Chris Mowrer

Subject matter expert on natural resources, hazardous waste management, energy, transportation, renewable fuels, land use, water and water quality, conservation, mitigation, governmental affairs.

Chris Mowrer services Axiom’s clients by providing keen insight into government affairs and policy development. A seasoned professional in the State’s capitol, Chris has 32 years of experience delivering winning results to various stakeholders. Chris often includes media and public relations strategies in concert with legislative advocacy to provide successful outcomes for clients.

Prior to joining Axiom, Chris was a Senior Associate at California Strategies. He also served four years as Deputy Secretary for Legislation at the California Natural Resources Agency. In this role, Chris served as the Agency’s lead legislative liaison with the Legislature and stakeholders on environmental, energy and natural resources related issues.

Chris managed and directed multiple legislative units within the Agency (including the California Energy Commission, the Department of Parks and Recreation, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Department of Conservation) while also working closely with sister agencies and departments, including the California Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Toxics and Substances Control, and the California Public Utilities Commission.

Chris’ additional responsibilities at the Natural Resources Agency included:

• Developing the Administration’s legislative proposals to reorganize the state’s energy responsibilities and serving as lead negotiator in the Legislature on those proposals.
• Coordinating the Administration’s successful development and enactment of legislation to decrease marine and inland oil spills.
• Serving as point on the Administration’s SB 63 Transition Team, which created the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), pursuant to SB 63 (Chapter 21, Statutes of 2009).
• Providing weekly briefings to the Governor and his legislative staff on bills moving through the Legislature, routinely testifying at legislative hearings, meeting with legislators and their staff.
• Working closely with a wide range of environmental, business, recreational, nonprofit, and governmental stakeholders on important legislative measures and regulatory issues.

Prior to serving at the Natural Resources Agency, Chris spent 20 years serving in various capacities of increased responsibilities in the California State Legislature, including serving as chief of staff for three legislators.

A native Californian, Chris graduated with a B.A. in Government at Sacramento State University and served in the United States Navy, including a one-year stint at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, learning Russian.