Leadership

The California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force (CASLAR) has officially transitioned to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization under the management of the Association of California Cities – Orange County (ACC-OC). This milestone strengthens CASLAR’s ability to advance reforms that improve oversight of sober living and recovery homes, protect those in recovery, and safeguard neighborhoods.

Since its founding, CASLAR has driven bipartisan legislative action, supported local governments in passing model ordinances, assisted with litigation, increased public awareness, compiled critical law enforcement data, and initiated a state audit that exposed oversight gaps. As a non-profit, CASLAR will expand these efforts through enhanced advocacy, broader membership, research initiatives, and public education campaigns.

California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force Non-Profit Board of Directors:

Valerie Amezcua

Chair

Mayor,

City of Santa Ana

Katrina Foley

Vice Chair

5th District Supervisor,

Orange County Board of Supervisors

Wendy Bucknum

Secretary

City Council,

City of Mission Viejo

Stephanie Klopfenstein

Board Member

Mayor,

City of

Garden Grove

Allen Nelson

Treasurer

Community Advocate

California Sober Living and Recovery Task Force Founding Co-Chairs:

  • Mission Viejo Councilmember,
    CASLAR Co-Chair

    Council Member Wendy Bucknum was elected to serve as a member of the Mission Viejo City Council in 2014. Council Member Bucknum has a long history of community service. She served as Mayor for calendar year 2017 and 2022, prior to serving on the council, she served four years on the Mission Viejo Community Services Commission and was chair of that commission in 2012. She served as 2022 Vice Chair on the Orange Council of Governments General Assembly (OCCOG), and served as representative for District 13 of Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Governing Board since 2018, and Community, Economic and Human Development Committee since 2015. She served on the Association of California Cities, Orange County Board since 2014. Wendy has also served on the Orange County’s Local Agency Formation Commission (Orange LAFCO) since 2015. In addition, Wendy served member of the Standing CUSD/Mission Viejo Ad Hoc Committee, The Olympic Ad Hoc Committee, and the Housing Ad Hoc Committee. She has established the Drug Abuse Prevention Coalition as well as the new formed South Orange County Sober Living and Recovery (SOCSLAR) Task Force.

  • State Assemblymember (AD-74),
    CASLAR Co-Chair

    Assemblywoman Laurie Davies represents California’s 74th Assembly District, which includes the communities of southern Orange County, including Dana Point, Laguna Niguel, San Clemente, and San Juan Capistrano plus the communities of northern San Diego County, including Camp Pendleton, Oceanside and Vista. Laurie Davies is a small business owner and former Mayor who was elected to the State Assembly in 2020, and re-elected in 2022. Laurie serves on the Assembly’s committees for: Military (Vice Chair), Accountability, Transportation, Communications and Conveyance, Governmental Organization and Water, Parks & Wildlife. Laurie was first elected in 2012 to the Laguna Niguel City Council in 2012. She was appointed Mayor in 2015 and re-elected in 2016. During her time on the Council, Laurie served as a Board Member on the Transportation Corridor Agency, Chaired the League of Cities Committee on Transportation, Communication and Public Works, and was elected to the OCTA. Laurie served the Board of the Association of California Cities Orange County as President.

  • Orange County Supervisor, Fifth District
    CASLAR Co-Chair

    Katrina was elected to the Board of Supervisors in 2022 to represent the newly established District 5, which includes the cities of Aliso Viejo, Costa Mesa, Dana Point, a large portion of Irvine, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Laguna Woods, Newport Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano, as well as the unincorporated areas of Coto de Caza, Emerald Bay, Ladera Ranch, Las Flores, Rancho Mission Viejo, Stonecliffe and Wagon Wheel. This is her second term on the Board of Supervisors, where she previously served District 2. As County Supervisor, Supervisor Foley remains committed to reducing homelessness among our most vulnerable populations, investing in sustainable infrastructure and climate resiliency, protecting our beaches, parks, and open spaces, revitalizing the middle class through job creation and support for small businesses, improving access to County services, and ensuring safe neighborhoods.  

  • Former California State Senator

    Former Senator Patricia "Pat" Bates represented California’s 36th Senate District, which includes the communities of southern Orange County, including Aliso Viejo, Dana Point, Laguna Beach, Laguna Hills, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, and San Juan Capistrano plus the communities of northern San Diego County, including Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Marcos, and Vista. Bates is a former social caseworker and business owner. She served as the Senate Minority Leader from 2017 to 2019 and on the Senate’s committees for: Appropriations (Vice Chair), Environmental Quality, Insurance, Rules (Vice Chair), and Transportation (Vice Chair). Pat previously served in the California State Assembly for the 73rd District from 1998 to 2004 and on the Orange County Board of Supervisors from 2007 to 2014. Pat was first elected to the Laguna Niguel City Council in 1989 and served as the city's first Mayor after incorporation.