Past Presidents Circle
Tom Christensen
CAPIO President 2024-2025
Tom Christensen has been a communications specialist with the County of San Diego since 2006 and has worked in government communications for nearly 30 years. He coordinates and monitors nearly 100 accounts as part of the County’s nationally-recognized social media efforts. He was the 2021 CAPIO Communicator of the Year and part of the team that won the 2018 CAPIO Frank Potter Cowan Crisis Communications Leader Team Award. He previously served on the CAPIO Board as the Vice President – Conference.
County of San Diego
1600 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92101
Lael Wageneck, APR
CAPIO President 2023 - 2024
Lael Wageneck, APR is the Public Information Officer for the Santa Barbara County Public Works Department which serves over 400,000 residents. He has over 15 years of experience in media production, public relations and public administration, and has presented a many CAPIO conferences on topics from photography to ethics. He previously served on the CAPIO Board as the Central California Regional Chair from 2015-17.
Santa Barbara County Public Works Department
123 E. Anapamu Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Erin Morales
CAPIO President 2022-2023
Erin Morales has nearly 20 years of experience in the public sector, specifically working within the water industry. Erin joined the Cucamonga Valley Water District (CVWD) in 2007 and held roles in communications including a role as Government and Public Affairs Supervisor overseeing a team responsible for CVWD’s legislative, public outreach, education, and water use efficiency programs. She is currently CVWD’s Water Use Efficiency Program Supervisor.
Cucamonga Valley Water District
10440 Ashford Street
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730
Maurice Chaney
CAPIO President 2020-2022
Maurice Chaney is a strategic communication professional with more than 20 years of combined experience in both the public and private sectors. He is a Public Information Officer for the City of Roseville’s Environmental Utilities—a suite of community-owned utilities for a community of 140,000.
City of Roseville
2005 Hilltop Circle
Roseville, CA 95747
Amy E. Williams
CAPIO President 2019 - 2020
With nearly 20 years of media and communications experience in the public and private sectors, Amy Williams has vast experience working in all levels of local government communications. She has developed, implemented, and managed complex communication plans and media strategies, including the negotiations and development of a downtown arena, labor relations, budget process, and emergency operations. Amy has also provided media counseling and coaching to City executives, Councilmembers, and managers.
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, Fifth Floor
Sacramanto, CA 95814
Christine Brainerd, MPA, APR
CAPIO President 2017 -2019
Christine Brainerd is a seasoned communications professional with nearly 20 years of experience in public information, public relations, and journalism.
Christine joined the City of Folsom as Communications Manager in January 2015 and was promoted to Communications Director in 2019. She is responsible for managing a comprehensive communications program, including news media relations, public information, community relations, and advertising.
City of Folsom
50 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
C.L. Lopez, MBA
CAPIO President 2015-2017
Communications has been a part of C.L. Lopez’s life for more than 25 years with experience in journalism, public information, and education.
During her journalism career, she wrote for daily newspapers, served as president of the Society of Professional Journalists Inland Chapter, won awards from The Associated Press, and was a USC California Endowment Health Journalism Fellow.
Rachel Dickman, MBA, APR
CAPIO President 2013-2015
Rachel is the Founder and CEO of RMG Communications and a nationally recognized leader in the fields of communications and public relations. At RMG, Rachel has worked with dozens of public sector clients to help them imagine the possibilities to transform the communities they serve. Her work on behalf of RMG’s clients has been recognized by numerous local and state awards for its creativity and effectiveness.
RMG Communications
747 S. Mission Rd., #535
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Krista Fontana, APR
CAPIO President 2011-2013
Krista (Noonan) Fontana, APR served on the CAPIO board from 2006 – 2020. She served as Vice President-Conference, Vice President-Awards, President and Treasurer.
Jenny Windle
CAPIO President 2009-2011
Jenny Windle, MPA, is one of California’s most experienced and well-respected government communication professionals and brings nearly 20 years of award-winning experience to her firm, JPW Communications.
Scott Summerfield
CAPIO President 1994
Scott Summerfield, Founder of SAE Communications, is an expert in strategic communications counsel with over three decades of award-winning public information/public participation experience, along with tenures at several organizations focused on community issues. Scott specializes in assisting our clients with their media training programs and strategic counsel.