Counties' Lobbying Team Promotes, Adds New Hires

The California State Association of Counties, which represents counties' interests in the Legislature, has announced promotions and new hires:

— Six-year CSAC staffer Chris Lee, primary legislative advocate on land use and housing policy, will now also take on the transportation and tribal affairs portfolios as lead lobbyist for housing, land use and transportation. He'll also serve as program director for the County Engineers Association of California, CSAC’s public works affiliate organization. 

— Geoff Neill, who's been with CSAC for 13 years, has been promoted to legislative representative for government, finance and administration. For the past four years, Geoff served as the Principal Policy and Fiscal Analyst.

— Tracy Sullivan, who's been a CSAC staffer for almost three years, has been promoted to senior legislative analyst for government, finance and administration.

— Marina Espinoza has been hired as legislative analyst in the same area. Espinoza most recently served as a legislative aide with the Office of Assemblymember Kevin Mullin, a member of the Legislative Tech Caucus and other groups focusing on technology.

— Diana Medina Wiley has joined CSAC as program manager for Results First, a Pew-MacArthur initiative that supports county leaders as they engage in evidence-based policymaking. The goal of the CSAC-Results First partnership is to develop in-state capacity to support California county leaders who seek to invest in programs that will produce the best outcomes for residents and the highest rate of return on the counties’ investments. Medina has experience in the nonprofit sector and in project management.

Darby Kernan is CSAC's deputy executive director for legislative affairs.