FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dave Heylen, V.P. Communications California Grocers Association
Tel: 916.448.3545
Fax: 916.448.2793
E-mail: [email protected]
California Grocers Association
1415 L Street, Suite 450
Sacramento, CA 95814
Will Aggressively Represent CGA in Regulatory Matters
SACRAMENTO, CA (December 15, 2009) – The California Grocers Association has hired Kara Bush as Manager of Government Relations, effective immediately.
Bush will aggressively represent the Association as a second “in-house” lobbyist and focus on State regulatory issues in addition to other government relations department responsibilities.
“While continuing to build our government relations program, it made sense to have further representation in the regulatory arena.” said CGA President and CEO Ronald Fong. “The regulatory process significantly impacts our industry. It can be extremely complex and require considerable time and involvement. Having a staff lobbyist proactively engaged in this arena will be a tremendous benefit to the Association and our members.” Bush will also serve as a second lobbyist for what is anticipated to be an aggressive 2010 CGA legislative agenda.
“For more than a century, CGA’s mission has been to advocate for the California grocery industry,” he said. “The Association has a long history of effective state and local government relations. The addition of a fulltime regulatory lobbyist fills out the government relations team and makes it even stronger.”
Prior to joining CGA, Bush worked in the office of Assemblyman Martin Garrick after three years in the public policy arena.
“Kara will be a great addition to CGA’s advocacy team,” Keri Askew Bailey, Vice President of Government Relations said. “Her experience both in the legislature and in the regulatory arena is a huge plus for the Association.”
In addition to her experience in the California Legislature, Bush worked for the California Department of Insurance and the Franchise Tax Board.
The California Grocers Association is a non-profit, statewide trade association representing the food industry since 1898. CGA represents approximately 400 retail members operating over 6,000 food stores in California and Nevada, and approximately 200 grocery supplier companies.