Past Presidents Circle

Overview

Past Presidents’ Circle

Established in 2020, the Past Presidents’ Circle acts as an advisory board for special projects and strategic guidance.

Nearly 50 years ago, CAPIO was founded by a group of ten public information practitioners in Orange and Los Angeles counties. At nearly 800 members strong, CAPIO is today’s leading statewide organization dedicated to advancing public sector communicators across all levels of government.  CAPIO owes much to the vision of its founders and former leaders who recognized the value of well-trained and professional public communicators. 

Profile

Maurice Chaney
Northern CA Regional & Membership Chair

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.

Public Information Officer, Environmental Utilities
City of Roseville
2005 Hilltop Circle
Roseville, CA 95747
Office: 916.774.5539
Profile

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.

Chief of Staff
City of Sacramento
915 I Street, Fifth Floor
Sacramanto, CA 95814
Office: 916.808.5014
Profile

Christine Brainerd, 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.

Communications Director
City of Folsom
50 Natoma Street
Folsom, CA 95630
Office: 916.351.3360
Profile

C.L. Lopez
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.

Profile

Rachel McGuire, APR
CAPIO President 2013-2015

With more than 15 years of professional experience developing comprehensive, strategic communications programs rooted in ethics, transparency and effectiveness, Rachel McGuire is a nationally recognized, award-winning leader in the fields of communications and public relations. She is the owner/CEO of RMG Communications, a communications firm dedicated to serving public-sector and nonprofit clients.

President
RMG Communications
747 S. Mission Rd., #535
Fallbrook, CA 92028
Profile

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.

2710 Loker Avenue West, Suite 300
Carlsbad, CA 92010
Office: 760.683.8395
Profile

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.

2934 Victoria Meadow Court
Pleasanton, CA 94566
Office: 510.714.4470