Board of Directors
Now accepting nominations!
The Sacramento State Alumni Association board of directors is a group of alumni volunteers who lead the organization in its service to Sacramento State and its alumni. Leadership provided by the Board is essential to the successful implementation of programs designed to accomplish the mission of the Association: “To enhance interaction among alumni, students, the community and the University.”
The Board meets every other month to establish policy, develop goals and objectives, assist with long-range planning, and monitor Alumni Association finances. The Board consists of up to 21 directors-at-large that are elected from the membership and six appointed directors.
Nominations will be considered by the Sacramento State Alumni Association Nominating Committee and they will then recommend a slate of nominees to the Board of Directors for approval. The nomination deadline is Monday, February 1, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Barber, Executive Director, through her assistant, Laura Stuebe, at (916) 278-3797 or stuebel@csus.edu
Nomination Form
Director Job Description
Commitment Form
Selection Criteria
Board of Directors Information:
Mission
Board Meeting Calendar
2009-2010 Executive Officers & Directors
Mission
"The mission of the Sacramento State Alumni Association is to enhance interaction among alumni, students, the community and the University."
Board Meeting Calendar 2009/10
2009-2010 Board Meeting Schedule |
| Monday |
August 24, 2009 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
October 26, 2009 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Tuesday |
December 14, 2009 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
February 19, 2010
Board Retreat |
8:30 a.m. |
| Friday |
March 29, 2010 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
May 24, 2010
Annual Meeting and Installation Reception |
5:30 p.m. |
2009-10 Executive Officers
Bob Moreno : President / VP of Membership & Fund Development
Chris Higdon : President-elect / VP of Scholarship
Rebecca Gardner: VP of Chapters & Alumni Development
John Abbott: Vice President of Administration
Dan Schauer : Vice President of Finance
Jeanie Esajian: CSU
Alumni Council Representative
John Barney: Immediate Past President
JOHN ABBOTT '04
M.A. History
John retired in 2004 after a 21-year career as a tax attorney for the California State Board of Equalization, specializing in sales and use tax law. He is a member of the board of trustees of the Unitarian church in Sacramento and previously served as chair of that church's endowment trust committee. He does volunteer work for California Common Cause, and for Democratic political organizations. After seven years of evening classes, he received his M.A. in history from Sacramento State in 2004. A native of Houston, Texas, he received a B.A. in history from Yale University in 1966, and a J.D. degree from Stanford Law School in 1969. His wife Lori Moreland is an administrative law judge and graduated from San Francisco State University. He has three adult children. Abbott serves as VP of Administration.
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Robert Allen '91
Marketing
Robert’s career has involved the sale of surgical products and financial services, bringing him into contact with hundreds of people and businesses each year. Currently both an insurance agent and broker, Robert’s diversified experience includes over 17 years of sales, marketing, fundraising, event planning, leadership and program development. Robert’s volunteer work with his university fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, and over 13 years of volunteer leadership with the Active 20-30 Club, including serving as a Board Member.
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MARGOT SHINNAMON BACH '72
English
Margot received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She also holds a Master of Arts degree from another university. Bach previously served as the Ombudsman for Pelican Bay State Prison for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Prior to this appointment, Bach joined the CDCR Office of Public and Employee Communications, where she worked with media representatives from local, national and international outlets as the Senior Public Information Officer. She was also the Department’s primary speechwriter. From 1973 to 1976, she worked for the University of California, Davis, Extended Learning Program as a Senior Editor. Bach joined Lockheed Corporation in 1977, holding several increasingly responsible positions. She is an active member of the Sacramento Junior League, serving on the Statewide Public Affairs Committee. She also serves on the Eskaton Foundation Board, the Sustainers Council of the Junior League of Sacramento, and the Eskaton TLC Outreach Committee for Seniors. She was named California’s Public Information Officer of the Year in 2007.
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JOHN BARNEY '86 
Business Administration
For over 23 years, John has been in commercial real estate and property management in the Sacramento market. He has negotiated over 1,000 office and industrial lease and sale transactions. During his career, John worked for Equitable Real Estate Investment Management, Inc., and its subsidiary, COMPASS Management & Leasing, (one of the nation's largest) real estate equity advisors, Grubb & Ellis Company, and Colliers International. Now with U.S. National Leasing LLC, John is the Site Manager for Depot Park, one of the largest secured business parks in California. John served as the Alumni Representative on the University Union Board (1998-2002) and is the immediate past President of the Alumni Board of Directors.
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GERALDINE JIMINEZ ‘89
Business Administration
Geraldine attributes her successful career, now spanning 20 years with CalPERS, to her education at Sacramento State. While serving the public and working her way up to a leadership position, she has gained an institutional working knowledge of the global investment world. Now an experienced member of the senior leadership team at CalPERS, one of the largest public pension funds servicing public agencies, schools, and the State of California, Geraldine provides strategic direction to her institution while managing her own staff. Geraldine is also a seasoned speaker at investment and retirement conferences. She has earned a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, and has been both Treasurer and President of the local CFA Society of Sacramento.
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JEANIE ESAJIAN '90
M.A. Communication Studies
Jeanie Esajian is public information officer for the CALFED Bay-Delta Program . A native Californian, she is a true product of the CSU system, having received her M.A. in Communication Studies from Sacramento State and her B.A. in Journalism from Fresno State. While at Sac State in 1996, she was honored as the Communication Studies Department graduate recognized for alumni honors. Esajian is the University's representative to the CSU Statewide Alumni Council , where she serves as VP of Programs. She was previously president of the Alumni Association in 2005-2006.
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EVA GABBE
Staff representaive
For over 20 years, Eva has been the Manager of the On-Campus Recruitment Program in the Career Center at Sacramento State. She is responsible for managing employer relations, and recruiting and welcoming companies to meet and interview graduating seniors and alumni for six of the eight colleges at Sacramento State. She counsels students on career marketing strategies, conducts workshops on career development issues, interfaces with hundreds of employers, and makes career development presentations in class and to campus clubs and organizations.
Eva is a member of the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, Mountain Pacific Association of Colleges and Employers (MPACE), The Federal Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP), Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Partnerships (STEM), and “Honor a Hero, Hire a Vet,” a collaboration with the Employment Development Department (EDD), American River College and U.C. DAVIS. She was awarded a lifetime membership to the Golden Key Honorary Association for “making a contribution to students’ lives.” Eva currently serves as a staff representative on the Alumni Association campus committee.
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REBECCA A. GARDNER, JD
'99
B.A. Government-Journalism and Humanities
A business services attorney at McDonough, Holland & Allen PC, Rebecca focuses her practice on estate planning, trust administration, probate and business succession planning. After graduation from California State University, Rebecca obtained her Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Davis, King Hall School of Law in 2003. Rebecca serves on the board of the Sacramento Estate Planning Council and is a member of Professionals in Estate Planning, the Sacramento Area Special Needs Trust Study Group and the Sacramento County Bar Association, Probate and Tax Sections. She is also a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America. Rebecca serves as the VP of Chapters and Alumni Development on the Alumni Board of Directors.
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DANIEL P. HAHN ‘95
Business Administration
Daniel's career in the police force began in September of 1987 as a Community Service Officer; he presently serves as Police Captain, responsible for the daily operation of the North Command Patrol Division in Sacramento, California. Daniel earned his Master of Public Administration from National University in 2001. Most notable in his professional experience is Daniel's initiative in developing, creating and implementing new programs such as: The Cops & Community Celebration, the Community Crime Prevention Network System and the South Command Blight Abatement Program. Daniel's current community service includes participation on the Board of Directors of both the Boys and Girls Club and the Police Athletic League. He also serves as a volunteer to the TLC Soup Kitchen and mentors youth. Among the many awards and commendations presented to Daniel are the ChoicePoint Award for Excellence in Criminal Investigation (2007), and the Dia Award for Outstanding Community Service presented by the African American Fellowship Committee (2006).
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CAROLE HAYASHINO 
Vice President, University Advancement
Carole Hayashino is the Vice President of University Advancement at California State University Sacramento. She oversees the external relations of the university and is responsible for private giving, alumni, corporate and foundation relations and public affairs. She serves as the Secretary of the University Foundation at Sacramento State, member on the Sacramento State Alumni Association Board of Directors and the Capital Public Radio Board of Directors. Prior to joining Sacramento State, Carole was the Associate Vice President for University Development at San Francisco State University where she helped to create the Garden of Remembrance on the campus. Carole also served as the Associate Director of the National Japanese American Citizens League where she was involved in the national legislative effort to obtain an apology and monetary reparations for Americans of Japanese ancestry interned during World War II. Carole was elected to the Marin Community College District Board of Trustees in 2003 and re-elected to a second term in 2007. She served as President of the Board in 2008 and remains on the Board of Trustees.
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JANET HECSH '80 
Faculty Senate RepresentativeDr. Janet Hecsh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Teacher Education at Sacramento State. An alumna of the College of Education(1980), she teaches in the Secondary Urban Teacher Education Collaborative, PULSE, and is also Chair of the General Education and Graduate Requirements Policy Committee of the Faculty Senate. She is committed to enhancing the educational outcomes for K-12, undergraduates, and graduate students in the Sacramento region and is Co-director of the Sacramento Teachers Network Leadership Institute, an action research and advocacy initiative in the College of Education. When she isn’t teaching, Dr. Hecsh sings and plays the acoustic bass in the swing jazz trio, The Undulations.
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CHRIS HIGDON '85 
Business Administration
Chris is one of 11 alumni from the Higdon family. He currently serves as President and CEO of California Moving Systems Inc. The firm is a stockholding agent of Atlas World Group, the second largest moving entity in the industry. Chris also serves on the board of directors of Atlas World Group. Other industry involvement includes a stint as Chairman of The California Moving and Storage Association for 2000-2001 as well as many years of service on the CMSA board of directors. Chris is active with numerous groups on campus including the College of Business Advisory Council and Sac State Athletics. Chris is the President-elect of the Sacramento State Alumni Association and is also the VP of Scholarship.
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NANETTE D.F. MADSEN ‘04
Government
Nanette’s professional experience lies within the state and local government arena, having spent her entire career in public service. A three time gubernatorial appointee, she previously served as Deputy Director at the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and prior to her appointment at DCA, Madsen served as the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff and Senior Legislative Aide in the Governor's Office. She also served in the California State Senate and Assembly as a legislative aide focusing on a wide range of issues. Madsen has launched several successful state programs and has spoken on key policy issues at several conferences and summits across the nation. Currently serving as Director of Government Affairs for Med-Ready Healthcare, she oversees everything from policy issues to public affairs, as well as managing the company's non-profit activities. Her volunteer work includes the American Cancer Society, the Boys & Girls Club of America, and she currently serves as a board member for the Med-Ready Healthcare Awareness Foundation. Nanette is an Academy of Distinction and Honor Scholar Recipient as well as a member of the Phi Sigma Alpha National Honor Society of Political Science.
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BOB MORENO '78
Business and Marketing
Moreno is the managing partner for Brookhurst Development, which develops public facilities with private funding. Prior to this, Bob worked as a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch and buyer for Weinstocks department store. Moreno founded the Natomas Chamber of Commerce, the Natomas Community Foundation and the Natomas Youth Baseball Complex. He is a board member of the Natomas Community Association, the Stanford Settlement Teen Center Capital Campaign and VP of Natomas Youth Baseball. Moreno is the recipient of the Outstanding Community Advocate for Education Award by the California Teachers Association. Moreno raised over $250,000 for Natomas schools and youth programs in the last 3 years - and in 2004, the Sacramento Volunteer Center nominated him for Volunteer of the Year. Bob serves as President of the Alumni Board of Directors and as VP of Membership and Fund Development.
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Dr. LIONEL C.M. VON FREDERICK RAWLINS ‘94
MS Criminal Justice
Dr. Lionel C. M. von Frederick Rawlins is the president and founder of The VonFrederick Group (www.vonfrederick.com), a Sacramento, California, based counter-terrorism and criminological corporation. Rawlins has working experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, Europe, Africa, Asia, Central and South America, the Middle East and the Far East, in the capacity of a counter-terrorist and a criminologist. He has appeared on numerous television interviews and talk-radio, discussing homeland security and terrorism issues, as well as criminal profiling and criminal behavior. Prior to founding the VonFrederick Group, he has been an adjunct professor of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sociology, Management and Leadership, Ethnic Studies, Physics, Chemistry, and History. Rawlins has also lectured at Gakushuin University, in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Rawlins is an Ambassador for the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce.
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MARCO
RODRIGUEZ '91,
Business Administration and Finance
Rodriguez is the Managing Director and Senior Financial Representative with Principal Financial Group. At Sacramento State, Rodriguez was ASI director for the School of Business, Board member of Epsilon Sigma Rho, Latin Business Student Association and the Chicano Latino Graduation Committee. He presently is a Governor appointee to the State Independent Living Council, President of the Board Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California, Member of American Leadership Forum and past Chairman of the Board of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
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DAN SCHAUER ‘95
Finance, Accountancy, CPA
Dan is the Director of Underwriting and Client Services for Vision Service Plan (VSP). Dan has been with VSP since 2001 and is responsible for VSP’s underwriting, premium billing, and collection functions. Prior to joining VSP, Dan was with Oracle Corporation where his responsibilities included ensuring the company complied with the SEC standards set forth for software revenue recognition. Dan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of CPAs. Dan serves as the VP of Finance on the Alumni Board of Directors.
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SAMUEL STARKS '86
English and Sociology
Sam Starks, Customer Relations staff for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), works tirelessly in the community as an advocate for social justice and equality. As a community leader, Starks sits on numerous boards, including Nehemiah Corporation of America, OK Kids board, and the Harold Washington Democratic Club. He founded the California Forum Crossroads and has reconstituted the California Capital's Martin Luther King Jr. March and Celebration. Through his service on the Sacramento State Alumni Board, Starks will focus on building bridges and partnerships between Sacramento State and the community. Sam is the Past-President of the Alumni Board of Directors.
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ROBERTO C. TORRES 
President, ASI
Roberto Torres is majoring in both Government and Communications. He served previously as ASI Secretary
of State Affairs and then as ASI Executive Vice President. Currently, he also serves as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the California State Student Association, and has held internships in the Governor's Office and the California Energy Commission. In high school, Roberto was the team leader for the Richmond High School Mock Trial Team and was appointed as the Chair for the City of Richmond Youth Commission. In this position he held a nonviolence conference that turned out over 200 youth, discussing how violence affected them in their community. Roberto was recruited into the new Honors Program on campus and was asked to help formulate an honors committee in order to govern the honor students and build a sense of community. In Roberto’s own words, “I am here to serve you. I really hope that we can all work together to make Sac State our home, our nest.”
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NANCY M. TOOKER, Ed.D.
President's Designee
Associate Dean of Arts and Letters and former Director of the Learning Skills Center, Dr. Tooker has been at Sacramento State since 1978. During her 30 years she has served the University as a department chair, faculty senator, and on a variety of University committees in addition to her roles as Professor and Associate Dean. Most recently, Dr. Tooker was asked by President Alexander Gonzalez to be his designee on the Alumni Association Board of Directors, a position she gladly accepted.
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TINA TREIS '79
Accountancy, CPA
Treis is an audit partner with the accounting firm of Perry-Smith LLP. She serves financial institutions, healthcare, not-for-profit and closely held businesses and is involved with the recruiting function for the firm. Tina has been active as an officer with the Roseville Urban Forest Foundation, Leadership Sacramento, and the Sacramento Science Center. She is a strong supporter of Sacramento State as a Past President of the Association and is also a member of the board of directors for the University Foundation at Sacramento State. Tina has been a member of the Alumni Association for over 25 years.
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ANGELO WILLIAMS '06
M.A. Education
Williams is a doctoral candidate having successfully passed his qualifying exam (6/09) in CSUS' inaugural education doctorate co-hort. A graduate of both CSUS (MA) and the University of California at Davis (BA), Mr. Williams has established a distinguished career in the fields of communications and public policy serving in posts from Assistant Vice Chancellor and State Director of Government Relations and External Affairs for the California Community College Chancellor’s Office to director of communications and public policy in the California State Senate and Assembly. Mr. Williams currently serves as Interim Dean of Student Services and Enrollment Management at Cosumnes River College.
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