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
Meet Our Team

Derek Kirk
Senior Advisor for Economic Policy

Danna Stroud
Associate Deputy Director

Alicia Albornoz
Regional Investment Initiative Program Manager

Virginia Gutierrez
Administrative Coordinator

Jesus Salazar
Regional Economic Development Specialist

Michael Karavolias
Statewide Industry Engagement Manager

Brian Coleman
Project Financing Specialist

Joleah Jackson
Regulatory Affairs Manager

Ethan Nash
Economic Impact & Research Coordinator

Alex Lanjewar
Science and Technology Policy Fellow
Meet Our Team

Derek Kirk
Senior Advisor for Economic Policy
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Danna Stroud
Associate Deputy Director
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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Alicia Albornoz
Regional Investment Initiative Program Manager
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Virginia Gutierrez
Administrative 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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Jesus Salazar
Regional Economic Development Specialist
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Michael Karavolias
Statewide Industry Engagement Manager
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Brian Coleman
Project Financing Specialist
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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Joleah Jackson
Regulatory Affairs 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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Ethan Nash
Economic Impact & Research Coordinator
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Alex Lanjewar
Science and Technology Policy Fellow
EmailOutreach & 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.

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

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.
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