Laura Morales Named Regional Public Affairs Manager with League of California Cities

Laura Morales has been named the Regional Public Affairs Manager for the Desert Mountain and Inland Empire districts of the League of California Cities. Morales began training for the position early this month and will be working closely with Nancy Cisneros, who will be retiring from the post after serving in the position for 12 years, through the end of December. In light of her new role with the League of California Cities, Morales has resigned from her position as the Executive Director of the Colton Chamber of Commerce and as a board member with the Colton Joint Unified School District (CJUSD). The League of California Cities is an association of city officials throughout the state who collaborate together to exchange information and combine resources to influence policy decisions that will affect cities. Morales, who is currently pursuing a master's degree in public administration, said, "This was an opportunity for me to grow and [spread] my wings. I had the opportunity to work ... for an amazing organization and I couldn't pass it up." Morales will be under the direction of Director of Public Affairs Bismarck Obando; Obando explained that Morales will work as a liaison between legislators and officials in Sacramento and local city officials, assisting in advocating legislature on measures or policies the league is supporting or opposing. Morales will also be "engaged politically," said Obando, and will forge and maintain relationships between leaders at the local and state levels. Obando was part of the hiring team who chose Morales to fill the position. He shared that her past experience working with local leaders, her background in business, her experience on the CJUSD school board and her positive energy were all qualities for which she was chosen. "Overall, she did very well in her interviews and having a person who understood the community was very important," said Obando. "She will be a tremendous asset for the region and for the cities in both divisions." Morales will oversee the Desert Mountain and Inland Empire regions, which span 30 cities and at least two counties from as far north as Mammoth Lakes and down to the Inland Empire, according to Obando. Morales was appointed to the CJUSD board in 2011, when she replaced Kent Taylor, who was named the superintendent of Kern Unified School District. For several years she also served as the executive director with the Colton Chamber of Commerce. "I am sad to leave the Chamber and the school board, because those were two huge positions that I loved," she said. "But I will still be involved. I still live in the district and have two children in the district, and I know that my colleagues on the school board will push the district in a positive direction." She also trained her assistant at the Chamber, Chetay Catalano, to take over as the executive director in the interim. "She's doing an amazing job," Morales said. However, Morales shared she is excited to begin this new chapter in her life. Morales expressed, "I felt so humbled (to be chosen). I'm very happy and I look forward to learning all aspects of the position so I can do a good job. I have some very big shoes to fill but so far I am enjoying my new [colleagues]; they have been very loving and supportive. I look forward to many years of employment with the League of California Cities."