, mobility division and rolling stock. CalChamber director since November 2011.

Grace Evans Cherashore
Executive Chairwoman
Evans Hotels (hospitality)
Graduate, University of Colorado; M.B.A., Amos Tuck School, Dartmouth College. Began career in real estate industries group at Wells Fargo Bank before joining Evans Hotels in 1984 as chief financial officer. Named president and chief executive officer in March 2012. Now serves as executive chairwoman. 2019 CalChamber chair. CalChamber director since March 2012.

Susan Corrales-Diaz
President and Chief Executive Officer
Systems Integrated (systems automation services)
B.A. in business communications, California State University, Long Beach. More than 35 years with Systems Integrated. 2017 CalChamber chair. CalChamber director since January 1995.

*Maria L. Garcia
Managing Director/Divisional Director California
JPMorgan Chase (financial services)
Bachelor’s, business administration management, Mount Saint Mary’s University. Named to current position leading the California division consumer bank in May 2023. Began career at a JPMorgan Chase retail bank branch in 1986, advancing from teller to banker, assistant manager, branch manager and district manager. Assumed responsibility as senior vice president/market manager in Riverside/San Bernardino in January 2012. Promoted to lead the bank’s largest region as managing director/regional director for Los Angeles in February 2018 before stepping up to current position. CalChamber director since August 2025.

Robert E. Hertzka, M.D.
Director
Anesthesia Service Medical Group (medical services)
A.B., biology, University of California, Los Angeles. M.D., University of California, San Diego. Attending anesthesiologist posts and educational positions in field since 1985. Former California Medical Association president. Also active with regional and national medical associations. CalChamber director since September 2003.

Christopher D. Howard
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sharp HealthCare (health care services)
B.A., M.A., University of Oklahoma, Norman; M.S., health care administration, University of Oklahoma College of Public Health. More than 30 years working with integrated delivery systems, hospitals, medical groups and health plans. Before joining Sharp HealthCare served as chief operations officer for SSM Health, preceded by stints as president of SSM Health’s St. Louis and Oklahoma markets. CalChamber director since January 2020.

Travis Kiyota
Senior Vice President and Head of Global Corporate Affairs
East West Bank (financial services)
Graduate, University of California, Los Angeles. Member of East West Bank’s senior leadership team. Oversees company’s marketing and brand management, corporate sponsorships, global government relations, corporate security and community development. Also serves as president of East West Bank Foundation, the company’s philanthropic arm. Decades of senior-level experience in public and private sectors. Before joining East West Bank, spent nearly 20 years at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), where he led local and state government relations, public affairs, community engagement and crisis management, and served as president of the PG&E Foundation. Key public service roles earlier in career included serving as adviser to mayors of San Francisco and Los Angeles, and senior program officer at the U.S. Department of Justice. CalChamber director since February 2022.

Michael Lizárraga
President and Chief Executive Officer
TELACU (community development)
B.S. in business administration, University of Southern California. Joined TELACU in January 1990, managing the company’s commercial and residential real estate portfolio. Appointed president of TELACU Industries in 1995 and named president of parent company TELACU in 2007. Also serves as president of TELACU Education Foundation. CalChamber director since July 2013.

*James Low
Chief Operating Officer
Rio Tinto Borates (mining and metals)
Bachelor’s degree, civil engineering and business, University of Newcastle; master’s degree, mining and mineral engineering, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. Assumed COO position in August 2024 for Rio Tinto Borates, a business inclusive of 152-year-old U.S. Borax mine in eastern Kern County, California, and Wilmington operations at the Port of Los Angeles. Mining sector experience of 17 years includes positions leading mining operations and processing plants, growth projects, and environmental rehabilitation and technical teams. Has held leadership roles in the United States (Utah and California) and Australia working at copper, aluminum, diamond and borates operations. CalChamber director since August 2024.

Gregory H. McWilliams
Chief Policy Officer and Vice President
Five Point Communities (designer/developer of master-planned communities)
Has led community planning development projects since the 1980s throughout the state, including serving as president of Five Point Communities, president of Newhall Land and Farming Company, president of Lennar Communities in the San Francisco Bay Area, and division president of KB Home. Also has served in the public sector as executive officer of the San Mateo County Local Area Formation Commission (LAFCO), executive officer of the California Association of LAFCOs, and city manager of Palmdale. CalChamber director 2006–2009 and July 2013–present.

*Rashmi Menon
Vice President and General Manager
Burns & McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc. (infrastructure design and construction)
Bachelor’s degree in architecture, Kerala University, India; M.S., construction management, Texas A&M University. More than 20 years of experience. Currently leads team of multidiscipline professionals delivering critical infrastructure projects in energy, aviation, manufacturing, construction, environmental and technology industries. Previously held senior executive position at a global engineering firm, leading multiple teams across North America and delivering large capital improvement airport programs. Member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since April 2022.

Warren Meyer
President
Vista Recreation (concession operator and renovator, public recreation lands)
Mechanical engineering degree, Princeton University; M.B.A., Harvard Business School. Since 2003 in current role with Vista Recreation (formerly Recreation Resource Management). Before Vista, held senior marketing and planning roles at AlliedSignal, Honeywell, and Emerson Electric. Earlier was a senior engagement manager for McKinsey & Company and a project engineer for Exxon. CalChamber director since February 2022.

*DJ Moore
Partner, Real Estate Development
Paul Hastings (law firm)
B.A., University of Virginia; J.D., University of Virginia School of Law. Practice focuses on helping clients obtain and defend land use and environmental approvals from government agencies for major infrastructure, energy and development projects. Board member of the Los Angeles City College Foundation. Previously served on the boards of the Century City Chamber of Commerce, West Hollywood Library Foundation, West Hollywood Chamber Political Action Committee and AIDS Project Los Angeles. CalChamber director since October 2025.

*Seth Oster
Chief Corporate Affairs Officer
The Wonderful Company (growers/distributors/real estate)
Graduate, The George Washington University, Washington, D.C. Took newly created post in February 2022. Has held senior level positions in government, entertainment and corporate America, most recently serving as a partner and global chief communications officer at United Talent Agency, a major talent, sports and media representation company. Top public affairs official at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency during President Obama’s first term. Also served as managing director at global consulting and accounting conglomerate KPMG. Has held top communications, marketing and public affairs roles at the Motion Picture Association of America, the Screen Actors Guild and Napster. Earlier in career served as an aide to U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein of California on Capitol Hill. 2024 at-large member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since November 2022.

*Peggy J. Osterman
Managing Counsel, U.S. Strategic Initiatives
McDonald’s Corporation (fast food restaurants)
B.A., Creighton University; J.D., Georgetown University Law Center. Leads U.S. Strategic Initiatives legal team for McDonald’s Corporation. Previously served as senior counsel on Global Labor and Employment Law team and business counsel in the Franchise Practice Group. Before joining McDonald’s in 2016, was a partner specializing in labor and employment law at Schuyler, Roche & Crisham, P.C. CalChamber director since March 2025.

John Petrovich
Sacramento Managing Principal
Deloitte LLP (accounting/professional services)
B.S., computer science, Purdue University. More than 35 years of experience in the design and implementation of technology solutions across a variety of disciplines. Joined Deloitte in January 2007 as a senior manager, named a principal in August 2011 and Sacramento managing principal in November 2022. Previously served at CSG Government Solutions as a principal from July 1986 and senior principal from May 1998 until joining Deloitte. CalChamber director since January 2024.

Mark A. Riley
President, Bank of America Central Valley
Bank of America (financial services)
B.S., M.B.A. Craig School of Business at California State University, Fresno. University of Washington, Pacific Coast Banking School. More than three decades in banking industry, starting as a customer service representative at Bank of America, Fresno and culminating with current position in December 2013. Career includes roles as loan officer, financial analyst, credit administrator, commercial loan officer and senior executive positions responsible for commercial, digital and investment banking services with Bank of America and other Fresno area financial institutions. CalChamber director since May 2021.

*Susan I. Santana
President
AT&T California (telecommunications)
Double bachelor’s degree, University of California, Berkeley; J.D., UCLA School of Law. Since April 2025 has led California team responsible for company’s external and government affairs, public policy and community engagement efforts. Previously served as vice president of legislative strategy for AT&T California and as a member of AT&T’s federal relations team, representing the company’s legislative interests before Congress. Began tenure at AT&T as part of the external affairs team, developing and managing long-term strategic relationships with key constituency groups. Before joining AT&T, worked as government affairs counsel for Dell Inc., and practiced law at Holland & Knight in Washington D.C. and Baker & McKenzie in San Diego, California. CalChamber director since May 2025.

Dan Schauer
Senior Vice President and General Manager, Strategic Partners
VSP Vision (nonprofit vision benefits and services)
B.S., business administration with concentration in finance and accountancy, California State University, Sacramento. Named to current post in 2018, responsible for overseeing all aspects of corporate finance, financial risk management, capital management, treasury operations, tax planning and compliance. Joined VSP in 2001. Has held positions with responsibility for client financial services; privacy, compliance and ethics. Previous post with Oracle Corporation included responsibility for company compliance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) standards for software revenue recognition. CalChamber director since June 2023.

*Laurens Vosloo
Chief Executive Officer
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (federally recognized American Indian tribe)
B.S., accounting and management, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Certified public accountant in Nevada. Named CEO of San Manuel Band of Mission Indians (SMBMI) in 2020, following promotion to CFO for San Manuel tribal government operations and San Manuel Casino in 2018. Joined San Manuel as chief financial officer for San Manuel Casino (now Yaamava’ Resort & Casino) in 2014. Before coming to San Manuel, served as executive director of finance for Las Vegas Sands Corporation, managing accounting functions for the casino, anti-money laundering, hotel and accounts receivable teams. Began career in auditing roles at Deloitte in Las Vegas. CalChamber director since November 2024.

*Jim Wallace
Senior Vice President – Southern California Division
Albertsons Companies (food and drug retailer)
B.S., business management, University of Redlands. Completed USC Food Industry Executive Program. Named to current position in January 2022. Began grocery industry career in July 1978 and has held a variety of positions with Lucky’s and Albertsons, including store director, grocery merchandiser, district manager, area vice president of operations, vice president of sales support, and vice president of retail initiatives. Also served as vice president and general manager of the Pavilions banner, a premium supermarket brand within Albertsons Companies. Led operations for the Rockies West Division at Sprouts Farmers Market from May 2018 to June 2021 before rejoining Albertsons as a district manager. Promotion to senior vice president of operations for the Southwest Division preceded his return to Southern California to take on his current role. CalChamber director since September 2025.

*Marcus Williams
General Manager — Toyota, Los Angeles Region
Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. (motor vehicle manufacturing/sales)
Graduate, Boston College; captain of water polo team. Leads support for Toyota dealers in sales, service, guest experience and training initiatives. Los Angeles region encompasses network of 76 dealerships across Southern California, from San Luis Obispo to San Diego. Has held managerial positions within regional Toyota and Lexus area offices at Toyota Motor North America, including leadership roles at the Lexus Western Area, Toyota Portland Region, Lexus Southern, and Toyota San Francisco Region. CalChamber director since January 2025.

Jessica Word
Chief Executive Officer
Word & Brown General Agency (developer/distributor of health benefit/insurance plans)
B.B.A., California State University, Fullerton; Registered Health Underwriter (RHU). Stepped up to current position in December 2021 after serving as president since April 2013. Previously was executive vice president of operations for General Agency. Began career as a renewal specialist with CaliforniaChoice, then worked in sales and claims and benefits administration, then broker services, earning several promotions before moving to the company’s operations and management unit. CalChamber director since January 2020.