The Office of the Superintendent, Governmental Relations connects Pomona Unified School District with local, state, and federal leaders. We advocate for policies and resources that support our students, staff, and schools.
Ronald Gonzales-Lawrence
Director, Governmental Relations
Ronald Gonzales-Lawrence serves as Director of Governmental Relations for Pomona Unified School District (PUSD), bringing more than 20 years of experience in public service, education, public policy, communications, and advocacy. His work includes governmental relations, Board governance, strategic communications, community engagement, external affairs, and special projects and initiatives supporting the District and the students and families of Pomona and Diamond Bar.
Ronald began his career in public service as an intern for State Senator Martha M. Escutia before becoming one of the youngest Field Representatives in California while working for Assemblymember Rudy Bermudez. He went on to spend more than a decade in the California Legislature, serving as Senior Field Representative and Deputy District Director for Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and later as District Director and Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Freddie Rodriguez. As Chief of Staff, he oversaw legislative, district, personnel, and administrative operations and supported the work of legislative committees chaired by the Assemblymember. Throughout his legislative career, Ronald helped develop and advance legislation and helped secure more than $30 million in state funding for local projects and community priorities.
Ronald's experience in education and governance began in 2007, when he became the youngest person and the first person of African American descent elected to the Little Lake City School District Board of Education. During his tenure, he championed greater transparency, expanded the use of educational technology, supported balanced budgets during difficult fiscal years, launched a wellness initiative for students and employees, and spearheaded the creation of the Little Lake Education Advancement Foundation. He served as Clerk and Vice President of the Board before concluding his term in 2011 and later returned as founding Chair of the Measure LL Bond Oversight Committee.
At Pomona Unified, Ronald's work has extended well beyond governmental relations. He played a key role in the development of Measure UU, a $385 million school facilities bond, with responsibility for communications and community engagement around the District's long-term facilities needs. He championed legislative amendments protecting PUSD during the reauthorization of California's District of Choice law and has supported the work of the District's 7-11 Committee and Citizens' Bond Oversight Committee.
Governance and strategic initiatives have also become an important part of his work. Ronald has taken a leading staff role in the District's first major modernization of its Board Policy Manual and Board Bylaws. He also helped develop PUSD's Community Workforce Agreement, connecting the District's investment in school facilities with local employment, apprenticeships, workforce development, and labor-management collaboration. His work also includes legislative advocacy, strategic and crisis communications, public engagement, and projects requiring coordination across departments and with outside partners.
Ronald's public service has also included appointments and leadership roles with public agencies and nonprofit organizations outside his professional work. He was appointed by then-Assembly Speaker John A. Pérez to the California Advisory Commission on Special Education and served on the Board of Directors of Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services, Inc. He currently serves on the Los Angeles County Water Appeals Board, following appointment by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, and on the Supervisory Committee of Rancho Federal Credit Union.
Ronald studied Political Science and Child Development at Rio Hondo College and Liberal Arts and Religious Studies at Mount St. Mary's College. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Public Administration from the University of La Verne and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration.
Outside of his professional work, Ronald is a devoted dog dad to his two French Bulldogs, Kyva and Xennia, and an avid foodie who enjoys discovering new restaurants and culinary experiences.
Contact Information:
Office of the Superintendent, Governmental Relations
Education Center
800 South Garey Avenue
Pomona, CA 91767
Office: (909) 397-4800 x.23885
Email: [email protected]
