Environmental Justice Advisory Council Members

Pronouns: He/Him

Area Represented:

Kettleman City, located in California’s Central Valley

Current Occupation:

Founder and Executive Director of UNIDOS Network Inc.

Main Reason for Participating in DTSC’s EJAC:

I want to help connect Central Valley residents, especially those in Kettleman City, with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) to address environmental and public health issues. My goal is to advocate for improved health outcomes and equitable solutions for disadvantaged communities.

Additional Information:

I’m passionate about music and enjoy playing guitar and singing in local bands throughout the Central Valley.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Area Represented:

I live in Hercules and work in Oakland. I represent the East Bay (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties).

Current Occupation:

I am currently the Executive Director of Communities United for Restorative Youth Justice (CURYJ).

Main Reason for Participating in DTSC’s EJAC:

I’m committed to supporting an intersectional framework since formerly incarcerated communities are often excluded from discussions on climate and environmental justice. These communities are among the most directly impacted by these issues, making their inclusion essential in shaping effective and equitable solutions.

Additional Information:

I am a father, grandfather, and a dog dad to two overly loving pit bulls. Additionally, I am very rooted in my traditional Native culture and often participate in traditional ceremonies.

Kevin’s education includes an AS in Respiratory Care, BS in Geology, extended course work in social work, mathematics, business and management training. He is a Registered Respiratory Therapist and Asthma Clinical Specialist.

As Senior Director of Government Affairs, Kevin is focused on reducing the burden of chronic respiratory disease and environmental health impacts valleywide . He serves on numerous boards and committees associated with grassroots community capacity-building and local, state and regional policy development.

Kevin has served as developer, coordinator, administrator and director for programs in both hospital and community-based settings for underserved regions in the San Joaquin Valley. He has worked extensively on healthcare access and is a well-known advocate for social and environmental justice.

Area Represented:

South Los Angeles, Inglewood, Anaheim

Current Occupation:

Professor, Environmental and Occupational Health; Director, Center for Environmental Health Disparities Research, Founder & Director, Advocates for African American Elders, Joe C. Wen School of Population and Public Health, UC Irvine

Main Reason for Participating in DTSC’s EJAC:

I want to elevate the importance of engaging hardly reached and hardly engaged communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental justice issues, but rarely involved in decision-making. I also want to help raise awareness of environmental health disparities and design inclusive engagement plans with community partners to achieve environmental justice.

Additional Information:

I love to read. My favorite authors are Toni Morrison, Anne Lamott, and Malcolm Gladwell.

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Area Represented:

South Bay, San Diego, CA

Current Occupation:

Senator for UCSD Student Government and Student Researcher at UCSD

Main Reason for Participating in DTSC’s EJAC:

I aim to represent the marginalized individuals and youth disproportionately impacted by climate injustice, particularly in the border region between San Diego and Mexico. One of the most pressing issues we have faced over the past few decades is the Tijuana Sewage Crisis, which severely affected low-income and minority populations – regions that have historically lacked proper representation. My goal is to advocate for these communities and work toward finding effective solutions to mitigate these issues in our shared environment.

Additional Information:

I’m passionate about hiking and discovering new food spots in San Diego. I’ve also been exploring surfing since I live just 10 minutes away from the beach. Fun fact: I was born on Groundhog Day!

Area Represented:

Wilmington, Southern California

Current Occupation:

Environmental Justice Activist, EMeRGE Founder, Director

Main Reason for Participating in DTSC’s EJAC:

I want to address bottom-up legislative approaches through reverse engineered community engagement, specifically in disadvantaged communities heavily burdened by pollution.

Additional Information:

Love people, respect nature, and honor mother earth.

Pronouns: She

Area Represented:

Fort Ord/ Seaside/ Monterey Peninsula

Current Occupation:

Executive Director Fort Ord Environmental Justice Network

Main Reason for Participating in DTSC’s EJAC:

Educating impacted communities concerning toxins, pollution and health hazards in order to create safe and healthy communities.

Additional Information:

I am an Evangelical who believes that God, Jesus is the reason for the season.