Rusty Areias

Partner

“He served in the state Assembly from 1982 to 1994, and became chairman of the Assembly Consumer Protection Committee and of the Assembly Agriculture Committee. He sought to cut interest rates that lenders charged borrowers, and backed farmers facing foreclosure.”

- The Fresno Bee

Rusty Areias creates solutions on behalf of California Strategies’ clients facing the state’s most intense regulatory scrutiny, specifically within environmental, agricultural and coastal arenas. His distinguished public service career provides clients a clear understanding of what must be done to achieve their strategic business objectives.

Rusty Areias’ long and successful record of public service is characterized by his ability to balance complex issues, especially environmental, land-use, transportation, agriculture, and water, into legislative and public policy success. His ability to bring people together and achieve bipartisan solutions is most evident in the more than 100 pieces of legislation he authored as a legislator that was signed into law by two different Republican governors.

Areias served 12 years in the California Assembly, representing Merced, San Benito, Santa Cruz, Monterey, and Santa Clara counties. He chaired the Agriculture; Earthquakes, Repair and Response; and Consumer Protection committees, working to strengthen the agricultural economy, preserve farmland, increase seismic safety standards, lower credit card interest rates and stand up for consumer rights. He also served on the Transportation Committee and led the successful effort to secure funds for the improvement of Highway 152 over the Pacheco Pass.

As Director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, he cut park fees in half, boosting attendance at state parks by 23 million visitors. He also oversaw the passage of two major park bonds, totaling more than $6 billion. He served four years as a California Coastal Commissioner, including two years as chairman. His term was characterized by problem-solving and bringing a sense of reasonableness back to the Commission’s decisions.

Prior to his public service, Areias managed the day-to-day operations of the Areias Dairy farms and received numerous awards for farming excellence. In 1982, Areias was awarded the prestigious Outstanding Young Farmer in America.

Areias completed the Harvard Executive Leadership Programs at the Kennedy School of Government. He was also active in Harvard’s Young Presidents Organization.

Areias and his wife are the proud parents of two children.

Specialties
1.
Coastal Resource Management
2.
Agricultural Land Policy and Regulation
3.
Land Use Entitlement and Development
4.
Environmental Policy and Regulation

Expertise

Environment
Federal State & Local Government
Food & Agriculture
Natural Resources
Philanthropic Planning
Public Private Partnerships
Real Estate & Land Use
Career Highlights
1.
Served in the State Assembly from 1982 to 1994
2.
Director of the California Department of Parks and Recreation from 1998-2001
3.
Served on the California Coastal Commission for four years and chaired the Commission for two years
4.
Areias carried the legislation that ultimately designated the CSU satellite campus at Monterey, a fully accredited CSU Campus
5.
Areias was crucial in proposing and orchestrating the location of the UC Merced Campus

Contact Rusty Areias

California Strategies Partners David Armanasco And Rusty Areias Attend The Panetta Institute’s Presentation Of The 2021 Jefferson-Lincoln Awards
David Armanasco served as the Master of Ceremonies during the event on November 6, 2021 highlighting awardees United States Representatives Liz Cheney (R-WY), James Clyburn (D-SC) and Chris Wallace, Anchor...
Rusty Areias Community Garden Opened
Congratulations To Rusty Areias for this recognition! This dedication is for your important and pivotal role, while the Director of the California State Parks, to fund the purchase of this...