Statewide Alliance in Support of U.S. Military in California
March 19, 2019: Members of the newly formed California Defense Communities Alliance (CDCA) held a charter signing ceremony in the Governor’s Conference Room in Sacramento today during their inaugural meeting.
More than a dozen nonprofit organizations formed the CDCA with the shared mission of supporting Department of Defense presence in communities throughout California while advocating on behalf of active duty and veterans in their communities. Organizations work together under the CDCA umbrella to advance collaboration and communication among the military, elected officials, and other community leaders to enhance an understanding of the many contributions Defense organizations make to California.
“It has been my vision for several years to form a collaborative of local community defense-supporting organizations in California” said Gene Fisher of Ventura County Regional Defense Partnership (RDP-21). Hans Uslar, Monterey City Manager, also had a similar vision and when they teamed up to form the alliance, they were quickly joined by organizations from San Diego, Ventura, China Lake, Monterey Bay, Beale, and Travis Air Force Bases.
Additionally, several community Economic Development Corporations and Chambers of Commerce are joining to ensure their communities are represented.
The establishment of CDCA also has the backing from the Governor’s Military Council (GMC), an organization created by Governor Edmund Brown to protect California’s installations and operations amidst potential Defense budget cuts while promoting innovation and leadership in the state’s military establishments.
GMC Chair, former State Assemblyman Rocky Chavez, said “The establishment of the CDCA gives the Governor’s Military Council a single place to coordinate statewide efforts aimed at protecting and growing California’s military infrastructure. Keeping California as the best military state is important to the California economy and to our nation’s defense.”
The CDCA has a busy agenda in the months ahead as they work to strengthen the coordination of defense communities across the state.
“In the coming months we will work to promote CDCA throughout the state while working to ensure state and federal legislative actions help modernize and strengthen our installations while supporting our active duty and veterans,” said Mark Balmert, CDCA member and Executive Director of the San Diego Military Advisory Council.
Mission and Vision
MISSION
CDCA mission is to support, promote, and represent the interests of our Defense Organizations throughout California while advocating on behalf of those that serve or have served in these organizations. CDCA will advance the collaboration and communication between the military, our elected and appointed officials, and our communities while working to enhance the recognition of the many contributions Defense Organizations make to California and our Nation.
VISION
The California Defense Communities Alliance will be the premier statewide nonprofit organization working on behalf of California’s vast defense installations in tandem with our local communities to foster globally recognized standards of excellence in advocacy and support.
March 2019: California Nonprofits Form Alliance to Support Military Communities
“The establishment of the CDCA gives the Governor’s Military Council a single place to coordinate statewide efforts aimed at protecting and growing California’s military infrastructure. Keeping California as the best military state is important to the California economy and to our nation’s defense.”
Contact Us
Have a question about CDCA? Let us know.