(October 28, 2009) The 2010 initiative reform measures, gubernatorial race and legislative elections are the focus of the California Chamber of Commerce Public Affairs Council retreat that begins today.

The retreat agenda, titled “Reforming California,” also will cover the Commission on the 21st Century Economy, and the insiders’ perspective on the water deal currently under negotiation in a special session.

Featured guest speakers include gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman and potential U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina.

New Public Affairs Council Chair Gillian Zucker, a CalChamber Board member and president of the Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, will preside over the three-day gathering in Napa. From 2006 until Zucker’s appointment, the council was led by Tim McCallion, a CalChamber Board member and president of Verizon West.

Gillian Zucker

Zucker was named the fourth president of Auto Club Speedway in 2005, making her the first female president of a track hosting a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series event. Before her appointment at Auto Club Speedway, Zucker served as Daytona International Speedway’s vice president of business operations and development. Zucker joined International Speedway Corporation in 1998 as director of business development for the Kansas Speedway. Soon after, she was promoted to vice president of operational development.

An active community leader, Zucker is a member of the Los Angeles Sports Council and the Los Angeles Sports and Entertainment Commission Advisory Board. She also serves as an advisory board member of the Los Angeles Chapter of Women in Sports Entertainment and a member of the Los Angeles Chapter of Young Presidents Organization.

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed her to the California Travel and Tourism Commission.

Tim McCallion

Tim McCallion

McCallion was named president of Verizon West in July 2000. In this position, McCallion is responsible for Verizon’s corporate interests in California, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah and Wyoming. 

During his 33-year career with Verizon, McCallion has held a variety of management positions in California, Hawaii, Indiana, Connecticut, Ohio and Pennsylvania.

McCallion is actively involved with community-based and business organizations.  He serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce (2008 board chair), the Ventura County Community Foundation, the Los Angeles Urban League, and the California Foundation on the Environment and the Economy. In 2006, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed him to the California Broadband Task Force. McCallion served as chairman of the California Telephone Association from 1999-2001. 

Public Affairs Council

The Public Affairs Council advises CalChamber President and CEO Allan Zaremberg and the CalChamber Board of Directors on political and policy strategies to improve California's business climate, particularly ballot measure campaigns and the endorsements of the CalChamber political action committee. More information is available from CalChamber Vice President Rob Lapsley.