Board of Directors
CURRENT MEMBER INFORMATION
About the Board
Mission
2011-12 Meeting Calendar
2011-12 Executive Officers & Directors
Board Documents
PROSPECTIVE MEMBER INFORMATION
Director Job Description
Nomination Form
Commitment Form
Selection Criteria
About the Board of Directors
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 Wednesday, February 1, 2012. If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Barber, Executive Director, through her assistant, Laura Stuebe, at (916) 278-3797 or stuebel@csus.edu
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Mission
"The mission of the Sacramento State Alumni Association is to enhance interaction among alumni, students, the community and the University."
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Board Meeting Calendar 2011-12
2011-12 Board Meeting Schedule |
| Monday |
August 15, 2011 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
October 10, 2011 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
December 5, 2011 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Friday |
February 10, 2012
BOARD RETREAT |
8:30 a.m. |
| Monday |
March 26, 2012 |
5:30 p.m. |
| Monday |
May 21, 2012
Annual Meeting & Installation Reception |
5:30 p.m. |
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2010-11 Executive Officers
Rebecca Gardner: President
Margot Bach: President-elect & VP of Chapters & Alumni Development
John Abbott: VP of Scholarship
Matt Cologna: VP of Membership & Fund Development
Dan Schauer: VP of Finance
Eric Guerra: VP of Administration
Jeanie Esajian: CSU
Alumni Council Representative
Chris Higdon: Immediate Past President
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JOHN ABBOTT '04
MA 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 serves on the board of trustees of the Unitarian church in Sacramento and on that church's endowment trust committee. He is a member of the Sacramento State Honors Program advisory committee, and a mentor in the university's Guardian Scholars program. After seven years of evening classes, he received his MA in history from Sacramento State in 2004. A native of Houston, Texas, he received a BA in history from Yale University in 1966, and a JD 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 the chair of the Scholarship Committee.
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ROBERT ALLEN '91
Business, 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 BA in English. She also holds a MA in English Literature from Stanford University. Retiring after serving California as the ombudsman for Pelican Bay State Prison, Bach was in the Corrections' Office of Public and Employee Communications prior to her appointment as Ombudsman. In Communications, she worked with media representatives from local, national and international outlets, and was named California’s Public Information Officer of the Year in 2007. 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 Sustaining member of the Sacramento Junior League and serves on the Eskaton Foundation Board.
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JOHN BARNEY '86
Business Administration 
For over 25 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 a former President of the Alumni Board of Directors.
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MATT COLOGNA '94 - Coming Soon
Business Adminstration
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JOAN CARNAGO '97 
Business Adminstration
Joan has been in the construction industry for 16 years. She has worked on construction projects up to $6M, mainly in Hospital and Higher Education market sectors. While working at Airco Mechanical she led and expanded the Safety Department.
Joan is active in such organizations as the Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Contractors, (APMC), Sacramento Regional Builders Exchange, American Society of Professional Estimators and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Parent Booster Club.
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JEANIE ESAJIAN '90
MA. Communication Studies
Jeanie Esajian is deputy director for External and Legislative Affairs for the Managed Risk Medical Insurance Board. A native Californian, she is a true product of the CSU system, having received her MA. in Communication Studies from Sacramento State and her BA 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 Secretary. She is a past president of Association.
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EVA GABBE
Staff representative
For over 20 years, Eva has been the Manager of Employer Relations/Recruitment Programs in the Academic Advising & Career Center at Sacramento State. She counsels students on career marketing strategies, conducts workshops on career development issues, interfaces with hundreds of employers for recruitment efforts, and makes career development presentations in classes 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 Partnership (STEM), “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.” And in 2011 was awarded the “All Peoples’ Recognition Award,” from the Multi-Cultural Center at Sacramento State. Eva currently serves on the Scholarship Committee for the Sacramento Alumni Association.
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REBECCA A. GARDNER, JD
'99
Government-Journalism and Humanities
A Senior Attorney with The Burton Law Firm in Sacramento, 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 is a member of the Crocker Art Museum's Planned Giving Committee, the Sacramento Estate Planning Council, 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 is President of the Board of Directors for the 2011-2012 term.
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JOSEPH GIBSON '81, '83 
Communication Studies
MA Communication Studies
Retirees Association Representative
Joe is the CSUS Retirees Association representative. While a student at Sac State, Joe was Student President, and also served on the boards of the Hornet Foundation, Academic Senate and the California State Student Association. During his time as a student leader the Children’s Center was expanded, the Aquatic Center was built and student participation in University governance increased. Joe taught in the Communication Department, was Assistant to University Union Executive Director and Assistant to the University’s Executive Vice President (developing, among other things the University shuttle). As a volunteer, on campus and in the community, he served as chair of the Theater and Dance department Advisory Board as President of the Harry S Truman (Democratic) Club. In 2007, he helped produce an event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr visit to CSUS. Currently, he serves on the University’s Emeritus and Alumni Association boards. Joe has been a realtor for nearly twenty years, seventeen with Coldwell Banker in Sierra Oaks.
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ERIC GUERRA '03, MA '08 
Engineering Computers Science
MA Public Policy Admin.
Eric is the Capitol Director in the Office of Assemblymember Warren Furutani. In this role he focuses on state issues of higher education, workforce development, and transportation policy. He previously served as a senior consultant to Senator Gilbert Cedillo. Upon graduating from Sacramento State, Eric was accepted to the CSUS Center for California Studies Senate Fellowship and was appointed by Governor Gray Davis as a trustee for the California State University Board of Trustees. He returned to Sac State to earn his masters degree in Public Policy and Administration. Eric also served as ASI President, a UEI board member, and University Union board member. Eric has stayed active with Sacramento State through numerous Alumni Association chapters, the Joe and Isabel Serna Center and the College Assistant Migrant Program.
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DANIEL P. HAHN ‘95
Business Administration
Daniel Hahn was sworn in as Roseville’s 15th Chief of Police in March of 2011. Chief Hahn was born and raised in Sacramento and served 23 years with the Sacramento Police Department where he attained the rank of Captain. He served in numerous assignments in Sacramento, including Public Information Officer, High School Criminal Justice Academy Coordinator, Watch Commander, Special Investigations Commander, Patrol Commander and Personnel Division Commander. Daniel holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from Sacramento State University and a Masters of Public Administration from National University. He is also a graduate of the FBI National Academy, P.O.S.T. Command College and the Sierra Health Foundation Leadership Program. Over his career, Daniel has been honored to receive many awards. He is a member of numerous organizations such as California Police Chiefs Association. He also volunteers his time on numerous boards throughout the region.
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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 university marketing. 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. 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
Faculty Senate Representative
Janet Hecsh is a 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 both the Atlas World Group and the American Moving and Storage Association. Chris is active with numerous groups on campus including the College of Business Advisory Council and Sac State Athletics. Chris is the immediate past-President of the Association.
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BRUCE HOHENHAUS ’76
Business Administration
Bruce is the senior director, Cushman &Wakefield. Originally from Southern California, Bruce was stationed at Mather AFB and worked in Student Officer Assignments for the navigator training school from 1969-72. Upon discharge from the military, he returned to college and received his degree from Sacramento State in 1976. Since 1978, Bruce has been active in commercial real estate as a broker and developer, and was the regional partner for the Lee Sammis Company, a developer of regional and national office, industrial and retail buildings, until he entered the brokerage community in 1987. He concentrated on the sale and leasing of office buildings and tenant representation with Colliers International for 24 years. Bruce and his three partners and four associates were recently hired by Cushman&Wakefield to help grow the Sacramento office. While at Colliers, Bruce was a top producer in Sacramento as well as the United States. Community activities include the Special Olympics and former advisory board member for the Arthritis Foundation. Bruce is also the advisor for University Enterprises.
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PENNY KASTANIS '57, '59, '61
Music, MA Music, MA Librarianship
Penny is currently retired but has a wealth of professional experience in the education field. While her first degrees were in music, her passion shifted to the Library Arts where she served as a K-12 Librarian, an instructor of Library Science and Librarianship at Sac State, a coordinator of Library Services and Information Technology and many more roles throughout the state education system. Penny is a member of many Library Associations and has participated in legislative activities including writing two school library bills. She is also very active with the Greek Orthodox Church Community and other organizations.
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BOB MORENO '78
Business, Marketing
Bob 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 as a buyer for Weinstocks department store. Bob founded the Natomas Chamber of Commerce, the Natomas Community Foundation. He has been a board member of the Natomas Community Association, the Stanford Settlement Teen Center Capital Campaign, and is VP of Natomas Youth Baseball. Moreno is the recipient of the Outstanding Community Advocate for Education Award by the California Teachers Association. Bon raised over $250,000 for schools and youth programs in the last 3 years. In 2004, the Sacramento Volunteer Center nominated him for Volunteer of the Year. Bob is a past-President of the Association.
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DR LIONEL VON FREDERICK RAWLINS '92, ‘94
Criminal Justice, MS Criminal Justice
Dr. Lionel C. M. von Frederick Rawlins is the president and founder of The VonFrederick Group, a Sacramento 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, Lionel was 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 a former Ambassador for the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce.
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MICHAEL RIZZO ’89
Business Administration/Finance
Mike is the senior vice president of commerical and emerging business banking at Five Star Bank. He joined the company in 2005 and is the driving force behind the bank's focus on Emerging Business Banking. With more than 20 years of experience in the banking industry, Mike's focus is on companies in technology, life sciences and clean energy. He enjoys helping clients realize their envisioned success. He also provides financing for commercial real estate projects. Mike serves on the board of the Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance (SARTA) as well as the Center for Land Based Learning. In addition to Sac State, Mike is also a graduate of the Pacific Coast Banking School at the University of Washington. Mike is passionate about broad based economic development for the entire Sacramento region.
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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 of the 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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JASON SASLOW '89
Criminal Justice
Jason Saslow joined Five Star Bank in 2003 as a business development officer and is now the senior vice president of business development. He has more than 14 years of experience in marketing and management in the greater Sacramento area. Jason’s expertise covers all aspects of commercial lending, business banking and deposit relationships. He is a member of the Association of Commercial Real Estate, serves on the Board of UCP of Greater Sacramento and on the Development Committee for SACTO.
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SHARON SANDERS KRAUSE '88, ’09
Communication, MS Counseling
Sharon Sanders Krause had spent 20 years working as an independent contractor, when she returned to Sacramento State to earn her MA in Counseling in 2009. She is presently working at Sacramento Employment and Training Agency as a career counselor. Sharon has volunteered at St. Johns Shelter for Women and Children, Folsom Lake College and Oakhills Community church providing career counseling and ESL tutoring. She is presently a member of the THINK committee, which focuses on college students with disabilities transitioning to employment. She and her husband are owners of Capitol Utility Specialist Inc. in El Dorado Hills.
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DAN SCHAUER ‘95, CPA
Finance, Accountancy
Dan is vice president of Client Financial Services for Vision Service Plan (VSP). Dan has been with VSP since 2001 and is responsible for VSP’s underwriting, TPA, commissions, 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 currently serves as the VP of Finance.
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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, SETA, and MLK365. A fierce advocate of community dialogue and social action, Starks founded the California Forum Crossroads and MLK365. 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 a past-president of the Association.
