CAWG names director of government relations

The California Association of Winegrape Growers has selected Michael Miiller as its new director of government relations, effective Jan. 17.

Previously, Miiller was chief of staff and communications director for Assemblyman Marc Levine (D-Marin County). He oversaw and managed Levine’s Capitol office, three district offices and the Assembly Water, Parks, and Wildlife Committee. Miiller has held various positions for legislative leaders in the State Senate and Assembly and served as a legislative liaison during the Wilson and Davis administrations. In the regulatory arena, he drafted regulations and conducted stakeholder meetings at CalEPA and the Employment Development Department. Miiller also has experience in communications and public relations.

As director of government relations, Miiller will monitor a wide range of state public policy issues and represent CAWG before the California Legislature and key regulatory agencies.

Miiller attended the University of Wisconsin and California State University, Sacramento, studying journalism and business administration with a concentration in accounting. A South Dakota native who spent most of his childhood in Iowa and Wisconsin, he has Midwest family roots that run deep in agriculture.