Application for Antonio Dartrell Le Mons

Interview

Interview Length: 1:12:36 | Download Transcript

Initial Application

Below is the initial application for the Citizens Redistricting Commission. In this section of the application you will be asked to provide personal information that will assist the Applicant Review Panel in processing your application.

You do not have to complete the entire application at one time. At any point, you can save your application using the "Save Application" button. After the application has been saved, you can return to this site to complete the application using your email and password if you choose to set one. Be sure to submit your initial application on or before August 19, 2019.

All fields with * are required to submit the application.

Identification Information
Antonio
Dartrell
Le Mons
Physical Address
Toluca Lake
CA
91602
Los Angeles
Mailing Address (If different than Physical Address)
Studio City
CA
91604

Gender

Gender*

Racial or Ethnic Background

Select the circle that best describes your race/ethnicity*
Latino Group
Pacific Islander Group
Asian Group
Other Groups

The Voters FIRST Act is designed to produce a Citizens Redistricting Commission that is reasonably representative of the state's diversity. This information is required to help the Applicant Review Panel identify a diverse pool of the most qualified applicants. Although your specific date of birth will remain confidential, your age may be calculated from your date of birth and made public.

Economic Status

What was your total household income during the past 12 months?*

Eligibility Information

If you are uncertain about your prior voting registration, voting record, or party affiliation, we suggest that you contact the county clerk or voter registrar in the county in which you resided during the period of time in question. The contact information and address for California's county elections offices can be found at https://voterstatus.sos.ca.gov/.

1. Have you been continuously registered to vote in the State of California since July 1, 2015?*

2. With what party are you registered?*

3. Has your political party affiliation remained the same since July 1, 2015?

4. Indicate in which of the last three statewide general elections you voted, (check all that apply)*:

Conflicts of Interest

The Voters FIRST Act (Act) is designed to produce a Citizens Redistricting Commission that is independent from legislative influence and, therefore, disqualifies from service any person having a conflict of interest as defined by the Act. The information below is required to help the State Auditor and the Applicant Review Panel identify any conflicts of interest you may have.

5. Have you done any of the following within 10 years of the date you submit this application:

5a. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office (Appointed means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization; or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization)?*

5b. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or of the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office?*

5c. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee in California?*

5d. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government?*

5e. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application been a registered federal lobbyist?*

5f. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application served as a paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff?*

5g. Have you within 10 years of the date you submit this application contributed $2,500 or more to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office within any single calendar year?(This amount has been adjusted using the California Consumer Price Index.)*

6. Are you currently serving as staff, or as a consultant to the Governor of California, a member of the California Legislature, a California member of Congress, or a member of the State Board of Equalization?*

7. Are you currently under contract with the Governor of California, a member of the California Legislature, a California member of Congress, or a member of the State Board of Equalization?*

When answering questions 8 and 9, immediate family means your parents, step-parents, spouse, registered domestic partner, children, step-children, siblings, step-siblings, parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, and sons- and daughters-in-law with whom you have done the following:

8. Do you have an immediate family relationship with the Governor of California, a member of the California Legislature, a California member of Congress, or a member of the State Board of Equalization?*

9. Has a member of your immediate family done any of the following within 10 years of the date you submit this application:

9a. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office? (Appointed means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization)?*

9b. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or of the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office?*

9c. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee in California?*

9d. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government?*

9e. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application been a registered federal lobbyist?*

9f. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application served as a paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff?*

9g. Has a member of your immediate family within 10 years of the date you submit this application contributed $2,500 or more to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office within any single calendar year?(This amount has been adjusted using the California Consumer Price Index.)*

PRIVACY NOTIFICATION AND WAIVER

LEGAL AUTHORITY AND REASON FOR COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Voters FIRST Act (Act) and the regulations implementing the Act require that the selection of commissioners for the Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) be open to public scrutiny and the press (California Constitution, Article XXI, section 2, subdivision (c); Government Code sections 8252, 11120, 11121, and 11125.1; California Code of Regulations, title 2, sections 60835, 60836, 60842, and 60846). The Act also requires the California State Auditor's Office (State Auditor's Office) to select 60 of the most qualified applicants based upon their voter affiliation; eligibility to serve pursuant to Article XXI of the California Constitution; the absence of any conflicts of interest; relevant analytical skills; ability to be impartial; appreciation for California's diverse demographics and geography; and racial, ethnic, geographic, gender, and economic diversity. To determine each applicant's identity and qualifications to serve on the Commission and to track the demographic information of the applicant pool, this application seeks personal information about applicants that will be provided to the Applicant Review Panel, State Auditor's Office staff, and the public, including members of the press, the Legislature, and the Commission.

CONSEQUENCE OF NOT PROVIDING ALL REQUESTED INFORMATION

Failure to provide all of the requested information will result in your disqualification and the removal of your name from the applicant pool. Thus, if you wish to serve on the Commission, it is mandatory that you submit a response for each item of information requested.

PERMISSION TO USE AND RELEASE PERSONAL INFORMATION

By submitting this application, you acknowledge that the application, all documents submitted in support of your application, including a Statement of Economic Interests (FPPC Form 700) if you are asked to submit one, letters of recommendation, materials generated as a result of any State Auditor's Office or Applicant Review Panel investigation of you, and all public comments and responses to public comments about your application are public records. You agree that the State Auditor's Office shall provide copies of these materials to members of the public and the press, members and staff of the Applicant Review Panel, State Auditor's Office staff, the Legislature, the Commission, and as otherwise compelled by law. You understand that members of the Applicant Review Panel and the public may make public statements about you. You authorize the State Auditor's Office to use the information submitted by and about you as the State Auditor's Office deems necessary to select commissioners, replacement commissioners, or otherwise comply with its legal duties. You also authorize the State Auditor's Office to post all materials related to your application to serve on the Commission on its website and any website authorized by the State Auditor's Office.

VOLUNTARY WAIVER OF PRIVACY RIGHTS AND STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE LIABILITY

By applying to be a commissioner, you are waiving your privacy and other rights under various state and federal laws including, but not limited to, the Information Practices Act (Cal. Civil Code section 1798 et seq.), and any defamation, invasion of privacy, and negligence claim you may have against the State Auditor's Office and those acting on its behalf. Accordingly, by waiving your privacy rights, you are agreeing to permit the State Auditor's Office to release any and all information submitted by or about you, EXCEPT that the State Auditor's Office will not post on the Internet your date of birth; physical, mailing, and email addresses (excluding the city and county); telephone numbers; the addresses and telephone numbers of your immediate family members; or any materials that the State Auditor's Office deems offensive. At this point in the process, the State Auditor's Office will not collect, and you should not voluntarily submit to the State Auditor's Office, your social security number, driver's license number, financial account numbers, or health information. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the release of the information you and others are providing related to you and, except as specifically provided above, you are waiving your right to privacy regarding all information relating to you and your application to serve as a commissioner. This waiver authorizes the State Auditor's Office to make public information submitted by or about you for a period of 12 years from the date of your application, even if you are not selected as a commissioner. You are providing this waiver voluntarily, understanding that the State Auditor's Office shall not be legally liable as a result of the release of information submitted by or about you or as the result of comments made about you by others, and that the State Auditor's Office will post on its website or otherwise release publicly. This includes claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, and any other statutory or common law claims.

WHOM TO CONTACT

You have a right to review personal information the State Auditor's Office maintains about you and to verify its accuracy. Please contact the State Auditor's Office's Information Privacy Officer at (916) 445-0255; 621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200, Sacramento, California, 95814; if you would like to view or obtain information about the location of your records and the categories of persons who use the information in your records.

Affirmation

I affirm, by entering my initials in the box, that the statements contained in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that I have read and understand the Privacy Notification and Waiver.

ADL

08/01/2019 4:03:16PM

Supplemental Application

Congratulations on moving forward to the supplemental application for the Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission). You must provide an answer to all questions that apply to you. If you miss a question, you will be prompted to answer missing responses before you can submit the application.

You do not have to complete the entire application at one time. At any point, you can save your application using the "Save Application" button. After the application has been saved, you can use your email address and password to return to this site to complete the application. Be sure to submit your supplemental application on or before October 20, 2019.

All fields with * are required to submit the application.

Part 1: Essay Questions:

The response to each of the following essay questions is limited to no more than 3200 characters including spaces (approximately 500 words). The response fields below will allow you to cut and paste text from any word processing program such as Microsoft Word.

I believe that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of a strong democracy, and particularly important for the survival of our democracy. To that end, undoubtedly, the Voters Right's Act is one of the most significant pieces of legislation to be enacted in our country.

The fact that the Voters Right's Act needed to be enacted in the first place, then to have rampant Gerrymandering become a response, in order to continue practices designed to achieve political advantage for legislators, at the expense of the citizens speaks to the ongoing efforts necessary to continue our journey toward a fair and representative society.

As an African American, gay male, raising cross-cultural, Latinx sons, I understand, all too well the structural challenges to "fair representation" and the importance and significance of being a part of the solutions.

When Californians passed the Voters FIRST Act, authorizing the creation of the Citizens Redistricting Commission, taking the job of drawing new lines out of the hands of the Legislature and giving it to the citizens, I was personally thrilled. To have the opportunity to directly participate in the process of actually drawing lines that give voice to my fellow Californians, gives me great joy.

For the past couple of years, I have been actively exploring meaningful ways to become more civically involved, with an emphasis on high-impact civic engagement. This opportunity to become a commissioner provides a platform for me to leverage my experiences, values and natural abilities in service of my fellow Californians.

As an active voter with a passion for fair and equitable participation in our democracy, I am inspired to bring my values of integrity and inclusion, my appreciation and respect for our diverse demographics and geography, and my commitment to impartiality to work with an equally committed group of diverse Californians to support the task at hand.

Being "impartial" to me means being able to recognize my strongly held beliefs, understand the negative implications of inserting them into situations that require objectivity and being able to separate them from the decision making process, by using the criteria set forth for the process.

In my psychology and psychotherapy training, I have had the opportunity to actively and successfully challenge myself to separate my personally views from influencing the client's conceptualization and treatment. As a psychotherapist I have been trained to be aware of my bias and recognized my subconscious bias as well. This training enables me to be able to be present to the client before me, to conceptualize that client based on their personal, values, beliefs and goals and support them in achieving their goals without regard for my personal feelings or beliefs.

In my experience, I have not met a client where I was unable to do this. Here's an example of me putting this into practice: I have a client who is a devout Catholic and lives a very observant life. Most of the client's decisions are informed by their belief in the Bible and their communications with God. I am not a Catholic, I am not religious, nor do I personally govern my own life in this manner; however, when working with my client, I am completely comfortable supporting their world and spiritual view in my interactions with them. I fully respect their view for them self, and I have absolutely no problem being present for, and with them in, their belief, when we're working together.

Another example of my ability to set aside my personal views and follow the assigned considerations, evaluate information with an open mind and make decisions that are fair and appropriate would be my participation as a juror in a larceny case where a black man was accused of stealing from a local mall kiosk.

While I hold a strong belief that black people, black men in particular, are often targeted and perceived to be conducting themselves in a suspicious or criminal manner. During the course of the trial, I was able to hear the case objectively, separate the facts of the case from my emotional feelings about how individuals like the defendant are often treated unfairly, and come to the guilty verdict that we ultimately reached. My ability to separate my personal views in this situation is further underscored by my being select as jury foreman by my fellow jurors. This appointment was based on their belief in my objectivity and my ability to lead the group in our application of the considerations put before us.

Being a registered "Independent" voter, I feel reflects my natural desire is to seek to examine issues and candidates not based on a predetermined commitment to a particular party or group, but on the merits of the issues and policies being presented and the considerations I'm bringing to that assessment.

Finally, I am someone who is particularly self-aware and clear about my views, affiliations, and advocacy. I am confident that I possess the capacity to be impartial in carrying out the tasks of the commission.

I'll begin with my personal appreciation for California's diverse demographics and geography. I have live in California for 33 years. The thing that brought me to California from Michigan was its diversity in population. My life and career here in California have been positively influenced by the diversity of the individuals I have had the pleasure of working, socializing and growing with. That diversity has been reflected in race, ethnicity, a full spectrum of gender, sexual orientation, economic situations, and values. I am so proud to have a very diverse and eclectic group of friends and family. What brought me to California was the diversity of population, what keeps me here is that plus the diverse geography. I appreciate being able to experience a full range of the human experience in California both from a climate and culture point of view, but from a values point of view, as well.

In my former role as Deputy Director of the California AIDS Clearinghouse (CAC), I had the great pleasure of traveling to every county in the state. In my position I was responsible for the facilitator of the CAC Advisory Council, which was made up of the 58 counties and 3 health jurisdictions. Through my work with the council for the 8 years that I was involved, I was exposed first hand to the differences that exist between urban and rural, as well as the needs of the various populations within the counties throughout the state. While there were many similarities among the citizens, there were considerable differences and many nuanced differences that you could only come to appreciate by working with the representatives of those communities.

At the CAC we were also responsible for developing HIV/AIDS health education materials to be used across the state. One of the biggest challenges at the time for us was getting materials approved for statewide use, due to the difference in needs and values. By the time a material made it through the review process, having been edited to take into account the needs of the all the diverse counties, we'd ultimately end up with a material that didn't really serve any of our counties particularly well.

Based on my recognition of, but more importantly my appreciation for, the diversity of the needs and priorities of the counties, I proposed a pilot program to the state Office of AIDS. What I proposed was rather than the CAC trying to develop materials for a statewide appeal. We train the counties in materials development, provide mini grants to them to support the development of materials that would be tailored to local or regional communities. We would then select from those materials produced and reproduce them for the state catalogue that others could also use.

We ultimately ended up with was a diverse portfolio of materials that were accessible to all. I'm proud to say that after the initial pilot, my proposal program was funded to the tune of 1.2 million dollars for the subsequent year.

This was an incredible experience in learning from the communities around the state, respecting the difference and engaging them in ways that enabled their needs to be met.

There are two areas of my experience, which I believe speak to my strong analytical skills. First as a former member of the UCLA Institutional Review Board (IRB) - Medical Board #3, which I served on for 5 ˝ years as a community representative.

In my role I was responsible for reviewing and evaluating dense research protocols for medical treatments and devices. I was required to understand the research being proposed, the supporting science as outlined in the protocol, and the ethical design of the research. Each member was assigned a group of 10-20 protocols a month for review, some of which you were the lead reviewer on and others that you needed to be familiar with in order to participate and contribute to the board discussion. This work required me to understand the research being proposed and the complex requirements that needed to be met when conducting research that involves human subjects. The analysis of whether the thresholds were being met needed to be garnered from proposals that were often nuanced, and unfortunately with some researchers intentionally misleading. An important feature of this work was our use of subject matter experts, community experts and consultants to inform our ultimate decline or approval of protocols.

In addition to my work on the IRB, I have successfully responded to multiple federal, state, county and local Requests for Proposals (RPF) and secured millions of dollars in awards as a result. Responding to RFPs at the federal, state and county levels require extensive analysis of the needs of the populations you wish to serve, the environment in which you wish to serve them and currently landscape to prevent duplication of services and resources. My experience in this area includes research, data mapping, needs assessments, policy and media research, town halls and other community engagement activities. Once the information and data has been acquired, I have had to synthesize and analysis the date then package it to inform and support the proposed activities that are planned to produce the desired outcomes.

These are a couple of examples of my ability to work as a part of a group charged with achieving outcomes and producing work product in a collaborative, cooperative fashion.

I have had many other experiences being a part of complex problem-solving teams. One of the strategies that I have found most powerful are those that give a nod to the Community Participatory Research (CPPR) approach. CPPR is research that is jointly designed by community and academic partners for mutual benefit. What I love most about the spirit of this approach is that is foundation is cooperation, inclusion and respect.

I'm confident that IRB board service, participation as a juror and jury foreman, skills in group process and facilitation, aptitude for gathering & comprehending information, understanding dense technical written material, ability to evaluate the validity and significance of information presented, and my math skills and computer skills, including spreadsheets, make me a strong candidate for commission membership.

Part 2: General Information

Secondary Education
Did you graduate from high school?*
If not, do you possess a GED or equivalent?

University or College, Business, Correspondence, Trade, or Service School(s) Attended

Post-Secondary Education
Michigan State University - Lansing, MI
Telecommunications
BA
5
June 1986
Post-Secondary Education
Antioch University Los Angeles - Culver City, CA
Clinical and Community Psychology
MA
2
June 2006

Employment History

Employment History
04/00/2016
Present
FAME Assistance Corporation
SVP Strategic Initiatives
3yrs 6mons

I work closely with staff to guide and enhance program continuity and mission adherence. I'm instrumental in developing and maintaining relationships with multiple stakeholders—community and political leaders, academic institutions, CBOs, corporate and government officials, and volunteers.

Employment History
06/00/2012
Present
Antonio Le Mons Coaching + Consulting
Coach/Consultant
7yrs

Personal career and relationship coaching in the form of guided action toward accelerated personal and professional results for professionals, artists, small-business owners, couples, singles, parents, folks in transition, and individuals who consider themselves unconventional.

Employment History
01/00/2007
06/00/2012
Mid-Wilshire Psychological Associates
MFT Intern
5yrs 6mons

Responsibilities included conducting assessments, developing treatment plans, providing psychotherapy for adult couples and individuals with an emphasis on stage-of-life, anxiety, depression, and gender related work, providing referrals, writing progress notes and attending weekly individual supervision.

Employment History
2/00/2008
6/01/2013
FAME Assistance Corporation
Executive VP Operations (2009-2013) Director of Transportation (2008-09)
5yrs 4mons

Responsible for strategic planning, policy development, day-to-day direction and oversight of organizational objectives for multi-discipline agency; including contracts and budget management, Hire, orient, train, evaluate, coach & develop, and discharge all full and part-time personnel (18 staff) $11M Budget.

Employment History
05/00/2005
05/00/2007
Voices, Inc. Marketing and Communications Firm
V.P. Corporate Oversight
2 years

Responsible for strategic planning, policy development, direct counsel to CEO, day-to-day direction and oversight of company objectives, including budget management and forecasting, contract negotiations and management, new business development, marketing, project management, and fiscal accountability.

Employment History
04/00/1994
05/00/2005
L.A. Lesbian and Gay Center
Deputy Director (CAC 1997-2005), Director of Prevention Services (1994-1997)
11 years 1 month

Responsible for assisting and advising the Program Director, managing day-to-day operations, program analysis and forecasting based on program evaluation data. Managed staff of 10 and $3.5M budget.

Activities

Gowo, Inc. Los Angeles, CA, Current Board Member
Gowo is an employment-focused social enterprise providing quality, on-the-job training and development in digital technology for transitional age youth (18-27). We emphasize development for emancipated foster youth and those experiencing circumstances that would exclude them from the workforce. No financial contribution.

In the Meantime Men's Group, Los Angeles, CA, Former Board Member
In The Meantime Men's Group, Inc. is purposed to enrich, empower, and extend the lives of intergenerational black men, respectful of sexual orientation, through social, educational, health and wellness programs and services. No financial contribution

California Association of Marriage & Family Therapists (CAMFT), Member
CAMFT is an independent professional organization of approximately 32,000 members representing the interests of licensed marriage and family therapists. It is dedicated to advancing the profession as an art and a science, to maintaining high standards of professional ethics, to upholding the qualifications for the profession and to expanding the recognition and awareness of the profession. $95 Annual Dues

Pop-Luck Club, Community of gay dads and perspective dads, Member
The Pop Luck Club is a 501(c)3 nonprofit and the largest known group of its kind. With chapters in Los Angeles and Orange County, our membership includes 700+ gay fathers and prospective gay dads throughout Southern California. $50 Annual Dues

Michigan State University Black Alumni Association, Secretary
The purpose of the Michigan State University Black Alumni ( MSUBA) is to support and promote the welfare and interests of Black alumni, students, faculty and staff of Michigan State University (MSU) $35. Annual Dues

The only financial contributions made to a political campaign was to Bernie Sanders 2016 campaign, total contributions less than $100.

Former Names, Nicknames or Aliases

Have you used or been known by any other names, nicknames, or aliases since you became an adult?*

N/A

Criminal History

Have you ever been convicted of a felony by any court?*

Voting Information

When you voted in any of the last three statewide general elections (i.e. the elections in November 2014, November 2016, and November 2018), did you vote using a different name or address than those you used on the initial application?*

Former Residences

List all of the places you have lived for 30 days or more at one time during the last 10 years (do not include information for where you lived prior to your 18th birthday). This does not include your current residence. If you lived in temporary housing while permanently residing somewhere else, note that with an * in the street address line:

Former Residence
Los Angeles, CA 90068
Los Angeles
11/2003
06/2014

Financial Contributions

List all of the monetary and non-monetary contributions valued at a total of $250 or more that you have made in any single calendar year during the past two years to any professional, social, political, volunteer, and/or community organization or cause. Begin with your most recent contribution:

Financial Contribution
None
N/A
N/A
N/A

Part 3: Family Information

You must provide information about each living family member described in this paragraph. Information about each of your family members is necessary to determine whether you have a conflict of interest that would prohibit you from serving on the Citizens Redistricting Commission. In this part of the application, you must provide information about your living parents, spouse, registered domestic partner (RDP), children, siblings, parents-in-law, siblings-in-law, sons-and daughters-in-law. Step-parents, step-children, and step-siblings count as parents, children, and siblings.

Do you have any immediate family members as described?*
Family Member
Parent
Beverly J Le Mons
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years this person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities:
  • Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. ("Appointed" means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.)
  • Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office.
  • Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California.
  • Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government.
  • Been a registered federal lobbyist.
  • Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff.
  • Contributed $2,500 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has the family member engaged in any of these activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?*

For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance for determining Conflicts of Interest):

  1. Cohabitated with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more.
  2. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more.
  3. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described?*
Family Member
Child
Erik Zimbardi-Le Mons
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years this person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities:
  • Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. ("Appointed" means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.)
  • Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office.
  • Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California.
  • Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government.
  • Been a registered federal lobbyist.
  • Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff.
  • Contributed $2,500 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has the family member engaged in any of these activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?*

For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance for determining Conflicts of Interest):

  1. Cohabitated with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more.
  2. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more.
  3. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described?*
Family Member
Child
John Zimbardi-Le Mons
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years this person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities:
  • Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. ("Appointed" means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.)
  • Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office.
  • Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California.
  • Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government.
  • Been a registered federal lobbyist.
  • Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff.
  • Contributed $2,500 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has the family member engaged in any of these activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?*

For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance for determining Conflicts of Interest):

  1. Cohabitated with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more.
  2. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more.
  3. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described?*
Family Member
Sibling
Kitrina Nelson
For this family member, you must state whether within the past 10 years this person has engaged in any of the activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest under the Voters FIRST Act. The following is a list of those activities:
  • Been appointed to, elected to, or a candidate for a California congressional or state office. ("Appointed" means appointed by the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization, or served at the pleasure of the Governor, a member of the Legislature, or a member of the State Board of Equalization.)
  • Served as an officer, employee, or paid consultant of a California political party or the campaign committee of a candidate for a California congressional or elective state office.
  • Served as an elected or appointed member of a political party central committee operating in California.
  • Been a lobbyist registered with the State of California or a California local government.
  • Been a registered federal lobbyist.
  • Served as paid California congressional, legislative, or State Board of Equalization staff.
  • Contributed $2,500 or more during a calendar year to any California congressional, state, or local candidate for elective public office.
Within the past 10 years, has the family member engaged in any of these activities that could cause you to have a conflict of interest?*

For each family member you must indicate whether you have a special (bona fide) relationship with that person. You have a special (bona fide) relationship with a family member if during the past 12 months you have (Guidance for determining Conflicts of Interest):

  1. Cohabitated with that person for a period or periods totaling 30 days or more.
  2. Shared with that person ownership of any real or personal property having a total value of $1,000 or more.
  3. Provided to or received from that person a financial benefit totaling $1,000 or more.
Do you have a special relationship with this person based on any of the three factors described?*

Other Relevant Material

I am a family-focused, father of two, detail-oriented professional with more than 30 years of community non-profit and private sector experience.

Throughout my career, I have been involved in various aspects of community and human support work in both non-profit and corporate environments, which have provided me with a diverse perspective and appreciation of the vast human experience.

My overall success is the result of my ability to listen, synthesize the information received from multiple contributors, clearly and succinctly help define objectives and develop comprehensive plans.

Additionally, I bring cross-cultural experience and a collaborative approach to community and stakeholder engagement. My clinical and community psychology training provides me the sensitivity, empathy, social awareness, and an ability to imagine and embrace different life experiences from my own, which result in collaborations that are highly successful and sometimes magical.

Along with my leadership competencies, I have the experience of having relationships with a broad spectrum of our society.

As a former long-standing member of UCLA's Institutional Review Board (IRB) for the protection of human subjects, I have a passion for maximizing human potential and have spent my career dedicated to improving the quality of life and well being for all, especially those that are vulnerable or in under-served communities.

I welcome the opportunity to serve as a member of the commission.

Part 4: Letters of Recommendation

An applicant must submit, or arrange for the submission of, three letters of recommendation from individuals or organizations. A letter of recommendation may be no longer than three pages. Guidance for letters of recommendation. (Note: Any additional recommendations may be submitted as a public comment and public comments are considered by the Applicant Review Panel. However, a public comment submitted about you will not count as a letter of recommendation.)

An applicant's letters of recommendation must be submitted to the California State Auditor's Office (State Auditor's Office) on or before October 20, 2019. All three letters of recommendation must include your applicant identification number, which is 16977. This identification number is unique to your application and ensures that all of your letters of recommendation are correctly attached to your application file before they are reviewed by the Applicant Review Panel.

Online Submission of Letters of Recommendation

We have provided three links for you to provide to the individuals who will be submitting letters of recommendation on your behalf. Each link may be used for only one letter and will expire upon that letter's submission. Remember to communicate to the individuals writing your letters of recommendation that their letters must include your applicant identification number, as provided above.

Submission of Letters of Recommendation via E-mail, Facsimile, Mail, or Common Carrier

Online submission of letters of recommendation is preferred. You may also submit letters of recommendation via email to shapecaliforniasfuture@auditor.ca.gov, by facsimile to (888) 694-5288, or by U.S. Mail or other common carrier mailed to the address provided below. All letters of recommendation submitted via email, facsimile, U.S. Mail, or other common carrier must include both your application identification number (16977) and the letter of recommendation number (1, 2, or 3). Letters of recommendation sent to the State Auditor's Office that are not received or postmarked by October 20, 2019, will not be considered, and the applicant will not continue on in the application process.

The letters of recommendation must be addressed to the Applicant Review Panel and can be mailed to:

Applicant Review Panel
c/o California State Auditor's Office
621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200
Sacramento, California, 95814

Part 5: Financial Disclosure Form

If likely to be selected for an interview, you will be required to submit FPPC Form 700, Statement of Economic Interests. The Fair Political Practices Commission's website has more information about the FPPC Form 700. You do not need to submit that form now. You will receive an email at a later date if you will be required to submit this form.

Part 6: PRIVACY NOTIFICATION AND WAIVER

LEGAL AUTHORITY AND REASON FOR COLLECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Voters FIRST Act (Act) and the regulations implementing the Act require that the selection of commissioners for the Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) be open to public scrutiny and the press (California Constitution, Article XXI, section 2, subdivision (c); Government Code sections 8252, 11120, 11121, and 11125.1; California Code of Regulations, title 2, sections 60835, 60836, 60842, and 60846). The Act also requires the California State Auditor's Office (State Auditor's Office) to select 60 of the most qualified applicants based upon their voter affiliation; eligibility to serve pursuant to Article XXI of the California Constitution; the absence of any conflicts of interest; relevant analytical skills; ability to be impartial; appreciation for California's diverse demographics and geography; and racial, ethnic, geographic, gender, and economic diversity. To determine each applicant's identity and qualifications to serve on the Commission and to track the demographic information of the applicant pool, this application seeks personal information about applicants that will be provided to the Applicant Review Panel, State Auditor's Office staff, and the public, including members of the press, the Legislature, and the Commission.

CONSEQUENCE OF NOT PROVIDING ALL REQUESTED INFORMATION

Failure to provide all of the requested information will result in your disqualification and the removal of your name from the applicant pool. Thus, if you wish to serve on the Commission, it is mandatory that you submit a response for each item of information requested.

PERMISSION TO USE AND RELEASE PERSONAL INFORMATION

By submitting this application, you acknowledge that the application, all documents submitted in support of your application, including a Statement of Economic Interests (FPPC Form 700) if you are asked to submit one, letters of recommendation, materials generated as a result of any State Auditor's Office or Applicant Review Panel investigation of you, and all public comments and responses to public comments about your application are public records. You agree that the State Auditor's Office shall provide copies of these materials to members of the public and the press, members and staff of the Applicant Review Panel, State Auditor's Office staff, the Legislature, the Commission, and as otherwise compelled by law. You understand that members of the Applicant Review Panel and the public may make public statements about you. You authorize the State Auditor's Office to use the information submitted by and about you as the State Auditor's Office deems necessary to select commissioners, replacement commissioners, or otherwise comply with its legal duties. You also authorize the State Auditor's Office to post all materials related to your application to serve on the Commission on its website and any website authorized by the State Auditor's Office.

VOLUNTARY WAIVER OF PRIVACY RIGHTS AND STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE LIABILITY

By applying to be a commissioner, you are waiving your privacy and other rights under various state and federal laws including, but not limited to, the Information Practices Act (Cal. Civil Code section 1798 et seq.), and any defamation, invasion of privacy, and negligence claim you may have against the State Auditor's Office and those acting on its behalf. Accordingly, by waiving your privacy rights, you are agreeing to permit the State Auditor's Office to release any and all information submitted by or about you, EXCEPT that the State Auditor's Office will not post on the Internet your date of birth; physical, mailing, and email addresses (excluding the city and county); telephone numbers; the addresses and telephone numbers of your immediate family members; or any materials that the State Auditor's Office deems offensive. At this point in the process, the State Auditor's Office will not collect, and you should not voluntarily submit to the State Auditor's Office, your social security number, driver's license number, financial account numbers, or health information. By submitting your application, you acknowledge and consent to the release of the information you and others are providing related to you and, except as specifically provided above, you are waiving your right to privacy regarding all information relating to you and your application to serve as a commissioner. This waiver authorizes the State Auditor's Office to make public information submitted by or about you for a period of 12 years from the date of your application, even if you are not selected as a commissioner. You are providing this waiver voluntarily, understanding that the State Auditor's Office shall not be legally liable as a result of the release of information submitted by or about you or as the result of comments made about you by others, and that the State Auditor's Office will post on its website or otherwise release publicly. This includes claims of defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence, and any other statutory or common law claims.

WHOM TO CONTACT

You have a right to review personal information the State Auditor's Office maintains about you and to verify its accuracy. Please contact the State Auditor's Office's Information Privacy Officer at (916) 445-0255; 621 Capitol Mall, Suite 1200, Sacramento, California, 95814; if you would like to view or obtain information about the location of your records and the categories of persons who use the information in your records.

Affirmation

I affirm, by entering my initials in the box, that the statements contained in this application are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and that I have read and understand the Privacy Notification and Waiver.

ADL
10/20/2019 10:14:47PM

Letters of Recommendation

Letter of Recommendation #1, submitted by Virgil Patrick Roberts

How Submitter Knows Applicant: We met through business and philanthropic organization

Letter of Recommendation:

I met Mr. Le Mons a few years ago at a non-profit seminar. Thereafter, we we developed a relationship as colleagues interested in working with various organizations to improve the communities in which we live. I have had an opportunity to discuss a broad range of issues with Antonio and I have gotten to know what kind of individual he happens to be. He is highly intelligent and a man of outstanding integrity. His commitment to the community is demonstrated by the activities in which he is involved. For example, he is Senior Vice-President of Strategic Initiatives for FAME, the oldest African American Methodist Church in Los Angeles. He has a background as a psychotherapist and has worked extensively with the GLBTQ community in Los Angeles. Early in his career, he worked as a Research Consultant with the Rand Corporation.
Mr. Le Mons graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Communications and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology. I could continue for pages with his professional and education background, as well as his extensive involvement with community organizations. However, I think the most important fact is that he is a perfect candidate to serve on the Commission. He is not a partisan. He deeply cares about our state and our democracy. He possesses analytical skills that will facilitate his understanding the process that must be followed to draw district maps and boundaries for various political districts. His personality is one that allows him to cordially interact with people of all ethnicities and political persuasions. He is the type of person that can disagree with you without becoming disagreeable (it may be his psychology training). Finally, because of his own particular sexual orientation and ethnicity, he will bring a needed diversity of thought and experience to the Commission.
I can think of no individual who could better serve on the Commission and I urge you to give his application the utmost consideration. VIRGIL ROBERTS

Letter of Recommendation #2, submitted by Diane Burbie

How Submitter Knows Applicant: Professional Colleague

Letter of Recommendation:

My professional association with Antonio Le Mons dates back to 2004. As his executive coach I had direct knowledge of his work as a nonprofit leader. Additionally, as consultants we have collaborated on various projects.

I have found Antonio to be thoughtful and passionate about participation in our democracy. Values of service, equity and fairness are always present in his work, regardless of the role. He has tremendous critical thinking skills and contributes in ways that add great value through his courageous and profound questions. I saw these skills demonstrated many times at the California AIDS Clearinghouse as he guided a statewide group of collaborators in making decisions about information and resources to combat HIV/AIDS. Most notable is his ability to help the group get clear on a guiding vision or determine the core outcomes - and then using this clarity to inform the development of action plans. In his role at FAME Assistance Corporation and other nonprofit organizations (as staff or consultant) over recent years, Antonio has been a standout as one instrumental to forming and sustaining coalitions. He believes strongly in getting multiple perspectives on important issues, is impartial in gathering input, and remains objective in engaging others. He puts the work in to review research findings and understand the issues. Antonio absorbs complex concepts well and is truly helpful in framing this concepts in a clear manner for the whole group. He articulates his viewpoints well, and is patient and gracious in answering questions from others.

Antonio would be an asset to the Citizens Redistricting Committee. He cares about all Californians. He operates with high standards for himself and helps to bring out the best in others.

Letter of Recommendation #3, submitted by Dr. Antonio Gallardo

How Submitter Knows Applicant: Provided consulting services for one of his enterprises

Letter of Recommendation:

To: 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission
RE: Letter of Recommendation for Antonio Le Mons, #16997, Letter #3

Dear 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission

Please accept this document as a letter of recommendation for Antonio Le Mons to be considered as a member of the 2020 Citizens Redistricting Commission. I am the President and CEO of a Management Consulting Firm, FRAI Inc., that specializes in business planning and strategy in support of for-profit and non-profit organizations, as well as government and religions institutions.

I met Antonio more than 12 years ago when both of us were active members of a networking business group. At that time Antonio was considering to start a business venture, and he contracted the services of my firm to develop the business plan for such venture.

From my extensive business expertise having developed hundreds of business plans, it is not typical to come across an entrepreneur who is willing to commit time and resources to develop a plan to assess the feasibility of a business idea.

Antonio and I worked for over a year in developing such plan, and throughout the process he participated actively in the data gathering and analysis, remained open to the findings, and focused on the process. I was very impressed with his ability to stay impartial, and committed to the process, not trying to drive the outcome.

Since that time we have remained connected, and I have been able to get to know Antonio in other capacities.

I was very impressed with the work that he did in launching a major initiative at FAME Assistance Corporation, a countywide transportation initiative that resulted in a significant increase in people's participation. I consider that one of the keys to the success of this venture was Antonio's ability to work with stakeholders with different perspectives, to navigate the challenges and bureaucracy of public systems, and to inspire his team to success. Even more impressive to me was Antonio's impartial perspective to lead this effort from his position in a religious based institution which was not part of his own faith practice.

Throughout the years I have also witnessed Antonio's ability to genuinely connect with people from very diverse backgrounds at every level of his personal and professional life. I have observed how Antonio listen attentively to other people's perspectives, and embraces the very best in them, without imposing his personal and professional perspectives. The diversity of his friends and colleagues reflects the diversity of our state, and is a testimony of his ability to connect with others.

Because Antonio genuinely cares for others, I consider that one the challenges for his participation in the redistricting process would be not to be distracted by the needs behind the voices of people informing the process, and to remain focused on the bigger picture of the task at hand.

The redistricting process is so critical for the future of our country that I believe it needs to be led by people like Antonio, a person who has a lifetime commitment to the wellbeing of others, who has the ability to remain focused on a process, who has the ability to think critically and make decisions based on data and facts, and who lives a personal and professional life that has been enriched by the diversity of people in his circle. I believe that he will be a true asset to this very important endeavor.

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