Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Liz Snow

19. Liz Snow

Robert Rivas’ COS Liz Snow is new to the Speaker’s office, but she a longtime veteran of the Capitol community. She built her bona fides outside the building as president of the powerful California Building Industry Association, with stints thereafter as the chief operations officer of the equally potent California Dental Association and Executive Director of the California Dental Political Action Committee. Before taking the position in the Speaker’s office, she served as chief of staff for years to Assemblymember Jim Wood, one of Rivas’s staunchest supporters. Steve O’Mara was the chief-designate during the six month waiting period for Rivas to take the gavel from Anthony Rendon, but folks close to the situation say he never really wanted the permanent job. With the need to get back to normal after months of tension, Snow’s calm demeanor and vast experience in the building made her an easy choice. And it is definitely a heavy lift – the Speaker always has a ton on their plate, meaning the chief has a full load as well, from personnel management to dealing with the media.