Meet The Staff

Rick Velasquez serves as Supervisor Knabe’s Chief of Staff and is responsible for advising the Supervisor on homeland security issues, budget and legislative issues. He serves as the liaison to the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, Department of Beaches and Harbors, California State Association of Counties, Economy and Efficiency Commission, Los Angeles County Fire Department, National Association of Counties, Quality and Productivity Commission and Department of Human Resources. Rick is also responsible for all downtown and field deputy operations, advises the Supervisor on District and Countywide policy issues, and serves as the Supervisor’s liaison to the Chief Executive Officer and County Counsel. In addition, he advises the Supervisor on major health issues.

Rick previously served as Supervisor Knabe’s Health Deputy and as the Director of Government Relations for a non-profit health maintenance organization. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Rancho Los Amigos Foundation, a nonprofit foundation dedicated to preserving research, education, equipment and patient needs at Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, the County’s crown jewel in the healthcare system.

Rick is a proud graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles where he received his B.A. in political science.

Cheryl Burnett is the Communications Director for Supervisor Knabe, serving as his spokeswoman.  She oversees strategic communications, including issues management, media relations, speechwriting, and general writing assignments.

Before joining the Fourth District, Cheryl was the Public Relations Manager at the City of Beverly Hills. Prior to that, she spent her career in the private sector in Los Angeles, London and New York, working for large multinational organizations, including Toyota, BP, Universal Studios and Seagram.  She has been active in support of organizations focused on education, including serving as the Board Chair of Access Books and Operation Jump Start and as a mentor for the Fulfillment Fund. Cheryl is a Board Member on the Westchester-Playa Neighborhood Council and serves as Vice Chair of the Education Committee.

Cheryl received a BA in Economics and English from Lafayette College, an MA in English Literature from Seton Hall University and an MPA from USC.

Carl Gallucci is responsible for policy issues governing Los Angeles County’s criminal justice system, the largest in the nation, as well as all aspects of Los Angeles County’s $13 billion dollar budget.

His job involves oversight of the following county departments: Sheriff, District Attorney, Probation, Public Defender, Alternate Public Defender, Coroner, Superior Court, Municipal Court, Ombudsman, and the Office of County Security. He has served the Fourth Supervisorial District for over seven years in numerous capacities, including three years as an active member of Los Angeles County’s Audit Committee.

He has completed graduate course work in Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Long Beach, and holds a B.A. in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach.

Gail LeGros is responsible for the coordination of Supervisor’s Knabe’s schedule both downtown and in the field, and she oversees the assignments of the support staff in the office. Gail joined the Fourth District staff in 1981 and began with the County in 1973.

Julie Moore has more than 17 years of experience in urban and regional planning with the County of Los Angeles. She spent over 15 years with the Department of Regional Planning leading housing policy and community planning efforts in various urban unincorporated communities and serving as staff to the Regional Planning Commission and the County’s Airport Land Use Commission.

Julie received her Master’s Degree in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley, and also has a Bachelor’s Degree in History from the University of California, Los Angeles. She is a member of both the American Planning Association and the American Institute of Certified Planners.

Julie is a native of Los Angeles County. She is a former longtime resident of Hacienda Heights and is a product of the local schools there. She currently resides in the City of Glendale with her family.

Nick Ippolito is Supervisor Knabe’s Assistant Chief of Staff. He advises the Supervisor on welfare issues, children’s services issues (including foster care), senior issues, homelessness, child abuse and neglect, workforce development, child support and early childhood development. Nick is also proud to be the Supervisor’s Assistant Chief of Staff for the Los Angeles County Safe Surrender program.

Nick’s departmental assignments include: Los Angeles County Departments of Children and Family Services, Community and Senior Services, Public Social Services and Child Support Services. He also serves as the Supervisor’s liaison to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the Los Angeles County Workforce Investment Board, the Interagency Council on Child Abuse and Neglect, and the First 5 Commission.

Prior to joining the Supervisor’s staff, Nick worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services for thirteen years. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from New York University.

Andrew Veis is the Assistant Press Deputy and New Media Manager for Supervisor Knabe and is responsible for reporting on events and policy issues around the County. Andrew writes stories and press releases, and shoots and edits videos for publication on Knabe.com, the electronic newsletter, and the Supervisor’s social networking pages. He also works on other publications such as the Supervisor’s Week in Review and his public affairs television show, Dialed-In with Don Knabe.

Andrew grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley and currently lives in Studio City. He graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and Marketing and has a strong background in media and web technology.

Richard Espinosa serves as Supervisor Knabe’s health deputy, reviewing policy recommendations and serving as the Fourth District’s liaison on health related issues.

Richard joined the Supervisor’s staff after spending 17 years with the County Department of Health Services in a number of administrative capacities.

He is a graduate of Pomona College and the University of Southern California’s School of Public Administration.

Richard is the founder and one-time chairman of an interdepartmental task force responsible for creating the County’s Office of Small Business. On October 14, 1998 he was the recipient of the Los Angeles County Quality and Productivity Award.