Lourdes M. Castro Ramírez
California Governor Newsom appointed Lourdes Castro Ramírez to serve as Secretary of the Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency on March 2, 2020. She leads and oversees 11 entities responsible for expanding affordable housing, developing comprehensive solutions to end homelessness, guarding civil rights protections, regulating banking and financial services, and strengthening consumer protections with the licensing of nearly 4 million working professionals.
Secretary Castro Ramírez currently serves on the California Strategic Growth Council, the California Housing Finance Agency Board, co-chairs the California Interagency Council on Homelessness, and has been actively engaged in the state’s COVID-19 response and recovery serving on the Governor’s Business and Jobs Taskforce.
Secretary Castro Ramírez has held notable and prominent positions including being appointed by President Barack Obama to lead the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Public and Indian Housing, President and CEO of the San Antonio Housing Authority, Director at the LA City Housing Authority overseeing rental assistance and resident development programs, and most recently serving as the President University Health System Foundation in San Antonio.
She is an accomplished public servant and executive dedicated to building public, private and philanthropic partnerships efforts to improve community and system-level solutions to expanding housing, health, business, economic and educational opportunities.
Secretary Castro Ramirez has served on several community and national boards and received the 2019 Community Partner Award from the San Antonio chapter of the American Institute of Architects for chairing the Mayor’s Housing Policy Task Force. She is the recipient of the Hispanas Organized for Political Equality’s 2020 Ray of HOPE award, and 2020 San Antonio Women’s Hall of Fame Inductee.
She earned her master’s degree in Urban Planning and bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Chicano Studies at UCLA.
After the loss of her son Nico in 2012, she and her family established an annual Kick Childhood Cancer Soccer Camp to raise awareness and funds to support pediatric cancer research. Nico loved soccer.
Mark Ghaly
Dr. Mark Ghaly was appointed Secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency in early 2019 by Governor Gavin Newsom.
In serving California, Dr. Ghaly has the privilege of working with partners across sectors and disciplines to improve the lives and life chances of ALL Californians. This has been especially true during our response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Ghaly is a primary care pediatrician who continues to use his clinical and community experiences, working in California’s health care safety net system, to inform a whole person, whole community, approach to integrating services so they are equity-anchored and person-centered for ALL, but especially the most vulnerable Californians.
Dr. Ghaly holds the deep belief that together our collective efforts can not only serve Californians well today but set us on a path where ALL Californians have a brighter and healthier future.
Nothing he does can be done well without the support of his wife, Dr. Christina Ghaly, and his 4 young children.
Gustavo F. Velasquez
In May of 2020 Gustavo Velasquez was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom director of the California Department of Housing and Community Development. In this leadership role, Velasquez leads California’s housing policy agenda and administers a wide range of programs that produce, preserve, and protect affordable housing and communities of opportunity across the state.
Velasquez was senior director at the Urban Institute, a renowned national research organization working to provide data analysis and insights to policymakers and practitioners in ways both relevant and actionable. Velasquez served for nearly three years as assistant secretary for fair housing and equal opportunity at the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). He served on behalf of the president as the strategic lead of the fair housing and inclusive community agenda for the Obama administration. During his tenure, HUD achieved groundbreaking enforcement victories in fair lending and in major housing discrimination cases. Velasquez led efforts to promulgate the landmark Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing rule, a key tool for cities, states, and other HUD funding recipients to reduce inequality and disparities in access to opportunity.
Velasquez worked in executive roles in the administrations of DC mayors Anthony Williams, Adrian Fenty, and Vincent Gray. He also has nonprofit experience as executive director of the Latino Economic Development Center, a local community development organization in Washington, DC, and Congreso de Latinos Unidos, the leading social service provider to Latinos in Philadelphia.
Velasquez has served in numerous boards and committees of financial institutions, civil rights groups, and educational organizations at the local and national levels. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a master’s degree in public administration.
Tomiquia Moss
Tomiquia Moss is the founder and CEO of All Home. She is locally and nationally recognized as a dynamic and gifted leader in the fields of housing and homelessness, public policy, and community development. Before founding All Home, Tomiquia was the CEO of Hamilton Families, which offers emergency, transitional, and permanent housing services for families experiencing homelessness. She previously served directly under the mayors of both San Francisco and Oakland, and as the Executive Director of the HOPE SF Initiative. Tomiquia is the Chair of SPUR’s Board of Directors, and also sits on the boards of the Nonprofit Housing Association of Northern California and Oakland Promise.
Tony Tavares
Tony Tavares was appointed the 34th Director of the Department of Transportation (Caltrans) by Governor Gavin Newsom and sworn in June 2022. Director Tavares manages a nearly $20 billion budget and more than 22,000 employees who oversee 50,000 lane miles of highway, maintain approximately 20,000 bridges, provide permitting of more than 400 public-use airports, fund three of Amtrak’s busiest intercity rail services and provide transit support to more than 200 local and regional transit agencies.
Director Tavares’ transportation vision for California addresses critical climate issues and advances a safe, equitable, accessible, sustainable, and multimodal transportation system that builds on strong partnerships and robust stakeholder engagement. He fosters a people-first culture built on the principles of Safety, Equity, Climate Action, and Economic Prosperity -- furthering a California for all. He encourages innovation and intelligent risk-taking, as transformative innovation will be needed to achieve zero traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 2050 and reduce greenhouse gases (GHGs) by 40% by 2030.
Director Tavares most recently served as Director of Caltrans District 7, which encompasses expansive Los Angeles and Ventura counties. As District 7 Director, he oversaw transportation systems in a dynamic region that boasts 25% of California’s population; an annual construction program of more than $2 billion; and some of the most innovative solutions to help move people and goods through Southern California, part of the 5th largest economy in the world.
Prior to overseeing District 7, he served as Caltrans Bay Area Director (District 4) where he was instrumental in implementing California’s landmark Senate Bill 1 (SB1), the Road Repair and Accountability Act. Tavares also progressed Caltrans’ goals as he served on several boards of regional transportation planning agencies, joint powers authorities and transit development.
From 2010 to 2018, Director Tavares served as the statewide Division Chief for Maintenance. There, he directed 7,000 multi-disciplinary professional employees with an annual budget allocation of almost $2.2 billion. In the first year of SB1, he also delivered over $1 billion in pavement, bridge and culvert projects.
Director Tavares has also held executive leadership roles at Caltrans as the Division Chief for Right of Way and Land Surveys; North Region Deputy Director for Structure Construction; Deputy Division Chief for Construction; and District 10 Director. In 2013, Director Tavares was awarded the Pavement Pioneer Award from the National Asphalt Pavement Association for his contribution in perpetual pavement projects.
Tavares is a graduate of University of California, Davis, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering. He is a Professional Engineer (PE) and a certified Project Management Professional (PMP).
Tiena Johnson Hall
Tiena Johnson Hall, Executive Director of the California Housing Finance Agency, is furthering the Agency’s mission to create and finance progressive housing solutions so more Californians have a place to call home. Through her leadership of CalHFA, the state’s affordable housing lender, she engages mortgage lenders, affordable housing developers, state and local agencies, advocacy organizations, public officials, and private financing markets to work collaboratively to create housing options in reach and accessible for more low- and moderate-income Californians.
Prior to her appointment, Ms. Johnson Hall served on the CalHFA Board of Directors from 2014 and was the Senior Vice President and Manager of Community Development Finance for BBVA now a member of PNC Bank. She held various leadership positions for financial, banking and housing organizations such as Vice President and Community Development Manager, Bank of the West (2014); Senior VP and Relationship Manager, U.S. Bank (2005-2013); Director of Housing, Major Projects Division of the Los Angeles Housing and Investment Department (2004-2005); Senior VP and Regional Manager, Bank of America Community Lending (1997-2003); Finance Development Officer, Major Projects Division of the Los Angeles Housing and Investment Department (1995-1997); Project Manager, Abode Communities (1991-1994). She also served on various housing and financial boards and councils.
Ms. Johnson Hall received her Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Howard University and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Redlands.
Jacey K. Cooper
Jacey Cooper serves as the State Medicaid Director and Chief Deputy Director for Health Care Programs at the Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). Ms. Cooper is responsible for the overall management of Health Care Delivery Systems, Health Care Financing, Health Care Benefits and Eligibility, Behavioral Health, and Legislative and Governmental Affairs. As the State Medicaid Director, Ms. Cooper represents California’s Medicaid program (Medi-Cal) with our federal partners at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Since January 2019, Ms. Cooper served as the Senior Advisor for Health Care Programs and prior to that, Ms. Cooper served as the Assistant Deputy Director for Health Care Delivery Systems starting in April 2016. In these roles, Ms. Cooper was responsible for overseeing the planning, implementation, evaluation, and management of various programs and policies at the department.
Prior to coming to DHCS, Ms. Cooper worked as the Vice President of Administrative Services at Kern Medical Center and as a health care consultant. Through this work she has gained over ten years of experience in health care policy, operations, integrated delivery models, managed care, business development, and quality monitoring.
Gina Buccieri-Harrington
Gina Buccieri-Harrington has been assistant director of grants management in the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services since 2009, where she has served in several positions since 2007, including staff services manager. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree in organizational development from Golden Gate University.
Veronica Lewis
Veronica Lewis, Master of Public of Administration is a recognized leader in Los Angeles County in the Homeless Services, Substance Use Support and Reentry sectors and is the Director of the Homeless Outreach Program/Integrated Care System Division of Special Service for Groups (SSG/HOPICS) where she oversees more than 65 million dollars in annual funding for multi-service programs including: mental health, substance use disorder treatment, reentry support, homeless services, permanent housing programs and sites, and trauma-focused services. HOPICS has permanently housed thousands of households under her leadership.
Under her leadership as Director since January 2011, HOPICS’ annual budget has increased by 1500 percent and the workforce by eight (8) times greater in 11 years. Veronica has worked tirelessly as an advocate to improve and coordinate homeless services in LA County- in particular the Service Planning Area Sixth Region (SPA 6) which is made up of South LA and the Cities of Compton, Lynwood and Paramount. Veronica is the founder of the thriving SPA 6 Homeless Coalition. She has played an integral role in the development of the ever-expanding LA Continuum homeless systems of care as the lead for SPA 6’s Coordinated Entry System for homeless individuals and families. In 2014 Veronica led and developed the one-of-a kind SPA 6 Family Crisis Housing Network that formed in response to the changing system of care for homeless families in LA County. The Network consists of a blend of homeless and housing providers that provide short to medium term crisis and bridge housing for families working toward permanent housing through the local Family Solutions Center- and still keeps 300 families with children off of the street every night in interim housing present day. Due to her leadership and advocacy HOPICS opened the first publicly funded interim housing location for transgender women and non-binary individuals in Los Angeles. Under her leadership, HOPICS has permanently housed more than 5000 homeless families within the last 10 years. Veronica has represented the interest of SPA 6 and the LA Continuum of Care (CoC) as member and Chair of the CoC Board and Coordinating Council. Veronica is also a Los Angeles County Public Social Services Commissioner appointed by LA County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
She has worked diligently to secure housing resources and build the capacity of small homeless and reentry agencies in South LA and the Cities of Compton and Lynwood. In her daily work Veronica has and continues to advocate for racial equity and honest dialogue about ways to improve the overwhelming number of health, economic, carceral and housing disparities for black people and other people of color in LA County. She deeply understands the intersection of race, homelessness, behavioral health and the criminal justice systems. She was a member of the Los Angeles Ad Hoc Committee on Black People experiencing Homelessness (BPEH) and delegation of members responsible for finalizing the report and recommendations and currently serves on the Steering Committee for BPEH which is responsible for implementation oversight of the recommendations. Veronica is also a member of the Homelessness Policy Research Institute (HPRI) Racial Equity Steering Committee.
Veronica served as the Chair of the Los Angeles Reimagine LA Measure J Advisory Committee and led the process of developing a recommended transformative spending plan that resulted in LA County funding $187 Million for the inaugural year one (FY 22) of investment into Care First- Jails last and Community Investment- which funds diversion and reentry services, de-carceration of LA County jails, primary health, behavioral health, housing, economic development, and youth support. Veronica is currently the Chair of the Los Angeles County Care First and Community Investment Advisory Committee. She is a member and immediate past chair of the Steering Committee for the Los Angeles Regional Reentry Partnership (LARRP) and provides leadership on the Housing Committee.
In addition to her contribution to local Los Angeles City and County homeless/housing, reentry and SUD systems, programs and policies, Veronica also lends her expertise to help shape policies, best practices and projects at the state and national level through her participation in the Collaborative Justice Courts Advisory Committee for California Courts Judicial Council; National Alliance to End Homelessness- Capacity Building Network; National Research Council- Transportation Research Board for the Airport Cooperative Research Program Project 03-59 Panel to help develop best practices nationwide to address homelessness at airports; and as a Member of the California Department of Health Care Services Proposition 64 Advisory Group where she helps shape program design and utilization of more than 60 million for the Youth Education Prevention, Early Intervention and Treatment Account (YEPEITA).
William McGee
Celebrated educator and administrator, Mr. William McGee is committed to education. Currently, William serves as the Division Director of the Student Achievement and Support Division (SASD) in the California Department of Education. Directly after graduating from high school, he worked in the education system beginning as a classified employee, then becoming a teacher. He worked in administration as a high school assistant principal and middle school principal, as well as the Director of the Office of African American Student Achievement. He also served for eight years on the Hayward Unified School District Board of Education.
Nominated by his peers, Mr. McGee was recognized by the Association of California School Administrators (ACSA) as Outstanding Administrator of the Year, 2018-19 (Region Winner) and Outstanding Co-Administrator of the Year, 2014-15. Seeing his mother as a teacher, who retired after 40 years in the profession, helped him know his calling to serve students and families.
In November 2010, Mr. McGee was elected to the Hayward Unified School District Board of Trustees. He served as a trustee, president and vice president of the Board of Trustees, as well as served as a delegate in the California School Boards Association (CSBA).
William earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Studies with an Option in Communications from CSU, Hayward, and an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Studies from Chabot College in Hayward. He also earned his administrative credential. Currently he is pursuing his Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership, option Urban Teacher Leadership at CSU East Bay. Through his exploration of critical race theory and culturally relevant teaching, William has supported the Local Education Agencies (LEAS) with professional development as well as coordinated with his staff, a weekend workshop focused on race and equity for the district and the community.
Rebecca Ruan-O’Shaughnessy
In September 2020 Rebecca Ruan-O’Shaughnessy JD joined the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office as Vice Chancellor of Educational Services and Support. Previously she was a Senior Project Manager at Jobs for the Future, where she led and drove many California projects focused on centering economic advancement strategies that included cross-sector network building, inclusive regional economic development strategies, and lifelong learning system design.
She has substantial experience in private sector, public service and nonprofit work, in various size organizations. Much of Ruan-O’Shaughnessy’s work has been at the intersection of policy design, strategic planning and project implementation, with an emphasis on catalyzing economic empowerment and social mobility.
Her experiences include service as Vice President of Employment Opportunities at United Healthcare, where she worked in a national unit that developed integrated health and human services strategies to improve population health outcomes for the company’s six million Medicaid members. She was the first corporate executive for a U.S. subsidiary of a global manufacturer, where she led the company’s transition from concept to full production with over 1,000 employees within 18 months. She also led statewide economic development strategies as the Deputy Chief of Strategic Business Investments at the Ohio Development Services Agency.
Jeffrey Macomber
Jeff Macomber was appointed CDCR Secretary by Governor Gavin Newsom on December 12, 2022. His career at CDCR has spanned nearly three decades, beginning as a Correctional Officer at Ironwood State Prison in 1993. Most recently, he served as Undersecretary of Operations from 2020 to 2022. He has diverse experience at CDCR, including leadership roles in custody, administration, and health care.
Secretary Macomber understands the importance of providing meaningful and diverse rehabilitative opportunities to the people in our care and to fostering a correctional system focused on the wellness and professional development of staff.
Secretary Macomber served in various roles at CDCR Headquarters from 1994 to 2004, then as Correctional Business Manager at Richard A. McGee Correctional Training Center from 2000 to 2004. He was Chief of the Program Support Unit and Transportation Unit from 2004 to 2007, and then started at California State Prison-Sacramento (SAC) as a Correctional Administrator in 2008. While at SAC, Macomber served as Chief Deputy Warden in 2009, then again from 2010–2013, and as Warden from 2013–2016. Following his tenure at SAC, he became Deputy Director of Facility Support in the Division of Adult Institutions from 2016 to 2018. In 2019, Mr. Macomber served as the Director of Corrections Services for California Correctional Health Care Services before becoming the Undersecretary of Administration. In late 2020, he transitioned to Undersecretary of Operations.
When not working, Secretary Macomber enjoys tending to his vegetable garden, running, and hiking. He is married, has two children, and two cats.
Tomás Aragón
Dr. Tomás Aragón, MD, DrPH, serves as the director of the California Department of Public Health and the State Public Health Officer, since January 4, 2021. Prior to coming to CDPH, he was the health officer for the City and County of San Francisco and director of the public health division.
Dr. Aragón has served in public health leadership roles for more than 20 years (communicable disease controller, deputy health officer, health officer, community health and chronic disease epidemiologist), including directing a public health emergency preparedness and response research and training center at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health.
As CDPH director, striving to embody and promote the universal values of dignity, equity, compassion and humility, he works through collaborative partnerships to mobilize communities and institutions to transform policies and systems towards a culture of equity, antiracism, healing and health for all people and our planet. As State Public Health Officer, he exercises leadership and legal authority to protect health and prevent disease.
Dr. Aragón graduated from University of California, Berkeley (B.A., Molecular Biology; Dr.P.H., Epidemiology), Harvard Medical School (M.D.), Harvard School of Public Health (M.P.H.), and Stanford University (certification in Strategic Decision and Risk Management in Healthcare). He completed his clinical and research training at University of California, San Francisco (San Francisco General Hospital Primary Care Internal Medicine; Clinical Infectious Diseases; and Traineeship in AIDS Prevention Studies).
Stephanie Clendenin
Stephanie Clendenin of Antelope was appointed director of the Department of State Hospitals by Governor Newsom in 2019. She served as chief deputy director of the department from 2015 to 2018. Prior to joining DSH, she held multiple positions at the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD). She was appointed to this position by Governor Brown in June 2011. She managed OSHPD's operating divisions responsible for the building and financing of health facility infrastructure, the collection and analyses of healthcare data, and the development and expansion of healthcare professionals to serve and improve the delivery of healthcare, particularly in medically underserved communities in California. Ms. Clendenin has over 28 years of experience with the State of California. Ms. Clendenin's previous government experience includes positions with Cal-Fire, Department of Finance, the former Department of Health Services, and the Department of General Services.
Susan DeMarois
Susan DeMarois joined the California Department of Aging as Director on November 1, 2021.
Prior to joining CDA, Susan led public policy and advocacy for the national Alzheimer’s Association in California. As a registered lobbyist in Sacramento, Susan advocated for legislative, budget, and regulatory changes at the state capitol on behalf of the 2.1 million Californians directly impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. The organization led the effort to implement the Healthy Brain Initiative in California, resulting in a $5 million investment in the state’s public health infrastructure. On October 4, 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 48 (Limón) into law, enacting the first dementia early detection initiative in the nation focused on the Medicaid population.
Susan served as an appointee to Governor Newsom’s Alzheimer’s Prevention and Preparedness Task Force, chaired by former First Lady Maria Shriver, in addition to the Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee, a workgroup established by Executive Order. In addition, Susan represented the Alzheimer’s Association on the CHHS Agency Secretary’s Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Advisory Committee.
Before working for the Alzheimer’s Association, Susan led government and community relations for the UC Davis Health System and its academic medical center, children’s hospital, medical school, nursing school and physician group. Early in her career, she worked for LeadingAge California, the professional trade association representing not-for-profit housing, residential care and skilled nursing providers along with home and community-based services.
A graduate of CSU Chico, Susan started her career working for the U.S. Congress and California State Assembly. Susan is a proud mom to two adult daughters.
She resides in Sacramento, CA and draws inspiration for her work from her own mom’s experience with dementia.
Vito D. Imbasciani
Vito D. Imbasciani PhD MD was reappointed as the Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 22, 2020. Imbasciani completed medical school at the University of Vermont College of Medicine, and his surgical and urologic residencies at Yale-New Haven Hospital and the West Haven VA Hospital (Connecticut). He earned MA and PhD degrees from Cornell University, and was a Fulbright Scholar to Rome, Italy in 1973. He held academic teaching positions at the University of Florida, Cornell University and Middlebury College (VT).
Dr. Imbasciani was commissioned in the Medical Corps of the United States Army in December, 1986 and retired after 27 years in 2014 with the rank of colonel. He has deployed four times in support of the wars in the Gulf, and received the Meritorious Service Award, the Combat Medic badge, the Army Commendation Medal (four times) and California Order of Merit. Campaign ribbons include Operation Desert Storm; the Liberation of Kuwait; and Global War against Terrorism (both expeditionary and service).
Dr. Imbasciani has practiced urologic surgery in Los Angeles since 1991, and with Kaiser Permanente since 1997. He is presently the Past President of the Los Angeles County Medical Association and the past President of the California Urologic Association. He was a member of the California Medical Association's Board of Trustees for ten years. He also served on the Board of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group (Kaiser Permanente) from 2003-2013, and was its Director of Government Relations from 2007-2015.
Governor Edmund J. Brown appointed Dr. Imbasciani as the 16th Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs in September, 2015, and he was confirmed by the State Senate several months later. A member of the Governor's Cabinet, he also serves on the Board of the California Housing Finance Agency, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Honor Committee, and the Governor's Military Council.
Dr. Imbasciani received a masters and doctorate in musicology at Cornell University, and was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to Rome, Italy to write his doctoral dissertation. He has visited over 80 countries on five continents, speaks seven languages and loves traveling to new places.
Kim Johnson
Kim Johnson was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom as the Director of the California Department of Social Services in July of 2019. Ms. Johnson had previously been appointed by Governor Jerry Brown to serve as the Deputy Director of the Family Engagement and Empowerment Division and was responsible for the planning, policy direction and oversight of services to over 4 million individuals, children, families, and living in poverty through safety net resources, employment opportunities, and additional engagement strategies.
Ms. Johnson has over 20 years of experience working in various family support and children’s programs focused on social justice, equity, and poverty disruption in both community-based organizations and government. She holds a degree in Social Welfare from the University of California, Berkeley.
Tim Rainey
Tim Rainey is the Executive Director of the California Workforce Development Board, having been appointed by Governor Brown on November 22, 2011. As required by the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, the State Board is responsible for assisting the Governor in the development, oversight, and continuous improvement of California’s workforce investment system.
Previously, Mr. Rainey was the Director of the Workforce and Economic Development Program (WED) of the California Labor Federation, where he was responsible for policy development at the state and local levels, and brokering industry-based training partnerships among unions, employers, community organizations, education, and public workforce agencies.
Mr. Rainey was also the Policy Director for the California Workforce Association, where he advocated on behalf of Local Workforce Development Boards in legislative, policy, and administrative deliberations in Sacramento and Washington DC.
Prior to joining CWA, Mr. Rainey was a consultant to the Senate Democratic Caucus of the California State Senate.
Mr. Rainey is a co-founder and executive committee member of the EDGE Campaign, member of the California Apollo Alliance Steering Committee, and serves on several other committees and commissions related to workforce and economic development.
He holds a B.A. degree in Government from California State University, Sacramento.
Nancee Robles
Nancee Robles is the Executive Director of the California Debt Limit Allocation Committee (CDLAC) and the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC) both entities of the California State Treasurer. In those roles, she provides financing resources in the form of tax credits and bond allocation to keep California’s affordable housing production and exempt facility projects moving forward. She is responsible for California’s State Volume Cap of over $4 billion a year. Previously, Robles held the position of Executive Director of the California Pollution Control Financing Authority (CPCFA) and the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority (CAEATFA), also at the Treasurer’s Office. Robles began her state service at CPCFA were she managed the California Capital Access Program (CalCAP) and Collateral Support Programs for small businesses. She is a subject matter expert of the California State Small Business Credit Initiative Act (SSBCI). Robles was also instrumental in the development and implementation of the California Air Resources Board Heavy Duty Vehicle Air Quality Loan Program that converted over 30,000 heavy duty vehicles to cleaner running units.
Robles held the positions of Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Deputy Executive Director, and Acting Executive Director for the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank (IBank), a division of the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), where she directed IBank’s lending for its Infrastructure State Revolving Fund and California Lending for Energy and Environmental Needs (CLEEN) direct loan programs, Bonds issuance, and Small Business Finance Center. During her time there Robles helped lead IBank to become the largest Green Bond Issuer in the Nation. Now, the Treasurer’s Office holds the honor of leader in Green Bond activity.
Prior to her state service, Robles spent over 30 years in the private sector banking industry where she served a variety of financial institutions, most prominently as Senior Credit Supervisor, Risk Mitigation Supervisor, and Primary Underwriting Trainer for Fireside Bank in Pleasanton, California. Robles is an Accredited California Economic (ACE) Developer Certification holder and Instructor for ACE. She is also a voting member of the CalRecycle Recycling Market Development Zone Loan Committee. Robles graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Communications with a concentration in finance and workplace development from California State University at Sacramento and Executive Masters in Business Administration from California State University at Monterey Bay.
Joe Xavier
Department of Rehabilitation Director Joe Xavier has over 35 years of experience in business and public administration as well as many years participating in advocacy and community organizations. As an immigrant, a blind consumer, and a beneficiary of DOR’s services, Joe has the experience and understands the challenges and opportunities available to individuals with disabilities, and the services required to maximize an individual’s full potential. Joe believes in the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities; investing in the future through creativity, ingenuity and innovation; ensuring decisions and actions are informed by interested individuals and groups; pursuing excellence through continuous improvement; and preserving the public’s trust through compassionate and responsible provision of services.
As the Director, Joe leverages his position to challenge the norms in our society and our work. He champions for equity amongst everyone, giving voice to individuals with disabilities who may not have a voice or are not able to use their voice, including those with hidden disabilities, youth, and adults. In addition to the department’s programs and services, championing and giving voice includes participating and being engaged in workgroups, initiatives, forums, and conferences, etc., where he educates, informs, and influences the respective audience on the talent and potential of individuals with disabilities.
Since his appointment in February 2014 as Director, Joe’s responsibilities include leading an executive team of 14, with nearly 2,000 staff, a budget of $476 million, and serving 130,000 consumers through various programs. Collectively, leadership and staff work to advance the department’s vision, mission, goals, policies, and address the myriad of the most complex and sensitive issues and decision-making facing DOR.
Since his initial appointment in May 2008, Joe’s administrative and executive responsibilities included Deputy Director for the Specialized Services Division delivering categorical programs and services for the blind and visually impaired and technical assistance and training for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. Joe also has 10 years of managerial experience including oversight of the Business Enterprises Program and Business Services Section Chief.
Joe’s organizational and community engagement has included Council of State Administrators for Vocational Rehabilitation, Association of California State Employees with Disabilities, Asian Pacific State Employees Association, California Council of the Blind, American Council of the Blind, Randolph Sheppard Vendors of America, California Vendors Policy Committee, Randolph Sheppard Vendors of California, Board of the Western Sagebrush Conference, Tri Visual Services, and serving as a mentor to high-school age students.