I am deeply saddened by the news that Grantland Johnson died today.

My first introduction to state government and politics came from two former Sacramento County supervisors: Sandy Smoley and Grantland Johnson. At the time, I had no idea I would eventually end up at CSAC.

I met Grantland in January of 1999 as an Executive Fellow at the California Health and Human Services Agency. He was just appointed by Governor Davis as the Health and Human Services Agency. I came to know him as Grantland – not as Mr. Secretary or Mr. Johnson. For all of the titles he held in his career, he was an unpretentious, gentle man at his core.

Governor Davis was notoriously slow to make appointments; Grantland’s staff at the Agency was lean for many months. Without his own staff in place, Grantland gave me my first taste of politics – often bringing me with him to high level meetings with members of the Legislature and with the Governor’s Office.  The meetings left an impression on me – in how he anchored himself to a set of core issues and how he navigated difficult political issues at a time he was still learning how to be a spokesperson for a governor he barely knew. He let me see what life was like for an agency secretary.

Grantland was incredibly accessible to staff and loved mentoring young people.  He would often stop in my cubicle to chat – about anything and everything – child welfare policy, movies, music. He enjoyed laughing just as much as he enjoyed talking about policy and pending legislation. I saw first hand how his experiences as a county supervisor and federal Region IX director shaped his views about many of the state programs.

I am forever grateful for the opportunities Grantland afforded me a young staffer. His commitment to social justice and improving health status for Californians left an indelible mark on my career. Grantland surrounded himself with smart, savvy and diverse policy wonks. He trusted me enough to keep me on as staff after the fellowship ended and allowed me to grow into legislative and policy analysis. Much of the work I did for Grantland – and the lessons I learned – shapes how I approach policy and politics today.

I know many throughout county, state and federal governments join me today in grieving the loss of a thoughtful leader and mentor. Go in peace, my friend.