Board of Directors

Christian Punsal

2013-04-24T04:31:54Z

Christian Punsal has served the City of Elk Grove, one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and home to more than 155,000 residents for the last six years. During his tenure, he served in various capacities from communications to his current role as a Program Coordinator for the Integrated Waste Department. He is responsible for implementing all aspects of the City's commercial solid waste collection and waste diversion programs by administering exclusive and non-exclusive franchise agreements; policy research; and the development, implementation and administration of the programs and policies as outlined in AB939 (Diversion laws).

Prior to working with the City of Elk Grove, Christian worked for the City of Sacramento and the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency.

His experience as a webmaster includes: monitoring and updating web content for the City's website - www.elkgrovecity.org; maintaining the City of Elk Grove's social media accounts; website redesign of www.elkgrovecity.org (2012) and website redesign of www.shra.org (2006)

Christian holds a Bachelor's Degree in Communications Studies with an emphasis in Public Relations from Sacramento State University and a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration from Golden Gate University.

As an active CAPIO member since 2010, he recently served as the 2013 CAPIO Publicity Chair and Awards Committee.

C.L. Lopez

2013-04-24T02:08:38Z

C.L. Lopez is the Human Services Communications Officer, County of San Bernardino, the largest geographic county in the United States. She oversees communication for ten human services departments (including Aging and Adult Services, Behavioral Health, Child Support Services, Children and Family Services, Children's Network, Preschool Services, Public Health, Transitional Assistance and Veterans Affairs).

Lopez has focused on advancing her county's use of technology, social media presence and media outreach. She is currently a CAPIO member, enrolled in the J. Lindsey Wolf PIO Institute and will be presenting at the annual conference. She joined the County of San Bernardino in 2008 as the media specialist for the Department of Child Support Services. She was a scholarship chair, vice president and two-term President of the Inland Southern California Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. Her work garnered accolades from the Associated Press News Executive Council and Society of Professional Journalists. During her journalism career, she interned for the Press-Enterprise and Los Angeles Times Community newspapers, worked at the Redlands Daily Facts and Desert Sun newspapers and was a 2005 California Endowment Health Journalism Fellow.

Ashley Downton

2013-04-24T01:57:20Z

Ashley Downton lives and breathes public information each day. Ashley enjoys working at the City of Rancho Cordova in the Public Information and Legislative Affairs, Economic Development, and City Clerk departments. Her background includes experience in communications, public relations, social media, event planning, and volunteer management.

Ashley currently serves as the Second Vice President of the Rancho Cordova Chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals (IAAP), dedicated to enhancing the success of career-minded administrative professionals. She also is a member of the Municipal Management Association of Northern California and recently served on the Winter Forum planning committee. She graduated from California State University at Sacramento with a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Women’s Studies.

Christine Brainerd

2012-04-29T23:19:39Z

Christine Brainerd is a seasoned public information official with more than 12 years of experience in public information, public relations and journalism.

For more than seven years, Christine has served as the public information officer for the City of Elk Grove, the second largest city in Sacramento region, and home to more than 155,000 residents. Christine is the primary media spokesperson and community liaison for the City of Elk Grove, and is responsible for managing a comprehensive communications, marketing and community relations program.

Prior to working at the City of Elk Grove, Christine worked at two Sacramento public relations firms, where she managed national and statewide social marketing programs and public relations campaigns. Christine's career started in journalism. She has written for The Sacramento News & Review and worked on the assignment desk at KTXL-TV FOX-40 News.

Christine is currently the secretary of the California Association of Public Information Officials. Her work has received more than 45 awards from the Sacramento Public Relations Association, California Association of Public Information Officials, International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) and Sacramento Ad Club.

Christine holds a Bachelor’s Degree in communications studies with an emphasis in public relations from California State University, Sacramento. She recently received an accreditation in public relations (APR) from the Public Relations Society of America, Universal Accreditation Board.

Anne McGrath

2012-04-29T23:14:56Z

Anne McGrath is Communications & Outreach Manager for the City of Monterey, CA, where she manages marketing and media relations efforts; supervises the design and architecture of the city's websites; oversees production of programming for the city's government access TV station; and coordinates the City's social media presence. McGrath has government, corporate, and agency public relations experience as well as a broadcasting background in television and radio. She has worked for the City of Monterey since 2006. McGrath is the recipient of a Peabody Award and a Boston Emmy Award. She is a member of CAPIO, 3CMA, AFTRA and SAG. She lives In Pacific Grove, CA.

Scot Crocker

2012-04-29T23:11:54Z

Scot Crocker is creative director of Crocker & Crocker, a public outreach and marketing agency. He was formerly the president and CEO of Crocker/Flanagan, a leading advertising and PR firm in Sacramento which he founded in 1989. He specializes in strategic branding and communications for public and private sector clients including state agencies and municipalities, water and wastewater districts, statewide associations and leading corporations.

He currently serves on the CAPIO board as director-at-large for the northern region. His past leadership experience includes the boards of director for the California Association of Leadership Programs, Sacramento Metro Chamber, Sacramento Public Relations Association, YMCA Northern California, and past chair of the American Marketing Association Sacramento Valley and Sacramento Area Regional Technology Alliance. Scot has twice won the Marketer of the Year award from the American Marketing Association and Public Relations Professional of the Year from the Sacramento Public Relations Association. A graduate of California State University, Chico, Scot majored in journalism and public relations with additional studies in business and marketing. He is also a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum.

Jayne Bauer

2012-04-29T23:02:11Z

Jayne Bauer has served as the Marketing and Legislative Program Manager for the Solano Transportation Authority (STA) since April of 2005. She develops the STA Legislative Platform, coordinates legislative monitoring, reporting and annual lobbying trips. Jayne is responsible for the marketing/public outreach program, including media relations, website, social media, events, publications and the Annual STA Awards program. The STA is one of nine Congestion Management Agencies in the Bay Area and provides transportation planning for arterials, highways, freeways, ferry service, transit, rail, bicycle and pedestrians for Solano County. Jayne previously served as Executive Assistant to the City Manager at the City of Brentwood. She spent over 6 years developing the City’s marketing program, increasing visibility of the City and improving public relations by coordinating community outreach, publications and events, and working with the local media. Jayne has been a member of CAPIO since 2003, and received her PIO Institute Certification in 2006. She holds a B.S. in Management and Ethics from William Jessup University. Jayne lives with her family in Sacramento, and does her part to reduce highway congestion by commuting daily on the Capitol Corridor train to Suisun City. She is particularly interested in promoting membership in CAPIO as a fantastic networking opportunity. Jayne has gained valuable assistance from her CAPIO peers over the years and hopes to expand membership to increase the organization’s knowledge base.

Todd Wilson

2011-07-01T07:26:39Z

Todd Wilson has served on the CAPIO Board of Directors since 2011-2012 as the Webmaster. In that time he helped continue the transition of CAPIO’s website to independence and integrated email and assisted in bringing Facebook and Twitter online for the organization.

Todd is currently an analyst with the City of Burbank's Public Information Office. His responsibilities involve coordinating video production for the City's government access channel, print and online newsletter publishing, and developing Burbank's online and social media presence.

A member of CAPIO since 2009, Todd has a B.A. in Broadcast Management from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. Prior to joining Burbank's Public Information Office, he spent 7 years at Burbank Water and Power in the Marketing and Customer Service Division, and before that in the private sector Todd was a technical director for nationally syndicated radio talents such as Michael Reagan, Leeza Gibbons, Tom Leykis and produced the Bill Handel Show for KFI-AM Los Angeles.

Rachel McGuire

2010-02-25T19:55:00Z

As a senior member of Western Municipal Water District’s community affairs team, Rachel’s responsibilities include assisting with Western’s comprehensive communications program, including community engagement, strategic planning and emergency/crisis communications.

Prior to working at Western, she served as the communications coordinator for the City of Carlsbad where she assisted with developing the city’s new website and social media efforts as well as the award-winning Carlsbad Currents newsletter. Rachel has also has worked for the cities of Palmdale and Lancaster’s communication departments.

Rachel enjoys giving back to her profession and has been part of the CAPIO Board of Directors for the past four years, currently serving as CAPIO’s president. She has also served as the first vice president and awards chair and conference chair. Rachel holds an MBA from the University of Redlands and a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA.

Krista Noonan

2010-02-25T19:50:00Z

Krista Noonan has over 20 years of experience in the public relations, communications, and marketing industries. Currently, she is the Director of Communications for the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS), the largest educator‐only pension fund in the world. In her position, she is responsible for state, national and international strategic communications, media relations, internal communications and multi‐media efforts for the second largest pension fund in the U.S., serving over 850,000 members. Prior to joining CalSTRS, Krista served as the Director of Communications for the California Redevelopment Association, the Public Information Officer for the City of Citrus Heights, the Public Relations Director for KB Home’s Northern California Region, and the Public Relations and Marketing Director for The Salvation Army’s Northern California and Nevada divisions. She has a breadth of public relations and marketing experience with for‐profit and non‐profit/public service organizations. Krista is an active volunteer in the local community, lending a helping hand to organizations such as The Salvation Army (Women’s Auxiliary), the Sacramento Public Relations Association (SPRA), the California Association of Public Information Officials (CAPIO), and Rebuilding Together (PR and Media Board Chair). Krista is a graduate of UC Davis with a degree in Rhetoric and Communications, and a minor in Sociology.