Executive Staff

Julie Nauman, Executive Officer

Julie NaumanJulie Nauman was appointed to the position of Executive Officer by the three-member Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board (VCGCB) effective July 1, 2008.

Prior to joining the VCGCB, Ms. Nauman was the Chief Deputy Director of the Integrated Waste Management Board where she served since 1998. As Chief Deputy Director she was responsible for the administrative and programmatic functions of the Board.

Ms. Nauman’s public sector experience also includes serving as Chief Deputy Director at the California Department of Housing and Community Development from 1984 to 1990. She worked in the private sector from 1990 to 1998 as Principal-In-Charge of The Planning Center, a Sacramento land-use and environmental planning consulting firm. From 1973 to 1983, she served as a consultant to the Assembly Committee on Local Government.

Ms. Nauman received both a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and a Master of Arts degree in Public Administration from California State University, Sacramento.

Kathy Cruz, Chief Deputy Executive Officer

Kathy CruzKathy Cruz was appointed Chief Deputy Executive Officer of the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board in late 2011. Ms. Cruz first joined the organization as Chief Information Officer in March 2010 prior to this appointment.

Before joining the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board, Ms. Cruz held the position of Senior EDP Analyst at the Department of General Services, Procurement Technology Acquisitions since January 2010.

Prior to her State services, Ms. Cruz held a variety of executive assignments in the private sector in such roles as Vice President and Chief Information Officer, and Senior Vice President Engineering for many prominent companies, including an internet startup, many of these in Silicon Valley. She was instrumental in implementing global technology solutions to solve business problems, exploit business opportunities, gain operational efficiencies and improve delivery to customers. As a company executive, she played a key role in business acquisitions, working with internal and external resources to ensure smooth transitions and workforce integration.

Ms. Cruz is a past Board Member at the Career Action Center in San Jose, CA, and a former member of the Golden Gate University School of Technology and Industry Executive Advisory Board. She is a recipient of the YWCA TWIN (Tribute to Women in Industry) award, and the CIO Magazine Top 100 award.

Ms. Cruz attended the University of San Francisco and Stanford University Executive Institute for Management of Technology Companies.

Wayne Strumpfer, Chief Counsel

Wayne StrumpferWayne Strumpfer joined the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Board as Chief Counsel on November 9, 2009.

Prior to joining the Board, Mr. Strumpfer had a variety of executive assignments in State and Federal Government. Mr. Strumpfer’s experience includes  Interim Executive Officer for the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning (OCJP), Director of Investor Education for the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, Acting Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement for the California Department of Corporations, Executive Director of the Fair Political Practices Commission, Deputy Attorney General in the California Attorney General’s Criminal Division and Deputy District Attorney in Sacramento County.

Mr. Strumpfer received his Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University Sacramento and his Juris Doctorate from University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law.

Mindy Fox, Deputy Executive Officer, Victim Compensation and Government Claims

Jon MyersMindy Fox joined VCGCB as the Deputy Executive Officer for the Victim Compensation and Government Claims Programs in December 2011.

Prior to joining VCGCB, Ms. Fox served as the Director of the Office of Education and the Environment at the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal/EPA) overseeing the development and implementation in California classrooms of the K–12 Education and the Environment Initiative Curriculum. Ms. Fox has served in a multitude of positions in her state career, including providing oversight of public participation for communities impacted by hazardous waste sites; technical assistance to the recycled-content manufacturing sector; education and outreach for solid waste Local Enforcement Agencies; and public education programs regarding hazardous materials. Ms. Fox provided executive leadership at the California Integrated Waste Management Board and Cal/EPA .

Ms. Fox earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Environmental Studies from California State University, Sacramento and completed extensive coursework in Biological Sciences and Education at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo.

Jon M. Myers, Deputy Executive Officer, Legislation and Public Affairs

Jon MyersJon Myers was appointed to the position of Deputy Executive Officer in December, 2009. Prior to joining the VCGCB, Mr. Myers was the Deputy Director for Public Affairs and Communications for the California Integrated Waste Management Board where he led several successful outreach campaigns to promote awareness on key environmental issues. While in this role, Mr. Myers also held the position of Acting Deputy Secretary for the California Environmental Protection Agency and developed statewide environmental communication activities.

Mr. Myers joined Cal/EPA after serving as Deputy Director of Constituent Affairs for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Mr. Myers led the constituent affairs team for the new administration following the historical recall election where he served as part of the Schwarzenegger for California campaign.

Mr. Myers has held positions with some of San Diego’s finest public relations and public affairs firms prior to joining the recall campaign. He has also served as Sr. Policy Advisor to both the Mayor of San Diego and to the Chair of the Board of Supervisors.

Mr. Myers earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management and Political Science from California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, CA.

Cindy Hanneman, Deputy Executive Officer, Administration and Finance

Cindy Hanneman joined VCGCB as the Deputy Executive Officer for the Administration and Finance Division in May 2012.

Prior to joining VCGCB, Ms. Hanneman served as Chief, Fiscal and Business Operations Bureau in the Administration and Disbursements Division at the State Controller's Office (SCO). Ms. Hanneman's previous State service includes managing a wide variety of administrative areas including accounting, budgets, IT support, facilities and business operations, contracts and procurement at the SCO and serving as the Chief Accounting Officer at the Board of Equalization. She also has a background in auditing; conducting financial audits for the Office of the Auditor General and later the Bureau of State Audits.

Ms. Hanneman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration (Accountancy) from California State University, Hayward (East Bay).