3 Attachment 1
BERNICE MELINDA ALANIZ
( She/Her/Ella )
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Accomplished and impactful professional with 30-plus years tech, non-profit and public agency experience directing internal and external communications, community engagement, marketing and graphics. Reputation for integrity, strong leadership, organizational efficiencies, team building, collaboration and creative and innovative solutions. Thriving communities and healthy people and planet is my purpose.
QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS
Highly effective communicator: visual, verbal and written Award winning writer, graphic designer and art director Experienced brand developer and brand journalist Acute attention to detail, deadlines and budgets Committed, driven, resourceful and goal-oriented Motivational leader and consensus builder Proven results with website creation and CRM Strategic, skilled utilization of electronic communications
WORK EXPERIENCE
SANTA CLARA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (VTA) 2005-PRESENT Director Business Operations and Communications, BART Silicon Valley (BSV) - 2019-Present Effectively lead planning, environmental, community outreach, stakeholder, business and government relations, communications, third party agreements, sustainability and transit oriented development for $9-billion transit infrastructure project throughout all phases. • Directed all aspects of notable BSV Phase I Project ribbon cutting ceremony and new service promotion during height of COVID • Execution of 26 critical agreements with cities, utilities and other public agencies critical to maintaining project schedule • Creation and implementation of required environmental mitigations including Construction Outreach Management Program, Construction Education and Outreach Plan and Small-Business Resource Program • Meaningful engagement of elected officials, community and businesses representatives through Community Working Groups, Station Design Review Committees and Small Business Task Force • Through multi-year comprehensive planning/engagement process received cities’ acceptance of station access and design elements as well as multi-council approvals for Construction Transportation Management Plan, critical to begin construction • Build and maintain advocacy/support through meaningful personal interactions and well executed printed and electronic collateral Director of Marketing and Public Affairs/Communications/Customer Service - 2014-2018 Proactively and effectively directed agency internal and external communications and engagement inclusive of traditional and electronic communications, media relations, social media, marketing, creative services, community outreach and customer and community relations to support $10-billion capital program and $420 million annual transit service operations for Santa Clara County. • Developed departmental plans, goals and budgets, then effectively executed plans, exceeding goals and meeting budget • Impactful and credible agency Chief Spokesperson for day-to-day, highly sensitive and crisis communications • Led and organized regional promotional campaigns benefiting individual agencies through shared resources and amplified messages • Developed and directed compelling communications and public engagement for successful Envision Nov. 2016 ballot measure • Created highly successful Super Bowl 50 advance EZ Fare mobile tickets, providing rider numbers to plan for service needs • Conducted surveys, focus groups and analysis for creating VTA’s Strategic Plan then promoted plan internally and externally • Launched agency brand analysis and re-brand and began incorporation of new brand on physical assets including collateral, website, signage, transit stations, office building, bus yards, buses and trains ( assigned to BART SV mid-process ). • Initiated public will-building to change social norms regarding public transportation utilization ( assigned to BART SV mid-process ).
Communications Director, BART Silicon Valley - 2009-2013 Formed the Communications and Outreach Department including staffing plan and budget, Communications and Outreach Policy and Procedures, project identity, development of Project website and interactive real-time construction map to successfully plan and deliver the BART Silicon Valley Program.
• Enhanced project visibility and built stakeholder support through creation and distribution of quality and compelling collateral • Developed, implemented and utilized a customized Constituent Resource Management Program to receive, respond, monitor and track all contacts and interactions with key stakeholders, residents, business, partnering agencies and elected officials. • Directed and managed communications, public and media relations, community outreach, and all associated staff and resources through all project phases with positive results in all areas 4 • Built and maintained community trust with effective outreach, notifications and education throughout all construction phases • Directed and orchestrated successful, well attended and highly publicized Project groundbreaking paving the way for construction • Served as chief spokesperson, chief communicator and liaison to cities and BART Warm Springs Project team.
Deputy Director, Marketing and Public Affairs -2005-2008 Successfully managed and directed communications, marketing, public and media relations, community outreach, and customer service functions to support $365 million transit service operator and delivery of multi-billion dollar capital program. • Created and implemented strategic and effective annual communications and marketing plans that demonstrated • Created and Implemented the comprehensive 2008 New VTA promotional campaign contributing to a 20% increase in ridership • Increased productivity, reduced caller wait times and improved morale for customer service call center • Facilitated revenue producing outdoor advertising contracts and maximized utilization of VTA assets for promotion of VTA services • Respectfully directed, managed, supervised, mentored and counseled staff represented by four different unions • Served on Staff Executive Committee and Technology Working Group • Track, monitor and evaluate marketing and public relations campaigns and media relations for ROI and impressions YMCA of SILICON VALLEY 1987-2005
Senior Marketing and Communications Executive-1992-2005 Directed marketing, communications and member relations for an Association of 11 YMCAs in Santa Clara County. • Created, launched and maintained the YMCA’s first ever website and online registration program • Staff liaison for Board of Directors’ Marketing and Public Policy Committee • • Develop, manage and implement all marketing, advertising, media relations and crisis communications • Planned and managed all aspects of several major annual events for fundraising, community building and volunteer recognition Communications Manager-1987-1992
Managed, wrote designed and produced promotional and informational materials, managed special event planning, created department budget and conducted customer service trainings for front line fitness team, front desk staff and child care workers.
EDUCATION
B.S. Graphic Design with Distinguished Honors, San Jose State University Humanities Honors Program Graduate, San Jose State University
HONORS, CERTIFICATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS
American Public Transportation Association
Adwheel Award Communications Grand Prize Envision Silicon Valley Communications and Microsite 2016 Adwheel Award Communications Grand Prize Holiday Train 2015 Adwheel Award Communications First Prize Annual Report 2015 Adwheel Award-Healthier Planet 2008 Bay Area Campaign 2009 Indy
Metropolitan Transportation Commission Excellence in Motion Award-Communications 2008 Golden Triangle Award for Excellence in Communications 1995,1996, 2001 and 2003 Bank of America Achievement Award in the Field of Art
Board Member, Central YMCA
Member San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Association, San Jose Chapter Member Women in Transportation Seminar
Member and Mentor American Public Transportation Association Marketing and Communications Committee Past Member California Association of Public Information Officers Life Member California Scholarship Federation & National Honor Society ENO Center for Transit Leadership Executive Development Program Certificate National Incident Management System (NIMS) Series Certification Incident Command System (ICS) Certification
Standardized Emergency Management System (SEMS) Certification 5 6
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9 Kalani Gee
Laguna Beach, CA | | www.linkedin.com/in/kalani-gee
EDUCATION
The University of Washington, College of the Environment ● Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies Dean’s List ○ Focus on environmental health, policy, and justice.
The University of Washington, Foster School of Business ● Jack and Ann Rhodes Professional Sales Program Graduation Speaker UW Program on the Environment Italy, Interdisciplinary Studies on Environment and Society ● Shadowed administrators on municipal water treatment, regenerative farming, flood infrastructure, and ethical manufacturing. ● Studied international environmental policy, environmental disaster mitigation strategies, and sustainable water systems.
RELEVANT EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Compass Newport Beach, CA
Account Manager April 2025- Present
● Oversees 40+ accounts with a strategic focus on retention, regulatory compliance, office operations, and regional events.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Seattle, WA Workforce Development Intern January 2023- March 2023
● Developed a strategic recruitment initiative in alignment with NOAA’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan, focused on establishing an equitable hiring process from colleges, increasing workforce diversity, and promoting DEI best practices. ● Researched and analyzed data from 220+ sources, gathering 4,800+ data points to create a database for recruiters to reference.
Nordstrom Seattle, WA
Student Sustainability Consultant March 2022- June 2022 ● Analyzed consumer data to deliver a comprehensive sustainability assessment and offering recommendations for updated strategies reducing carbon emissions and improving operational workflow. ● Calculated the carbon footprint of a nationwide clothing donation initiative, estimating Scope 1 and Scope 3 carbon emissions.
SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL LEADERSHIP
LB Environmental Sustainability Committee, Vice Chair & Head of Natural Resources Subcommittee April 2025-Present ● Records meeting minutes and summarizes committee statements to be passed along to City of Laguna Beach’s City Council. ● Organizes subcommittee meetings, committee communications, and determines priorities for projects related to the CAAP.
Northwest Sarcoma Foundation, Marketing & Events Committees January 2024- Present ● Planned and executed multi-state community events for 200+ participants, driving fundraising initiatives up to $50,000. ● Create weekly social media posts across 5 platforms, educating the public on sarcoma statistics, upcoming events, and research.
Sustainable Brands, Operations Volunteer October 2024 & 2025 ● Supported seminar speakers operationally to ensure seminars ran smoothly, covering topics such as Extended Producer Responsibility, sustainable packaging, environmental entrepreneurship, and corporate responsibility.
Water Replenishment District of Southern California, Water Resources Committee Guest Speaker June 2019 ● Presented on the importance of youth education and awareness around stormwater, groundwater, and drought prevention.
Laguna Presbyterian Church, Molokai Volunteer April 2017 & 2018 ● Participated in two volunteer trips to Molokai, HI focusing on native land preservation and protecting indigenous plants. 10 EDWIN C. KISIEL
Laguna Beach, California |
City of Laguna Beach
505 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Dear City Council:
Nearly 15 years ago, I was a law school graduate in the right place at the right time who landed an incredible opportunity – to use my abilities to serve my country as an attorney in the Air Force. My calling has been formidable: interpret environmental laws and regulations, work alongside with environmental scientists to ensure environmental protection and sustainability efforts while accomplishing the mission, and reviewing facts, evidence, and law to make decisions for military personnel actions and financial claims. I count myself extremely lucky that circumstances blessed me to make a home in this beautiful city we call Laguna Beach. I would love to bring the strengths I’ve honed over my career to serve on the View Restoration or Environmental Sustainability Committee.
What, specifically, can I bring to the City of Laguna Beach in a committee assignment? Civic & community involvement: Public service has been my professional calling over the course of my career, both as an active duty & reserve Air Force attorney as well as in civil service for the Department of Defense. I have provided pro bono legal services to the community for environmental law & land use matters and arbitrate investor claims for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. I have been recognized for award by one of my bar association’s Pro Bono Honor Society. I also volunteer my time to support local artists at the Sawdust Art Festival. Finally, I have served as a member of the Personnel Board for the City of Laguna Beach from June 2023 – June 2025.
Interest in committee service: My interest in committee service stems from my calling to support and give back to my community. My specific interest in serving on the View Restoration Committee is that I have deep experience and gain fulfillment from hearing and making decisions on cases. I am also impressed by Laguna Beach’s approach to view preservation and restoration, which I evaluated in my 2020 law journal article, The War on Trees: How to Diffuse Neighborly Feuds over View Rights. My specific interest in serving on the Environmental Sustainability Committee comes from my extensive experience in handling environmental law matters, drafting major policy recommendations, and engagement with environmental scientists to synthesize their expertise and viewpoints with my own.
Relevant experience: As an Air Force and Department of Defense attorney, I have nearly 15 years of experience in conducting research, engaging with subject matter experts, and preparing recommendations for action and policy across all environmental facets, both terrestrially and in Earth orbit. I have published many peer-reviewed articles in environmental law, including comparative evaluation of Laguna Beach’s view rights process, options to ensure environmental protection of surfing resources, and how to achieve both environmental sustainability and mission accomplishment. During my career, I have been called upon for dozens of cases to sit as an arbitrator or hearing officer, to hear the facts and evidence presented by parties, and make a decision based on legal and regulatory criteria. This experience would serve well on any committee assignment. During my residency in Laguna Beach, I also have built strong professional relationships with City employees in the Community Development and Legal departments.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration of my application for service on the View Restoration or Environmental Sustainability Committee.
Kind regards,
Edwin C. Kisiel, Esq.
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EDWIN C. KISIEL
Laguna Beach, California |
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Defense Contract Management Agency Carson, CA
Trial Attorney June 2024 – Current
• Litigate 14+ government claims against major defense contractors under Federal Acquisition Regulation and Cost Accounting Standards, ensuring government contractors accountable on price & performance • Collaborate with Cost & Pricing Center for $130 million cost accounting dispute for unallowable financing costs claimed by major contractor for nuclear ballistic missile recapitalization • Advise regional counsel on for regulatory requirements for manufacturing facility carbon emissions offsets and litigation posture for associated major contractor-claimed expenditures U.S. Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command Great Falls, MT Civil & Environmental Law Attorney (Part-Time Reserve) July 2024 – Current • Provide National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, and National Historic Preservation Act oversight for nuclear ballistic missile recapitalization projects, ensuring 100% regulatory compliance • Partner with natural resources, cultural resources, and environmental science exports to ensure compliance with federal & state environmental requirements and coordination with government contract solicitation and source selection to maintain contractor accountability Carney Mehr Law Newport Beach, CA
Land Use Attorney (Hiring Our Heroes Fellow) March 2024 – June 2024 • Advise 5 developers through California Environmental Quality Act, ministerial and discretionary planning entitlement, and permitting for residential and commercial projects in Laguna Beach • Represented employee whistleblower and partnered with environmental organization to enforce consent decree under Clean Water Act against concentrated animal feeding operation in San Juan Capistrano, protecting Doheny State Beach surfing resource
U.S. Space Force, Space Systems Command El Segundo, CA
Chief, Military Justice and Chief, Space & Operational Law July 2022 – July 2024 • Provide National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, National Historic Preservation Act, and Coastal Zone Management Act recommendations for 20 space launch and infrastructure projects in California, ensuring 100% compliance with no litigation risk • Partner with Coastal Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and stakeholders to resolve federal and commercial spaceport land use issues in the coastal zone, deconflict beach closure requirements under SpaceX commercial launch agreement and creating new National Marine Sanctuary • Negotiate contract documents and software license for six multi-million dollar engineering and technical services contracts, enabling critical cybersecurity enhancements across all operating locations U.S. Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command Rapid City, SD Deputy Staff Judge Advocate July 2021 – July 2022
• Managed office operations for staff of 15; mentored five attorneys on litigation strategy for discovery, motions, expert witnesses, and trial advocacy for nine federal criminal trials, ensuring felony convictions • Ensured compliance with National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act for $80 billion aircraft procurement and construction program, mitigating environmental impacts on neighboring housing development with no lawsuits or environmental violations 13 2
U.S. Air Force, Environmental Law & Litigation Directorate San Antonio, TX Deputy Branch Chief, Mission Sustainment & Planning August 2018 – July 2021 • Led a team of six attorneys providing environmental law advice to 100 military bases worldwide • Integrated with government contract and civil engineer teams to advise on 150 major federal construction projects for compliance under California Environmental Quality Act, Coastal Zone Management Act, Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Endangered Species Act, to ensure multi-billion dollar aircraft procurement and space programs are completed with zero litigation risk • Negotiated agreement with California Office of Historic Preservation and two tribal governments for 4,000 acre lease to developer for solar energy, ensuring agreement terms honored throughout construction • Deconflicted land use compatibility under federal and California laws and regulations with wind energy developers to mitigate radar impacts for aircraft and spacecraft safety, ensuring zero in-flight accidents U.S. Air Force, Civil Law & Litigation Directorate El Segundo, CA Litigation Attorney; 40+ hours/week July 2016 – August 2018 • Conducted depositions, managed discovery, filed evidentiary and summary judgment motions, and litigated in court in 50 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Merit Systems Protection Board, federal court, and California Unemployment Commission with no adverse judgments or money damages • Defended management in mediation and settlement in employment discrimination, wrongful termination, and union negotiated grievance procedure claims, saving agency funds with no monetary settlements • Managed procurement advice on source selection, solicitation, award, and bid protest for overseas security services and equipment procurement to ensure compliance with Federal Acquisition Regulations
EDUCATION
The George Washington University Law School Washington, DC LL.M., with highest honors, in Environmental Law May 2019 Liberty University School of Law Lynchburg, VA
J.D., magna cum laude May 2011
Liberty University Lynchburg, VA
B.S., summa cum laude, in Government May 2008
PUBLICATIONS
Optimizing Strategic Competition in the Climate Change Era, J. Envt’l L. & Litigation (forthcoming) Second Place, 2024 National Security Law Writing Competition Indemnification for Commercial Space Services Vendors, ABA Public Contract L.J. (2024) First Place, 2023 National Security Law Writing Competition Strategic Competition Implications for Commercial Space Operators, Denver J. Int’l L. & Pol’y (2023) First Place, 2022 National Security Law Writing Competition Environmental Law and Strategic Competition: Help or Hindrance?, Nat’l Security L.J. (2022) Surfing on Base, Air Force L. Rev. (2022)
Law as an Instrument to Solve the Orbital Debris Problem, Envt’l L. Rev. (2021) First Place, 2020 National Security Law Writing Competition A Southern California Surfer’s Perspective on Marine Spatial Planning, Villanova Envt’l L.J. (2020) The War on Trees: How to Diffuse Neighborly Feuds over View Rights, J. Envt’l L. & Lit. (2020) Solar Panels in Condominium Communities, LSU J. Energy L. & Resources (2020) Using Indirect Regulation to Reduce Environmental Harm from Farming, Envt’l L. Reporter (2019) 14 3
BAR ADMISSION, PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS Personnel Board Member, City of Laguna Beach June 2023 – June 2025 State Bar of California # 337449 June 2021
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Public Arbitrator # A63399 January 2019 Top Secret/SCI Security Clearance August 2013
District of Columbia Bar # 1009045 August 2012
North Carolina State Bar # 42976 August 2011
INTERESTS
Surfing, skiing, golf, travel, beer brewing, backpacking (completed the John Muir Trail in summer 2018) 15 16