Alumni Advocates of the Year

Johan Klehs
California State University, East Bay

Johan Klehs’ 26 years in elected public office include chair and member of the California Board of Equalization (1995-2003), member of the California State Assembly (1982-1994, 2004-2006), and member of the San Leandro City Council (1978-1982). As chair of the Assembly Democratic campaigns, Klehs led the effort to elect one of the largest majorities in the state Assembly. At the Board of Equalization, he fought against California’s underground economy, collecting over $4.1 billion from tax evaders; and was responsible for creating the first customer services division in state government.

Klehs has enjoyed more than 140 bills being signed into law. He has focused on stopping raids on pension plans and strengthening child collection enforcement efforts, and is one of the authors of California’s ban on assault weapons. Klehs was an early supporter of ending discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation and co-author of the marriage equality act. He also worked with Cesar Chavez and the United Farm Workers to ensure worker safety.

Klehs received his MPA in public administration (1977) and BA in political science (1975) from CSU East Bay. He is a graduate of the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.