• Principal Consultant, Committee on Business, Professions and Economic Development, California Senate

Responsibilities include advise the chair (Senators Ted Lieu, Curren Price, Gloria Negrete McLeod, Mark Ridley-Thomas, Liz Figueroa, Richard Polanco, and Dan Boatwright) and committee members in terms of public policy and consumer protection in the committee’s legislative oversight of the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the professions and trades which are regulated under the DCA.

Other responsibilities include:  author committee analyses of legislation for both health and non-health proposals, negotiate bills and recommend effective courses of action; formulate and implement consumer protection legislation for the committee chair and the committee; develop cooperative working relationships with the public, professional associations, all levels of the state government, including the Legislature, state departments, and Governor’s Office, and representatives of the federal government.  Manage legislation over a wide range of policies, with appropriation and budget position impact.  Assist in direction of committee staff, mentor office interns and Fellows.  Lead consultant for the committee’s Sunset Review of numerous DCA boards and bureaus and Sunrise Review of new board and licensing proposals; craft and manage consumer protection legislation based upon Review findings and recommendations.  Advised Senator Boatwright in his capacity as chair of Senate Budget Subcommittee # 4 on budget and policy issues relative to the DCA and its boards.

• Bureau Chief, Cemetery and Funeral Bureau, California Department of Consumer Affairs

Responsibilities include oversight and management of the Bureau; implement and enforce the law which licenses and regulates the funeral, cemetery and crematory industries; advise DCA and Administration leadership; formulate, direct and implement DCA, Administration and Governor’s policies and procedures relating to the Bureau; evaluate program activities and direct, develop and implement strategic plans.  Work closely with law enforcement, District Attorneys, and the Attorney General’s Office to prosecute and discipline violations of the law. 

G. V. Ayers testifying before the US Senate, April 11, 2000.

As liaison to the industries under the Bureau’s regulation, promote awareness and acceptance, and build foundations of support for the Bureau with consumers, industry, the Legislature and federal government, including testifying before the United States Senate and the Federal Trade Commission.

In formulating policies relating to the industries, evaluate legislation and advise the DCA and Governor’s Office on relevant legislative activities; develop legislative and regulatory proposals; monitor regulatory and legislative amendments to assure appropriate public protection; testify at legislative bill and budget hearings; respond to media, public and governmental inquiries and requests for speaking engagements.  Pursue, justify, and obtain numerous Budget Change Proposals during lean fiscal times.