Public affairs and government relations firm AxAdvocacy reports having hired Marty Wilson as principal to lead the firm’s government affairs practice in California. Wilson, who will be growing the firm’s new Sacramento office, previously served as executive vice president of public affairs at the California Chamber of Commerce for over a decade, where he “oversaw […]

Next Generation Advanced (NGA), “a leading provider of Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology,” reports having hired Howard Tien as vice president of product implementation and Ricardo Reyes as senior project manager, both new positions. Tien was previously lead systems administrator for 911 operations at the Los Angeles Police Dept. for nearly a decade. In his new […]

The Wine Institute reports that Robin Baggett has been elected chair of its 2025-26 Board of Directors. Baggett is managing partner of Alpha Omega Winery in St. Helena and Tolosa Winery in San Luis Obispo. He succeeds outgoing chair, Matt Gallo, vice president and general manager of Gallo Vineyards Inc. headquartered in Modesto, who will become an ex-officio […]

California Bankers Assn. reports having elected Martin Plourd as chair of its board of directors, effective June 1. Plourd, who “brings more than 30 years of banking experience to the role,” is president of Community West Bancshares. He is also a board member for the Scholarship Foundation of Santa Barbara and an advisory board member for […]

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara reports that Insurance Diversity Task Force has elected Vikita Poindexter as chair and Fabiola Cobarrubias as vice chair. Poindexter, CEO of Poindexter Consulting Group, succeeds Mark Morales, Senior Vice President of Community Lending, who will remain a member of the Task Force. Cobarrubias, CEO of Pacific Inpatient Medical Group, succeeds Pointdexter […]

The Assembly Republican Caucus reports having promoted George Andrews from chief consultant for communications and district operations to communications director. Andrews, who’s worked for the caucus for the past year and a half, previously worked for a Super PAC in Iowa during the presidential caucuses. Before going to Iowa, Andrews worked in the Capitol as […]

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stephen Cloobeck reports that USA Today ranked his book, “Facing Hard Truths: How Americans Can Get Real, Pull Together, and Turn Our Country Around,” 29th among the 150 bestsellers based on sales through Sunday, June 8. In its announcement, USA Today writes, “Cloobeck’s engaging storytelling and straight-shooting proposals leave readers feeling heard, […]

Capitol Network reports that it’s accepting applications until July 8 from California non-profits that support the needs of women and/or children for an annual grant funded by its annual golf tournament, which this year is scheduled for Sept. 29th. The group says its tournaments “historically raise over $25,000” for the grant. More information is here […]

Pro Tem Mike McGuire reports that “the Senate unanimously elected Sen. Monique Limón as the Pro Tem Designee,” with “a transition to be held early in 2026.” McGuire says, “Sen. Limón always puts people first; she’s a bridge builder and never stops fighting for progress.” Limón says, “I am committed to working with my colleagues […]

John Valencia, founder of lobbying firm Valencia Government Relations Inc., has announced the promotion of Alex Khan to principal and the rebranding of the firm to Valencia Khan Government Relations.” Khan is “a seasoned lobbyist, attorney, and government relations specialist” who has worked at the firm for the past five years as a senior legislative advocate. Prior to […]