Tom O'Brien: National Advocacy for Congress and Federal Departments, Agencies, and Services

Tom represents CANGC and the Nursery Growers Association in Washington D.C. Every day, Tom O'Brien can be found in the halls and offices of the congressional office buildings, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and other key locations advocating for California Nurseries. He has had a number of major successes that pay big dividends to our nursery community.

Tom's Biography: Prior to returning to private practice and advocacy, Tom served as deputy director of the Washington office of California Governor Gray Davis. Representing Governor Davis before Congress and federal agencies, he obtained increased federal appropriations for California and advised Governor Davis and other California officials on federal matters relating to agriculture, trade, and economic development. Tom also served as associate administrator at the Agricultural Marketing Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In that capacity, he managed an agency charged with facilitating the marketing of fruits and vegetables, livestock, poultry, and cotton. A native of Vacaville, California, Tom is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, and received his J.D. degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law.

George Soares: State Legislative and Regulatory Advocacy in California

George Soares and his team of advocates, Louie Brown and Crystal Jack, represent California nurseries and garden centers in Sacramento before the legislature and state regulatory agencies. George is a master strategist with a long list of agricultural clients. He builds alliances and coalitions to amplify nursery's voice when we speak on issues that matter to our nursery community, and we add our voice to issues that benefit our allies.

George's Biography: George is the managing partner of the Sacramento and Hanford law firm of Kahn, Soares, Conway, widely recognized for its governmental advocacy in California and highly regarded highly for its practice in as administrative, association, corporation and business law, civil litigation, and environmental/water law. George regularly appears before the California State Legislature and various state and federal administrative agencies on behalf of the firm’s clients. He is also a partner in Environmental Solutions Group, LLC, an environmental consulting firm providing expertise for pesticides and air and water quality. Before entering private practice, Soares was the principal consultant to the California State Assembly from 1972 through 1978. He earned his B.S. in 1966 from California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, where he also served as student body president and his J.D. degree at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law in June 1973. He is the recipient of many honors and awards. In addition to his law practice, governmental advocacy and environmental consulting, Soares and his wife Gloria own and manage a dairy and farming operation in Hanford, California.

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