Executive Staff

Marilyn Nielsen, Deputy Director
(916) 322-6404
mnielsen@caartscouncil.com

Scott Heckes, Chief of Administration
Oversees all internal operations: budgeting, accounting, contracting, information technology, and personnel.
(916) 322-6376
sheckes@caartscouncil.com

Josie S. Talamantez, Chief of Programs
Oversees all programmatic activities. Assists with liaison activities with the Legislature and the Administration.
(916) 322-6394
jtalamantez@caartscouncil.com

Diane Golling, Executive Secretary
Secretary to the Director and liaison to Council Members.
(916) 322-6335
dgolling@caartscouncil.com

Communications

Mary Beth Barber, Communications Director
Public information officer, editor and writer for the agency. Maintains press relations, prepares press releases, edits and writes website content and California ArtBeat articles, and chief contributor to the Arts License Plate informational and marketing efforts.
(916) 322-6588
mbarber@caartscouncil.com

Mona Ereiqat, Student Assistant
Assists with agency’s communications efforts, website content and California ArtBeat articles.
(916) 324-0075
mereiqat@caartscouncil.com

Program Staff

Lucero Arellano, Arts Program Specialist
Oversees the Infrastructure Support Programs that support statewide arts service organizations and manages the Creating Public Value program.
(916) 322-6338
larellano@caartscouncil.com

Wayne Cook, Arts Program Specialist
Liaison with statewide and national arts education groups. Disability Act coordinator. Co-manager of the Artists in Schools program.
(916) 322-6344
wcook@caartscouncil.com

Rob Lautz, Arts Program Specialist
In addition to general grant program responsibilities, Mr. Lautz is the contact person for State Local Partnerships Program(SLPP).
(916) 324-6617
rlautz@caartscouncil.com

Kristin Margolis, Arts Program Specialist
Manager of the Poetry Out Loud program, co-manager of the Artists in Schools program, co-manager of the California Story Slam program, and assists with general grant program duties.
(916) 322-6391
kmargolis@caartscouncil.com

Patricia Milich, Public Awareness Coordinator
Staff lead on Public Awareness campaign, cultural tourism, and performing arts touring/presenting issues. Oversees the California Resale Royalty Act.
(916) 322-6385
pmilich@caartscouncil.com

Ray Tatar, Arts Program Specialist
Oversees the California Poet Laureate’s activities, contributes to the Poetry Out Loud program, and co-manager of the California Story Slam program. Available mornings.
(916) 322-6395
rtatar@caartscouncil.com

Theresa D'Onofrio, Graphic Design Specialist
Oversees the design and publishing of agency brochures, reports, and publications. She also works on the graphic design elements of the website.
(916) 322-6572
tdonofrio@caartscouncil.com

Administrative Staff

Michael Artica, Student Assistant IT/Web Development
Assistant IT Administrator and Fixer of the Internets.
(916) 322-6582
martica@caartscouncil.com

Richard Diaz, Receptionist
Responsible for reception, office supplies procurment and storage of CAC records.
(916) 322-6559
rdiaz@caartscouncil.com

Oscar Escobar, Student Assistant
Assists in reception and provides data input services.
(916) 322-6413
oescobar@caartscouncil.com

Karina Martin, Student Assistant
Assists in reception and provides data input services.
(916) 322-6559
kmartin@caartscouncil.com

Lucy Mochizuki, Contract and Procurement Administrator
Responsible for procurement and processing grants and contracts.
(916) 322-6337
lmochizuki@caartscouncil.com

Pam Nowling, Personnel Manager
Responsible for personnel issues and acts as the liaison with the State Personnel Board and the Department of Personnel Administration. Available Tuesday and Thursday
(916) 322-6390
pnowling@caartscouncil.com

Shirley Pang, Accounting Specialist
Responsible for the processing invoice payment and for inputting data into the state accounting system.
(916) 322-6371
spang@caartscouncil.com

Rose Rasmussen, Student Assistant
Assists in reception and provides data input services.
(916) 322-6559
rrasmussen@caartscouncil.com

Terry Walter, Accounting Manager
Responsible for overseeing the accounting unit and all fiscal reports to State control agencies.
(916) 322-6342
twalter@caartscouncil.com