Experience

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  Lee Andrews Group

  • United States
  • Public Relations and Communications Services
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Vice President of Community Affairs

    • Jan 2022 - Present

  • Senior Account Executive

    • Mar 2021 - Jan 2022

  • Senior Account Associate

    • Jun 2020 - Mar 2021

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  Legaspi Strategic Advisors

  • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

  • Owner

    • Oct 2019 - Jun 2020
    • Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

    Legaspi Strategic Advisors is driven by a desire to provide high quality consulting services to our clients. Our passion is connecting ideas and people. We collaborate with our clients to build positive awareness of their brand, products and services. Our firm has extensive relationships with key business leaders, public sector managers and elected officials in Southern California. Jose Legaspi has over thirteen years of advocacy, strategic communications and stakeholder engagement experience. Mr. Legaspi has developed an expertise on water, environmental and local government public policy issues. He brings an in-depth understanding of the political and media landscape, has successfully advocated for legislation in the State of California, and secured grant funding for projects.

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  Central Basin Municipal Water District

  • United States
  • Government Administration
  • 1 - 100 Employee

  • Director of External Affairs

    • Jul 2015 - Sep 2019

    Accomplishments during my tenure included recognition by the California Special District’s Association for Excellence in Transparency, successful advocacy before the California Legislature (Assembly Bill 1220), worked with the State Water Resources Control Board to place a $13.3 million recycled water project on the funded projects list for Fiscal Year 19-20, developed and implemented the District’s Strategic Communications Plan, proactive implementation of 31 good government reforms, secured $1.5 million in grant funds from the Department of Water Resources, conducted media training for Board Members and Senior Management, partnered with FM3 Research to develop a consumer awareness survey of District programs and projects. •Served as Acting Co-General Manager with responsibility for management of Board relations and supervision of 23 staff members and several consultants for an organization that meets the water supply needs of 1.7 million residents •Provided strategic direction for all of Central Basin’s external affairs activities including; government relations, media relations, stakeholder engagement, public information, the District’s website and social media•Strengthened relationships with the District’s congressional delegation, state legislative delegation and Council Members from 24 cities in Los Angeles County•Conducted legislative advocacy in Sacramento and Washington D.C. •Advised the Board of Directors on the impact of legislation•Drafted the District’s legislative memorandum •Represented the District before the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, the Association of California Water Agencies, the California Special Districts Association and the California Contract Cities Association •Managed the District’s External Affairs Department’s staff and consultants •Developed and managed a $1.3 million department budget •Drafted communications materials including: position letters, press releases, presentations and talking points

  • Public Affairs Manager

    • Oct 2013 - Jun 2015

    • Increased transparency by posting all Board Meetings online, implementing a more open budget process and improving website accessibility for stakeholders to become better informed • Represented the District before the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, California State Legislature and the United States Congress• Served as part of the leadership team that developed the Central Basin Strategic Plan, revised the Administrative Code and updated the District’s reserves policy• Expanded the District’s “In A Drought: Shut Your Tap!” water conservation campaign to address the impact of drought on communities in Los Angeles County • Managed and completed projects grant funded by the United States Department of Energy and the California Department of Water Resources

  • Interim Public Affairs Manager

    • Mar 2013 - Oct 2013

    • Developed and managed implementation of the District’s 1st Strategic Outreach Plan; a comprehensive approach towards engaging several stakeholder groups including: elected officials, media, chambers of commerce, constituents and community-based organizations• Managed crisis communications and served as spokesperson during a period of significant media scrutiny of the District • Expanded the District’s outreach through the development of social media profiles• Reinstituted the District’s monthly electronic newsletter, “The Central Focus”

  • Public Information Officer

    • Dec 2010 - Feb 2013

    • Organized the District’s 1st Water 101: Legislative Forum to educate state and federal elected officials on the importance of water as a public policy issue and Central Basin’s role in Southern California• Managed state and federal legislative stakeholder education and outreach for Central Basin’s recycled water and conservation projects• Supervised the District’s state and federal lobbyists with responsibility for contract management• Directed crisis communications on the issue of water rates in Southeast Los Angeles County

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  California State Assembly

  • Industry, California

  • Senior Field Representative

    • Dec 2006 - Nov 2010
    • Industry, California

    • Managed the District Advisory Councils that served as a venue to seek stakeholder input and to advocate for Majority Leader Calderon’s legislation • Served as liaison to the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and elected officials • Directed the 58th Assembly District College Fair; securing nearly $40,000 in sponsorships, with support from over 25 institutions of higher education, partnering with California State University Los Angeles to serve as event host for an event that reached nearly 600 families on an annual basis

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  California State Senate

  • Norwalk, California

  • District Representative

    • Mar 2006 - Dec 2006
    • Norwalk, California

    •Assisted low-income seniors in the 30th Senate District (Southeast Los Angeles County) with receiving $100,000 in tax rebates from the State of California

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  University of Southern California Annenberg School of Communications

  • Greater Los Angeles Area

  • Conference Manager

    • Aug 2005 - Nov 2005
    • Greater Los Angeles Area

    Exceeded conference attendance expectations by 300% for Conference on Spanish Newspapers• Partnered with faculty from University of Southern California to host conference at the Huntington Library• Managed all event logistics • Recruited and supervised event staff and volunteers• Directed outreach to potential event supporters and attendees

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  Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs

  • Los Angeles, California, United States

  • Public Policy Education Program Coordinator

    • Aug 2004 - Aug 2005
    • Los Angeles, California, United States

    Tripled attendance for the California Agenda, a monthly public policy lecture series• Managed all event logistics • Designed event flyers • Supervised event staff and volunteers