Phil Tsunoda / Chief of Staff:

Phil serves as my top policy advisor and agenda coordinator with the rest of the staff, where his optimism, energy and experience serve OC well. A San Francisco native, Phil met his wife Laurie at UCLA. With their 2 children, they live in Aliso Viejo where Phil serves as Mayor Pro Tem.

Phil’s past experience in local government includes Manager of Government Relations for the City of Anaheim and Director of External Affairs in the OC Clerk-Recorder’s office. Phil serves as my alternate on the Foothill Transportation Corridor (toll road) Board and Board of Trustees for the South Coast Medical Center Foundation.

Phil’s Fourth District responsibilities include research and advice on all transportation issues, including OCTA, OC Airport and the Toll Road Agencies. Phil also advises on all issues related to County Counsel, Clerk-Recorder, CEO, OC Retirement System, Landfills and Registrar of Voters.

Denis Bilodeau / Policy Advisor:

The office’s most recent addition, Denis has wide experience in OC public policy, including serving on the Orange City Council and the Boards of the OC Water, Sanitation and Vector Control Districts. A professional civil and traffic engineer by training, Denis has worked with over 60 public agencies on traffic and parking issues. Denis will be advising the Fourth District on issues relating to the OCTA, Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Treasurer and OC Public Works (county planning, flood control, roads and facilities).

A first-generation American, Denis’ parents and older siblings all immigrated from Quebec (French was his first language) to California, where he was born in Downey. A UCI grad, he lives with his wife Suzanne and 3 children in Orange.

Bruce Whitaker / Policy Advisor:

Bruce and I go back to Fullerton and OC political circles, when he led the defeat of Measure R, the proposed county sales tax hike to pay off the 1994 bankruptcy debt. As a leader in the Fullerton Association of Concerned Taxpayers (FACT), Bruce was an expert on revenue and taxation issues while I serve on the Fullerton City Council from 1984-2002.

Bruce helps organize periodic conferences on redevelopment agencies (which have a negative impact on county budgets) and maintains strong ties nationwide with regional groups supporting fighting eminent domain abuse and corporate welfare. Bruce also advises the office on issues related to the Sheriff, District Attorney, the Courts, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) and the Cities of Buena Park and Fullerton. Bruce and his wife Linda live in Fullerton.

Doug Cox / Policy Advisor:

Doug’s upbeat enthusiasm and Fourth District roots serve us well. A graduate of La Habra H.S. and Whittier College, Doug’s activities include La Habra’s Neighborhood Traffic Committee, Finance Review Committee, Historical Society and Citizen Task Force. Doug served in the Army Reserve from 1991-2007, retiring as a Captain. A Real Estate broker by profession, Doug lives in La Habra with his wife Corrie and 4 children with a fifth due any day now.

Doug advises the office on issues related to the OC Health Care and Social Services Agencies, Emergency Management, Performance Audit, Emergency Management Division, CalWorks and permits to Carry Concealed Weapons (CCWs).

Kara Lozano / Policy Advisor & Office Manager:

Kara came to us after working in the OC Probation and Social Services Departments, where her cheerful and positive professionalism won her warm recommendations. A country girl at heart, Kara’s father raised cattle and crops in Kentucky, Texas and Idaho, where she learned the values of family and hard work.

Kara does all of my scheduling, so I tell people “If you want to see me, call Kara.” She also tends to all internal office accounting, as well as advising me on issues relating to the City of La Habra, Animal Care, Child Support Services, Community Services, OC Parks and the County Library system. Kara also screens and supervises all District Four appointments to Boards and Commission. She lives in La Habra with her husband Alex and 3 sons.

Mark Lopez / Executive Aide:

Mark works with Kara on all issues related to office management, scheduling, reception, mail and web page. Mark also advises the office on issues related to the Cities of Anaheim, Placentia and the unincorporated county islands, and makes sure the office is represented at community events.

A Fourth District native, Mark was born in Anaheim, where he still resides. A former intern with Congressman Ed Royce, Mark has a Master’s Degree in Political Science from Cal State Fullerton.

Carolyn Kaiser / Intern:

Carolyn answers phones, performs office duties and works closely with Bruce and Doug on special projects 2 days weekly. Born and raised in Diamond Bar, she has always been actively involved in the community and volunteers often in tutoring special education students and teaches dance to youth.

She currently lives in Chino Hills with her grandmother whom she cares for and is a full-time student at Azusa-Pacific University, majoring in Business. She also works in the Fourth District at Disneyland as a parade and show performer.