Julie Nauman, Executive Officer

Julie Nauman was appointed to the position of Executive Officer by the three-member Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) effective July 1, 2008.

Prior to joining the VCGCB, Ms. Nauman was the Chief Deputy Director of the Integrated Waste Management Board where she served since 1998. As Chief Deputy Director she oversaw the day-to-day operations of the Board.

Ms. Nauman’s public-sector experience also includes serving as Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Housing and Community Development from 1984-1990. She worked in the private sector from 1990-1998 as Principle-In-Charge of The Planning Center, a Sacramento land-use and environmental planning consulting firm. From 1973 to 1983, she served as a consultant to the Assembly Committee on Local Government.

Ms. Nauman received both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Thomas O'Connor, Chief Deputy Executive Officer

Tom O’Connor joined the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board as its Chief Deputy Executive Officer on June 1, 2005.

Mr. O’Connor began his career in regulatory government in 1980, first with the California Medical Board followed by 18 years as the Executive Officer of the California Board of Psychology.

Mr. O’Connor earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento.

Garry Ness, Chief Counsel

Garry Ness joined the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board as Chief Counsel on May 7, 2007.

Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Ness worked in the Office of Legal Services at the Department of General Services for 29 years as a staff attorney and as Assistant Chief Counsel. During that time Mr. Ness advised the Board of Control, which was the predecessor organization of the current Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, advised the State Allocation Board and the Office of Public School Construction regarding the State school funding program, and dealt with a wide variety of business and contractual matters.

Mr. Ness received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Humboldt State University and a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law.

Terri Hamilton, Deputy Executive Officer, Administration

Terri Hamilton was appointed Deputy Executive Officer of the Administration Division on December 24, 2007.

Ms. Hamilton previously served as the Deputy Executive Officer of the Fiscal Services Division. Her responsibilities at the Board included management oversight of the Business Services, Customer Services, Human Resources and the Labor Relations sections. This experience includes serving as Personnel Officer of Human Resources and Labor Relations.

Prior to joining the Board, Ms. Hamilton served at the Department of General Services (DGS) where she provided a broad range of experience in management, legislation, planning and performance measures. As the Budget Officer for Capitol Outlay programs at DGS, she handled budget change proposals, cost analysis, forecasting reports, income and expense reports and reconciliation.

Chip Skinner, Deputy Executive Officer, Victim Compensation

Chip Skinner was appointed Deputy Executive Officer of the Victim Compensation Program on January 8, 2008.

Mr. Skinner previously served as the Assistant Deputy Executive Officer of the Victim Compensation Program. He has also held positions at the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) in the Office of Audits and Investigations and the Restitution Recovery and Business Services Sections.

Prior to joining the VCGCB, Mr. Skinner worked as an auditor for the Office of the Auditor General (now the Bureau of State Audits.)

Mr. Skinner earned two Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration-Accounting and Business Administration-Finance from California State University, Sacramento.

Gary Longholm, Deputy Executive Officer, Legislation and Public Affairs

Gary Longholm joined the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) as the Deputy Executive Officer of the Legislation and Public Affairs Division on September 10, 2007.

Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Longholm worked as a legislative representative at the Department of General Services (DGS). He represented DGS in all phases of legislation related to financing construction of school facilities and to victims of crime. Before his career at DGS, Mr. Longholm served as the Director of Governmental Affairs for the Department of Education and as a legislative staff member to the California State Board of Education.

His career also includes extensive experience from 1974-1984 at the VCGCB, then the Board of Control, where he served as the Assistant Executive Officer and the Executive Officer.

Mr. Longholm earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from California State University, Humboldt.

Patricia Valencia-Carlson, Deputy Executive Officer, Fiscal Services

Patricia Valencia-Carlson was appointed Deputy Executive Officer of the Fiscal Services Division on January 15, 2008. Previously, Ms. Valencia-Carlson served as Chief over the Office of Audits and Investigations. Her responsibilities included providing audit advice to the Executive Director and senior and program management on all audit issues that affect the Board's Victim Compensation Program, Government Claims Program, Revenue Recovery Division, and administrative programs. In addition, she acted as liaison to external auditors reviewing Board activities.

Prior to becoming Chief, Ms. Valencia-Carlson served the VCGCB as the lead business analyst for various aspects of the development and implementation of the CaRES automation project. She spent several years as a research program specialist for the Legislation and Public Affairs Division, the Financial and Business Operation Section, and the Audit and Investigations Branch. Ms. Valencia-Carlson began her career in state service as a claims specialist for the Victim Compensation program in 1988.

Ms. Valencia-Carlson has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of Toledo.