Board of Directors Bios

The members of the California Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors are elected by the CalChamber’s members and are ranking executives in their organizations, representing many of the state’s leading firms and industries, as well as the small business segment. These executives provide leadership as the CalChamber pursues its aggressive agenda to protect employers’ rights and interests in the legislative and regulatory arenas, and to foster a strong and growing economy in the state and nation.

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.

Jill C. Anderson
Executive Vice President, Operations
Southern California Edison (electric utility)
B.S., mechanical engineering, Boston University; M.B.A., New York University. In current position leads many of the company’s operations groups — including transmission and distribution, customer service, safety, security, business resiliency and operational services. Previously served Southern California Edison (SCE) as senior vice president of customer service and senior vice president of strategic planning and power supply. Before joining SCE was executive vice president and chief commercial officer at the New York Power Authority. Also led global process improvement projects for Hess Corporation. Began career at Consolidated Edison Company of New York. CalChamber director since February 2023.

James L. Arnone
Partner
Latham & Watkins, LLP (law firm)
B.A. University of California, Los Angeles. J.D. Harvard Law School. Began practicing law in 1990. Practice encompasses wide range of project development work and litigation. Serves as global chair of the firm’s Environment, Land & Resources Department. Also is an adjunct professor at the University of Southern California Law School, where he has taught environmental law part-time since 1996. CalChamber director since February 2018.

Ted J. Balestreri
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Cannery Row Company (real estate development/hospitality)
Lewis Hotel Management School, Washington, D.C. Owns and operates commercial buildings in Monterey and Central California, including the Sardine Factory Restaurant and the Inns of Monterey hotels. Member, World Travel & Tourism Council. Former member, California Travel & Tourism Commission, 1985–2007. CalChamber director since October 2003.

Gregory S. Bielli
President and Chief Executive Officer
Tejon Ranch Company (ranching and property development)
Bachelor’s in political science, University of Arizona. Joined Tejon Ranch in September 2013 with nearly 25 years experience in real estate, land acquisition, development and financing. Most recently was president of western region for Newland Communities, overseeing master-planned residential, commercial and retail real estate projects in Arizona, California and Colorado. Former city councilman and vice mayor in Scottsdale, Arizona. 2023 CalChamber chair and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 2014.

Charles S. Birenbaum
Chair, Northern California
Greenberg Traurig (law firm)
B.A. with honors in government, Oberlin College; J.D., Georgetown University Law Center. Labor and employment attorney with experience litigating in state and federal courts, as well as administrative agencies, concentrating on traditional labor law, class actions, counseling and training, unfair competition. Author and lecturer on labor and employment issues. CalChamber director since January 2017.

Marc Blakeman
President
AT&T California (telecommunications)
B.A. in political science, Northwestern University; certification, corporate community relations, John Carroll Graduate School of Management at Boston College. Effective October 1, 2022, named to lead AT&T legislative, philanthropic and social engagement activities across California, and assist with new technology deployment and infrastructure investment. A 25-year veteran of AT&T and its predecessor companies. Recently served as AT&T’s president for mid-Atlantic states in external and legislative affairs. Began career in 1997 with AT&T, then Ameritech, in Chicago, Illinois. Went on to become regional vice president of external affairs in Illinois before joining AT&T California as vice president of external affairs in 2011. CalChamber director since October 2022.

John F. Boyle
President and Chief Executive Officer
Automobile Club of Southern California (insurance/member services)
Bachelor’s, accounting, California State University, Long Beach. Began career at Auto Club in 1989 as controller, holding increasingly responsible positions in finance. Has overseen expansion of auto, home and watercraft insurance products provided through the Auto Club. Member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 2018.

Raji K. Brar
Chief Operating Officer
Countryside Corporation (construction, real estate development, franchise operator)
B.S., biology, M.S., health care administration, California State University, Bakersfield. Co-owner with family of Countryside Corporation, which consists of a construction and real estate development division and operates various franchises (including Subway, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut) in Kern and Tulare counties. First Sikh woman to be elected to a city council seat (Arvin). Member of CSU Board of Trustees. Co-founder of Bakersfield Sikh Women’s Association. CalChamber director since April 2023.

Maryam S. Brown
President
Southern California Gas Company (energy utility)
B.S., mechanical engineering, and J.D. (Order of the Coif), Louisiana State University. Named president of Southern California Gas 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 Republic Policy Committee. CalChamber second vice chair and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since March 2019.

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.

Steve Cain
Chief Executive Officer, Northern California Market
UnitedHealthcare (health care services)
B.A., sports management, Bowling Green State University. More than 20 years of industry leadership, sales and marketing expertise and executive management. Numerous market leadership roles since joining UnitedHealthcare in 2007. In current role facilitates market-wide growth strategies across provider systems, consultants, distribution, sales, marketing and alliances. CalChamber director since September 2021.

John H. Campbell, CPP
President, Pacific Region
Securitas Security Services, USA (protective services)
B.S., California Polytechnic University; M.B.A, University of Phoenix. Graduate, Securitas Executive Training Program. Certified Protection Professional (CPP). Board Certified Security Expert. Responsible for operations in California and Hawaii. Has held positions of increasing responsibility since joining Securitas in 2005, including president of Canada. Previous stints in sales with T-Mobile USA, CentreCom and AT&T Wireless. CalChamber director since January 2022.

Jason Carlson
Chief Operating Officer
Green Diamond Resource Company (forest products)
B.A., history, Carnegie Mellon University; M.B.A., George Washington University. Joined Green Diamond in July 2008 as senior business analyst in Seattle; moved on to be general manager for company’s wood chip export business in Eureka, California, and log sales manager for Oregon Operations in Klamath Falls; began current role in January 2019. Before joining Green Diamond, was a finance professional at Weyerhaeuser Company, Safeco Insurance Company and Intel Corporation, as well as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps. CalChamber director since January 2022.

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.

Tim Condon
President and Chief Executive Officer
AAA Northern California, Nevada & Utah (insurance/membership services)
Business administration degree, University of Western Ontario. Studied strategic leadership at Oxford University and corporate social responsibility at Harvard University. Joined AAA in 2014 after four years as CEO of Canada’s British Columbia Automobile Association (BCAA), named one of Best 50 Employers in Canada. Previously held variety of roles at Canadian Tire Corporation. CalChamber director since January 2021.

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 and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 1995.

Kevin Curry
President, Southern California Division
Albertsons Companies (food and drug retailer)
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, California State University, Los Angeles; Graduate, USC Food Industry Management Program; M.B.A., University of Southern California. Named president of Southern California Division of Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions in 2020. Began grocery career in 1978 as a courtesy clerk with Alpha Beta Stores in Southern California. Started working as a staff accountant after graduating from Cal State Los Angeles, moving on to operations, sales and marketing. Then held various roles with Alpha Beta and Lucky Stores in Southern California, Northern California and Salt Lake City. Joined Raley’s in 2000 as vice president, nonperishable sales and marketing and senior vice president, sales and marketing. Joined Safeway in 2005, holding vice president roles on marketing teams for both the NorCal Division and the Corporate Office. Rejoined Raley’s in 2012 as senior vice president of sales, merchandising, distribution before returning to Albertsons Companies as grocery sales manager with the NorCal Division. Moved back to Southern California in July 2018 as vice president and general manager of the Pavilions banner stores. CalChamber director since September 2021.

Diana Davis
General Manager, Los Angeles Region
Toyota Motor (motor vehicle manufacturing/sales)
Responsible for sales success for Toyota in Southern California. Previously responsible for maximizing sales and customer experience for Toyota in Pacific Northwest, covering Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. Other managerial roles since joining Toyota in 1992 include vehicle sales and services in Western United States for Lexus and in Denver region supporting operations in Colorado, Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. CalChamber director since September 2021.

Sergio De Castro
Senior Vice President, Strategy and Chief Financial Officer
Aera Energy LLC (oil and gas production)
Bachelor’s, industrial engineering, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana; M.B.A., George Mason University. Financial career covers more than 20 years on four continents. Joined ExxonMobil in 1994 at Bogota, Colombia, working in audit, controller’s and treasurer’s departments. Later served as financial officer in locations including Chile, Great Britain, Angola and United States. Named CFO and senior vice president at Aera (jointly owned by Shell and ExxonMobil) in 2017. CalChamber director since October 2019.

Jeff Dern
President and Chief Executive Officer
PRIDE Industries (business outsourcing solutions/employer of people with disabilities)
B.S., business administration, California State University, Sacramento; M.B.A. Drexel University. Joined PRIDE in 2008; named vice president of finance in 2014, chief financial officer in 2016, president in 2018 and now holds CEO responsibilities as well. More than 22 years of domestic and international experience in accounting and finance, including positions at Oracle Corporation, Ernst & Young, and Arthur Andersen. CalChamber director since January 2019.

Michael V. Drake, M.D.
President
University of California (higher education)
B.A., Stanford University; M.D. and residency, UC San Francisco. Ophthalmology training at UCSF and Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary. Before appointment as 21st UC president in August 2020, served as president of Ohio State University. Time at OSU preceded by service in several roles at UC, including nine years as chancellor of UC Irvine and five years as systemwide vice president for health affairs. Also spent more than two decades on faculty of UCSF School of Medicine. Author of numerous articles and co-author of six books. CalChamber director since September 2020.

Timothy S. Dubois
President
Ciervo Advisors Corporation (consultant to luxury hotels)
Graduate, Washington State University with business degree in hotel administration. Formed advisory firm at the start of 2019, following decades in the hospitality industry. Experience includes serving as president of The Edward Thomas Collection, a private hotel holding and management firm whose current holdings include Shutters on the Beach and Hotel Casa Del Mar, both in Santa Monica. Previously spent 17 years with DoubleTree Hotels, rising to position of western division vice president. CalChamber chair in 2012. CalChamber director since January 2007.

Sandra O. Floyd
President and Chief Executive Officer
OUTSOURCE Consulting Services, Inc. (human capital management)
B.S. in organizational behavior, University of San Francisco. Graduate of UCLA Anderson School of Management and Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management programs in entrepreneurial studies and advanced management. Founded OUTSOURCE in 1994. Recognized by San Francisco Business Times in 2019 as one of “100 Influential Bay Area Business Women.” CalChamber director since July 2010.

Jim Foley
Lead Regional President, Pacific North Region
Wells Fargo Bank (financial services)
Bachelor’s, business administration, Furman University. M.B.A., University of Miami. Responsible for 6,000 team members and 543 banking branches across Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Northern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. Began 32-year career in financial services as a management trainee at Wachovia. CalChamber director since April 2021.

Richard B. Fowler II
Chief Operating Officer
Kronick Moskovitz Tiedemann & Girard (law firm)
B.S., physics, University of Maryland; M.S., political science, Southern Illinois University. Graduate of Armed Forces Staff College and National Defense University’s National War College. Advanced executive education at Darden, Wharton and Anderson graduate schools of management and School of Mortgage Banking. Served more than 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, including deputy inspector general of Joint Chiefs of Staff in the Pentagon and a command pilot. Before current position, was senior vice president of USAA (1989–2007), then president and CEO of The Community College Foundation. Now a foundation director, president of the Sacramento County Employees’ Retirement System and director of Golden Pacific Bancorp. CalChamber director since January 1997.

Craig D. Gott
President
Suburban Water Systems (water and wastewater utility)
B.S., civil engineering; University of Wollongong, Australia; MBA (finance), University of La Verne. Licensed professional civil engineer with multiple certifications. Joined Suburban in 2002, serving as vice president of engineering, vice president of field operations and general manager before being named president. Previously worked for Sydney Water (Australian Water Technologies) in New South Wales, Australia. CalChamber director since January 2020.

Lloyd Greif
President and Chief Executive Officer
Greif & Co. (investment banking)
B.A. in economics, University of California, Los Angeles; M.B.A., University of Southern California; J.D., Loyola Law School. Member of California Bar. Management consultant with Touche Ross & Co. (now Deloitte Consulting LLP) and head of investment banking for Sutro & Co. Incorporated before 1992 founding of Greif & Co., purveyor of merger/acquisition and corporate finance advisory services. CalChamber director since May 2011.

Jennifer M. Haley
President
Kern Energy (refinery and transportation fuels producer)
B.A., history, magna cum laude, University of San Diego; J.D., University of San Diego School of Law, Order of the Coif. Joined Kern in 2011 as vice president with emphasis on legal and government affairs. Named president in March 2018. Previously served as an attorney with Best Best & Krieger LLP, working out of the San Diego office with the litigation, municipal and special districts practice groups. CalChamber director since July 2019.

Ryan Harnden
Chief Operating Officer
Rio Tinto Borates (mining and metals)
More than 23 years in the mining industry, starting in surveying, short-term planning and mine engineering; moving to senior leadership roles in mine production, refinery and powerplant operations; and current role in system integration and optimization. Has worked in tantalum, lithium, iron ore, copper, coal and gold — across Western Australia, Queensland, and Utah in the USA. CalChamber director since February 2022.

Jeremy Harris
Immediate Past Chair
Western Association of Chamber Executives (professional development association)
Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce (business association)
B.S., criminal justice, B.A., political science. California State University, Long Beach. Named president and CEO of Long Beach Area Chamber on July 1, 2020, after serving as senior vice president overseeing public policy, communications and operations. Previously served as president and CEO of Garden Grove Chamber. Accredited Chamber Executive (ACE) and graduate of U.S. Chamber Institute for Organization Management (IOM) and W.A.C.E. Academy program. CalChamber director since January 2021.

Kerry Tullis Hattevik
Vice President, Development
NextEra Energy Resources LLC (clean energy development)
B.A., international studies, University of Oregon, Eugene; M.S., energy and environmental management, Norwegian School of Management BL, Sandvika, Oslo. Highest-ranking NextEra Energy executive in California. Previously president of NextEra subsidiary TransBay Cable LLC (2019–2021), preceded by a decade as regional director of west government affairs at NextEra Energy Resources. Preceding decade included stints at California Public Utilities Commission and as regulatory/government affairs manager for the West and California for nationwide energy utility NRG Energy, Inc. CalChamber director since January 2020.

Garrett Herbert
Vice Chair, West Region Marketplace Leader
Deloitte LLP (professional services)
B.A., economics/accounting, College of the Holy Cross. C.P.A., states of New York and California. Also managing partner for Deloitte’s Silicon Valley practice and adjunct member of Deloitte’s Center for Board Effectiveness. Nearly 30 years experience includes more than 25 years in mergers and acquisitions at Deloitte and senior roles with a private equity group, private electronics manufacturer and a publicly traded internet services company. CalChamber director since April 2021.

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 S. Holben
President
Runyon Saltzman Inc. (public relations)
Bachelor’s degrees in international relations and economics with a minor in business administration, American University; master’s degree in public policy, University of Michigan. Before joining Runyon Saltzman Inc. (RSE) in 2003, was a senior vice president for public affairs at Hill & Knowlton. Served as undersecretary for the California Trade and Commerce Agency for Governor Pete Wilson, Governor Wilson’s deputy director in Washington D.C., and legislative assistant to U.S. Senator Wilson, focusing on banking and agricultural issues. CalChamber director since February 2022.

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.

Tom Hutchinson
Vice President, Finance
Google (information technology)
B.A., economics, University of California, Los Angeles; J.D., University of California, Hastings College of the Law. Certified Public Accountant. Member of American Bar Association. More than 30 years of experience advising on and managing tax issues for technology companies in Silicon Valley. Joined Google in 2003 and became head of tax a few years later. Began tax career with Arthur Andersen’s San Jose and San Francisco offices. After seven years with Arthur Andersen, spent five years working for two Silicon Valley technology companies, focused primarily on international tax issues. CalChamber director since January 2023.

Fiona Hutton-Wise
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Fiona Hutton & Associates (communications and public affairs)
Graduate, San Diego State University. More than two decades of experience in public affairs and communications, assisting clients ranging from private and nonprofit organizations to large government agencies and trade associations. CalChamber director since February 2022.

Fran Inman
Senior Vice President
Majestic Realty Company (real estate services)
Bachelor’s, M.B.A., finance, California State University, Fullerton. More than two decades with Majestic Realty. Oversees government relations work for the company and serves as founding president of the Majestic Realty Foundation. Member of California Transportation Commission and National Freight Advisory Committee to the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. CalChamber director since April 2023.

Dominick C. Johnson
President
Reyes Beer Division, Los Angeles Market Unit (beer distributor)
Over two decades driving sales and growth in the beer distribution industry for the largest beer distributorship in the country. Started with Reyes Beer Division in 1996, holding positions of increasing responsibility in California and on the East Coast. CalChamber director since January 2021.

Stefanie Kane
Managing Partner, Southwest Market
PricewaterhouseCoopers (accounting)
Graduate, Washington University, St. Louis. Nearly 30 years with company, including 15+ years as a partner. Has led service teams for several of PwC’s largest clients with primary focus on consumer-facing marketing and media businesses. Technical expertise in all aspects of financial reporting and complex capital market transactions. Previous senior leadership positions within PwC included global media; technology, media and telecommunications strategy. Also spearheaded several PwC women’s leadership initiatives. CalChamber director since June 2020.

Kailesh Karavadra
Partner
Ernst & Young LLP (accounting)
Bachelor’s and master’s, electronic engineering, Bangor University, North Wales, United Kingdom, specializing in artificial intelligence. Transitioned from global coordinating principal for all EY services worldwide in 2017 to focus on recognizing world’s most exceptional entrepreneurs. Started career with EY in UK in 1991 as Chartered Accountant before moving to Silicon Valley in 1995. 2022 CalChamber chair and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 2016.

John H. Kautz
Chairman
Kautz Ironstone Vineyards (grower-vintner)
Lifelong farmer. Started with 12 acres; now grows on more than 5,000 acres in Lodi and the Sierra Foothills. Family owns and operates Bear Creek and Ironstone Vineyards wineries. Among top 10 wine grape growers in the state. CalChamber director since January 1994.

Kevin P. Kelly
President and Chief Executive Officer
West Valley Construction Company, Inc. (underground utility contractor)
B.S., business management, California State University, Chico. More than 30 years in underground construction industry. Joined West Valley in 1978, serving as project manager, division manager, vice president of operations and senior vice president before becoming president and CEO. CalChamber director since May 2015.

Julie Kreger King
Greater Northern California Operations Leader
Antea Group (engineering/environmental services)
B.S., environmental toxicology, University of California, Davis. Leads team of engineers, scientists, geologists, and environmental, health and safety regulatory experts. Before joining Antea Group, spent 23 years at super computer manufacturer Silicon Graphics, Inc. (SGI), based in Silicon Valley, where she was global director of environmental, health and safety, and interim corporate security manager. CalChamber director since September 2018.

Travis Kiyota
Senior Vice President, Head of Global Corporate Affairs
East West Bank (financial services)
Also serves as president of East West Bank Foundation and treasurer or East West Bancorp Inc. Political Action Committee. More than 25 years of experience in public affairs, strategic communications, corporate philanthropy, and crisis and risk management. Before joining East West Bank, spent 17 years at Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), most recently serving as vice president, California external affairs and executive director of the PG&E Foundation. Former program officer for U.S. Department of Justice in Washington D.C., working with state, local and community-based leaders to implement federal public safety programs. Earlier in career served as a senior policy adviser to former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown Jr. and as a community liaison for the Mayor of Los Angeles. CalChamber director since February 2022.

Martin A. Kropelnicki
President and Chief Executive Officer
California Water Service Group (water utility)
B.A., M.A., business economics and finance, San Jose State University. More than 30 years of experience in utility finance and operations. Joined company in 2006 as vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer in 2006; named president and COO in 2012; and appointed to current position effective September 1, 2013. Previously held executive-level positions at Pacific Gas & Electric Company, Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group, and Hall Kinion & Associates, which he took public on the Nasdaq exchange in 1997. CalChamber director since April 2023.

Janet W. Lamkin
Senior Vice President, Global Market and Community Innovation
United Airlines (air travel services)
Named to current role in November 2020 after serving as California president since 2017. Previously was California state president at Bank of America where she spent 20 years in a variety of management positions. Former CEO of California Bankers Association. Past chair of the Bay Area Council. Member, University of California President’s Advisory Board. CalChamber director since July 2007.

Jonathan K. Layne
Partner
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP (law firm)
B.A. in economics, The College of William and Mary; J.D., Emory University School of Law; M.B.A., Emory University Graduate School of Business Administration. Joined Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP in 1979, and specializes in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets and corporate transactions. CalChamber director since January 2003.

Janet A. Liang
Executive Vice President, Group President and Chief Operating Officer, Care Delivery
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals (health care services)
Bachelor’s degree, political science, Boston University; master’s degree in health administration, University of Washington. More than 30 years of experience in health care industry includes current role accountable for Kaiser Permanente’s California markets. Member of Kaiser Permanente National Executive Team. Previously served for seven years as president of Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. and Hospitals of Hawaii and held executive roles over 15 years at Group Health Cooperative (now Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington). CalChamber first vice chair and member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since August 2017.

Tim Lieb
Senior Vice President, Commercial Markets
Blue Shield of California (health plan)
Bachelor of science in mathematics with a minor in business, Ohio University in Athens. More than 30 years of experience in health care. In current role, responsible for providing leadership and strategic planning oversight across all commercial lines of business. Before joining Blue Shield in 2022, served as president of Regence BlueShield in Washington state, part of the Cambia Health Solutions family of companies. There, he was responsible for operational and financial performance as well as growth strategy through a shared services operations model. Prior to that, he led employee health and benefits for Mercer, where he was responsible for client retention and growth. CalChamber director since July 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.

Donna L. Lucas
Chief Executive Officer and Founder
Lucas Public Affairs (public relations)
Graduate, University of Southern California School of Journalism. Before forming Lucas Public Affairs in 2006, served as deputy chief of staff for strategic planning and initiatives for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and chief of staff to First Lady Maria Shriver. Previously was global and public affairs practice leader for international public relations firm Porter Novelli after it acquired Nelson Communications Group, where she was president and CEO for several years. Also served as deputy press secretary for Governor George Deukmejian; deputy treasurer for Tom Hayes; and California press secretary for the 1988 presidential campaign of then-Vice President George H.W. Bush. 2021 CalChamber chair and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since August 2012.

Gregory H. McWilliams
Chief Policy Officer
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.

Rudy B. Medina
President, Southern California Market
U.S. Bank (financial services)
Bachelor’s degree in finance, University of the Pacific. Winner of Kermit O’Hansen Award of Excellence, Pacific Coast Banking School. More than 35 years of banking and financial services experience in California. Before joining U.S. Bank to direct commercial banking in the greater Southern California area, held leadership roles at Bank of America, culminating in chief operating officer, business banking division. CalChamber director since April 2018.

Leslie L. Melburg
Senior Partner
Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto Architects + Engineers (architecture, structural engineering and interior design)
Bachelor’s degree, architecture, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Continuing education at Harvard School of Design. As design director, oversees NMR’s major projects. Has designed Temecula Civic Center, Shasta County Administration Center, Redding Civic Center, Monterey Civic Center and Tehama County Administration Center. Received an A.I.A. Honor Award for Shasta Enterprises Office Building. CalChamber director since April 2018.

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. 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.

Diane D. Miller
President
Wilcox, Miller & Nelson (executive search/human capital management)
B.A. in applied behavior analysis, University of the Pacific; M.B.A. in marketing, Golden Gate University. Career in executive search and outplacement field since 1986. Served as vice president, portfolio management at Consolidated Capital. Recipient of The Business Journal’s 2002 “Women Who Mean Business” award. 2016 at-large member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since 2004.

Christine Moseley
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
Full Harvest Technologies, Inc. (online platform connecting large farms to food and beverage businesses)
B.A., psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. M.B.A. The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Founded Full Harvest in 2015 as a B2B online distributor for ugly and surplus produce. More than 10 years of experience in the logistics and food industries at both Fortune 100 companies (A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, Procter & Gamble) and high-growth food start-ups (Organic Avenue, Cape Classics). CalChamber director since April 2018.

Kurt Oneto
Partner
Nielsen, Merksamer, Parrinello, Gross & Leoni, LLP (law firm)
B.A., political science, Phi Beta Kappa, University of California, Berkeley; M.A., government, California State University, Sacramento; J.D. UCLA School of Law. Leads Nielsen Merksamer government law section and is a member of its management committee. Specializes in statewide ballot measures and has served as counsel and legal strategist to ballot measure campaigns in California and more than a half-dozen other states. Serves on executive committee of State Law Resources, Inc., an international network of independent law firms. Before joining Nielsen Merksamer, worked for the California District Attorneys Association and interned for the California State Senate and U.S. House of Representatives. CalChamber director since January 2023.

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. CalChamber director since November 2022.

Sima Patel
Chief Executive Officer
Ridgemont Hospitality (hotel and lodging)
Moved to United States from India in 1979. Current owner and operator of several branded and boutique hotels in San Francisco Bay Area with husband, Pravin. The two developed first lodging property in 1985. Award recipient for activities in lodging/tourism associations and Indian American community. Former chair of Visit California Board of Directors. Member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 2019.

Patricia K. Poppe
Chief Executive Officer
PG&E Corporation (energy holding company)
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees, industrial engineering, Purdue University; master’s degree, management, Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Joined PG&E in January 2021 after five years as president and CEO of CMS Energy and its principal subsidiary, Consumers Energy, Michigan. In decade-long career there also served in senior roles in distribution operations, engineering and transmission; customer experience, rates and regulation; and customer operations. Previously served as a power plant director at DTE Energy. Before joining DTE Energy, held a variety of plant management positions in the automotive industry. CalChamber director since February 2022.

Kate Renwick-Espinosa
President
VSP Vision Care (nonprofit vision benefits and services)
Bachelor’s, economics, University of California, Davis. M.B.A., California State University, Sacramento. More than 28 years at VSP includes serving as VSP Global’s first chief marketing officer. Led strategy to deliver products and services to diverse client base, from Fortune 500 companies to the federal government and small businesses. CalChamber director since April 2021.

Rudolph M. (Rudy) Reyes
West Region Vice President and Associate General Counsel
Verizon (telecommunications)
B.A. Harvard University. J.D. Harvard Law School. Leads company public policy and legal affairs in Western United States. Since joining Verizon in 2003, has served as chief regulatory counsel, chief legislative counsel and vice president of government affairs before taking current post in April 2017. Previously held positions at law firms practicing litigation and, briefly, software licensing. CalChamber director since February 2018.

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.

Ariel Roblin
President and General Manager
KCRA-TV (broadcast media)
Bachelor’s in communications and fine arts, University of Miami. Named to current post, effective July 1, 2020. Returned to Northern California after leading KETV, Omaha, one of ABC’s top-performing network affiliates. Previously was general sales manager at KRCR-TV and KAEF-TV, the BlueStone Television stations serving the Chico-Redding and Eureka, California markets. Began television career in Miami, Florida, moving on to sales positions at TV stations in Dayton, Ohio, and Honolulu, Hawaii before moving to KRCR/KAEF. CalChamber director since January 2021.

Greg Ruffoni
Vice President of Franchise Development and Operations
bp (energy/oil and gas)
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, San Jose State University. More than 25 years in retail and convenience industry. In various roles has overseen direct operations of stores, cultivated franchise business partnerships, developed direction of store operations and merchandising, led teams responsible for optimizing profitability across regions and states, and worked cross functionally in organizations to define new strategic direction for operations and support teams for convenience companies in North America. Named to current role in April 2022 to focus on investment into convenience as part of bp’s global Reimagining Energy initiative. Leads the visioning and strategic direction for growth through increasing collaborative business partnerships and strengthening franchise relationships nationwide. CalChamber director since November 2022.

Matt Ruiz
Director of Corporate and Community Relations
Ruiz Food Products, Inc. (frozen food company)
Graduate, California State University, Fresno. Third generation owner of Ruiz Foods and member of company Board of Directors for 10 years. Inaugural president of Owner’s Council, made up of all shareholders of the business. Began career in retail sales, calling on California grocery store chains. Also held positions in food service sales, quality assurance, logistics and administration. CalChamber director since January 2022.

Susan Savage
Owner
Sacramento River Cats (minor league baseball franchise)
UCLA graduate. With late husband, Art Savage, purchased Triple-A franchise in October 1998 and moved team from Vancouver to Sacramento before the 2000 season. Sole majority owner since 2009. CalChamber director since January 2015.

William R. Sawyers
Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Del Monte Foods (food producer, distributor and marketer)
B.A. cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Williams College. J.D., University of California, Berkeley School of Law. Has served as senior vice president, general counsel, chief compliance officer and secretary of Del Monte Foods since March 2014. Served similar role from 1993 through 2001. Before returning to Del Monte was a partner of the Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe law firm in San Francisco and served as chief administrative officer at the Ernest Gallo Clinic and Research Center, a neuroscience research institute, in Emeryville, California. CalChamber director since January 2019.

Anthony (Tony) P. Sciarrino
Managing Director, Pacific Segment Head
JPMorgan Chase (financial services)
B.B.A., finance, University of San Diego. Came to JP Morgan Chase in October 2018 to lead California commercial banking team. Role expanded to encompass West Coast (California, Oregon, Washington) plus Hawaii and Alaska in June 2020. Also heads the firm’s national business development team. More than 29 years of experience in financial services. Previously at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he was a global client acquisition executive across the United States and Canada. CalChamber director since January 2019.

David L. Sheridan
Vice President – Remote Sensing
Lockheed Martin (aerospace)
Bachelor’s in electrical engineering, Santa Clara University. Career Lockheed Martin employee with 33 years of satellite design and management experience. Before current position was vice president of the Overhead Persistent Infrared unit and program manager for the Space Based Infrared System, which provides global missile surveillance data to key government policy and decision makers. CalChamber director since July 2018.

Kim Snyder
President, U.S. West Region
Prologis (logistics real estate)
B.S., Arizona State University, summa cum laude; M.B.A., Harvard Business School. More than three decades in industrial real estate. Since taking current post in April 2017 has been responsible for all activities in Prologis’ West Region, including development, acquisitions and operations. Served as managing director and senior vice president at AMB Property Corporation from 2005 until its merger with Prologis in 2011. Previous stints as president and CEO of Paragon Capital Corporation; managing director for Insignia-ESG’s Western region development operation; and partner at Los Angeles-Based Investment Building Group. CalChamber director since February 2023.

John A. Stowell
Senior Vice President, Corporate Taxes
The Walt Disney Company (entertainment)
B.Com. (accountancy and business administration), University of Canterbury. LL.B., University of Canterbury Law School. LL.M. (with distinction), Georgetown University Law Center. Chartered Accountant. As senior vice president, corporate taxes, is responsible for all domestic and international tax matters. Began career with Deloitte in Auckland, NewZealand. Before joining Disney, held executive positions with Delphi Automotive LLP (subsequently Delphi Automotive PLC), and Avery Dennison Corporation, where he was regional counsel for Asia Pacific and Latin America, European tax counsel (based in Switzerland), and director of tax planning and then vice president of taxes (based in Pasadena). CalChamber third vice chair and member of Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 2017.

David Tashjian
Senior Vice President, California Region
Comcast (telecommunications)
Has completed executive leadership programs at Harvard Business School, Stanford University and Wharton. More than 25 years in industry. Named to current position in September 2022. Joined Comcast in 2005, starting in Delaware, Virginia; moved on to vice president of sales and marketing in Comcast’s West Division in 2010, and vice president of sales strategy and operations in 2017. Previously worked for Dish Network in Chicago. CalChamber director since April 2023.

Phillip J. Telgenhoff
Senior Vice President, West Zone Leader
Allstate Insurance Company (personal lines insurer)
Bachelor’s in psychology, University of Washington. Promoted to lead operations in 10 western states in August 2020. Previously field senior vice president overseeing California insurance. Experience over more than 30 years at Allstate includes assignments in claims, human resources, sales, sales management, agency management and education management. CalChamber director since December 2013.

Brian Ternan
Chief Executive Officer and Plan President
Health Net of California (managed care/health insurance)
More than 30 years of experience as a senior health care executive and leader at some of the state’s largest health care plans. Assumed current role in September 2019. Before joining Health Net, held leadership posts at Anthem Blue Cross of California and Aetna Inc. Board member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ventura County. CalChamber director since January 2023.

Victor A. Terry
Area Vice President, Western Market Area
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company (insurance)
Graduate of Samford University and general management program, Harvard Business School. Assumed current position with oversight for California in 2023. In 25 years with State Farm, starting as an independent contractor agent, has taken on roles of increasing responsibility, including senior distribution and sales executive; leading field-based production teams in Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Missouri; serving as an executive and department head in State Farm’s corporate agency department. Named vice president of public affairs and State Farm’s first chief diversity officer in 2020. CalChamber director since February 2023.

Eric W. Thornburg
President and Chief Executive Officer
SJW Group and San Jose Water (investor-owned water and wastewater utility)
B.A., Cornell University. M.B.A., Indiana Wesleyan University. Before taking current position in November 2017, served as president and CEO of Connecticut Water Service (since 2006) and chairman of the board of the water service (since 2007). Also previously served as president of Missouri-American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Corporation, and Central Region vice president-external affairs for American Water Works Corporation. CalChamber director since April 2018.

Kevin Tilden
President
California American Water (water and wastewater utility)
B.A., University of Washington; M.B.A., Pepperdine University. More than 20 years in water industry, overseeing community and government relations, public and stakeholder outreach, business development, business performance, conservation and customer service. Also oversees company’s supplier diversity mission and renewed its inclusion and diversity program. CalChamber director since February 2022.

Thomas M. Troy
President and Chief Executive Officer
CSAA Insurance Group (personal property and casualty insurance)
Bachelor’s, University of Washington; M.B.A., Seattle University. More than 30 years of insurance experience before joining CSAA in 2019, including executive vice president at Allstate Business Insurance and Allstate Brand Operations; executive vice president and chief operating officer with Liberty Mutual; and senior leadership positions with Safeco Corporation. Also was commercial underwriter with Kemper National Insurance Companies. CalChamber director since January 2020.

Mike Vomund
Vice President, Americas Products West
Chevron Corporation (energy)
Bachelor’s, civil engineering, University of California, Davis; J.D., Golden Gate University. Responsible for Chevron refineries and associated fuels marketing activities in Western United States. Previously oversaw fuels distribution and transportation operations across the Americas, including fuel distribution from Canada to Colombia via terminal, trucking and rail. Joined Chevron in 1988, holding engineering, marketing, environmental and safety, operations and corporate positions of increasing responsibility in North America and Africa. CalChamber director since March 2019.

Michael R. Walker
Executive Vice President
City National Bank (financial services)
Bachelor’s in foreign service, Georgetown University. Also regional executive, Northern California, responsible for commercial banking in City National’s 10 offices throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. Extensive experience in commercial and investment banking and financing for entrepreneurs, including stints at U.S. Bancorp, and banks that merged into JPMorgan Chase, including Chemical Bank and Manufacturers Hanover Trust. CalChamber director, April 2011–December 2013, while Northern California president at U.S. Bank; and since February 2018 as City National executive vice president.

Frank Washington
Chief Executive Officer
Crossings TV (Asian language cable network)
B.A. from Cornell University; J.D., Yale University Law School. Was in private practice in Washington, D.C., and since 1977 has held positions in communications, including White House Office of Telecommunications Policy, Federal Communications Commission, cable television and computer information services at Times-Mirror Company and McClatchy Newspapers, and a variety of entrepreneurial ventures. Crossings TV founded in 2005. CalChamber director since January 2000.

Margaret Wong
President and Chief Executive Officer
McWong International, Inc. (international ventures)
B.S. in economics and finance, University of Hong Kong. Corporate controller for a Bostrom Management Corporation in Chicago and vice president of American Savings and Loan before founding McWong International, Inc. in 1984. Founded McWong Environmental and Energy Group in 1997. CalChamber director since April 2011.

Stuart Patrick Woolf
President and Chief Executive Officer
Woolf Farming and Processing (agricultural production/processing)
Bachelor’s in liberal arts, University of California, Berkeley; M.B.A., Boston College. Also managing partner for two related entities of family-owned operation—Harris Woolf California Almonds and Los Gatos Tomato Products. Former chairman of California League of Food Processors and the Almond Board of California. Member of CalChamber Executive Committee. CalChamber director since January 2017.

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.

Michelle Wroan
Office Managing Partner
KPMG LLP (accounting)
B.S., University of California at Los Angeles. Certified public accountant in California and New York (inactive status). Also hub leader for KPMG’s Pacific Southwest region leading more than 1,500 professionals in providing audit, tax and advisory services to KPMG clients. Audit partner with nearly 30-year tenure at firm serving clients from the emerging growth stage to mature public companies. Also worked in KPMG Department of Professional Practice, helping KPMG professionals and their clients address and resolving complex accounting, reporting and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission-related issues. Helped found Los Angeles chapter of KPMG Executive Leadership Institute for Women. Serves as executive board member of KPMG Network of Women. CalChamber director since November 2022.