Capitol Office

Trent Hager, Chief of Staff. Mr. Hager, a 10+ year veteran in California public policymaking, has served in various legislative capacities, including senior staff to former Assembly Speaker Herb Wesson and former Assembly Rules Committee Chairman Dennis Cardoza.  Mr. Hager staffs the member on the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee and bills being considered on the Assembly Floor.  Additionally, Mr. Hager advises the member on labor and employment, elections, agriculture, banking and insurance issues. 

Michelle Morris-Battle, Executive Assistant. Mrs. Battle has been working for the California State Legislature for the last seven years under former Senator Jack O’Connell and former Assemblymember Joe Nation. Mrs. Battle is primarily responsible for maintaining the Member's schedule in Sacramento and in the District, and is the first point of contact for visitors in the Capitol office.

Diane Shelton, Legislative Director. Ms. Shelton has over 14 years of experience in the California State Assembly, serving seven different members in a variety of legislative leadership staff positions. Ms. Shelton advises the member on the Joint Select Committee on Foster Youth, coordinates the member’s legislative package, and is main point of contact for a majority of member’s active legislation. 

Eduardo Martinez, Legislative Assistant. Mr. Martinez has worked in the State Assembly for five years for three different Assemblymembers.  Mr. Martinez is the Assemblymember’s point of contact for all press and media inquiries.  He staffs the member on the Assembly Transportation Committee and bills being considered on the Assembly Floor.  Additionally, he advises the member on environmental issues, utilities and commerce issues, and issues pertaining to the San Gabriel Valley Caucus.

Philip Horner, Legislative Assistant. An attorney, Mr. Horner has worked for or with the California State Legislature for more than 30 years. During this time Mr. Horner has worked for various Assemblymembers, the Committees on Health, Finance and Insurance, and the Joint Legislative Audit Committee and has provided consulting services for numerous agencies and organizations.  He staffs and advises the member on legislation coming before the Assembly Public Safety Committee.  Mr. Horner is also responsible for advising the member regarding health care, mental health, the judiciary and legal issues.
                

District Office

Bill Hacket, Field Representative. Mr. Hacket is a graduate of Providence College and Southwestern University School of Law. He is a member of the bar in California and Massachusetts.  Mr. Hacket previously worked as a trial lawyer for Transamerica Corporation and served as general counsel for Pro-Consul, Inc. and eSportsman.com, prior to working for former Assemblymember Carol Liu.  Mr. Hacket is a member of the National Association of Realtors, the Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.  Bill resides in Pasadena and handles issues relating to the environment, business and public safety.

Elizabeth Garcia, Field Representative. Ms. Garcia has experience in both the public sector and the private sector, having worked for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa under his education team and for Cerrell Associates, Inc. She also recently obtained her Master’s Degree from Pepperdine’s School of Public Policy. Ms. Garcia represents the Assemblymember in the Northeast Los Angeles portion of the district, which includes the communities of Eagle Rock, Highland Park and Glassell Park. She also is the point of contact in the district for issues surrounding higher education, career and technology, and labor.

Lerna Kayserian, Field Representative. Ms. Kayserian began to work for the Assemblymember shortly after he was elected in 2006. She is a graduate of the University of Southern of California with a degree in Political Science. She represents the cities of Duarte and Monrovia on behalf of the member. She also advises the member on child care, foster care, immigration, and arts and culture issues. Additionally, she advises the member on Armenian American issues in the district.

Adam Carter, Field Representative.  Mr. Carter is a recent graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles holding a B.A. in Political Science, with an emphasis in American Politics. As both a resident and native of Pasadena, he represents the Assemblymember in the City of Pasadena and Town of Altadena. In addition to his geographic representation, he advises the Assemblymember on issues concerning healthcare, seniors, veteran affairs, and science/technology. Mr. Carter is also the point of contact within the district for African American outreach.