About
Photo Credit: Kari Applegate - San Luis Obispo
Our Mission
Facilitating research and educational opportunities that advance the understanding of issues impacting rural California amongst policymakers and the public.
Who We Are
Rural Advancement Institute aims to educate the public and government officials and facilitate research to develop evidence-based solutions that help rural counties overcome some of the
greatest challenges of today.
Board of Directors
Lassen County Supervisor
Rural Advancement Institute, Chair
Mariposa County Supervisor
Rural Advancement Institute
Vice Chair
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Placer County Supervisor
Rural Advancement Institute
At-Large Director
Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
Rural Advancement Institute
At-Large Director (Primary)
View Bio
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Board Alternates
Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians
Rural Advancement Institute
At-Large Director (Alternate)
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Advisory Council Members
Mike Rizzo
Five Star Bank
Executive Vice President/
Chief Banking Officer
George Gough
Bayer Crop Science
Director - State and Local Government Affairs
Michelle Nystrom
Sierra Pacific Industries
Community Relations Manager
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Angela Avery
Sierra Nevada Conservancy
Executive Officer​
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Jay Day
Verizon
Executive Director of Government & External Affairs
Jenny Johnson
Calbright College
Vice President of Government Relations
Cyndi Hillery
BNSF Railway Company
Executive Director- Public Affairs
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Keri Thomas
Sutter Health
Rural Advancement Institute
Vice President - External Affairs
Kelly Brenk
Sutter Health
Senior Director - Community Health​
Staff
Rural Advancement Institute,
President
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Maggie Chui
Rural Advancement Institute,
Deputy Executive Director
Arthur Wylene
Rural Advancement Institute,
General Counsel
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