Energy and Climate Change - Capitol Advocacy

John Latimer

As managing partner and founder of Capitol Advocacy, John Latimer is recognized year after year as one of Sacramento’s most influential lobbyists. Known for his strength in strategic planning and coordinating lobbying campaigns, John’s ability to shape and deliver messaging in a clear and convincing manner gets results for clients. This talent has allowed John to build Capitol Advocacy into one of the most successful lobbying firms in Sacramento.

John co-leads two of Capitol Advocacy’s practice areas; Energy and Climate Change as well as Business and Employer Representation. John is also actively engaged with the full team of ten lobbyists and two legislative analysts as they help clients participate in the most important marketplace in the Country while navigating the nation’s most complex and politicized legislative and regulatory environment.

John began his career working for the California State Legislature, spending time working for Democrats in both the Senate and the Assembly, rising to the positions of Chief of Staff and Chief Consultant. During the first decade of his career, John also helped guide multiple campaigns for the Assembly Democrats. In 1998, John decided to return home and run for a Northern California State Assembly seat, narrowly losing in the Democratic primary by just a few hundred votes. Although this signaled the closing of one chapter working within the State Legislature for John, it was a catalyst for his lobbying career and the creation of Capitol Advocacy.

Twenty-five years later, Capitol Advocacy is one of the largest and most successful lobbying firms in Sacramento. During that time, John has been a power player in some of California’s thorniest legislative fights including energy and environmental issues, internet gaming, alcohol regulation, soft drink tax and labeling issues, and water policy. Consistently ranked as one of Capitol Weekly’s “Top 100”, a list of California’s top political players, John has successfully sheparded clients through term limits, budget deficits, and new administrations.

John’s network of relationships stretch beyond California’s political landscape and reach across the United States. John’s connections to Fortune 500 company executives, elected officials, particularly in Congress, and government officials across the United States is an asset for all of the firm’s clients.

John received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento. He lives in Sacramento with his wife Kelly and the two are proud parents to three daughters.

Chad Mayes

Chad Mayes is a partner at Capitol Advocacy, where he co-leads the Climate Change and Energy practice area. His expertise in this field is fueled by a fervent commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable solutions, skillfully navigating the complex landscape of modern environmental challenges. Additionally, Chad plays a significant role in the Healthcare Practice and contributes to the Technology, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence, as well as the Business and Employer Representation practice areas. His broad spectrum of advice to clients is rooted in extensive experience at the crossroads of public policy and industry sectors, where he consistently delivers strategic insights and actionable solutions.

Mayes began his career as a financial advisor and small business owner. He then served as Mayor and Council Member at the Town of Yucca Valley, and as a board member of the San Bernardino Associated Governments and the League of California Cities. He later served as Chief of Staff to the Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors.

In 2014, he was elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 42nd District in the Inland Empire. He quickly established himself as a dynamic and effective leader, earning the respect and trust of his peers and was elected Assembly Republican Leader after only 10 months in office. In 2019, he dropped his Republican party affiliation and was successful in running for re-election as an Independent in 2020.

Throughout his time in the Assembly, Mayes was known for his ability to identify pragmatic policy solutions that improved the lives of Californians and helped the state maintain its position as a global leader in the 21st century. He traveled extensively throughout the state, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, groups, and businesses to better understand issues and build support for key policies. He was particularly successful in his district, earning high marks as a consensus builder and getting things done for his constituents.

On statewide issues, Mayes played a key role in crafting and passing some of California’s most significant policy reforms, including California’s landmark Cap and Trade Law, the SB 901 Commission that reformed wildfire response and mitigation efforts, and the bill that created the California Wildfire Fund, which protected ratepayers, held utility executives accountable, and helped victims regain their lives.

Mayes also co-founded New Way California along with former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, an organization dedicated to putting people above political parties and improving the lives of all Californians.

Throughout his time in the assembly, Mayes served on several committees, including the Assembly Health Committee and Insurance Committees, the Utilities and Energy and Governmental Organization committees. Mayes was appointed by then-Speaker Toni Atkins to serve on the Little Hoover Commission. Mayes was an original founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

Mayes is a graduate of Liberty University and currently resides in Rancho Mirage with his wife, Dr. Andis Almasi Mayes and daughter, Mila.

Marc Aprea

Marc Aprea has political and legislative expertise in areas that include alcoholic beverages, energy, franchising, information technology, local government, procurement, solid and hazardous waste, sports and entertainment, technology, state budget, taxation, and transportation. Aprea has provided advice and advocacy for various interests in California at the state and local level for more than 45 years. Marc began his career running the Northern California public opinion survey operation on the successful 1974 gubernatorial campaign of Jerry Brown.

Aprea later was an advance man on the 1980 presidential campaign of Jerry Brown and the 1984 presidential campaign of Vice-President Walter Mondale. From 1980 to 1998, Aprea served in a variety of government relations capacities with the International Franchise Association, The Southland Corporation (owners and operators of 7-Eleven convenience stores) and with Browning-Ferris Industries (a leading provider of solid waste collection, recycling, and disposal services). Throughout the years, Marc has successfully developed and implemented political and legislative strategies that resulted in the enactment of legislation for the benefit of his clients. Marc lives in Sacramento with his wife Sharon. They have twin 28-year-old children, Brooke and Alex.

Jennifer Roe

Jennifer Roe joined Capitol Advocacy in 2015, bringing nearly a decade of policy and communications expertise to the firm. As one of the firm’s lobbyists, Jennifer’s knowledge of the process, her background on policy issues and her strategic communications skills prove invaluable for the firm’s clients.

Jennifer co-leads the firm’s Procurement practice and advocates on behalf of clients within the Healthcare, Climate Change and Energy and Business and Employer Representation practice areas. She has successfully advocated on behalf of clients both in the Legislature and within the Executive Branch. She helps clients navigate the legislative and regulatory processes and provides strategic counsel to communicate their messages effectively. Her relational advocacy approach proves successful for the firm’s clients as she has navigated difficult issues such as police reform, healthcare transparency, and climate change policy.

Understanding the policy objectives for each client, Jennifer’s analytical communication, research, and writing skills provide timely updates with relevant information about issues pertinent to them. Along with analyzing legislation, Jennifer reviews budget proposals, monitors oversight and informational hearings, drafts position letters, and keeps track of all regulatory matters of interest to clients. Jennifer also works with the firm to implement its marketing functions.

Prior to joining Capitol Advocacy, Jennifer worked for several members of the State Assembly, most recently as the Capitol Director for the Minority Caucus Chair and Vice-Chair of the Assembly Business & Professions Committee. She provided strategic counsel to the members and worked closely with caucus communications to develop and implement effective legislative strategies. Jennifer also developed members’ legislative priorities and worked on a variety of policy issues including health and human service budget issues, Proposition 65 reform, manufacturing incentives, workplace flexibility, public safety, and utilities. Her firsthand experience as legislative staff allowed her to build key relationships both in the Legislature and the Administration.

Originally from Sacramento, Jennifer graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with an accounting focus, from California State University, Chico. She enjoys mentoring young professionals through SheShares, a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting women in the Capitol community. She lives in Roseville with her husband Kyle and two daughters.

Chris Zgraggen

Chris rejoined Capitol Advocacy in January of 2025,after spending two years at a boutique lobbying firm in Sacramento. Prior to that, Chris spent five years at Capitol Advocacy. Chris has dedicated his time at the firm to providing clients with key information and advocacy to help them succeed.

Whether it is sponsoring a bill, or supporting/opposing other legislation, Chris does all he can to achieve his client desired results. Through relationship building and strategic planning, Chris uses his high level of written and verbal communication skills to effectively advocate for his clients. In addition, his experience in with State Budget analysis provides clients with important information on state spending, impacting a wide variety of sectors.

Over the course of his experience in the private sector Chris has become familiar with a wide array of issue areas and has honed his skills in communicating key information to clients in a timely fashion on their top issues. Prior to his time in the private sector, Chris worked for three years in the California State Assembly for several Assemblymembers, including a Central Valley Member who served as the Vice-Chair of the Assembly Utilities and Energy Committee. His time as a legislative staffer afforded him the opportunity to become well versed in the legislative process, gain familiarity with multiple issue areas, and be an active participant in the development of public policy.

Chris has a proven track record for working in a bipartisan manner with Members and committees in order to advance legislation. During his tenure in the Legislature, he also found creative ways to advance his Member’s priorities, including leveraging the sunset review process and the budget process. His experience as a legislative staffer helps him to advise to clients how Members and staff think and are likely to engage on legislation. Other issues that he has previously engaged in include, but are not limited to, electric vehicles, solid waste and recycling, energy, housing, employer issues, sports and entertainment, information technology, privacy, financial services, and local government. Chris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California Davis and also holds a Master in Public Policy and Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento. He lives in Elk Grove with his wife Erin, and two daughters, Rhiannon and Camila.