Teresa Casazza Named President of the California Taxpayers' Association

Becomes 10th Leader in Taxpayer Advocacy Group's 82-Year History

Teresa Casazza has been appointed president of the California Taxpayers' Association, taking the reins of the state's oldest taxpayer advocacy group at a critical time for taxpayers, Cal-Tax Board of Directors Chair John Cmelak announced today.

"Teresa is an experienced and effective advocate with a solid background in tax policy, making her the perfect person to take the California Taxpayers' Association forward," Cmelak said. "California taxpayers are fortunate to have such a talented leader on their side."

Casazza, who served as acting president for most of 2007 during Larry McCarthy's hard-fought battle with cancer, becomes just the 10th chief executive in the association's 82-year history.

"I am honored to lead Cal-Tax and to continue the association's proud history of protecting taxpayers' rights and keeping a watchful eye on government spending," Casazza said.

Casazza will be responsible for the overall management of the organization and performance of its policy research, advocacy and coalition work, and communications services.

She has been on the Cal-Tax staff since February 2005, serving as vice president and legislative director, and as the association's lead advocate on issues before the Legislature and the state's tax agencies. She has participated in a number of successful statewide ballot measure campaigns, representing the position of the California Taxpayers' Association to opinion leaders and voters in the state.

Prior to joining Cal-Tax, she worked for 11 years as vice president of state public policy for the American Electronics Association, managing the public policy office and overall advocacy program. From 1982 to 1990, she worked for Price Waterhouse as a state and local tax manager.

Casazza, a certified public accountant, is a graduate of California State University at Sacramento. She lives in Sacramento with her husband, Fred, and their two teenage children.