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John started his career in advocacy and consulting in early 2004. His practice area is focused in crisis communication, procurement, local government, executive branch and legislative advocacy and environmental consulting. His client base includes: production agriculture, trade associations, equipment manufacturers, automotive, petroleum, land-use development, home-owners associations, the insurance industry, the dairy and citrus industries, restaurants, and a host of hospitality and tourism organizations. John serves as Chairman and spokesman for the Dairy Action Network, an association of dairy operators, their suppliers and conservationists. He has extensive experience with coalition advocacy and development, as well as implementation of communication campaigns aimed at earning community and political support.
Formerly, John served as President and CEO of the 20,000 member California Restaurant Association (CRA). He was hired by the CRA in November 1998 to lead the 98 year-old southern-California based trade association into the 21st century. John oversaw all aspects of the CRA's services from governmental affairs and local outreach to its Educational Foundation and annual tradeshows, the Western Foodservice & Hospitality EXPO-LA and the San Francisco Restaurant Show. Under his leadership, membership grew by over 100 percent, thanks in part to the addition of benefit programs tailored to today's savvy world of foodservice. In addition, he transformed the CRA's image in a number of innovative ways, including the opening of the Association's new headquarters in downtown Sacramento.
John also has an extensive background in government. In 2003, he was appointed by Governor Gray Davis to serve as Chairman of the State Compensation Insurance Fund, California 's largest provider of workers' compensation. He also served six years in Governor Pete Wilson's Administration as Chairman of the Air Resources Board, where he was responsible for implementation of the California Clean Air Act and compliance with the Federal Clean Air Act. From 1993 to 1994, he served Governor Wilson as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Toxic Substances Control where he managed external affairs, legislation, and technology development programs. Prior to his state service, John worked for the South Coast Air Quality Management District as public advisor, where he helped resolve disputes for businesses and developed outreach programs to educate the public and the regulated community about air quality issues. He has also worked for Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-Redlands), Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman.
As a commissioner and executive committee member of the California Travel and Tourism Commission, John is involved in the planning and implementation of the state's marketing and advertising program. Since 1999 John has been active with the California Travel Industry Association (CALTIA) serving as Chairman in 2002 and currently serving as Chair of the CALTIA Political Action Committee.
He recently completed a two year term as an industry representative on the National Restaurant Association Board of Directors and as a trustee on their SAFE Fund Issues PAC. He is also a member of the Board of Directors for the California Taxpayers' Association. John resides in northern California with his wife, Jane, and their three children. | 