Our Vision Statement: “We serve educational leaders in the pursuit of equity and excellence to meet the diverse needs of all California students.”

The Association of California School Administrators is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders in the United States, serving more than 17,000 California educators.

ACSA’s top priority is advocating for public school students in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as adult learners. Our mission is to be the driving force of education in California and beyond.

Administrators in California had long talked of forming an umbrella organization that encompassed their varied professional functions. Formed in July, 1971, ACSA became the first operative united administrator organization in the nation.

Since ACSA’s inception, administrator associations in 39 states have moved toward some form of consolidated or umbrella organization. ACSA is the only association in the nation that encompasses the broad spectrum of the management/leadership team.

ACSA serves administrators in 19 regions throughout California, each made up of local charters.

President
Lisa Gonzales
Assistant Supt, Ed. Services, Dublin USD, R-8

President-Elect
Holly Edds
Assistant Supt, Ed. Services, Orcutt UESD, R-13

Vice President
Linda Kaminski
Superintendent, Azusa USD, R-15

Vice President for Legislative Action
Terri Rufert
Superintendent, Sundale UESD., R-11

Past President
Ralph Gómez Porras
Superintendent, Pacific Grove USD, R-10

• Charlie Hoffman
  Superintendent, Shasta Trinity ROP/Bella Vista ESD, R-1

• Denny Rush
  Superintendent, Newcastle ESD, R-2

• Roxanna Villasenor
  Principal, Westfield Village Elementary, Washington USD, R-3

• Robert A. Martinez, Ed.D.
  Assistant Supt., H.R., Fairfield-Suisun USD, R-4

• Jay Spaulding
  Assistant Supt., H.R., South San Francisco USD, R-5

• Karen Sakata
  County Supt. of Schools, Contra Costa COE., R-6

• Denise Wickham
  Deputy Supt., Personnel, Ceres USD, R-7

• Juan Cruz
  Superintendent, Franklin-McKinley SD, R-8

• Ana Boyenga
  Assistant Supt., Educational Services, Atwater ESD, R-9

• Barbara Martinez
  Principal/Director of Safe Schools, Pacific Grove Adult Ed., PGUSD, R-10

• Blanca G. Cavazos
  Superintendent, Taft UHSD, R-11

• Ron Williams
  Superintendent, Victor Valley UHSD, R-12

• Craig W. Helmstedter
  Superintendent, Ocean View SD, R-13

• Victor C. Thompson, Ed.D.
  Director, Student Support Services, Los Angeles COE, R-14

• Sue Kaiser
  Asst. Supt., Ed Services, Monrovia USD, R-15

• Angel Barrett
  Principal, Stagg Street Elementary, LAUSD, R-16

• Rafael Plascencia
  Principal, Marjorie Veeh Elementary, Tustin USD, R-17

• Jon LeDoux
  Superintendent, El Centro ESD, R-18

• Michael R. McCormick
  Superintendent, Val Verde USD, R-19

• Lisa Ketchum
  Manager, Workforce Services, Santa Clara COE., R-8

• Mike Berg
  Interim Superintendent, Parlier USD, R-9

• Linda Hutcherson
  Retired, R-6

• Kiela Snider, Ed.D.
  Principal, Palm Springs USD, Desert Springs Middle School, R-19

Executive Department

• Dr. Wesley Smith, ACSA Executive Director
• Scarlett Vanyi, Chief Operations Officer
• Lori Allred, Executive Associate
• Suzanne Caffrey, Executive Associate
• Justin Concepcion, General Services Clerk
• Leslie McMenamy, Human Resources Manager

Communications

• Naj Alikhan, Senior Director, Communications
• Emily Agpoon, Communications Coordinator
• Marina Brown, Writer
• Michael Kelly, Communications Specialist
• Stephen Long, Design and Organizational Brand Coordinator
• Tracy Olmedo, Communications Associate
• Cary Rodda, EdCal Editor
• Darcy Totten, Communications Content Specialist

Educational Services

• Margaret Arthofer, Senior Director, Educational Services
• Danelle Bowron, Educational Services Coordinator
• Michael Dawson, Senior Administrative Clerk
• Mary Gomes, Educational Services Executive
• Marianne Magalona, Administrative Assistant
• Rhonda Morgan, Educational Services Associate II
• Sue Periera, Assistant to Committees and Councils
• Gladys Phillips-Evans, Educational Services Consultant
• Kimberly Rhoden, Educational Services Assistant
• Tracy Robinson, Educational Services Executive
• Joan Ruzic, Senior Administrative Clerk
• Hannah Stewart, Educational Services Assistant

Financial Services

• Summer Deng, Accounts Payable Clerk
• Mandy Feng, Accounting Operations Manager
• Max McGrath, Accounts Payable
• Alvin Maharaj, Junior Accountant
• Kristen Ofrasio, Building Supervisor
• Kaitlin Rak, Administrative Assistant
• Kavita Sharma, Senior Financial Analyst
• Steven Singh, Accounting/Fixed Asset Manager
• Maggie Toval, Accounts Receivable Clerk

Governmental Relations

• Adonai Mack, Senior Director of Federal Government Relations
• Jason Henderson, Legislative Analyst, Federal GR

• Edgar Zazueta, Senior Director of State Governmental Relations
• Laura Preston, Legislative Advocate
• Martha Alvarez, Legislative Advocate
• Iván Carrillo, Legislative Advocate
• Cathy McBride, Legislative Advocate
• Sarah Monte, Policy Analyst
• Christy Sinclair, Legislative Assistant

Information Technology

• Tony Baldwin, Senior Director, Information Technology
• Josh Peterson, Web Manager
• Cedric Burgess, Network Administrator
• Arnaldo Rivera, Association Management System Manager
• Chris Booth, Support Specialist

Marketing/Partner4Purpose

• Tatia Davenport, Senior Director, Marketing/Chief Marketing Officer
• David Loyola, Marketing Program Specialist

Member Services

• Margarita Cuizon, Senior Director, Member Services and Support
• Carlota Cabrera, Member Relations Supervisor
• Joanne Godfrey, Office Manager and Legal Team Support
• Stephanie Llamas, Member Relations Specialist, Serving members P-Z
• Cynthia Peralta-Melendez, Member Relations Specialist, Serving members H-O
• Janis Rawlins, Membership Exhibits Coordinator
• Simon Wong, Member Services Specialist, Serving members A-G
• Marc Ecker, Mentor Program Director (Field)

Member Assistance & Legal Support Team

• John Almond, Member Assistance Advocate
• Sharon Dezutti, Member Assistance Advocate
• Joe Jones, Member Assistance Advocate
• Janet Morey, Member Assistance Advocate
• Gary Rutherford, Member Assistance Advocate
• Bill Tschida, Member Assistance Advocate
• Lloyd Wamhof, Department Support

Membership Recruitment Team

• Debbie Burke, Member Recruiter, Region 18
• Lillie Campbell, Membership Recruiter, Region 3
• Michael Dennis, Membership Recruiter, Region 14
• Penny Fraumeni, Membership Recruiter, Region 15
• Sherman Garnett, Membership Recruiter, Region 12
• Ann Kilty, Membership Recruiter, Region 10
• Pat Lasarte, Membership Recruiter, Region 19
• Bob Lee, Membership Recruiter, Region 7
• Charlene Lemons-Shivers, Membership Recruiter, Region 16
• Korby Olson, Membership Recruiter, Region 4
• Felton Owens, Membership Recruiter, Region 5
• Alice Petrossian, Membership Recruiter, Region 13
• Anne Welsh-Treglia, Membership Recruiter, Region 17

ACSA/CAPEA

Purpose: To identify and study issues in the areas of higher education, administrator preparation and licensing, professional development providers, and legislation for the purpose of building collaboration and informing policy. To work collaboratively to identify issues and concerns of higher education and K-12 public education, professional preparation and development, and partnerships among school districts, institutions of higher education, and professional development providers. To influence and contribute to the education research agenda. To identify issues and make recommendations regarding increasing diversity and membership in the ranks of education administrators and professors of educational administration.

Staff Liaison: Tracy Robinson, ACSA Educational Services
Support Staff: Kimberly Rhoden, ACSA Educational Services
Subject Matter Expert: Tracy Robinson, ACSA Educational Services

Co-Administration

Purpose: To assist co-administrators (vice-principals, assistant principals, deans, coordinators, etc.) in their role as instructional leaders within their schools and communities. To promote networking and increase communication among co-administrators. To provide access to professional development and mentoring experiences. To increase awareness of the co-administrator's role and the importance of that role.

Staff Liaison: Tracy Robinson, ACSA Educational Services
Support Staff: Rhonda Morgan, ACSA Educational Services
Subject Matter Expert: State GR Advocacy Team

Equity

Purpose: To build the capacity in equity leadership and cultural proficiency of all educators within the organization and throughout the state of California to effectively eliminate all equity gaps.

• Identify and research issues related to equity and diversity
• Develop strong recruitment and retention policies and practices to grow membership
• Recommend policies, practices, and resources which lead to quality instructional/educational programs and services
• Assist in the development of programs, resources, and materials to help leaders effectively respond to equity issues
• Establish partnerships and communication links
• Assist the board in implementing aspects of the association strategic plan

Staff Liaison: ACSA Equity Executive
Support Staff: Janis Rawlins, ACSA Member Services
Subject Matter Expert: Margarita Cuizon, ACSA Member Services
Subject Matter Expert: Adonai Mack, ACSA Federal Governmental Relations

Legislative Policy

Purpose: To identify and study areas of needed legislation impacting ACSA members and public education. To solicit sponsorship requests from ACSA members and sponsor bills improving conditions in California schools. To study proposed legislation and, based upon ACSA's Legislative Platform and additional input from the Board of Directors, establish ACSA's position on state and federal legislation. To assist in the establishment of the ACSA Legislative Platform.

Staff Liaison: Edgar Zazueta, ACSA State Governmental Relations
Support Staff: Christy Sinclair, ACSA State Governmental Relations
Subject Matter Expert: State GR Advocacy Team

Member Services

Purpose: To recruit, retain and recognize members. To identify trends and issues with membership categories that may require changes or adjustments. To support and help grow ACSA's Partner4Purpose program in order to further meet the needs of members. To monitor and ensure that region and charter bylaws align with state ACSA bylaws and that region and charters are in compliance with these regulations.

Staff Liaison: Margarita Cuizon, ACSA Member Services
Support Staff: Joanne Godfrey, ACSA Member Services
Subject Matter Expert: Margarita Cuizon, ACSA Member Services

Retirement

Purpose: To provide leadership, direction, clarification, and understanding of the California State Teachers' and California Public Employees' Retirement Systems to all ACSA members. To actively work with other members of the retirement coalition to protect and enhance the benefits of the CalSTRS and CalPERS. To investigate and to promote legislation that positively impacts or affects members of both systems. To encourage the continued participation, involvement, and service of retired ACSA members in the cause of improving the benefits of the CalSTRS and CalPERS.

Staff Liaison: Alice Petrossian
Staff Liaison: Margarita Cuizon, ACSA Member Services
Support Staff: Janis Rawlins, ACSA Member Services
Subject Matter Expert: Iván Carillo, ACSA State Governmental Relations

Small School District

Purpose: To advocate small school district issues within ACSA. To provide the Legislative Policy Committee information on legislation that would impact small school districts in conformance with ACSA's legislative platform and positions. To provide training and information to support small school district administrators. To facilitate networking between CSBA's Small School District Council and the Small School Districts Association Executive Committee.

Staff Liaison: Rich Malfatti
Staff Liaison: Tom Armelino, ACSA Senior Director
Support Staff: Rhonda Morgan, ACSA Educational Services
Subject Matter Expert: Margaret Arthofer, ACSA Educational Services

Urban Education

Purpose: To identify and study issues relating to urban education. To emphasize the need to improve educational opportunity for children in urban school districts. To identify and articulate the unique concerns of administrators in urban school districts. To recommend solutions and/or courses of action to deal with problems and needs of urban schools.

Staff Liaison: Adonai Mack, ACSA Federal Governmental Relations
Support Staff: Jason Henderson, ACSA Federal Governmental Relations
Subject Matter Expert: ACSA Equity Executive

Adult Education

Purpose: To identify and study issues relating to adult education. To recommend legislative positions to ACSA and advocate for legislation that advances public adult education statewide. To actively enhance and promote adult education's role with professional organizations, government officials, state agencies, school districts, business, industry, and the community at large. To plan and coordinate professional growth opportunities for administrators of adult education programs.

Staff Liaison: Iván Carrillo, ACSA State Governmental Relations
Support Staff: Eva Maina, ACSA State Governmental Relations
Subject Matter Expert: Iván Carrillo, ACSA State Governmental Relations

Business Services

Purpose: To identify and study issues relating to administrators who work in the area of business services. To promote membership in ACSA by school business officials by enhancing the position and skills of business officials through workshops and conferences. To maintain liaison with other ACSA committees, affiliated organizations, the state Department of Education, and other educational agencies. To serve as a quick response team.

Staff Liaison:Martha Alvarez, ACSA State Governmental Relations
Support Staff: Christy Sinclair, ACSA State Governmental Relations
Subject Matter Expert: Senior Director, ACSA Financial Services

Career Technical Education

Purpose: To support CTE administrators and promote high quality CTE programs that prepare Pre-K through adult students for successful transition to careers and post-secondary education through: legislation, advocacy, professional development, communication, and collaboration.

Staff Liaison: Tony Baldwin, ACSA Information Technology Department
Staff Liaison: Naj Alikhan, ACSA Communications
Support Staff: Tracy Olmedo, ACSA Communications
Support Staff: Chris Booth, ACSA Information Technology Department
Subject Matter Expert: Iván Carrillo, ACSA State Governmental Relations

Classified Leaders

Purpose: To build and maintain a vibrant and purposeful network of classified leaders, who share a mutual commitment to excellence and are valued as members of their leadership team. To develop and enhance professional growth opportunities for classified educational leaders, promote ACSA membership, and encourage participation in all levels of ACSA.

Staff Liaison: Tatia Davenport, ACSA Marketing Department
Support Staff: Lori Allred, ACSA Executive Department
Subject Matter Expert: Laura Preston, ACSA State Governmental Relations

Curriculum, Instruction and Accountability Leaders

To identify and study issues and make recommendations on practices, policies, and positions to ACSA's leadership and staff and to state agencies related to curriculum, instruction, assessment, and accountability. To identify and disseminate best practices for administrators who work in the areas of curriculum, instruction, and accountability, to ensure student centered instruction and services, which prepare all students to compete in an international society. To plan, develop, and coordinate professional learning programs, electronic media, and publications related to council business. To maintain liaison with the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), including nominating WASC commissioners. To review all non-ACSA requests to conduct research using ACSA records. To review all non-ACSA requests to conduct research using ACSA records. To maintain liaison with state agencies and other organizations which impact curriculum, instruction, accountability, interventions, assessment and evaluation. To assist in ACSA membership recruitment.

Educational Options

Purpose: To explore, promote, support, and influence solutions to financial, program, accountability, and legislative issues facing alternative education in the state agencies which impact curriculum, instruction, accountability, interventions, assessment, and evaluation. To assist in ACSA membership recruitment.

Elementary Education

Purpose: To identify and study issues related to elementary and preschool administrators. To recommend best practices and policies and to serve as advocates for high quality programs for all elementary and preschool children. To serve as a forum in which elementary and preschool administrators may resolve issues related to their professional efforts. To serve as a representative of elementary and preschool administrators in meeting the goals and priorities of ACSA. To provide representation and leadership from ACSA to NAESP. To assist in the recruitment of elementary and pre-school administrators as ACSA members. To plan and coordinate professional growth opportunities for elementary and preschool administrators.

Human Resources

Purpose: To identify and study issues relating to professionals responsible for personnel, employer/employee relations and other human resources programs. To provide leadership, direction, clarification, and understanding in such areas as personnel practices, employer-employee relationships, fair and equal employment practices, contract management, negotiations, retirement, legislation, credentials, management team concept, individual rights, and staff-related issues. To plan, provide, and encourage in-service training for administrators in this area, and to maintain liaison between ACSA and the American Association of School Personnel Administrators. To assist in the recruitment of personnel, employer/employee relations and other human resources administrators as ACSA members. To promote the training and recruitment of individuals of diverse backgrounds as human resources administrators. To promote the highest standard of ethical conduct, assist local school administrators, and to assure due process to all members of ACSA.

Middle Grades Education

Purpose: To identify and study issues relating to middle grades administrators and to recommend practices and policies that will lead to high quality programs for young adolescents. To strengthen a network for communication among middle grade administrators. To plan, provide, and encourage professional development programs for middle grades administrators. To assist in the recruitment of middle grades administrators as ACSA members. To encourage interaction and support between ACSA, the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the California Department of Education, and other organizations and agencies promoting the interests of middle grades education.

Secondary Education

Purpose: To identify and study issues and make recommendations to the ACSA Board of Directors related to secondary education. To recommend practices and policies that will lead to high quality programs for secondary students. To recruit secondary administrators as members and to maintain a liaison between ACSA, National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), California Interscholastic Federation (CIF), and other state agencies relating to secondary education. To plan and coordinate professional development programs for secondary administrators.

Student Services and Special Education

Purpose: To support administrators in the areas of special education, student services, and coordinated youth services by:

• Advocating best practices, policies, and legislation to ensure high quality student programs.
• Improving collaboration and communication between general education, student services, special education, and other support agencies and organizations.
• Facilitating the development and understanding of current trends and financial issues related to their impact on student programs and services.
• Planning and coordinating timely and meaningful professional development offerings for new and experienced school administrators.
• Assisting in ACSA membership recruitment.

Superintendency

Purpose: To identify and study issues related to the role and responsibilities of superintendents and proactively advocate for solutions. To strengthen a network for communication among superintendents. To be proactive in representing the viewpoints and vision of superintendents on critical education issues with a view toward influencing policy and practice at the local, state, and national levels. To plan strategies and practices that will influence the quality of education for all California students. To voice the critical need for stable, sound finance for educating California's children. To represent superintendents in ACSA's relations with the governor's office, Legislature, and state Superintendent of Public Instruction. To plan and coordinate professional development activities for superintendents and activities to enhance professional development of administrators and all school district positions. To encourage the active participation of superintendents and all other management team members in ACSA. To maintain a liaison relationship with AASA and other state organizations and agencies.