Sacramento, CA.- Today, it was officially declared by Governor Gavin Newsom that Josh Fryday, the President of Golden State Opportunity and a member of Novato City Council, will assume the role of California's Chief Service Officer. In this esteemed position, Fryday is tasked with overseeing California Volunteers, the agency responsible for enhancing the scale and influence of Californians participating in service-oriented activities and voluntary work.

According to Governor Newsom, Josh is a highly esteemed leader whose dedication to service is unwavering, and his partnership will prove to be extremely valuable as we strive to enhance service and volunteerism in California. The Governor eagerly anticipates collaborating with Josh to generate novel service and volunteer opportunities, as well as establish vibrant new public-private alliances that uplift communities across the state.

After a momentous triumph for economically disadvantaged Californians who are employed, an important message has been declared. Lead by Fryday, the President of Golden State Opportunity, a dedicated group has assisted more than 4 million low-income families in obtaining a staggering $4 billion in funds through the state and federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). The recent decision by the California Legislature to endorse Governor Newsom's proposal to amplify the Cal EITC to $1 billion next year, more than doubling its current amount, serves as a profound endorsement of the program's efficacy and the profound influence of Golden State Opportunity.

Joe Sanberg, the founder of Golden State Opportunity, expressed his admiration for Josh Fryday's exceptional leadership, skills, and dedication, emphasizing the positive impact he has had on low-income Californians. Sanberg noted that Fryday's departure coincides with a significant expansion of the California Earned Income Tax Credit, which has now become a $1 billion program. This expansion is a testament to the bipartisan support from state leaders, demonstrating a strong commitment to fighting poverty. Although saddened by Fryday's departure, Sanberg expressed gratitude for his outstanding service and eagerly anticipated the positive influence Fryday will bring to California Volunteers.

“The course of my life has been shaped by the opportunity to serve. Whether it was for my country in the Navy, advocating for low-income individuals in California, or representing my hometown on the Novato City Council, I have always strived to help those in need,” expressed Fryday. “I take immense pride in the accomplishments we have achieved for millions of hard-working Californians while working alongside the dedicated Golden State Opportunity team. I am incredibly honored that Governor Newsom has entrusted me with leading California Volunteers, and I am eagerly looking forward to fostering opportunities for more Californians to engage, connect, and contribute towards creating an inclusive and prosperous California for all.”

Fryday has an impressive background both in the military and in politics. He has served as a military veteran, Mayor, and member of the Novato City Council. Currently, he holds the position of Board Chair at Demos, a national organization that prioritizes addressing political and economic inequality. Additionally, he has been a part of the Franklin Project on National Service. Before joining Golden State Opportunity, Fryday worked as the Chief Operating Officer at NextGen Climate and served as an Officer in the United States Navy. During his time in the Navy, Fryday was stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, where he not only fulfilled his legal responsibilities but also played a vital role in the Navy's Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief efforts during the aftermath of the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear disaster known as 'Operation Tomodachi'. He also worked in the Office of Military Commissions at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, dealing with detainee cases. As a testament to his expertise, he provided testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on the matter of closing Guantanamo.

In his role as Mayor, Fryday introduced the innovative initiative called the "Re-imagining Citizenship" program in collaboration with Dominican University. The program focuses on awarding generous $100,000 scholarships to students from Novato who choose to pursue their education at Dominican University. In addition to this financial support, these students are also required to dedicate their time and efforts to serve the City of Novato for two consecutive summers. This unique program aims to encourage young individuals to not only further their education but also actively contribute to their community.

Golden State Opportunity is embarking on a countrywide quest to find a fresh candidate for the role of president. While Fryday will continue to hold his position until September.