You know who for whom they work, but you may not know who they are.

Therefore, every Monday morning Red County San Bernardino will spotlight a special staff member to a San Bernardino County-area newsmaker.  The purpose of the Staffer Spotlight is to showcase the talent of those who staff San Bernardino County’s most influential decision makers to a broader audience.  It’s Red County’s way of saying thanks to those who are working hard on behalf of individuals, causes and issues affecting San Bernardino County.

For our premier edition of the Staffer Spotlight, Red County San Bernardino has selected a truly dedicated public servant and an individual of whom you may already be familiar: Fontana City Councilmember Janice Rutherford-Lim. In addition to her duties serving constituents in Fontana, Councilmember Rutherford-Lim is the public affairs director for California State Board of Equalization Member Bill Leonard.

In an era where term limits often forces qualified state legislative staff to change positions and titles frequently, Janice Rutherford-Lim has been a staffer for Bill Leonard since 1987, when Leonard served in both houses of California’s State Legislature.  She would ultimately serve as Bill Leonard’s chief of staff during both Leonard’s Assembly and Senate service, which preceded his 2002 election to the BOE’s Second District.

Janice holds a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude from U.C. Riverside, where she was named Undergraduate Research Scholar.  She attended the Claremont Graduate University where she received her master’s degree in American Politics.  At CGU, she also took doctoral coursework in Public Policy and Economics.

Janice Rutherford-Lim is a member of the Fontana City Council, a position to which she was elected in 2000 and re-elected by an overwhelming margin in 2004.

I have personally worked with Janice Rutherford-Lim on several projects, in both the public policy arena and campaign, including the successful effort to elect her city council colleague, Acquanetta Warren.  Janice is devoted, dedicated and hard-working in whatever challenges she undertakes.  She has a keen grasp of legislative issues and has tremendous management skills.  More than that, Councilmember Rutherford Lim has a passion for serving the public that extends beyond electoral politics.  Janice is an active member of her church and an in-demand motivational speaker.

Recently, Janice Rutherford-Lim was honored by her State Assemblymember, Bill Emmerson, as a “Woman of Distinction” for the year 2007 in recognition and honor of her myriad accomplishments for a better San Bernardino County.

With her legislative experience, proven commitment to her community and long record of distinguished achievements, it is an honor to select Janice Rutherford-Lim as our very first profile on the Staffer Spotlight.