SW21:015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2021
CONTACT:
SOS Press Office
(916) 653-6575
California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Weber Announces Appointments of Office’s Executive Team
SACRAMENTO, CA – California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley N. Weber announced the appointment of her deputies for Legislative Affairs, Policy and Planning for California, Communications, and Voter Education and Outreach. This rounds out her executive team which includes Lisa Martin as Chief Deputy Secretary of State and Reggie Fair as the Deputy Secretary of State for Operations who were appointed earlier this year.
Erric Garris – Deputy Secretary of State for Legislative Affairs
Erric graduated from Washington State University. Working in public policy for over two decades, Erric got his start in the Washington State Legislature, later moving to legislative affairs at the Washington State Department of Licensing. From 2002 to 2016 he served in a number of capacities as personal staff to several members in the California State Legislature. He comes to us from latest role as the Director of Advocacy and Government Affairs at March of Dimes.
LaKenya M. Jordan - Deputy Secretary of State for Policy and Planning for California
LaKenya has over 13 years of state leadership experience and most immediately led the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls as Executive Director. LaKenya additionally served as Director of Legislation and Governmental Affairs at the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC). Jordan earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Organizational Management from St. Mary’s College and a Master of Public Health from Touro University. She is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum, a graduate of the Leadership California Issues and Trends program and an active member of California Women Lead.
Joe Kocurek – Deputy Secretary of State for Communications
Joe is a graduate of San Diego State University with degrees in classics and communications. A veteran of public policy communications, he began his career in public service as a Field Representative for State Senator Dede Alpert and later worked as Press Secretary and Communications Director for Assemblymembers Lori Saldaña and Mariko Yamada. From 2013 to 2019, he served as Communications Director for Assemblymember Dr. Shirley Weber and as her legislative director from 2019 -2021.
Tamara Rasberry – Deputy Secretary of State for Voter Outreach and Education
Tamara is a 20-year veteran of the Capitol Community. She joined the staff of California Secretary of State Alex Padilla in 2016 as the Assistant Deputy for Strategic Business Partnerships and Outreach. Her responsibilities include building public and private partnerships between the Secretary of State throughout the Bay Area and Northern California. Before returning to public service, Ms. Rasberry had an extensive career in advocacy and policy. She was the manager of State Agency Governmental Affairs for Sempra Energy, responsible for maintaining Sempra’s interests in all state regulatory agencies and legislative advocacy. In 2004 she served as the Government Relations Advocate for the California State Council of Service Employees (SEIU), representing legislative and regulatory affairs for over 240,000 in-home supportive workers, nursing home caregivers and regional center staff.
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