Sam Chung

Sam Chung has over ten years of experience in state government and politics. Sam began their career as a Policy Director for Assemblyman Jeff Gorell, where they worked on a variety of issue areas including healthcare, education, and environmental protection. In 2014, they were promoted to Chief of Staff for the California State Assembly. In this role, they managed the day-to-day operations of the Assembly and helped to develop and implement the Assembly’s legislative agenda.

In 2015, Chung left the California State Assembly to join the Western States Petroleum Association as Manager of Strategic Public Relations. In this role, they oversaw a communications department that worked to shape public opinion in favor of the petroleum industry in Washington, Oregon, and California. Sam also managed a successful PR campaign in response to a major oil spill in Oregon.

Chung left the Western States Petroleum Association in 2016 to join California Life Sciences as VP of State Government Relations. In this role, they lobby on behalf of the life sciences industry in California and works to advance the industry’s legislative agenda.

Sam Chung obtained a Master of Public Administration from University of Southern California with a focus in Local Government. Prior to that, they earned their B.A. from University of California, Davis in English and Political Science. Sam also has a degree in Journalism and Public Affairs from University of California, Berkeley.

They work with Lori Lindburg - SVP, Innovation & Inclusion, Illyasha Peete - Executive Director, Racial & Social Equity, and Steve Karp - Executive Director, Innovation Services. and Andrea Gutierrez - Senior Director, State Government Relations reports to Sam Chung. Sam Chung reports to Mike Guerra, President & CEO.