Dennis Albiani President, has over 26 years of experience in advocacy and public policy. Mr. Albiani specializes in Energy, Natural Resources and Water, Food and Agriculture, Special Districts, Technology, and Environmental Protection including Recycling and Proposition 65. He has served as an appointee in two Governor’s Administrations and in the Senate as the Consultant for the Agriculture and Water Resources Committee. He has extensive business experience in real estate, land use, finance and livestock production. Dennis is a member of the California State Bar and graduated from McGeorge School of Law with distinction.
Dennis has a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture Business and minor in Water Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where he was recognized as an outstanding graduate. Dennis was a fellow in the prestigious California Agricultural Leadership Program and a graduate from the Dale Carnegie Institute. Dennis’ wife Beth is a School Board Trustee and they have four children, Nicolas and triplet girls, Sophia, Isabella and Samantha.
Dennis can be reached at: dalbiani@caladvocates.com
Cliff Costa Vice President, has over 19 years of experience in advocacy, public policy and political campaigns. Prior to joining California Advocates, he was the Director of Government Affairs for the California New Car Dealers Association (CNCDA) for almost 7 years. At CNCDA, he oversaw all lobbying efforts at the California Legislature and their political activities through their Political Action Committees (PACs) and Independent Expenditures (IEs).
Cliff served almost a decade in the California State Senate and State Assembly as Legislative Director and Legislative Aide to a number of different legislators representing Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area. During his time working in the Legislature, Cliff worked on issues relating to transportation, judiciary, labor and employment, environmental quality and health, insurance, privacy and financial services.
Cliff is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and the McGeorge School of Law. He is admitted to practice before the state courts in California. Cliff’s wife, Trang, is a former elementary school teacher in West Sacramento. He also serves on the board for the non-partisan California Portuguese American Coalition.
Cliff can be reached at: CCosta@caladvocates.com
Annalee Augustine has 8 years of experience in government affairs. She joined California Advocates in 2019 as a legislative assistant to Mike Belote and has since led client communications and focuses on issues related to privacy, water, agriculture, and California’s Judicial Branch. Prior to her time at California Advocates, she served as a Legislative Aide for Assemblywoman Catharine Baker. Annalee advised the Assemblymember on legislation related to education, judiciary, transportation, public safety, and human services issues.
Annalee has a juris doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law with a concentration in business law and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, where she worked in the office of Government Relations. Annalee was a fellow in the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program, where she earned a graduate certificate in Applied Policy and Government. She is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts in California.
Annalee can be reached at aaugustine@caladvocates.com
Michael Belote Immediate Past President, has over 44 years experience in representing a variety of clients before the Legislature and state regulators. Before joining California Advocates, Mike worked as a legislative advocate for the California Society of Certified Public Accountants followed by the California Association of Realtors. He has also served as Vice President and Legislative Counsel for the California Land Title Association.
Mike’s activities in the legislative process have spanned a broad array of issues, including financial services, real estate, health care, the judiciary, and transportation. Capitol Weekly has named him one of the Top 100 in California politics. In 2021, Mike was named Outstanding Philanthropist of the Year by an association of philanthropic fundraising professionals in the Sacramento Capital Region.
Mike is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and the McGeorge School of Law. He is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts in California.
Mike can be reached at: mbelote@caladvocates.com
Ethan Lares-Salinas
Legislative Assistant
elaressalinas@caladvocates.com
Roseanne Moreno
Legislative Assistant/Office Manager
rmoreno@caladvocates.com
Tricia Schrum, CPA
Controller
tricia@caladvocates.com
California Advocates, Inc. Presidents:
Dennis Albiani – January 1, 2022 – Present
Michael Belote – January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2021
Ralph Simoni – January 1, 1994 – December 31, 2011
Loren Smith – 1971 – 1993
