Sacramento, CA – June 3, 2019 – The California Retailers Association (CRA) is proud to announce Steve McCarthy, a longtime Capitol fixture, as its new Vice President of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs. Steve joins CRA’s growing team of professionals as the association ramps up its efforts to protect consumers, economy and jobs in the fifth largest economy in the world with retail making up a quarter of the state’s employment.
“CRA is excited to have Steve’s energy and expertise in the public policy arena,” said Rachel Michelin, President of California Retailers Association. “Steve has led many successful legislative efforts and negotiations with the Governor’s Office and leaders in the State Senate and Assembly. He has demonstrated leadership in working with gubernatorial administrations and legislators, from both political parties, and will add a strong voice to CRA’s advocacy efforts for our members and on issues important to retail in California.”
“I am looking forward to hitting the ground running with the California Retailers Association,” said McCarthy. “It is exciting to see the association grow at an important and pivotal time for California’s retail industry. Never has it been more important to have a strong advocacy team in place.”
Steve has held numerous leadership positions in the State Capitol, most recently as Director of the Assembly Republican Office of Policy and Budget. In that capacity, Steve led a team of consultants in the development of legislative analyses and recommendations on legislative measures and proposals. Steve also served as an adviser and strategist for the Assembly Minority Leader, leadership staff and members of the State Legislature. Previously, he has served as a Principal Consultant and Chief of Staff during his tenure in the Capitol.
“We have an aggressive agenda planned for the association and Steve will be a valuable asset to our mission to preserve and enhance the retail industry in California,” said Michelin. “Steve’s knowledge and expertise will help CRA advance the priorities of our members by taking significant leadership positions in development of public policy and regulatory measures that impact retail and the business climate in our state.”
Steve will begin at CRA on August 5th.
About the California Retailers Association
The California Retailers Association is the only statewide trade association representing all segments of the retail industry including general merchandise, department stores, mass merchandisers, restaurants, convenience stores, supermarkets and grocery stores, chain drug, and specialty retail such as auto, vision, jewelry, hardware and home stores. CRA works on behalf of California’s retail industry, which currently operates over 418,840 retail establishments with a gross domestic product of $330 billion annually and employs 3,211,805 people—one fourth of California’s total employment. At the end of fiscal year 2014 the state of California collected $48.5 billion in revenue from retail sales and use taxes, representing more than 25% of the state revenue.
