CGA Hires Gov’t Relations Manager

The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Kara Bush as its manager of government relations to “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 the Sacramento-based association’s 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’s 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,” explained Fong. “The association has a long history of effective state and local government relations. The addition of a full-time 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,” said Keri Askew Bailey, VP of government relations for the trade organization. “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 has worked for the California Department of Insurance and the Franchise Tax Board.