Joseph K. Lyou, Ph.D.
President & CEO

(213) 223–6866

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What I love about California:

The diversity of people and cultures―there’s always someone interesting to meet and always good food or music worth discovering.

Bio:

Dr. Joseph Lyou joined CCA as president and CEO in 2010 and is based in Los Angeles. A highly regarded leader in California’s environmental movement, Joe came to CCA with 20 years of experience in state environmental policy and advocacy, as well as knowledge of science and air quality policy. He previously founded the California Environmental Rights Alliance and has held management positions with the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Committee to Bridge the Gap. Lyou serves as the governor’s appointee to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board, and he is an active participant on many regional and statewide advisory committees on air pollution, air toxics, environmental justice and environmental health. He received his Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz in 1990.

Nick Burant

Office Manager

(213) 223-6867

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What clean air means to me:

Clean air means thriving public health and life.

Bio:

Nick Burant, our Office Manager, works out of our Los Angeles office. Nick initially joined the CCA team as an intern in July 2012. Prior to working with CCA, he worked on waste issues in New York City. Nick has an MPA from Columbia University and bachelor’s degrees in biology and political science from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Liz Ernst
Development Director

(213) 223–6872

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Bio:

Liz Ernst is CCA's development director. Based in the Los Angeles office, she works to grow the organization's base of support. Prior to joining CCA in 2007, Liz was a fundraising consultant for nonprofit organizations, including the Autry National Center in Los Angeles and the Society for Contemporary Art in Chicago, and she previously served as assistant director of development for the Art Institute of Chicago. Liz has also worked as an account executive and auctioneer in auction houses in Atlanta and Chicago. She attended Skidmore College in New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and business.

Elizabeth Jonasson
Campaign & Outreach Associate

(559) 486-3279 x 1

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What I love about California:

Diversity of thought, lifestyle, ethnicity, food; whether you like the beach, desert or snowy mountains, there is truly a space for everyone. Well, except for more polluters.

Bio:

Elizabeth Jonasson, campaign and outreach associate, staffs our Fresno office and works on air quality issues affecting the San Joaquin Valley. Prior to joining CCA in 2010, Elizabeth worked in community outreach and revitalization for the City of Fresno, and she received the 2010 Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2010 Rising Star award. Elizabeth is multi-lingual and has lived in five countries; she studied international relations at Instituto Technologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) in Mexico City and recently received her MBA from Fresno State.

Candice Kim
Senior Campaign Associate

(213) 223–6865

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What I love about California:

Working in California, we often get to set groundbreaking precedents in the national and even international movement to reduce air pollution and protect public health.

Bio:

Candice Kim is Senior Campaign Associate in the Los Angeles office, working primarily on stemming toxic air pollution from ports and freight transportation in the state of California. Prior to joining CCA in 2005, Candice spent many years engaged in public health, immigrants’ rights and community and labor organizing, with a focus on organizing health professionals. She has bachelor’s degrees in art and sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Bill Magavern
Policy Director

(916) 527-8051

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What I love about California:

 "I love California for the diversity of its people and culture and for its magnificent natural beauty, from the Sierra to the Delta and the deserts to the coast."

Bio:

Bill Magavern joined CCA in 2012. Based in Sacramento, he manages a statewide coalition effort to reduce pollution from the freight sector. An environmental advocate since 1988, Magavern served as a staff attorney for the U.S. Public Interest Research Group, director of Public Citizen’s Critical Mass Energy Project, Sacramento director of the Committee to Bridge the Gap, and director of Sierra Club California. He was named a Clean Air Champion in 2007 by the Central Valley Air Quality Coalition, and he co-chairs the External Advisory Group for the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Magavern received his J.D., magna cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School and his bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, at Brown University.

Nicole Nishimura
Development Associate

(213) 223–6871

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What clean air means to me:

Clean air means people  are not getting sick from the air they breathe.

Bio:

Nicole Nishimura joined our Los Angeles office in 2010. Prior to joining CCA, Nicole worked with the California Environmental Rights Alliance, an environmental justice organization based in Southern California. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in mass communications and a minor in peace and conflict studies.

Patricia Ochoa

Deputy Policy Director

(213) 223-6868

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Why I am part of CCA:

I get the opportunity to meet and work with talented people that want to improve the air, environment and health of California's communities.

Bio:

Patricia Ochoa joined CCA in 2013 and leads CCA’s ports and freight transport advocacy efforts. Patty has worked on education, environmental health and justice efforts in the greater Los Angeles area for the past 12 years.  Most recently, she worked on healthier and equitable regional land-use policies while at Physicians for Social Responsibility-Los Angeles. At Pacoima Beautiful, she spearheaded a youth leadership development program and developed environmental best management practices for  local auto-dismantler shops. Patricia has a bachelor’s degree in English and Chicano/a Studies and a master’s degree in Chicano/a Studies from California State University, Northridge