(January 5, 2010) The California Chamber of Commerce yesterday announced the hiring of three new policy advocates: Brenda M. Coleman, Mira Guertin and Thomas Vu.
“2010 promises to be one of CalChamber's busiest as we work to improve our job climate and fend off continued threats to economic recovery,” said CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg. “Expanding CalChamber's reach in the State Capitol with the addition of three new policy advocates will further strengthen our ability to stop all ‘job killing’ legislation and to support policies that create jobs. California's employers will benefit from the experience and knowledge that these three new CalChamber policy team members bring. All three are effective advocates who will work tirelessly to educate and inform policy makers about the challenges our businesses face. As part of CalChamber's excellent team, these three will provide leadership on issues of critical importance, including making our economy and job creation the number one priority for lawmakers.”
Brenda M. Coleman
Coleman joined the CalChamber in December 2009 as a policy advocate specializing in climate change and energy issues.
Before coming to the CalChamber, Coleman was legislative director for the California Restaurant Association, where she led the association’s advocacy in areas such as civil justice, taxation, general business issues and education.
She also worked as a legislative consultant for private lobbying firms, handling matters related to local government, transportation, business issues, insurance, banking and transportation.
Prior to shifting into the legislative arena, Coleman served as a welfare rights advocate for Legal Services of Northern California, Chico, where she represented clients in administrative law issues pertaining to various aspects of social service programs.
She served as a legislative fellow for the California State Student Association. She is a member of the National Women’s Political Caucus, California Latino Capitol Association and Capitol Network.
Coleman holds a B.A. in political science with highest honors from California State University, Chico (where she also earned a paralegal certificate) and an M.P.A. with distinct honors from California State University, Long Beach.
Mira Guertin
Guertin joined the CalChamber in December 2009 as a policy advocate focusing on high technology, legal, corporate and education issues.
Before joining the CalChamber, Guertin was a legislative advocate and regional director at TechAmerica, a high technology trade association, where she handled public policy matters in all 50 states.
Guertin holds a B.S. in psychology from Santa Clara University. She worked for five years as a middle school teacher in Cupertino, California while earning an M.A. in education at Santa Clara University. She earned a J.D. from the McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific, with a certificate in government affairs.
Thomas Vu
Vu joined the CalChamber in December 2009 as a policy advocate on workers’ compensation, transportation and local government issues.
He came to the CalChamber from the California Special Districts Association, where he served as legislative director. He worked on legislation, advocacy, grassroots mobilization and regulatory support on special district and local government issues at the state level.
Vu also has worked on health care and smart growth policies, and previously interned for an Assembly member.
He holds B.A.s in economics and political science with a minor in general literature from the University of California, San Diego, and an M.P.A. from the University of Southern California.