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Staff Roster
November 2008
Executive Management
The Executive Director (Exempt) manages all of the Commission’s affairs, directs the staff in the implementation of the Commission’s laws, regulations and policies, and serves as the Commission’s confidential assistant.
Will Travis (415-352-3653 travis@bcdc.ca.gov) holds Bachelor of Architecture and Master of Regional Planning degrees from Penn State University. From 1970 to 1972 he served as BCDC’s first Bay Development Design Analyst. He then spent 12 years with the California Coastal Commission where he held a number of positions, including heading the agency’s offshore oil drilling permit staff, directing its public access program, and overseeing its budget and administrative functions. He returned to BCDC in 1985 as Deputy Director. He was appointed Executive Director in 1995.
He has spent most of his professional career working for state coastal management agencies, but he has also worked in the fields of architecture, local planning, private consulting, advertising and public relations. He has written many articles on coastal issues, has provided advice on coastal matters to other states and nations, and has been a lecturer at universities throughout North America. He was chairman of the Shell Oil Spill Litigation Settlement Trustee Committee which, administered a multimillion dollar settlement fund set up to settle claims resulting from a 1988 oil spill. In that capacity, he spearheaded the public acquisition of 10,000 acres of privately-owned salt ponds along the northern shoreline of San Francisco Bay to be used for one of the largest coastal wetland restoration projects in California’s history.
He serves on the board of trustees of the Bay Area Council Economic Institute, the management committee of a Joint Policy Committee of four regional agencies, and the community advisory board of KB Home Corporation. He is a member of Lambda Alpha, the honorary society for the advancement of land economics, and he has also chaired a special committee established by the City of Berkeley to work with the University of California to develop a new plan for downtown Berkeley. He served on the editorial board of the newsletter Estuary, the board of directors of Friends of the Estuary, the steering committee of the Bay Area Transportation Choices Forum, and the board of directors of the Forum for the Future of San Francisco Bay. He was an advisor for the National Ocean Service’s San Francisco Bay Project and a member of the Berkeley Planning Commission.
With 240 square miles of low-lying filled land along the Bay shoreline, he has become a leading advocate for a regional strategy to address climate change and sea level rise in the Bay Area.
The Chief Deputy Director (Career Executive Assignment 2) manages day-to-day staff operations and serves as the Acting Executive Director in the Executive Director’s absence.
Caitlin Sweeney (415-352-3643 caitlins@bcdc.ca.gov) has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biological and Environmental Studies from Mills College and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 1999, she worked for two years at the California Coastal Commission in the Energy and Ocean Resources and Technical Services Unit. At BCDC, she was promoted from Coastal Program Analyst to Associate Planner in 2001, and to Senior Planner in 2002. As a Senior Planner she managed major planning studies and specialized research and policy development projects, including updates of the San Francisco Bay Plan findings and policies on public access and wildlife compatibility, habitat mitigation, salt ponds and managed wetlands. In addition she oversaw the development and implementation of BCDC’s Geographic Information System program. She was appointed Chief Deputy Director in December 2007.
The Executive Secretary (Executive Secretary II) provides secretarial support for the Commission’s executive unit and manages all of the office’s secretarial work.
Graciela Gomez (415-352-3608 graceg@bcdc.ca.gov) was appointed Executive Secretary in 1995. She is a graduate of the Adelante, Inc. Clerical Program. She joined BCDC’s staff as a Seasonal Clerk in 1983 to serve as the Commission’s receptionist. She was subsequently promoted to an Office Assistant, then to a Word Processing Technician, and then to an Office Technician. From 1989 through 1995, she served as BCDC’s Planning Secretary. She is fluent in Spanish.
Permits, Enforcement and Technical Services
The Chief of Permits (Coastal Program Manager) supervises the day-to-day operations of the permit staff.
Robert Batha (415-352-3612 bobb@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Zoology from the University of California at Davis and a Master of Science degree in Zoology from the University of Michigan where he emphasized ecology and population biology. Before joining BCDC’s staff in 1978, he was a research associate at the Stanford Research Institute and a naturalist in the California State Park system’s interpretive services unit. At the Commission, he has worked in both the permit and planning units and as the staff biologist. He is the principal author of several studies on mitigation, transportation, and the impacts of small fills on Bay resources. He served as the Commission’s staff biologist before being appointed Chief of Permits in 2000.
The Principal Permit Analyst (Coastal Program Analyst III) handles the most difficult permits, provides guidance to more junior staff, and serves as the Acting Chief of Permits in the Chief’s absence.
Jaime Michaels (415-352-3613 jaimem@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California at Berkeley and a Masters degree in Geography from San Francisco State University. Since completing her undergraduate studies, she has worked exclusively in the environmental field at organizations such as the Sierra Club national headquarters and the Friends of the River Foundation. From 1987 until 1992, she was a student intern at the California Coastal Commission where she worked in both the enforcement and the energy and resources divisions. While at the Coastal Commission she co-authored a report on the impacts of sea level rise on the California coast. She joined BCDC’s staff in 1992 as a member of the dredging unit. She transferred to the permits unit in 2002, served on a one-year limited term assignment as Principal Permit Analyst in 2006, and was appointed permanently to the position in December, 2007.
The five Permit Analysts (Coastal Program Analyst I/II) evaluate proposed projects for conformity with the Commission's policies and regulations, prepare staff reports, make recommendations for Commission action, and review local, state and federal plans and environmental reports for projects affecting the Bay.
Max Delaney (415-352-3668 maxd@bcdc.ca.gov) attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston and received a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies with a major in environmental policy from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. Before joining BCDC's staff in 2006, he worked at the San Francisco Estuary Institute on the Regional Monitoring Program for Trace Substances in the Bay, the Bay Area wetlands tracker database, and several projects to develop water quality indicators to assess and track watershed health on a regional scale. Prior to moving to the Bay Area, he recorded several CDs and toured with the Boston-based rock/jazz group Uncle Sammy. He is currently moonlighting as a guitarist in the Joel Streeter Band. In his free time, Max personally monitors water quality in the Bay Area by swimming at Aquatic Park and surfing at Ocean Beach.
Michelle Levenson (415-352-3618 michellel@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of California, Davis in wildlife, fish, and conservation biology. Prior to joining BCDC's staff in 2000, she worked as a project manager and environmental scientist for several environmental consulting companies where she prepared environmental documents. In addition, she volunteers her time to non-profit organizations aimed at preserving and enhancing habitats and species diversity within the San Francisco Bay Area.
Karen Wolowicz (415-352-3669 karenw@bcdc.ca.gov) is a graduate of the University of Washington where she earned a Bachelor of Science in biology with an emphasis on conservation and ecology. She also holds a Master of Environmental Science and Management from the Donald Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she focused on marine and coastal policy. Before joining BCDC’s staff in 2006, she was a research associate with Redefining Progress, a non-profit group working on fishery and sustainability issues.
Ming Yeung (415-352-3616 mingy@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts in history and politics from Oberlin College and a Master of Arts in urban planning and a Juris Doctorate, both from the University of California, Los Angeles. Before joining BCDC’s enforcement staff in 2005, she was a land use attorney at the law firm of Sheppard, Mullin, Richter and Hampton in San Francisco and spent two years as a senior planner with Dyett and Bhatia, a regional planning firm in San Francisco. She transferred to the permits unit in 2006. She served in a limited-term assignment as a Coastal Program Analyst III (Supervisor) from May-July, 2008.
One Permit Analyst position is vacant.
The Bay Development Design Analyst (Bay Development Design Analyst) evaluates proposals for conformance with the Commission's policies, reviews plans submitted pursuant to Commission permits, provides advice regarding the nature and design of public access along the shoreline, prepares staff reports, and acts as secretary to and liaison with the Design Review Board.
Brad McCrea (415-352-3615 bradm@bcdc.ca.gov) is a registered landscape architect licensed in the State of California. Mr. McCrea holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of City Planning and a Master of Landscape Architecture from the University of California at Berkeley. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 1998, Mr. McCrea worked for several landscape architecture and urban design firms in the San Francisco Bay Area. He has been an instructor and lecturer in landscape architecture at UC Berkeley, and has been a guest design critic at the College of Environmental Design.
The Staff Engineer (Senior Engineer) provides technical advice to the Commission and staff on engineering matters, evaluates proposals for conformance with the Commission's policies, reviews engineering plans submitted pursuant to Commission permits, and is liaison with the Engineering Criteria Review Board.
Rafael Montes (415-352-3670 rafaelm@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Don Bosco College, New Jersey and a Bachelor of Science in civil engineering from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2007, he worked for the California Department of Transportation in a variety of capacities, including rebuilding freeways in the Bay Area and southern California after the Loma Prieta and Northridge earthquakes, assessing the structural vulnerability of bridges across the Bay and constructing the new tunnel that will bypass the Devil’s Slide along the San Mateo County coastline. He is an avid recumbent bicyclist and an international travel enthusiast.
The Permits Secretary (Office Technician, Typing) provides secretarial support for the permits unit, and assists other units of the office as needed.
Reyna Amezcua (415-352-3621 reynaa@bcdc.ca.gov) graduated in Computer Operations from Mission Language and Vocational School. She also studied printing technology at San Francisco City College. She worked for seven years as a typesetter for “Tiempo Latino,” the Spanish newspaper which serves the Bay Area’s Latino community. In 1990 she was hired as an Office Assistant II to serve as the BCDC’s Permit Secretary. She was promoted to Office Technician in 1991. In addition to her other responsibilities, she serves as BCDC’s notary public.
The Chief of Enforcement (Coastal Program Analyst III) supervises the day-to-day operations of the enforcement staff.
Adrienne Klein (415-352-3609 adriennek@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies with an emphasis in watershed restoration from the University of California, Santa Cruz. From 1996 to 2000 she was an Enforcement Analyst at BCDC. Before joining the Commission’s staff, she spent four and a half years as an Enforcement Analyst at the California Coastal Commission where she acted as the enforcement program restoration specialist and co-authored policy guidelines on enforcement and beach erosion and response for use by local governments.
The three Enforcement Analysts (Coastal Program Analyst I/II) investigate alleged unauthorized activities, prepare legal and factual research, negotiate resolutions of enforcement problems, review applications for permits resulting from enforcement actions and prepare reports and recommendations on these matters.
Juanita (Nina) Bacey (415-352-3659 ninab@bcdc.ca.gov) received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Management from San Mateo Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology and Management from the University of California, Davis. Before joining BCDC’s staff in 2007, Nina spent eight years as an Environmental Research Scientist at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. While there she developed and implemented environmental monitoring and research studies involving pesticides and benthic macroinvertebrates in aquatic systems. She is the principal author of studies on the residues and toxicity of pesticides in surface water and the characterization of streams using bioassessment.
Andrea (Ande) Bennett (415-352-3626 andeb@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts degree in social sciences with a minor in Environmental Studies from Mills College in Oakland, and a Master of Landscape Architecture in Environmental Planning from the University of California at Berkeley. Prior to joining the BCDC’s staff in 1999, she worked as a consulting policy analyst for American Farmland Trust, as a consultant on natural resource planning to the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, as the field program manager for hydrology consultant firm of Philip Williams and Associates, and as an intern with the San Francisco Regional Water Quality Control Board.
One Enforcement Analyst position is vacant.
The Enforcement Secretary (Senior Legal Typist) provides secretarial support for the Commission's legal and enforcement unitsand assists other units of the office.
Myrna Carter (415-352-3620 myrnac@bcdc.ca.gov) has served the Commission for over 35 years in a variety of capacities. She prepares enforcement materials, including cease and desist orders, and monitors compliance. Her strong stenographic, typing and word processing skills have allowed her to support planning, regulatory and the executive functions within the staff at various times during her long tenure. She has successfully completed several clerical courses to add to and improve her secretarial skills, most recently receiving a certificate for “Secretarial Skills for the ‘90s.” From 1996 to 1998, she was on a training and development assignment as a BCDC enforcement analyst.
Planning
The Chief Planner (Chief Planning Officer, San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission) plans, directs and supervises the Commission's planning program, serves as technical advisor to the Commission and staff and provides liaison with governmental and private agencies on planning matters.
Joseph LaClair (415-352-3656 joel@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and a Masters in Landscape Architecture and City and Regional Planning. He joined BCDC’s staff in 1992 and served at the Bay Design Analyst until he was appointed Senior Planner in 1997. In 2007, he became BCDC’s Chief Planner. From 1980 to 1986 he was a carpenter and building contractor constructing custom homes in the Pacific Northwest. After receiving his graduate degree in urban design from the University of California at Berkeley in 1989, he served an architectural internship in Il Borro, Italy and then joined the staff of the City of Mountain View as an urban planner. At Mountain View he was a member of the city’s Site Plan and Architectural Review Committee, served on project development teams for City capital projects, and developed the city’s program for preserving an urban forest. He has presented papers on shoreline public access issues at professional conferences and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Bay Trail project.
The Senior Planner (Senior Planner, Supervisor) supervises the planning staff responsible for Bay Plan update studies and amendments; directs the development of special area plans; and handles the duties of the chief planner in the his absence.
Lindy Lowe (415-352-3642 lindyl@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts degree in urban studies from San Francisco State University and a Master of Urban Planning degree from the University of California, Los Angeles where her master’s thesis was on potential preservation strategies for the Santa Monica Mountains. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2000, Ms. Lowe was a senior planner in the long range planning division of the City of San Diego where she worked on amendments and updates to land use plans, assisted community groups in understanding development proposals, creating and maintaining trails systems and preserving open spaces. She has also worked for the Los Angeles Regional Planning Department in both their advance and current planning divisions and for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She resigned from BCDC in 2003 to accept a position at the East Bay Regional Park District, but rejoined BCDC’s staff in 2004. She was appointed to her current position in December, 2007.
The Senior Planner (Senior Planner, Specialist) handles the most complex planning matters and is responsible for special area planning.
Leslie Lacko (415-352-3646 lesliel@bcdc.ca.gov) has a Bachelor of Science degree in Conservation and Resource Studies, with a minor in Forestry, and a Master of Science degree in Environmental Science, Policy and Management, both from the University of California at Berkeley. She worked for several years in the construction industry and held internships with the State Coastal Conservancy and California Coastal Commission before joining BCDC’s staff as a permit analyst in 1999. She transferred to the planning unit in 2004, and was appointed to her current position in 2007.
The three Planners (Coastal Program Analyst I/II) carry out planning studies, serve as technical advisors to the Commission and staff on planning matters and are responsible for a variety of special planning projects.
Tim Doherty (415-352-3667 timd@bcdc.ca.gov) has Bachelor of Science degree in biology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and a Master of Science in environmental science policy and management from the University of California, Berkeley. He joined BCDC’s staff as a planning intern in July 2006 and was hired as a Geographic Information Systems specialist in December 2006. Prior to graduate school he spent a few years as a biologist at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. He also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Honduras.
Adam Parris (415-352-3647, adamp@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Geology and in English Literature from Bucknell University. He received a Master of Science degree in Geology from the University of Vermont while investigating landscape indicators of climate change for the National Science Foundation. For the past five years, he worked for Philip Williams and Associates as a geomorphologist and project manager on restoration feasibility, planning, and design projects in coastal and river environments. Adam used GIS extensively to inform the design and planning process by representing scientific and engineering data in a spatial context.
Sara Polgar (415-352-3645 sarap@bcdc.ca.gov) who is responsible for developing a plan for a San Francisco Bay Area Water Trail, graduated in June 2005 from the Bren School at the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Master's of Environmental Science and Management specializing in Coastal and Marine Resource Management. Prior to graduate school, Sara introduced South Bay students and the public to Bay habitats and wildlife as an environmental educator for the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge in Alviso. This position represented a big switch from her previous career in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries where she worked as a product manager, sales and technical support manager and research associate. Her undergraduate degree is in biology from Stanford University and she discovered her love for the coast and ocean while conducting research for two quarters at Hopkins Marine Station in Pacific Grove, California. Sara joined the Commission's staff in August 2005 and became a Coastal Program Analyst in 2007.
The NOAA Coastal Fellow is assigned to the Commission to investigate the potential effectiveness of ecosystem-based management for the San Francisco Bay.
Dan Robinson (415-352-3645 danr@bcdc.ca.gov) has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Stud¬ies and Government from St. Lawrence University and a Master’s of Arts in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. At URI, Dan specialized in coastal land-use planning and management and his thesis focused on the socio-economic changes happening to the urban and rural waterfront and the loss of water-dependent use industries in New England. Prior to joining the Commission’s staff in August 2007, Dan worked as an intern for the national office of the Surfrider Foundation and was responsible for updating coastal and Great Lake state’s available information and overall status on erosion response policies for the annual State of the Beach Report. Dan has also interned with the Department of Natural Resources for the Town of Eastham, Cape Cod, Massachusetts, in the aquaculture division as well as assisting with local coastal planning and permitting issues. In 2004, Dan spent a full year in Ecuador and Chile teaching English, learning Spanish, and traveling the coastlines and has previously worked as a sea kayak instructor, guide, and naturalist in Monterey Bay, California.
The Oil Spill Prevention and Response Analyst (Coastal Program Analyst II) carries out the Commission’s responsibilities under the California Oil Spill Prevention and Response Act as coordinator of BCDC’s Oil Spill Program. The Analyst represents the Commission on the Bay and Delta Area Committee, serves as BCDC’s alternate to the Harbor Safety Committee for the San Francisco Bay Region, and provides expertise and advice to the Commission and staff on oil spill prevention, contingency planning and spill containment and recovery.
Linda Scourtis (415-352-3644 lindas@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from San Francisco State University, with a background in biology and conservation studies at the University of Maryland. Since joining BCDC’s staff in 1993, she has participated in developing policy for the Bay Plan and the San Francisco Bay Area Seaport Plan, and serves as staff liaison to the Seaport Planning Advisory Committee. She also has authored a series of evaluations of the Commission’s federal coastal management program.
Climate Change, Regional Sediment Management and Legislative Affairs
The Deputy Director for Climate Change and Legislation (Career Executive Assignment oversees the Commission’s climate change and sea level rise adaptation programs; serves as the Commission's legislative coordinator and liaison to other governmental agencies; directs the Commission's implementation of the Long Term Management Strategy (LTMS) for San Francisco Bay dredging; and oversees the Commission’s involvement in the CALFED Bay Delta program.
Steven Goldbeck (415-352-3611 steveg@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Planning and Public Policy from the University of California at Santa Cruz. He has been on BCDC’s staff since 1985 where he has specialized in policy and management of technical planning issues, including water quality, sediment management and climate change. He was promoted to a Career Executive Assignment 1 (CEA 1) position in 1992.
Mr. Goldbeck has been the Commission’s lead staff member on dredging issues for over 15 years. He has served as Co-chairman of the San Francisco Estuary Project’s Dredging and Waterway Modification Committee, Manager of the LTMS reuse/upland studies, and Chair of the LTMS Reuse/Upland Work group. He co-authored the section of the Estuary Project’s Comprehensive Conservation and Management Plan on dredging and waterway modification and oversaw the 2007 update. He was a principal architect of the interagency LTMS program and Management Plan, including the creation of the award-winning Dredged Material Management Office (DMMO), and served as the Commission’s project manager for the Hamilton Wetlands Restoration Project. He has overseen numerous technical studies.
Mr. Goldbeck has also served as the staff legislative coordinator for over a decade. He was appointed as Deputy Director for legislation and climate change in December 2007. In addition to authoring legislation and Bay Plan amendments, he has presented at numerous professional conferences.
The Dredging Program Manager (Coastal Program Analyst III) supervises the day-to-day operations of the Commission’s staff who are carrying out the Long Term Management Strategy program and participating in the Dredged Material Management Office.
Brenda Goeden (415-352-3623 brendag@bcdc.ca.gov) has a Bachelor of Arts in marine biology from Occidental College and twelve years of experience developing and facilitating California marine conservation programs, as well as teaching marine education. She has consulted with a variety of environmental organizations, preparing educational program evaluations. She participates in the Gulf of the Farallones Beach Watch Program and Oil Spill Response Team, is a featured author in Heal the Bay’s quarterly newsletter and rehabilitates insectivore songbirds through WildCare. She joined BCDC’s staff in 2000 after an internship with the Commission during which she prepared BCDC’s 1999 annual report. She served as BCDC’s Bay-Delta Program Analyst from 2000 until 2006 when she was promoted to her current position.
The Dredging Program Analyst (Coastal Program Analyst I/II) conducts research on upland disposal and reuse issues, plans and documents projects that demonstrate the reuse of dredged material, participates in the Long Term Management Strategy program, participates in the Dredged Material Management Office, processes permits involving dredging and disposal, coordinates with other agencies and the public on dredging issues, and prepares reports and recommendations to the Commission, other agencies and the public.
Carolynn Box (415-352-3624 carolynnb@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Science in Earth Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island where she focused on coastal management, coastal erosion and shoreline protection structures. Before joining BCDC’s staff in 2006, she was a staff geologist with Geologica, Inc., a consulting firm specializing in environmental liability management in San Francisco. She also performed shoreline mapping along the Rhode Island coast for Rhode Island’s Coastal Management Program, and conducted sediment analyses for coastal projects at the United States Geological Survey in Santa Cruz.
The CALFED Bay-Delta Program Analyst (Coastal Program Analyst I/II) analyzes and participates in CALFED programs relating to the Bay, processes permits and consistency determinations for CALFED work and provides staff support for BCDC’s participation on the CALFED Management and Executive Groups.
Jessica Hamburger (415-352-3660 jessicah@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies with a focus in environmental studies from Columbia University. She holds a Master of Environmental Science degree from Yale University where she focused in watershed management. She was awarded a Switzer Environmental Fellowship to study lake management in China and a Switzer Leadership Grant to work on sustainable agriculture and land conservation in California. She has managed environmental policy and planning projects for several public and non-profit groups. Before joining BCDC’s staff in 2007, she worked at the Contra Costa Resource Conservation District, where she led the development of the Mount Diablo Creek Watershed Plan.
The Dredging and Planning Secretary (Office Technician, Typing) provides secretarial support for the Commission's dredging units and assists other units of the office.
Reginaldo Abad (415-352-3625 reggiea@bcdc.ca.gov) has a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration, with a concentration in computer information systems, from California State University, East Bay. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2006, he was a senior operations specialist at Charles Schwab and an office technician at the State Board of Equalization where he was being trained as a tax auditor. While working full time at BCDC, he is going to school part-time to get a degree in accounting. He was born in the Philippines and is fluent in Tagalog.
Legal Services
The Chief Counsel (Staff Counsel III) provides overall management and supervision of the Commission’s legal support activities.
Tim Eichenberg (415-352-3655 teichenberg@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Earlham College and a Juris Doctor degree from the Washington University School of Law, and was a post doctoral fellow in Marine Policy at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. He was the director of the Pacific Regional Office of the Ocean Conservancy and is an adjunct professor of law at the Vermont Law School. He has taught environmental law classes at the Environmental Law Institute in Washington, D.C., Golden Gate University, and the University of Maine School of Law. He was co-chair of the Clean Water Network in Washington, D.C., and served as legal counsel for Oceana, the Center for Marine Conservation, Marine Law Institute, the California Coastal Commission and the Environmental Defense Center. He has authored more than 30 articles and reports on ocean and coastal issues, and is editing a book for the American Bar Association on Ocean and Coastal Law that will be published in 2008.
The Staff Counsel (Staff Counsel III (Specialist)) provides legal support, advice and assistance to the Commission's staff, serves as liaison with the Attorney General's Office and the Office of Administrative Law, prepares and present enforcement cases.
John Bowers (415-352-3610) jbowers@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in October 2008, he served was a staff counsel at the California Coastal Commission for more than 20 years. He has also served on the legal staffs of the California Housing Finance Agency, the Maine State Housing Authority, Bronx Legal Services, and the National Health and Environmental Law Program.
Administrative Services
The Assistant Executive Director for Administrative Services (Staff Services Manager II) manages the Commission’s administrative services including personnel, budgeting, accounting, contracts, business services, facility operations, information technology, and Commission meetings.
Mamie Lai (415-352-3639 mlai@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley and a Master of Arts degree in Spanish from Middlebury College, Vermont. Ms. Lai joined BCDC’s staff in November, 2005, with 19 years experience as a manager in California state government. She worked for the California Department of Toxic Substances Control for 13 years, including eight years as Chief, Northern California Regional Administrative Services and has also worked for the California Department of Industrial Relations and the California Employment Development Department. She is a devotee of international travel.
The Human Resources Officer (Associate Personnel Analyst) administers personnel actions, prepares personnel analyses for job classifications, coordinates classification and pay, conducts civil service exams, and serves as liaison between BCDC and Department of Personnel Administration and State Personnel Board.
Sharon Louie (415-352-3638 sharonl@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration. She joined BCDC’s staff in 1977 as its Planning Secretary. She has been promoted several times and became the Associate Administrator in 1986. She has also worked for the Secretary of State in Los Angeles, and is a licensed real estate agent.
The Chief Financial Officer (Staff Services Manager I) manages BCDC’s financial services unit, which includes budget, accounting, contracts, procurement, facilities management and Commissioner affairs.
Richard Ng (415-352-3637 richardn@bcdc.ca.gov) holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with emphasis in accounting from the University of California at Berkeley. He joined BCDC’s staff as its Budget Officer in 2000 after working at the California Coastal Commission, first as a budget officer and later as a fiscal officer in charge of the budget and accounting units. He was also Senior Budget Analyst in the Oakland Unified School District’s Research, Planning and Budget Department. He was appointed to his current position in 2007.
The Accounting Officer (Senior Accounting Officer) performs professional accounting duties in the establishment and maintenance of accounts and financial records for BCDC.
Sabrina Shui (415-352-3665 sabrinas@bcdc.ca.gov) has over 12 years of experience in accounting with the California Employment Development Department where she worked as a Senior Accounting Officer prior to joining BCDC's staff in 2001. She has a strong background in planning, organizing and training in the field of accounting. She was appointed to her current position in 2006.
The Records Manager (Associate Governmental Program Analyst) manages the conversion of hard copy records and historical data into an electronic format and oversees the maintenance of this information in accordance with records retention, disaster recovery, information privacy and public disclosure requirements.
Sandra Sneeringer (415-352-3650 sandras@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Francisco State. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2006, she was a program analyst at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. She has also worked for the California Secretary of State and the California State Youthful Offender Parole Board.
The Contracts Manager (Associate Governmental Program Analyst) administers BCDC’s contracts and provides guidance on contract rules, regulations and Department of General Services guidelines.
Anna Yee (415-352-3652 annay@bcdc.ca.gov) was the business services officer for the California Department of Financial Institutions prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2006. She has also worked for the California Coastal Commission.
The Acquisition Specialist (Associate Governmental Program Analyst) coordinates BCDC’s procurement process, claims for reimbursement, invoices and other related fiscal documents, maintains property records, Commission's vehicle, facility operations, and Commission meetings.
Leslie Muse (415-352-3636 lesliem@bcdc.ca.gov) joined BCDC’s staff in 1996 after spending six years as the lead staff member in the California Coastal Commission’s business services department. She also spent ten years working in various positions at the California School for the Deaf. She is fluent in sign language.
The Chief Information Officer (Staff Information Systems Analyst) is responsible for managing BCDC’s computer system and developing information technology solutions to Bay management issues.
Andrew Chin (415-352-3651 andrewc@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Science degree from San Francisco State University in Computer Information Systems/Accounting. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2005 he spent five years as an Associate Information Systems Analyst (Specialist) at the California Coastal Commission. He has also worked for the California Department of Industrial Relations. He was appointed to his current position in 2006.
The Information Security Officer (Associate Information Systems Analyst) provides assistance in network management, user support, and the development and maintenance of the Commission's information systems.
Elsa Gomez (415-352-3630 elsag@bcdc.ca.gov) received a Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems from San Francisco State University and worked in a variety of information technology positions at the California Department of Industrial Relations prior to joining BCDC’s staff in 2006. She has extensive private sector experience in creating websites and developing data bases.
The Administrative Secretary and Receptionist (Office Technician, Typing) provides secretarial support for the executive and administrative support units, serves as the office receptionist, and assists other units of the office as needed.
Estella M. Corona (415-352-3604 estellac@bcdc.ca.gov) was born in Mexico but has lived in the United States since she was ten years old. She attended the College of San Mateo's Nursing Program and worked in various divisions of California Department of Corporations for 12 years before joining BCDC’s staff in 1996. On weekends she works as secretary and receptionist in her husband’s roofing business. She is fluent in Spanish.
The Administrative Support Secretary (Office Technician, Retired Annuitant) provides secretarial support for the administrative support unit and assists other units of the office as needed.
Quezon Ganotise (415-352-3666 quezong@bcdc.ca.gov) currently works part-time as a retired annuitant. From 1986 until his retirement in 1996, he worked for BCDC, first as an Office Assistant and later as an Office Technician. Prior to joining BCDC’s staff, he served in the military for three years as a company clerk, in Hawaii and then worked for the federal government as a surplus property specialist. One of his hobbies is collecting autographs.
November 2008