Clarence Williams
Chairman of the Board
California Capital
2000 O Street
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 442-1729

Clarence Williams is Chairman/President/CEO of California Capital F.D.C. California Capital works closely with bank and lending institutions to establish small and minority businesses across the state. Mr. Williams served as President of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 1998.

Nathan Allen, M.D.
Professional Medical Clinic for Women of Sacramento
7237 East Southgate Drive Suite C
Sacramento CA  95823
(916) 392-2290

Dr. Allen is a well-known medical professional with expertise in providing healthcare for women. He is the founder and owner of the South Sacramento-based Professional Medical Clinic for
Women. Dr. Allen also serves on several boards and committees in Sacramento.

Roy Grimes
Grimes Development, Inc.
555 Rivergate Way
Sacramento CA 95831
(916) 394-9705

Roy Grimes is Managing Principal of Peregrine Consulting, LLC. Peregrine Consulting, LLC offers Education and Private Sector Services including, but not limited to: Cross-Cultural Problem
Solving, School/Community Relations, Intergovernmental Relations, Asset Leveraging and Asset Management.

Mel Assagai is co-founder of Strategic Counsel, leads the firm’s government affairs and communications practice. Considered one of Sacramento’s most effective legislative advocates, he provides strategic legislative planning, bill tracking, legislative research, public relations, coalition building and Political Action Committee (PAC) management. Under his direction, the firm represents clients seeking political advice and assistance in accomplishing their
objectives in the governmental arena.

Trudy Evans Cusack
TruDesign Graphics
1100 N Street Suite 2D
Sacramento CA 95814
(916) 446-6975

Trudy Evans Cusack is President/CEO of Trudesign Graphics, Inc. Established in 1981, Trudesign Graphics has developed a reputation as one of the premier graphic design companies in northern California. Trudesign Graphics offers an array of services
including graphic design, printing and promotional products.

Located in South Sacramento, Dr. Blanchette has provided expert
dental services to the community for more than 20 years. He is a
widely respected professional and serves on a number of boards and
committees in Sacramento.

Eric V. Gravenberg, Ph.D. is the Education Chair ,V.P., Enrollment Management and Student Services, Alliant International University. Formed in July 2001 by the combination of the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) and United States International University (USIU), Alliant is an independent, not-for-profit institution of higher education with a history distinguished by innovation. Alliant International University focuses on preparing students for professional careers in the applied social sciences. Campuses are located in Fresno, Irvine, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, and San Francisco.

Marilyn Waters is Vice President Business Relationship Officer of Union Bank of California. Union Bank of California is the fourth-largest commercial bank in California and one of the 25 largest banks in the United States. The bank has 318 banking offices throughout California, Oregon, and Washington, as well as offices in New York and Texas. It also has 21
international offices, mainly along the Pacific Rim.

Ralph C. Carmona, Ph.D.
Director, Government & Community Affairs

Ralph Carmona became the director of Government and Community Affairs for the Sacramento Municipal Utility District in 1994.  At SMUD, the nation’s sixth largest publicly owned electric utility, he is responsible for federal, state, local government and community relations.

He served since 1980 as Bank of America’s vice president for state legislative, executive and regulatory affairs, and was its director of local government relations throughout California on a variety of local, state and federal financial services policies and issues.

During the 1970s, Carmona served as a legislative assistant to California Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy and as an intern for U.S. House of Representative Edward Roybal.  He was a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention.  After earning a BA degree in political science from the University of Southern California in 1973, Carmona continued his studies and received an MA and Ph.D. degree in the same field of study from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1974 and 1984.

A member of the University of California Board of Regents during the 1990s, Carmona has lectured at various universities and colleges. A former adjunct professor at the USC Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics, he presently teaches at American River College. Actively engaged with issues related to California’s public policies and politics, he has written for The Sacramento Bee, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News and Review, San Francisco Chronicle and Los Angeles Times.

Long active in civic and professional organizations throughout California, Carmona is listed in Who’s Who in the West and Who’s Who in American Politics. Presently the Vice Chair for the California State Railroad Museum Foundation Board of Directors, he also serves on the Sacramento District Attorney’s Multicultural Community Council, Sacramento Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Citizen Advisory Board, UC Davis Medical Sciences Leadership Council, Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce and the Los Rios Foundation Board of Directors.  The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) have acknowledged Carmona’s leadership with its Community Service Award.  The Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce also honored him with its Business Advocate of the Year award. This September, the California Diversity & Leadership Conference will recognize Carmona with its DiversityFirst Award.

MICHAEL GLENN KEELEY
Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of J&K Risk and Insurance Services, Inc.

Michael Keeley is Executive Vice President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of J&K Risk and Insurance Services, Inc. founded in 1997.  Mr. Keeley has over 29 years experience in the insurance industry and specializes in the development of Best Practices tailored to accountability in risk financing and insurance options, claims administration, contractual risk transfer as well as program design with private and public entity clients. 
Prior to forming J&K Mr. Keeley worked at a Fortune 500 insurance carrier as Litigation Specialist as well as Senior Workers' Compensation Executive.  He was involved in the management of the organizations most complex construction defect litigated claims including the coordination and resolution of multiple plaintiffs claims, defendants and insurance carriers as well as catastrophic personal injuries.    

In 1999 Mr. Keeley was selected to serve as lead consultant to the City of Sacramento in the development and adoption of their Strategic Plan for Risk Management.  The plan incorporates Best Practices in the areas of risk analysis and loss control techniques, including improved driver training for police officers.  These efforts have resulted in a marked decrease in police pursuit accident frequency.

When the City’s Risk Manager retired in 2001 Mr. Keeley’s role increased and he worked with staff to ensure continuity in program management through 2005.  In addition policies and procedures relating to contracts and insurance requirements with City vendors were reviewed and improved.     His knowledge within the industry leads him to sit as a panel member on various selection committees for insurance broker and ancillary services. 

Michael received his undergraduate education at UCLA and Juris Doctor from Hastings College of the Law.  He holds the Associate in Risk Management designation and is a member of the Governor’s Surety and Bonding Task Force seeking means to increase the bonding capacity of small contractors.  He is the current Chairman of SMUD’s Community Advisory Panel; the Board of Directors for the California Insurance Education Foundation and was recently appointed to the State of California Department of General Services Small Business Advisory Committee.  Michael and wife Karen reside in Granite Bay, CA.

Gary L. Stevens
Managing Partner
CSH Planning Project & Construction Management, LLC

Gary Stevens has thirty (35) years experience in management positions and professional training in the areas of construction, analysis, marketing and business development, negotiations and management of day to day operations.  Mr. Stevens has residential and commercial construction experience with an emphasis on quality, integrity and excellent customer service.  His latest projects include completion of three custom homes with a combined estimated retail value of $4.5 million.  Mr. Stevens is the Managing Partner of CSH Planning Project & Construction Management, LLC.

Since moving to the Sacramento area six years ago, Gary has completed over 17 residential units in various parts of Sacramento and Placer counties.  Mr. Stevens is a board member of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce.  Gary has traveled nationally and abroad to help other communities build affordable housing for their families.

Gary has studied Architecture & Design and Construction Management at Pasadena City College, Pasadena, CA and Cosumnes River College, Sacramento, CA where he received a Certificate of Excellence award.  Gary resides in Sacramento and is married (Franciel) with 7 children and 12 grandchildren.

Azizza Davis Goines
Azizza Davis Goines has over twenty-five years experience in Association Management.  Her experience includes managing and directing departments in fund development, program development and implementation, community relations, event planning, board development, public policy and advocacy, and strategic planning.  Her success has allowed her to head non profit agencies in the capacities of Executive Director and President/CEO.

Since accepting the position of President/CEO of the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce, her personal mission continues to involve reducing disparities and facilitating access to comprehensive, culturally sensitive lifestyles for all people.  She has demonstrated proficiency in providing community outreach through facilitation, collaboration and training. 

For the last three years she has hosted a radio program entitled “Here’s to Your Health” on FM radio.  She often interviews guests who are able to provide information to community around issues affecting the health of all, but in particular African Americans.

Ms. Davis Goines is married to Otis Goines, a theatrical stagehand in the Sacramento region, the mother of a private investigator and the joyful grandmother of Derek James who reminds her daily of her purpose.