About the Council
MISSION
On March 28, 2013, former Governor of California, Edmund G. Brown, Jr. announced the creation of the Governor’s Military Council as both the Governor and State Legislature recognized the importance of a sustained effort to support the military in the State. With the passage of legislation by Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin (AD44), the Council will continue its mission until 2026, providing a sustained focus on growing California’s defense and national security missions in state administration. This Council will position California to maintain and grow military operations in the state.
The recent Department of Defense announcements on strategic shifts such as increasing force strength in the Pacific theater and prioritizing cyber-security provide California opportunities to increase military investment in our state. The Council provides insight and guidance to state leaders who are developing a strategy to support and grow military operations in the Golden State.
As a major investor and landholder in the state, the military provides many economic and environmental benefits to the state as it provides for our nation’s security. Similarly, California offers unique geographical, operational and technological benefits to the military installations that call it home. Ensuring that the two continue to support each other is a key focus of the Council.
The Council will also articulate the military value of California bases and operations as federal leaders consider cuts and realignment to federal military operations. Potential federal cutbacks on military spending will impact all 50 states and many districts across America. Recognizing these threats to military operations, the Council will highlight the ongoing military value of California installations and of the Californians and businesses that support them.
MEMBERSHIP
Military Leadership
Vice Admiral Jody A. Breckenridge, United States Coast Guard (Retired)
Major General Craig Cooning, United States Air Force (Retired)
Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Hackleman, United States Air Force (Retired)
Lieutenant General Edward Hanlon, Jr., United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Major General Anthony “Tony” Jackson, United States Marine Corps (Retired)
Rear Admiral James Johnson, United States Navy, (Retired), M.D.
Colonel Fred Meurer, United States Army (Retired)
Major General Eldon P. Regua, United States Army Reserves (Retired)
Command Sergeant Major Roberta Santiago, United States Army Reserves (Retired)
Civic Leadership
Thomas R. Berard, Senior Executive, Department of the Air Force (Retired)
Joseph A. Czyzyk, Chairman and CEO, Mercury Air Group
Jeffrey A. Klein, Former Executive Director, Commander Naval Surface Forces (Retired)
State Leadership
Samuel Assefa, Director, Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
Major General Matthew P. Beevers, Adjutant General, California Military Department
Wade Crowfoot, Secretary, California Natural Resources Agency
Yana Garcia, Secretary, California Environmental Protection Agency
Dee Dee Myers, Director, Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development
Lourdes Castro Ramirez, Secretary, California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency
Lindsey Sin, Secretary, California Department of Veterans Affairs
Rhys Williams, Chief Deputy Cabinet Secretary, Office of Governor Gavin Newsom
State Senator Richard Roth (D-Riverside)
State Senator Bob Archuleta (D-Pico Rivera)
State Senator Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield)
Biographies of Council members are available here.
Governor’s Military Council Bylaws are available here.
