To: Board of Supervisors
From: Candace Andersen, District II Supervisor
Report Title: Resolution recognizing Gayle Israel, Chief of Staff to Supervisor Andersen, upon her retirement
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ACCEPT recommendation to recognize Gayle Israel upon her retirement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact
BACKGROUND:
District 2 Supervisor, Chief of Staff Gayle Israel is retiring the end of June, 2024.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No negative action
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF
Resolution recognizing
Gayle Sloate Israel upon her
Retirement from contra costa county
Whereas, Chief of Staff Gayle Sloate Israel met Supervisor Candace Andersen in the Spring of 2005 at Red Willow Park in San Ramon, which adjoins Diablo Vista Park in Danville, when her young Golden Doodle puppy Mystic became an instant friend with Candace’s new Dalmatian puppy Lucentio; and for the next seven years they walked their dogs most mornings and discussed many issues including politics; and
Whereas, Gayle has an impressive background, graduating from Estancia High School in Costa Mesa, California where she was not only an outstanding student, athlete (always keeping up with her three brothers Arthur, David and Joe), but was also the recipient of the Congressional Award Gold Medal; and
Whereas, Gayle went on to attend San Diego State University where she was on the Women’s Soccer Team, a member of the Associated Students Council, a Kappa Delta Sorority member, and graduated with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Marketing; and
Whereas, Gayle began her career in 1985, serving as an intern for U.S. Senator Pete Wilson, and soon after took a position in Washington D.C. as a Congressional Staff Aide to U.S. House of Representatives member Jack Kemp, and later worked as the Director of Scheduling and Traveling Aide for the Jack Kemp presidential campaign; and
Whereas, on September 1, 1991, Gayle married Richard Israel, and after the birth of their second daughter took time off from her career to raise their daughters Sara and Rachel, volunteered in the schools and community, and played soccer; and
Whereas, in early 2012 Candace was serving as the Mayor of Danville and had decided to run for County Supervisor, and as she and Gayle were on one of their morning walks with their pups Lucentio and Mystic, Gayle offered to work on Candace’s campaign for a paltry sum of money; and
Whereas from March through June of 2012, in an empty storefront in the Rose Garden Shopping Center in Danville, and with the assistance of Candace’s son PJ, they strategized, drafted press releases, created print media and digital content, organized teams of volunteers, and pulled off a stunning victory in the June 5, 2012 Primary, Candace winning with 60% of the vote in a three-way race; and
Whereas because the District 2 Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema had lost her valiant battle to ovarian cancer on May 19, 2012, it was up to Governor Jerry Brown to appoint someone to fill the rest of her term; and on June 26, 2012 Candace was sworn in to the Board of Supervisors and soon thereafter Gayle was hired to be her Deputy Chief of Staff and one year later she became the District 2 Chief of Staff; and
Whereas, for 12 years Gayle not only led the District 2 team to serve the residents of Contra Costa County with concern and compassion, but she was also Candace’s trusted friend and advisor, and honest opinion-giver, who will truly be missed; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County does hereby congratulate and thank District 2 Chief of Staff Gayle Sloate Israel for her dedication to Contra Costa County.