In Memory of Ivan Altamura

Ivan Altamura passed away suddenly on Sunday, August 8, 2020. Ivan joined Capitol Advocacy as a lobbyist in January 2015 and was known as the heart of the firm.

Ivan was one of a kind. He had the unique ability to be everyone’s best friend. He was the kind of person that people were drawn to because of his warmth, sense of humor, and a zest for life that epitomized his Italian upbringing. Anyone who has spent any time with Ivan knows that he was the first person to make you laugh, the first to encourage you to chase your dreams, and the most loyal friend you could hope to find. His passion for life was infectious. If you were going to be with Ivan, you were going to laugh. He exuded joy.

Ivan had many passions; he loved to ski, boat, have big barbecues, and other family gatherings at his home, but none greater than his faith in Christ and his family. His wife Alisa, son Nikolas, and daughter Marina were his greatest passion, as well as his parents Augusto and Louise Altamura, and his in-laws, John and Morleen Whittington, all who lived close and were able to model a loving, supportive, 3 generation family.

Ivan was instrumental to the firm’s clients facing complex issues such as higher education, internet gaming, scope of practice battles, agricultural science, business franchise & retail, battery storage, HVAC regulatory compliance, local government, and zero-emission vehicle policies. His ability to tackle some of California’s most controversial topics while working across party lines brought tremendous value and success to the firm’s clients.

Prior to joining Capitol Advocacy, Ivan served for nearly a decade as the Chief of Staff to two Assembly Republican Leaders. During this time, Ivan provided strategic advice, navigated the budget process during some of California’s toughest fiscal years, and steered Caucus policy positions. He also assisted in political efforts through four campaign cycles, including managing resources for multimillion dollar statewide constitutional officer races, and offered tactical counsel to various Assembly members.

Following his time in the Legislature, Ivan was the Director of Engagement for Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) where he worked on a statewide gas transmission pipeline safety project. Prior to his government relations and political career, Ivan was in private practice as an attorney for 10 years, focusing on business, estate, civil, and real estate law.

Born and raised in the heart of Central California, Ivan graduated from Fresno State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and earned his Juris Doctorate from San Joaquin College of Law in Fresno, California.

Donations in honor of Ivan Altamura can be made to the Bob Moretti Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The Foundation has focused its mission on providing scholarships for the children of Capitol staff. In recent years that mission has expanded to helping with the educational needs of children of people who have passed away in the Capitol Community. Checks can be made out to the ‘Bob Moretti Memorial Scholarship Foundation.’ You may write “in memory of Ivan Altamura” in the memo section of the check or in an accompanying letter to assure that the funds will be reserved for the Altamura children’s college education. The checks may be sent to 1301 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 ATTN: Tiffany Ruiz.