Stanford Professor Named CHS Trustee

The California Historical Society (CHS) announced the appointment of seven new members to the society’s board of trustees.  The new trustees bring a wide range of experience, geographical diversity and expertise that will benefit the organization and its mission. Robert Chattel, an active trustee since 2005, has also been elected President of the Board of Trustees. 

“Each new trustee brings a wealth of knowledge, experience and passion about California history and we are honored to have them join the Board,” said Dr. Anthea Hartig, Executive Director of the California Historical Society. “We are looking forward to the unique strengths, talents, and insights of our newest trustees and the expertise they will bring to our organization and to the important work we conduct on behalf of all Californians to maintain and preserve our state’s rich history.”

The new trustees are appointed to an initial 3-year term and include:

Albert Camarillo, of Palo Alto, has been a distinguished professor of history at Stanford University since 1975. Camarillo is widely regarded as one of the founding scholars of the field of Mexican American history and Chicano Studies. Before his appointment to the Faculty in the Department of History at Stanford University, Camarillo earned both his bachelor’s and doctorate degrees in United States History from UCLA. He has published seven books and over three-dozen articles and essays dealing with the experiences of Mexican Americans and other immigrant groups in American cities.

Ian Campbell, of Los Angeles, is the Vice Chairman of the Abernathy Macgregor Group, with a strong background in business, communications, and service in California . Campbell founded The Abernathy Macgregor Group’s offices in the west and has directed or advised communications teams in over sixty mergers and acquisitions assignments with the group.  He has served on or chaired several committees for the state of California , including the California Parks and Recreation Commission and the California Taxpayers Association, among others.

Jon Christensen, of Los Angeles, joins the board with an impressive background in history, academia, and journalism. Former executive director of the Bill Lane Center for the American West at Stanford University , Christensen recently accepted a joint appointment in the History Department at the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability at UCLA. Christensen has been writing about the American West over the past three decades, both as a journalist and as a historian. 

Tony Gonzalez, of Sacramento, is a legislative advocate for the firm of Rose & Kindel, with more than 25 years of experience in public policy-making. His experience in guiding private sector organizations through the political thicket in the state capital has helped clients achieve their goals and contributed significantly to the development of public policy in California . Previously, Gonzalez held positions with the California Department of Insurance and the Assembly Republican Caucus, among other organizations.

Beverly Thomas, of Los Angeles, has a distinguished career in organizational management, public relations, public policy, and a deep involvement in the governance of the Golden State .  A founding partner of Unger/Thomas in 1985, Thomas then shifted her focus to state politics.  She developed and implemented successful statewide campaign strategy for Kathleen Brown in her campaign for State Treasurer and later served under Ms. Brown as Assistant State Treasurer. Thomas returned to private practice in 1995.

Harold Tuck, of San Diego, is the former Chief Information Officer of San Diego County , where his responsibilities included all operational and strategic Information Technology functions for the County, providing services to 17,000 employees at over 200 facilities.  Now retired from County service, Tuck is also active on other boards of directors, including: Neighborhood House Association; Rest Haven Children’s Health Fund; and the Community Advisory Board for Union Bank.

Ralph Walter, of Los Angeles, is Senior Managing Director at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors LLP and has extensive experience in both the investment management business and the charitable community. Walter is a Member of Phi Beta Kappa, a trustee at Knox College , a Board Member of the Kayne-ERAS Center and the United States Council of Wycliffe Hall, University of Oxford , England .

Robert Chattel, newly elected President of the Board, has been an active trustee since 2005.  A licensed general contractor and architect with experience in planning, design and construction, Chattel established Chattel Architecture, Planning & Preservation, Inc. in 1994. With experience working for non-profit, government, and for-profit entities, including the Los Angeles Conservancy, the Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles and the private sector, Chattel and his firm have received awards from the California Preservation Foundation, Los Angeles Conservancy, American Planning Association and the City of Los Angeles for projects ranging from preservation of the Beverly Hills Waterworks, to stabilization of the Breed Street Shul in east Los Angeles and rehabilitation of the downtown Los Angeles Central Library.