Capitol Weekly’s Top 100: Joe Stephenshaw

5. Joe Stephenshaw

Joe Stephenshaw is the director of the California Department of Finance, making him the governor’s top advisor on the state budget. Compared to his counterparts with the Speaker and the Pro Tem, Stephenshaw is relatively new, having started in the job in August 2022. Given our current budget shortfall, one could argue his timing isn’t great. But then again, his experience with the state budget is deep, having served as staff director for the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee from 2017 to 2022. He also held other positions in the legislature from 2008 to 2018, including policy consultant to the Pro Tem and special advisor to the speaker and budget consultant for both the Assembly and Senate budget committees. In that regard, maybe the timing to have him on board at the executive level is perfect. Stephenshaw holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Menlo College and an MBA from Sac State

Updated Aug. 7, 2024