Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel's Staff
(From left to right: Neil Shah, Peter Kim, Elizabeth Maeng, Ed Chen, Chevonne Carnahan, Board Member Michelle Steel, Erik Caldwell, Ken Maddox, John Hrabe, Keith Chatprapachai)
Erik Caldwell: Chief Deputy - email
Erik W. Caldwell serves as Chief Deputy to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. Prior to joining the office, he served as a legislative policy advisor to San Diego County Supervisor Greg Cox. Erik earned a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, San Marcos and holds a California Real Estate Broker's license. He has also worked on numerous local, state and federal political campaigns.
Ken Maddox: Director of Legislative Affairs - email
Ken Maddox serves as Director of Legislative Affairs to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. From 1998 to 2004, Ken represented Orange County in the California State Assembly. Upon leaving the State Legislature, Ken was named a Senior Fellow of Public Policy at U.C.L.A. and worked as a principal of a public advocacy and consulting firm. A former Garden Grove city councilman, Ken now resides in Dana Point with his son, Kenny.
John Hrabe: Communications Director - email
John R. Hrabe serves as Communications Director to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. John's communications experience includes service to four California State Assemblymembers as both Press Secretary and Communications Director. He has extensive campaign experience at the local, state, and federal level, specializing in communications strategy and research. Before graduating from California State University, Long Beach, John was ranked the top parliamentary debater in the country.
Elizabeth Maeng: Tax Counsel to the Board Member - email
Elizabeth Maeng serves as Tax Counsel to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. Previously, Elizabeth worked in the tax department for a major oil company where she was responsible for its property taxes in the western United States. A licensed California attorney, Elizabeth received her J.D. from McGeorge School of Law and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of the Pacific.
Keith Chatprapachai: Taxpayer Specialist - email
Keith serves as Taxpayer Specialist to the Board Member Michelle Steel. Prior to joining the Board Member's office, Keith worked for the Board of Equalization in the Santa Ana district office as Business Taxes compliance Supervisor II. Keith's 22 years of experience at the Board allow him to quickly resolve tax cases, compliance disputes and audit issues. He is fluent in Thai and Chinese (Chow Jey dialect). Keith earned his Bachelor, B.S and Master of Business Administration, MBA in finance and management from California State University, Long Beach, and Dominguez Hills. In addition, Keith is a Reserve Deputy Sheriff, Level I with the Los Angeles County Sheriff Department.
Christina Rueck: Legislative Assistant - email
Christina Rueck serves as Legislative Assistant to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. A Government Journalism graduate from California State University, Sacramento, Christina has previously interned in the California State Assembly for the Honorable Greg Aghazarian and for the Sacramento lobbying firm Pete Conaty & Associates. She has additional political experience lobbying in Washington D.C. for various United States Armed Forces veterans groups.
Chevonne Carnahan: Staff Assistant - email
Chevonne Carnahan serves as Staff Assistant to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. A political science graduate of the University of Southern California, Chevonne has previously worked for the public relations departments of both non-profit and corporate businesses. Chevonne also has political experience working for the Victory 2006 Get Out The Vote Effort (GOTV).
Ed Chen: Special Assistant to the Board Member - email
Ed Chen serves as Special Assistant to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. Previously, Ed served as Deputy Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Governor Schwarzenegger's 2007 Inaugural Committee and Deputy Coalitions Director & Director of Asian Affairs for Governor Schwarzenegger's re-election campaign. He has extensive public policy experience, including service as an appointed member of the Temple City Unified School District and staff member to both houses of the California Legislature.
Neil Shah: Deputy and Senior Advisor - email
Neil Shah serves as Deputy and Senior Advisor to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. A veteran of the Board of Equalization, Neil previously worked for Board of Equalization Vice Chairman Claude Parrish and as an auditor in the sales and use tax division. A Certified Public Accountant, Neil received his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting and a Master's degree in Business Administration from California State University, Long Beach.
Peter Kim: Senior Assistant to the Board Member - email
Peter Kim serves as Senior Assistant to Board of Equalization Member Michelle Steel. Peter brings with him to the Board of Equalization experience working for a United States Congressman and U.S. Secretary of Labor. He has also served as a board member for the Korean American Coalition Orange County chapter. A graduate of the University of California at Irvine, he was selected as an American delegate for the 2005 U.S. Congress-Korean National Assembly Youth Exchange Program.