(February 27, 2007) The California Chamber of Commerce yesterday announced the addition of a new policy advocate to its team.

Jason Schmelzer joins the CalChamber as a new policy advocate, focusing on workers’ compensation, environmental and transportation issues.

Schmelzer brings over seven years of workers’ compensation experience to the CalChamber. Most recently Schmelzer was a legislative director with the California Manufacturers & Technology Association (CMTA), where he lobbied on workers’ compensation, human resources and safety and health issues.

“The passage of the CalChamber-supported workers’ compensation reforms in 2003 and 2004 have succeeded in bringing back some balance and fairness to the system,” said CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg. “The CalChamber is dedicated to preserving the reforms to the workers’ compensation system that are delivering a significant cost savings to employers. Jason Schmelzer brings to the CalChamber an extensive background in workers’ compensation that will help protect the reforms through both legislative and regulatory work.”

Previously, Schmelzer was a senior claims representative with Gallagher Bassett Services, Inc., where he managed a caseload of over 230 claims, including set-up, settlement, medical management, claim review, client relations and special projects.

Schmelzer has worked also as an assistant account executive with the public relations firm Bicker, Castillo & Fairbanks. While with the firm, Schmelzer coordinated a coalition of businesses, consumer groups, home builder and environmental groups on issues relating to housing issues in California.

Schmelzer graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in government from California State University, Sacramento.

Staff Contact: Dominic Dimare