About CPBS

California CPBS

The California Community & Place-Based Solutions (CPBS) Team within the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) provides key technical assistance for community and economic development planning. The regionally-based team consists of 13 Regional Economic Recovery Coordinators and 3 Regional Managers for Northern, Central and Southern California who work alongside our many regional partners to aid a regions-up approach towards building equitable and sustainable economic futures.

CPBS Funding

In 2022, the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) established the Community & Place-Based Solutions (CPBS) Team to support local governments, non-profits, community-based organizations, colleges & universities, and other economic development partners in their community development needs. The CPBS team offers direct technical assistance and funding navigation related to your economic development needs.
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Meet Our Team

Mark Polhemus

Mark Polhemus

Place-Based Solutions Specialist

Cara Owings

Cara Owings

Regional Community-Based Solutions Manager, North California
Danna Stroud

Danna Stroud

Regional Community-Based Solutions Manager, Central California
Virginia Gutierrez

Virginia Gutierrez

Administrative & Grants Reporting Coordinator

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Joleah Jackson

Broadband Action Plan Manager

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Vivienna Orcutt

Tribal Liaison

Jamie Winters

Jamie Winters

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Redwood Coast

Kate Uyeda

Kate Uyeda

Broadband Permits Coordinator

Raquel Aparicio

Raquel Aparicio

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Southern Border

Chris Castorena

Chris Castorena

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Los Angeles

Rob Moreau

Rob Moreau

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Bay Area

Brian Coleman

Brian Coleman

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Central Coast

Christy Tran

Christy Tran

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Orange County

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Lena Legge

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Kern County

Aaron Dill

Aaron Dill

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Inland Empire

Meet Our Team

Cara Owings
Cara Owings

Regional Community-Based Solutions Manager, North California

Cara resides in the city of Eureka, CA and was raised on the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Reservation located in rural Del Norte County. She is passionate about the role that equity and inclusion plays in the future of California. Cara’s favorite thing about Northern California is the diversity of people, places and opportunities.

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Danna Stroud
Danna Stroud

Regional Community-Based Solutions Manager, Central California

Paso Robles is where Danna grew up and lives today. Her experience includes decades in the tourism, recreation and natural resource restoration sectors. She loves the landscape diversity of the Central California region – from coastal beaches, oak-dotted rolling hills and fertile farmland to the sheer escarpments of the Sierra Nevada range.

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Mark Polhemus
Mark Polhemus

Place-Based Solutions Specialist

A Sacramento native, Mark developed an interest in urban planning and economic development observing the growth in his community during his childhood and adolescence. Since, he has committed his career to understanding and sharing how communities can build sustainably, equitably, and fiscally sound.

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Joleah Jackson

Broadband Action Plan Manager

Born and raised in Oakland, Joleah has deep Bay Area Roots, and works with a diverse population within her community. With all the amazing eateries and cafes available, Joleah loves supporting small businesses, and enjoys the variety of culturally authentic foods served up by local gems in the beautiful melting pot of the Bay Area.

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Vivienna Orcutt

Tribal Liaison

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Virginia Gutierrez
Virginia Gutierrez

Administrative & Grants Reporting Coordinator

After 26 years years of civil service, including serving as the founding team member of the GO-Biz Business Services Unit, Virginia supports all of the the CPBS team administrative tasks. She is a proud native Californian, enjoy cooking, sewing, and traveling with family to the beautiful coastal areas of California.

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Kate Uyeda
Kate Uyeda

Broadband Permits Coordinator

Born and raised in Sacramento, Kate longed to find adventure beyond California. After a move abroad she realized how special California is. Kate found real adventure working with her community to help navigate through grants for home and business construction. Kate enjoys California’s rich diversity of people, culture, and landscapes.

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Raquel Aparicio
Raquel Aparicio

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Southern Border

Although not a native San Diegan, Raquel has found her home in “America’s Finest City.” As a first-generation Latina, her passion for people and education led to various roles in higher education. Her favorite thing about the Southern Border is the unique possibilities due to its diverse and accepting communities.

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Jamie Winters
Jamie Winters

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Redwood Coast

Jamie currently resides in the city of Fort Bragg amongst the redwoods and beautiful coastline. She is committed to serving in economic development roles that highlight inclusivity, equality, and equity. In her region, Jamie loves the dense nature available for exploration, conservation, creative economics, as well as how the forest smells after it rains.

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Rob Moreau
Rob Moreau

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Bay Area

Rob recently returned to his home region of the Bay Area since living in LA and the Dominican Republic. Rob continues to support community-driven projects after completing a graduate program in public policy and Peace Corps service. One of his favorite things about the Bay is the inclusive (e.g., those with two left feet) Salsa dance culture.

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Brian Coleman
Brian Coleman

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Central Coast

Brian currently lives in San Luis Obispo, after living in the Central Valley for most of his life. With a background in workforce development, Brian has a passion for helping underserved populations achieve prosperity and success. His favorite things about the Central Coast are the picturesque coastlines and broad array of outdoor activities.

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Lena Legge

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Kern County

Having lived in Kern County over 23 years, attaining a master’s in Public Administration, my experience and passion for helping others has led to a career in public service. My passion is to bring opportunity and resources to the community and help end generational poverty. My favorite thing about the Kern County is the diversity the Region offers.

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Aaron Dill
Aaron Dill

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Inland Empire

Aaron is a proud native of the city of San Bernardino. Growing up with a diverse group of people from all walks of life and various socioeconomic status gave him opportunities to see the many disadvantages the Inland Empire faces. He has a deep devotion to civil service, civic engagement, and community service for the residents of this Region.

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Chris Castorena
Chris Castorena

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Los Angeles

Chris’ commitment to an inclusive 21st-century economy in Los Angeles is steeped in his time as a public policy and program professional. He’s a first-generation scholar from the Inland Empire with a Master of Public Policy from UC Riverside. California’s dynamic geography and culture inspired his focus on community-based solutions for the region.

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Christy Tran
Christy Tran

Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator, Orange County

Born and raised in Orange County, Christy is a proud daughter of a successful Vietnamese refugee. As a first-generation scholar with a background in public administration, she is passionate about public service to give back and support the community. Christy enjoys the diverse cultures, people, food, and places California offers.

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Outreach & Engagement

Access the CPBS brand assets or request to amplify your event. To protect the integrity of the assets, this page is for information purposes only. To access any of these files, please send a formal request by email to CPBS Customer Service.

CPBS Logo Request

Partners can request to use the CPBS logo across collateral. To request the CPBS logo and logo style guide, which includes information on how to use the logo, image expectations, and more, contact us below.

CPBS LOGO REQUEST
media submission request

Media Submission Request

You may request to have your next event amplified on CPBS social media channels or newsletters.

SUBMIT A REQUEST
speaker request

Speaker Request

Submit a request to have a speaker from CPBS at your next event. Please note, a speaker request should be submitted a minimum of 30 days prior to the event.

REQUEST A SPEAKER

California Community & Place-Based Solutions
1325 J St., Suite 1800
Sacramento, CA 95814
Tel: 877-345-4633
Email the Team | About Us
Produced in Partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration