The combined companies represented on Fueling California’s Board of Directors employ more than 500,000 California residents and provides more than $3 billion annually in tax revenues to the state.
Robert M. Sturtz
President and CEO
Board Members
Robert E. Muhs
Bob Muhs currently serves as the Vice President, Government Affairs for Avis Budget Group, Inc. its subsidiary brands Avis Rent A Car System, LLC (“Avis”) and Budget Rent A Car System, Inc. (“Budget”). Avis Budget Group, Inc. is a public company and was formerly a subsidiary of Cendant Corporation prior to its divestiture.
Bob Muhs joined the rental car industry in 1994 when he joined Avis Rent A Car System, Inc. as the Director of Government Affairs and served in that position until March 2001 when he was promoted to the position of Vice President, Government Affairs.
In 2002 when Cendant Corporation acquired Budget Rent A Car System, Inc., Bob Muhs took on the responsibility of providing services to both the Avis and Budget rental car brands.
In his role with Avis Budget Group, Inc., Bob is responsible for all federal and state government relations activities for the Avis and Budget rental car companies which includes but is not limited to directing lobbying efforts before the United States Congress, the 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada. Most of the concentration of government affairs activity for Avis Budget Group is in the domestic United States. In addition to directing lobbying activities, Bob is also responsible for oversight of all government inquiries.
In addition to his role as directing the companies legislative affairs, Bob is responsible for managing the commercial litigation team of Avis Budget Group, Inc. as well, handling all commercial litigation matters for the company as well as threatened litigation matters and personally handles those matters which are class actions relating to policy practices and procedures.
Furthermore, Bob serves as the Chairman of the Company’s Diversity Committee charged which reviewing and investigating each and every customer complaint which alleges discrimination to ensure compliance with the company’s “zero tolerance for discrimination” policy and is a member of the company’s overall Diversity Committee.
In 2005, Bob was honored by Auto Rental News, the rental car trade publication, with its Executive Leadership Award.
Bob serves as a Commissioner of the California travel and Tourism Commission and serves on the Commission’s Executive and Audit Committees, as the President of the Virginia Car and Truck Renting and Leasing Association, a member of the Board of Directors of the California Travel Industry Association.
Prior to joining Avis in 1994, Bob was in private practice in a small boutique law firm in Queens County New York.
Prior to practicing law, Bob served as the Senior Regional Coordinator for the New York State Assembly Minority Leader and as a Legislative Assistant to the New York State Senate Transportation Committee.
Bob is a graduate of Nassau Community College, St John’s University and Touro College, Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and is admitted to practice law before the courts of the State of New York and in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York and admitted as an in-house counsel in New Jersey pursuant to the New Jersey rules of court.
C. Randal Mullett
Click here to view Con-way’s video on the importance of Fueling California
C. Randal (Randy) Mullett is vice president, government relations and public affairs for Con-way Inc. (NYSE:CNW), a $4.7 billion freight transportation and logistics services company headquartered in San Mateo, Calif. Named FORTUNE magazine’s “Most Admired Company” in transportation and logistics for 2007, Con-way delivers industry-leading services through its primary operating companies of Con-way Freight, CFI and Con-way Truckload, and Menlo Worldwide. These operating units provide high-performance, day-definite less-than-truckload (LTL), full truckload and intermodal freight transportation; as well as logistics, warehousing and supply chain management services; and trailer manufacturing. Con-way Inc. and its subsidiaries operate from more than 500 locations across North America and in 20 countries across 5 continents.
In this position, Mr. Mullett is responsible for all government relations activities for Con-way and its subsidiaries at the federal, state, and local levels. He is also responsible for the company’s relationships with various national trade associations and serves as Con-way’s “point man” on homeland security issues. In addition, he leads Con-way’s corporate sustainability initiatives.
Mr. Mullett was named director of government relations in 2002 and vice president government relations in January 2005. In September 2007 his title was changed to add public affairs reflecting his expanded role in the public sphere beyond government relations. He previously served for 14 years as a service center manager for Con-Way Southern Express, one of the less-than-truckload carriers of Con Way Transportation Services (now known as Con-way Freight).
Prior to joining Con-way, Mr. Mullett spent 13 years with Roadway Express where he held a variety of increasingly responsible positions.
Mr. Mullett is a frequent speaker at homeland security and transportation policy conferences and is a respected voice within the homeland security and transportation communities. He serves on the board of directors of the National Association of Manufacturers and the International Cargo Security Council and is Vice-chair of the TRB’s Trucking Industry Research Committee and Vice-chair of the National Cooperative Freight Research Program’s Oversight Committee.
A native of Berryville, Va., he holds a bachelor’s degree from Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV, a MBA from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, and has completed work toward a PhD in public policy at Virginia Tech. Mr. Mullett is based in Washington, D.C.
Patrick Smith
Patrick Smith is Director of Transportation for Harris Ranch, one of the nation’s largest, vertically integrated family owned agribusinesses. Harris Ranch consists of Harris Ranch Inn and Restaurant; Harris Feeding Company; Harris Fresh; and Horse Division.
Patrick has been involved with agriculture and transportation for over forty years. During the mid sixties and early seventies, Patrick worked on the Hamburg, Harris and Giffen ranches transporting tomatoes for Heinz and Del Monte.
In late 1971 and the following four years, Patrick worked in irrigation — two years importing drip irrigation from Australia for the Mariani-Smith Company and two years as District Sales Manager for Rain Bird Sprinkler Manufacturing in the Midwest.
In April of 1975, Patrick was employed by Tri Management with the duties of President/CEO for Tri Transport and General Manager for Tri Produce until August of 1989.
In September of 1989, Patrick was in the heavy duty truck dealership business, Golden State Peterbilt, until June of 1997.
In July of 1997, Patrick became Director of Transportation for Harris Ranch. In addition, he manages alternative fuel and renewable energy projects for Harris Ranch.
Patrick has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
John DeCrosta
John DeCrosta serves as Director of Government Affairs & Policy for American President Lines, Limited (APL) in its Washington office.
A company that can trace its lineage to Gold Rush-era California, American President Lines is one of the largest ocean container shipping company in the world, serving more than 100 ports in more than 80 nations.
APL, and its sister companies APL Logistics and APL Terminals, provide comprehensive end-to-end supply chain solutions for some of the largest and best known manufacturing and retailing companies in the world. APL is owned by the NOL Group, a Singapore-based company.
In his capacity as Director of Government Affairs & Policy, Mr. DeCrosta is responsible for following a wide range of public policy issues related to the shipping industry and providing analysis and advice to senior executives of the company on these matters. Additionally, he works to represent the interests and concerns of the company to Members of Congress and their staffs, as well as to officials in various Executive Branch agencies including: the Department of Transportation; the U.S. Maritime Administration; the Federal Maritime Commission; the U.S. Department of Commerce; and the Office of the United States Trade Representative. While not limited to the following, the issues he most frequently works on are those related to ocean shipping; goods movement; global trade; infrastructure; the environment; and, supply chain security. He has also represented the company in negotiations between the United States and the People’s Republic of China establishing a bilateral maritime agreement between the two nations.
Before coming to work for APL, Mr. DeCrosta worked for United States Senator Strom Thurmond in a number of positions.
A native of Oakland, California, Mr. DeCrosta is a 1987 graduate of San Francisco State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in International Relations. In 1991, he earned a Masters of Mass Communications from the University of South Carolina, and in 2001, he was recognized by his alma mater as an “Outstanding Young Alumni”.
Mr. DeCrosta has traveled extensively in Asia, especially in China. He is married and has three children. He and his family reside in Fairfax, Virginia.
His professional and personal memberships include: Transportation Research Board (Affiliate Member); Washington International Trade Association; Connecticut Maritime Association; Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Washington, D.C. (Member, Board of Governors); Transportation Table; Commonwealth Club of California; and, the San Francisco State University Alumni Association.
Steve Lenzi
Automobile Club of Southern California, Senior Vice President Public Affairs (Retired)
Steve Lenzi worked for the Automobile Club of Southern California (the largest AAA-affiliated motor club in the nation) and it’s affiliated Interinsurance Exchange for 33 years. The Exchange is the largest private passenger automobile insurer in Southern California, and operates in several other states including Texas, New Mexico, Hawaii, Missouri, Arkansas, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and Pennsylvania.
Lenzi served as an executive of the Auto Club beginning in 1988 and became a corporate officer in 2001, serving in that capacity during his remaining seven years prior to retirement. As the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Lenzi was responsible for operations of the organization with a concentration on legislative and regulatory affairs affecting all functions including insurance throughout its operating territory. The position was also responsible for all corporate media and community relations, and publication of the organization’s member magazine – Westways.
Lenzi retired from the Automobile Club of Southern California in June 2008 and now resides in Incline Village, Nevada where he is a professor in the Business Department of Sierra Nevada College.
Bruce DD Mac Rae
Click here to view UPS’s video on the importance of Fueling California
Bruce is Vice President State Government Affairs, West Region for UPS. . His area encompasses the states of California, Hawaii, Nevada, Idaho, Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. Bruce deals with local, state and federal issues effecting UPS. UPS being the world’s largest package delivery and supply chain services company.
Bruce began his UPS career in 1978 as a un-loader in the Anaheim package facility. In 1983 he became a full-time driver and Teamster Union Shop Steward. Bruce entered into management in 1987 where he was promoted to Preload Supervisor. Bruce has risen through many positions, acquiring skills in Operations, Industrial Engineering, Hazardous Materials, Customer Relations, Community / Public Relations, Security Investigator and currently as Public Affairs Director.
In addition to his regional responsibilities, Bruce plays an active role in and beyond his community. Bruce is serving on the boards of such organizations as: CTA (California Trucking Association), Chairman of the Orange County Sheriffs Council on Drug Use is Life Abuse, Los Angeles Sheriffs Youth Foundation. Nevada Motor Transportation Association, Arizona Trucking Association, Southern California Special Olympics and the Life Through Art Foundation (LTAF) to name a few. Bruce holds strong to his responsibilities at home, in the community and at work; understanding that each of these are critical for everyone to achieve there own goals. Bruce is also the host of Long Beach Pride, a local origination TV show on Charter Digital Communication.
Bruce and his wife Maureen both grew up and attended school in Long Beach and are also second and third generation Long Beach natives. They reside in Long Beach, with their four children.
Bruce believes that: Once the people you deal with come to recognize that what you do springs from an honest heart, they will be surprisingly strong in their support for you and that determined people working together can accomplish anything. These are what the Founder of UPS Jim Casey believed in and Bruce carries that legacy on.
Liisa L. Stark
Liisa L. Stark is the Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Relations for the Union Pacific Railroad Company for Northern California and Nevada. She oversees the company’s legislative affairs in Sacramento, CA, and is involved in community and philanthropic endeavors on behalf of America’s largest class one freight railroad.
Click here to view Union Pacific Railroad’s sustainability efforts.
Kevin Loscotoff
Walmart, Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations
Melinda Yee Franklin
United Airlines, Managing Director, Corporate and Government Affairs, Western Region
Melinda Yee Franklin currently serves as the Managing Director of Corporate and Government Affairs in the Western Region for United Airlines. Based in San Francisco, she is responsible for legislative, policy, and corporate affairs issues related to California, Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Washington State, and Arizona.
She was previously the Managing Director of the Siena Group, an international business and public affairs consulting firm.
She has also served extensively in the local and federal public sector as a senior advisor to former Mayor of San Francisco Willie L. Brown, Jr., and to the late U.S. Secretary of Commerce Ronald H. Brown. President William J. Clinton appointed her to serve in the White House during his first term.
She sits on the boards of the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, San Francisco Shanghai Sister City Committee, SF Travel, and Fueling California.
Click here to view United’s sustainability efforts.
Click here to view United’s 2010-2011 United Corporate Responsibility Report.
K.C. Bishop
Click here to view Chevron’s video on the importance of Fueling California
Dr. K. C. Bishop, III, is Manager of Strategic Projects, Environmental and Health Issues for Chevron’s Corporate Government Affairs Office since 1991. As a corporate advocate he actively participates in policy debates on environmental issues and regularly testifies on legislation before the California Legislature and the Executive Branch. He has guided Chevron’s efforts on a variety of issues, e.g., California Clear Air Act, Global Climate Change and California Endangered Species Act.
Dr. Bishop first joined Chevron Research Company in 1974, after postdoctoral work at Stanford. His research projects were primarily in the area of catalysts and sulfur control. In 1981, he joined the Environmental and Health Protection staff of Chevron Chemical Company. In this capacity, he organized Chevron’s program for hazardous waste site cleanup, instituted RCRA compliance requirements, and coordinated pesticide ground water issues. In 1985 he was elevated to Policy Coordinator, Environmental and Health Issues in Chevron’s Government Affairs Department.
Dr. Bishop has a B. S. in Chemistry from the University of California Santa Barbara and a Ph.D. from Yale University. He enjoys travel and golf and is an avid backpacker and fly fisherman. His pursuit of travel has lead him all around the US and to many countries around the world. His wilderness backpacking and fly fishing trips to Alaska have become an annual tradition.