MMASC Committees draw on the skills and interests of our members. Each of the Committees support specific areas of focus of the Association. The level of commitment varies depending on the opportunity. While some committee members serve on the Board of Directors, the participation of non-board members on the committees is encouraged. 

Committees

Awards & Scholarships Committee
The Awards & Scholarships Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing the nominations for the Annual Awards and selects the recipients which are recognized at the MMASC Annual Conference. In addition, the Committee reviews and evaluates applicants for the MMASC Scholarship Program, and selects recipients that will be provided complimentary registrations to the MMASC Annual Conference and the ICMA Annual Conference for exciting professional development opportunities. The Awards & Scholarship recipient selections are made with the concurrence of the Executive Board.

Committee Members:
Dominique Albrecht, City of Coronado, Chair (programming@mmasc.org)
Freddy Cupen-Ames, City of Los Angeles - EmpowerLA
Tara Magner, City of San Jacinto

Bylaws & Elections Committee
The Bylaws & Elections Committee is responsible for overseeing the nominations for the annual elections of the Executive Board positions and running the elections process. In addition, the Committee is responsible for overseeing and reviewing the bylaw amendments that are submitted. Voting for any bylaw amendments are held during the Annual Business Meeting. Committee Members will work with the President and Director of Communications/Secretary for the logistics of Elections and Bylaw Amendments.

Committee Members:
Imelda Huerta, City of Menifee, Chair (elections@mmasc.org)
Josh Sino Cruz, City of Vista
Bryce Wilson, City of Murrieta

College/University Outreach Committee
The College/University Outreach Committee works with the Colleges and Universities in the Southern California Region, providing information and training opportunities through MMASC. The Committee also oversees “Pathways: Career Fair”

Committee Members:
Louie Lacasella, City of Murrieta, Chair (membership@mmasc.org)
Maggie Le, City of Fountain Valley
Victoria Rocha, City of Duarte
Alfa Lopez, City of Diamond Bar

Credentialed Government Leader Committee
The Credentialed Government Leader (CGL) Committee provides oversight of the CGL Program to ensure the program is the preeminent professional development program for early and mid-career local government professional in California. Developed and offered collaboratively by MMASC, MMANC, and Cal-ICMA, the Committee works with representatives from MMANC and Cal-ICMA to maintain the program participants and approved CGL courses, review and approve CGL course submissions, CGL participant requests, and approve CGL program completions. The Committee meets bi-monthly.

Committee Members:
Izzy Murguia, City of Poway (cgl@mmasc.org)
Joseph Cisneros, City of La Palma

Marketing & Communications Committee
The Marketing & Communications Committee influences member and prospective member engagement with MMASC through digital platforms such as MMASC.org and social media, as well as email communications to the membership including the weekly What’s Happening Wednesday e-newsletter. The Committee works with the Board of Directors for the creation of marketing materials for all MMASC Communications and Regional Events and Programs. 

Committee Members:
Dominique Samario, City of Murrieta, Chair (secretary@mmasc.org)
Alyssa Palma, City of Anaheim
Jonathan Royas, City of Santa Paula

Mentorship Committee
The Mentorship Committee works with Mentees (students interested in the field of municipal management, an early or mid-career professional) and Mentors (a director, mid-manager, management analyst or public sector professional) throughout the year. Through this program, experienced professionals (Mentors) from all levels will have the opportunity to give confidential guidance and support to others interested in, entering, or currently navigating the field of government administration (Mentees).

Committee Members:
Justine Garcia, City of Rancho Cucamonga, Chair (mentorship@mmasc.org)
Nicole Cuadras, City of Ontario
Domenica Megerdichian, City of San Gabriel

Veteran Outreach Committee
The Veterans Outreach Committee supports the transition of veterans from public service in the military to local government. The purpose of this committee is to build better relationships between the veteran community and local governments. 

Committee Members:
Dominique Samario, City of Murrieta, Chair (secretary@mmasc.org)
Norma Cervantes, City of Santa Barbara
Kristen Nelson, City of Indian Wells

MMASC Signature Events

Winter Forum
The Winter Forum Committee plans the program of the one-day conference including the educational components and networking event to conclude the conference. Committee Members must be able to attend committee meetings and the Winter Forum. The Winter Forum is typically held in February or March. 

Committee Members:
Izzy Murguia, City of Poway, Co-Chair (winterforum@mmasc.org)
Dominique Albrecht, City of Coronado, Co-Chair

Women’s Leadership Summit
The Women’s Leadership Summit Committee plans the program of the Summit including the educational components and networking event(s). The Committee has representation from MMASC and California Women Leading Government. Committee Members must be able to attend committee meetings and the Women’s Leadership Summit. The Women’s Leadership Summit is typically held in May.

Committee Members:
Tanya Spiegel, MMASC President, City of Ontario (wls@mmasc.org)
Bethany Maciel, MMASC Member, City of Indio
Meghan Wishner, MMASC Member, City of Ontario
Sarona Vivanco, WLG President, City of Santa Clarita
Heather Andrews, WLG Member, City of Lancaster

Summer Session 
The Summer Session Committee plans the program of the one-day conference including the educational components and networking event to conclude the conference. Committee Members must be able to attend committee meetings and the Summer Session. The Summer Session is typically held in July or August.

Committee Members:
Greg Kwolek, City of Morro Bay, Co-Chair (summersession@mmasc.org)
Louie Lacasella, City of Murrieta, Co-Chair

Annual Conference
The Annual Conference Planning Committee plans the educational and networking events component of the MMASC Annual Conference. Committee members will participate on conference calls, as needed, throughout the year. Committee members are appointed for the duration of the planning process. Members must be able to attend committee meetings and the Annual Conference.

Committee Members:
Paolo Kespradit, City of West Hollywood, Co-Chair (annualconf@mmasc.org)
Dominique Samario, City of Murrieta, Co-Chair

Committee Member Roles, Expectations, and Responsibilities

Committee volunteers commit to:

1. Participate actively on the committee by attending committee meetings. (Members must participate in order to remain on the Committee.)
2. Follow through on assigned tasks by meeting deadlines, returning phone calls, responding to requests for input via e-mail, etc.
3. Respect the opinions of other committee members and the role of the committee Chair to build consensus on the specified task.

Contact a committee chair to learn more about joining the Committee.