Debra's Qualifications

B.A., Communications (Journalism Option) Minors: Latin American Studies with a Spanish language emphasis, California State University, Chico, CA (1984) 

Government-Related Certificates 

WELL Fellow - Water Education for Latino Leaders - A cohort of 14 elected officials from throughout the State of California who undergo a 6-month intensive program which focuses on our state’s most pressing water issues - June 2022.  

Awarded Executive Certificate in Public Leadership, Harvard Kennedy School, February 4, 2021 

Awarded a certificate of completion for the Public Narrative: Leadership, Storytelling, and Action (Online) 12/2020, Marshall Gantz, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education 

Awarded a certificate of completion for the National Association of Counties (NACo's) High Performance Leadership Academy - 12-Week (Online) Program - 12/2020 

Awarded a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, 7/2019, John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education as a Cahn Public Service Fellowship. 

New Supervisors Institute - February 21-22, 2019 - Sacramento - California State Association of Counties (CSAC)  

356 Negotiations and Collaboration in Complex Environments - April 5, 2019 - Sacramento - California State Association of Counties (CSAC)  

New Supervisors Institute - November 25-27, 2018 - San Diego - California State Association of Counties (CSAC)  

Special Events & Marketing Projects 

Silent Film Festival (Redding & Chico) - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 

ArtsMart, Redding - Artist Collaborative - 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 

Salmon Festival, City of Oroville, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 (22,000 attendees) 

Nor-Cal Jazz Festival, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 

TrueNorthArtsCulture.org, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 

Artoberfest Regional Festival of Arts & Culture Working with More than 160 Arts, Culture & Heritage Organizations, City of Chico (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) 

Agricultural Speed Dating (paring producers with buyers) - Butte County (2010, 2011, 2012) 

Agricultural Speed Dating (paring producers with buyers) - Shasta County (2012) 

Agricultural Speed Dating (paring producers with buyers) - Yuba County (2012) 

Bidwell Mansion Community Project, (Run for Bidwell Mansion, March 31, 2012 - raised nearly $140,000) 

Butte County EDC - Job Loss Prevention Forum, Oroville, December (2012) 

Construction Speed Dating in Chico - Matching 24 subcontractors with 12 general contractors (2011) 

6th annual California Cultural & Heritage Tourism Symposium, Chico, CA (January 2010) 

La Bella Artists, Butte Creek Canyon, November (2009) 

Architecture as Art Video - filming of 10 architectural firms for 1078 Gallery exhibition. (2009) 

Typing Around Town: A Literary Celebration of Chico (2009) 

Award-Winning California State Fair Booth, Butte County (2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) 

Director, Annies Arts Awards, 7 disciplines honored in music, visual arts, literature, dance, theatre, video & film, architecture, Chico, CA (2000, 2002, 2004, 2006) 

Chico Glass Fest, Sierra Nevada Brewing Company, Chico, CA (2008, 2010) 

California Glass Exchange Conference, Chico, CA (2008) 

California Wildlife Festival, Gridley, CA -- Logo, website, programming concepts, marketing, development, negotiations, inaugural dinner (2008) 

Chico Community Banquet (2008) westsideGreen.com, Chico, CA -- Marketing, public relations for New Urban Builders (2007-2008) 

3 Painters & Jazz, New Urban Builders (2007) 

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association’s Cultural Heritage Tourism Regional Workshop, (Sacramento County to Oregon) Chico, CA (2007)  

Commonpath.org On-Line Artist Community (2006, 2007) 

Chico Palio (chicopalio.org) (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015)  

Upstate California Adventures (upstatecaliforniaadventures.org): Ag, Nature, Heritage Tourism Map of Butte, Glenn, Tehama, Colusa counties  (2005)  

Butte County Cultural Assessment (2005) 

The Art of Food & Wine Event, Feather Falls Casino, Oroville, CA (2005, 2006, 2007) 

Photographic Documentation, Restoration of Tibetan Temples, Mustang, Nepal (2004) 

Land of Ishi Photography Project (2003) 

Chico Family Fun Day (cultural emphasis), CSU, Chico (2003, 2005, 2005) 

Futon International Association Trade Shows (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993) 

Austin’s Home Furnishings Tent Sales (1993, 1994, 1999, 2000) 

Aglow International Conferences (Retail Component: 1996, 1997, 1998) 

Government  Supervisor District 2 - County of Butte (January 7, 2019 - January 2023)  

Nonprofits  Founder & President, Upstate Community Enhancement Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to social, cultural and educational development. (2001-present) 

Contract Executive Director, Shasta County Arts Council & SCAC.tv - A community access television station from by Shasta County Arts Council (March 2011-Dec 2019) 

Co-Director, True North Arts & Culture Alliance - A Regional Network of the CA Arts Council representing Butte, Tehama, Shasta, Trinity, Siskiyou and Modoc (2015-2017) 

Contract CEO, Butte County Economic Development Corporation, (October 2010-2015) 

Public Information Specialist, National Council of La Raza in Washington, D.C. (1983) 

Community Vitality & Economic Development Through Ag, Arts, Culture, Heritage, & Tourism  

Principal, Debra Lucero & Associates, community & economic development, public relations, marketing and management firm (2003-present)

 Contract Business Development, Marketing/Public Relations, Lucero Olive Oil (April 2013-2016) 

Contract Director, Butte County Cultural Tourism (2003-March 2013)  

Marketing Director, Bob Linscheid & Associates - Butte County Cultural Tourism project on behalf of Butte County Economic Development Corporation (2000-2003) 

Management & Marketing Operations & Sales Manager, Austin’s Home Furnishings, Chico, CA (1999-2000) 

Consultant, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN (1998-1999) 

Marketing/Public Relations/Promotions

Aglow International, Seattle, WA (1995-1998) 

Marketing Director, Multi-Image Network, Chico, CA (1994-1995) 

Sales & Service Manager, Austin’s Home Furnishings, Chico, CA (1993-1994) 

Executive Director, Futon Association International, Chico, CA (1989-1993)

 Entrepreneurial, Writing, Editing  Grant writer (2001-present) 

Editor/Reporter/Photographer, Chico Enterprise-Record, Off the Record, Red Bluff Daily News, The Modesto Bee, La Habra Daily-Star Progress, Paradise Post and Vacaville Reporter (1981-1989) 

Entrepreneur in furniture retail, wholesale, manufacturing, Chico, CA (1987-1995) 

Special Skills Project & Non-Profit Management, Marketing, Public Relations, Report Writing, Grant Writing, Business Analysis, Government Liaison, 

Presentations, Special Events, Research, Strategic Planning, Website Creation and Maintenance, Social Media, Video Production, Photography, Creative Thinking. 

Boards, Commissions, & Appointments 

Chair - Northern Sacramento Valley Integrated Regional Water Management Board (Covering Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Shasta, Sutter and Tehama counties) 

Vice President Latino Caucus of the California State Association of Counties, CSAC - (2018-present; VP 2020-2022) 

Vice Chair - NACo Arts & Culture Commission - 2020, 2021 

Chair NACo - Resilient Counties Advisory Board - 2021; 

Vice Chair 2020 Vice Chair - NACo Environment, Energy and Land Use Steering Committee - 2021

 Vice Chair = NACo Rural Caucus - 2021 Board 

Member - Californians for Arts - (2016-present) 

Board Member - California Arts Advocates - (2016-present) 

Western Region of Alliance for Community Media - six states - Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, New Mexico and Nevada - (2016 to 2018) 

City of Chico Arts Commission Member - (2016-2018) 

Shasta Cascade Wonderland Association, Regional Tourism Board of Directors - Butte, Lassen, Modoc, Plumas, Siskiyou, Shasta, Tehama, Trinity counties (2001-2017) 

Board Member, Bidwell Mansion Community Project, 2011-2014 

Think Local Chico Board of Directors, Arts & Culture Industry Segment (2009-2012) 

CalTIA Ambassador, Advocacy, California’s Travel Industry Association (2008-2012) 

California Cultural Heritage & Tourism Corps Steering Committee (2007-2010) 

City of Chico Arts Commission (1999-2002) 

Downtown Chico Business Association Board of Directors (2001) 

Janet Turner Print Museum Board of Directors (2002-2004) 

Butte County Economic Development Corporation (2001-2016) 

Grants & stewardship Grant Review Panels Grant Review Panel, Creating Public Value through the Arts, California Arts Council (2009) 

Peer Grant Review Panel, State/Local Partnership Program, California Arts Council (2007, 2008, 2015)

  Grants Received California Cultural District Designation - Redding, CA (2017-2021) 

California Arts Council State/Local Partnership Grants - Butte County  (2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) 

California Arts Council State/Local Partnership Grants - Shasta County  (2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019) 

The McConnell Foundation (Redding Cultural District - 2017-2019) 

Horizon’s Foundation - SF Conservatory of Music Presentation in Redding - (2016) 

California Arts Council Statewide/Regional Grant - True North Arts & Culture Alliance (2016) 

California Arts Council Veterans Initiative the Arts - Shasta County (2016, 2017) 

California Arts Council Veterans Initiative the Arts - Butte County (2016, 2017) 

California Arts Council Artists Activating Communities - Butte County (2016, 2020) 

California Arts Council Artists in Schools - Fairview High School - Butte County (2016, 2017, 2018) 

California Arts Council Local Impact - Butte County (2016, 2020) 

California Arts Council Professional & Consulting Grant - Arts Summit - Butte County (2016, 2017) 

United Way - Shasta County (2016) 

McConnell Foundation (Shasta Regional Community Foundation) - (2015, 2016) 

Pacific Gas & Electric Community Vitality Grant - (2014 - 1 of only 10 awarded in California) 

California Arts Creating Public Value Through the Arts (2006 --1 of only 12 awarded in California that year; 2012 for True North Tour in Butte, Tehama, Shasta & Trinity counties) 

California Technical Assistance Grant (2009, 2012, 2013) 

Artists in Schools California Arts Council Grant (2009) 

Americans for the Arts (2009) 

National Endowment for the Arts Challenge America Grant, Butte County, CA (2005, 2011) 

City of Chico Arts Grants (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010. 2011) 

City of Chico Economic Development Grants (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)  

Our cities and county face similar challenges. We need leaders who are energetic problem solvers who will seek common ground with political colleagues. We need more collaboration to serve the people of Butte County in an effective and fiscally responsible way.
Debra is passionate about community and making Butte County a place where we feel safe, inclusive, opportunities abound. Our farm land and water need to be protected. Education and career training has never been more important plus economic development utilizing local assets are her passions. 

Debra's important Issues:

• Quality of life - public safety, homelessness, mental health, health care. These are all related issues and need to be addressed in a more coordinated fashion in the county and region
• Jobs, future trends & CTE training - particularly in light of COVID and the disruption we're seeing in supply chains and employment.
• Butte County's budget & collaboration with local agencies
• Agriculture, water & environment

As a prolific grant writer, authoring nearly 60 successful grants since 2002, Debra is familiar with outcome-based projects, reporting, measuring results, staying within budget and interacting with multiple government agencies. This is important knowledge when dealing with complicated budgets and jurisdictional relationships.
She really loves the True North of California and especially the place of her birth - Chico. She was raised with the notion of making places in which you live and work a little better. As a result, she is goal oriented and likes to get things done. She intends to do that right here in Butte County with your vote. 

She is committed to you.

She was born at Enloe Hospital in Chico and lived in Chico for the first four years of her life. Her parents moved to Corning after attending Chico State where they got jobs as teachers and raised their three daughters. Debra attended Shasta College and graduated from CSU, Chico, with a Bachelor's in Communications. Her mother and grandmother were born in Oroville. She has deep Butte County roots - going back to 1860 when her great, great, great grandfather, Phillip Klos settled in Mountain Spring and then moved to Enterprise where her great, great, grandmother Lena Klof (Klos) was born in 1863. And to 1898 on her great, great grandfather's side. He is described in George Mansfield's History of Butte County, California, as "A worthy descendant of a 'forty-niner,' and himself the father of an enterprising and energetic family, is Thomas J. Lucas, of Bidwell’s Bar. Thomas J. Lucas married Miss Lena Klof, born at Enterprise, Butte County, the daughter of Philip Klof, the pioneer hotel- and store-keeper at Enterprise."  It goes on to describe Thomas J. Lucas as an excellent butcher and rancher and " ... active in any movement for the development of the county; and to this development Mr. Lucas has contributed in a considerable measure by his untiring research work and experimentation."

Her Latino father (whose roots go back 400 years in New Mexico) was the first person in his family to attend college. He became a teacher, a volunteer firefighter and an advocate for girls sports at the school board level and for teachers at the state level. He was also an unofficial spokesperson for the hundreds of migrant farm workers who passed through Corning as they picked olives. It was his activism that inspired Debra to become an advocate and community organizer. 

Debra raised her three children in Chico. She is married to Raymond Laager who is president of a local business group and underwriting director for a local radio station and weekly newspaper. 

For nearly two decades, not only has she been involved in economic development but has been at the helm of nonprofits, active in community media, arts, culture, heritage and agricultural pursuits. At the core of this activity is the belief that economic and community development should be built around our local assets and our local people. 

Her eight plus years as an award-winning journalist and editor, as well as a "tour of duty" in Washington, D.C. as an information specialist for an Hispanic lobbyist group, seasoned her in government relations and negotiations. Her extensive grant writing background has enabled her to augment educational programs, festivals and events throughout her career. She has long worked with college-age adults, developing specialized internship programs in public relations, marketing, video and television production, as well as event and festival production.

In addition to several other boards, she sat on the Shasta-Cascade Wonderland Board of Directors - representing eight Northern California counties - for more than a decade. Currently, she sits on the Chico Arts Commission as well as on two state boards - California Arts Advocates and Californians for the Arts as well as on the Western Region of the Alliance for Community Media - representing Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Nevada, New Mexico. 

She would be proud to represent Butte County as an elected official. "I've been doing it unofficially for years!"

Thank you for your support.

Here is a good read of early Butte County history.