Cal-Tax Staff:
Teresa Casazza Named President of the California Taxpayers' Association

Teresa Casazza has been appointed president of the California Taxpayers' Association, taking the reins of the state's oldest taxpayer advocacy group at a critical time for taxpayers, Cal-Tax Board of Directors Chair John Cmelak announced January 24.

"Teresa is an experienced and effective advocate with a solid background in tax policy, making her the perfect person to take the California Taxpayers' Association forward," Mr. Cmelak said. "California taxpayers are fortunate to have such a talented leader on their side."

Ms. Casazza, who served as acting president for most of 2007 during Larry McCarthy's hard-fought battle with cancer, becomes just the 10th chief executive in the association's 82-year history.

"I am honored to lead Cal-Tax and to continue the association's proud history of protecting taxpayers' rights and keeping a watchful eye on government spending," Ms. Casazza said.

Ms. Casazza will be responsible for the overall management of the organization and performance of its policy research, advocacy and coalition work, and communications services.

She has been on the Cal-Tax staff since February 2005, serving as vice president and legislative director, and as the association's lead advocate on issues before the Legislature and the state's tax agencies. She has participated in a number of successful statewide ballot measure campaigns, representing the position of the California Taxpayers' Association to opinion leaders and voters in the state.

Prior to joining Cal-Tax, she worked for 11 years as vice president of state public policy for the American Electronics Association, managing the public policy office and overall advocacy program. From 1982 to 1990, she worked for Price Waterhouse as a state and local tax manager.

Ms. Casazza, a certified public accountant, is a graduate of California State University at Sacramento. She lives in Sacramento with her husband, Fred, and their two teenage children.

Past chief executives of the California Taxpayers' Association:

Larry McCarthy (1989-2007): Joined Cal-Tax in 1976. Served as President from 1989 until his death in December 2007. From 1993 to 1995, also served as chairman of the National Taxpayers Conference.

Richard Simpson (1983-1989): Former executive for El Dorado County. Joined Cal-Tax in 1967, and led the association for 6 years before retiring in 1989.

Kirk West (1974-1983): Former Deputy State Controller, left Cal-Tax to become Governor George Deukmejian's Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing. Later served as President of the California Chamber of Commerce.

Robert Brown (1966-1974): Left Cal-Tax to become executive director of The Tax Foundation, a national taxpayer advocacy organization.

Sheffield Arnold (1956-1966): Former Secretary/Manager for the San Bernardino Chamber of Commerce, started with Cal-Tax in 1943.

N. Bradford Trenham (1939-1956): Rhodes Scholar and Oxford graduate, resigned to spend more time on private business.

James Mussatti (1931-1939): Former University of Southern California history professor. After Cal-Tax, served as General Manager of the California Chamber of Commerce.

Rolland Vandegrift (1929-1931): Left Cal-Tax in February 1931 to serve as Governor James Rolph's Director of Finance. Became the state's first Legislative Analyst.

Vance H. Evans (1926-1929): Had served as Executive Secretary of the California Tax Improvement Association and Assistant Secretary of the Western States Taxpayers' Conference. Resigned in June 1929.

Cal-Taxletter January 25, 2008

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