December 6, 2016

CSAC elected a new slate of officers at its Annual Meeting in Riverside County, swearing in Alameda County Supervisor Keith Carson as President, Kern County Supervisor Leticia Perez as First Vice President and Humboldt County Supervisor Virginia Bass as Second Vice President. Amador County Supervisor Richard Forster, CSAC’s 2016 President, will serve as Immediate Past President.

“CSAC is incredibly fortunate to have a talented cadre of local leaders who are willing to step up and serve on our officer team,” said CSAC Executive Director Matt Cate. “Their history of effective public service and their experience, vision, and credibility will help us make sure that California county priorities remain important to state and federal policymakers. I am looking forward to working with them in Sacramento and in Washington, D.C. on a variety of issues that impact California’s 58 counties and the people we serve.”

“The services California’s counties provide impact all Californians in their daily lives,” said Supervisor Carson. “CSAC’s role representing Counties in Sacramento is critical as we work on ensuring access to health care, increasing state funding for local transportation infrastructure, effectively regulating marijuana, and dealing with the impact of tree mortality. This is going to be a busy and productive year for California counties and I am looking forward to serving as President of CSAC.”

Supervisor Carson will serve a year as CSAC President. He has previously served on CSAC’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee and he also serves on the Board of the National Association of Counties. He has also served for more than 20 years as the President of East Bay Economic Development Alliance for Business, the largest business association in the East Bay.

“There are so many pressing issues impacting California counties right now,” said Supervisor Perez. “We need to increase transportation funding, make sure we have local input on marijuana regulation and continue to address tree mortality. And these are in addition to homelessness, health care, public safety, and the other county services that are critical to the well-being of the people we serve. As First Vice President of CSAC, I am looking forward to working for the people of all 58 California Counties on the things that matter most in their daily lives.”

Supervisor Perez served as CSAC Second Vice President this past year, and also as President of the Latino Caucus of California Counties. She co-chairs CSAC’s Poverty Working Group and is also serving on the National Association of Counties Opioid Epidemic Task Force.

“As CSAC’s Second Vice President I look forward to working with the Legislature and the Governor to make sure counties have the resources we need,” said Supervisor Bass. “We have to fix our roads and bridges, make sure local governments can effectively regulate marijuana, and also deliver housing and other vital public services as effectively as possible. People interact with their County more than any other level of government. Serving as a CSAC officer is part of my commitment to public service.”

Supervisor Bass has served on CSAC’s Board of Directors and as Vice-Chair of the Administration of Justice Policy Committee.