About the Foundation

History and Purpose

The California Boys & Girls State Foundation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation, organized for charitable purposes that was established in 1997 to provide financial support and to enhance The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program.

The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program educates students entering their senior year of high school in their rights and responsibilities as citizens of the cities and counties in which they live, the State of California and the United States of America. The Program is sponsored by The American Legion Department of California. Delegates must be nominated by their respective high schools and selected by local, sponsoring American Legion Posts. Each year, the Program welcomes approximately 1000 Delegates and an all-volunteer Staff. Being selected and attending the program is a tremendous honor and comes at no direct expense to selected Delegates.

The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program is a self-supporting week-long program. The expenses for operating the Program are recovered by the sponsorship fees paid by each American Legion Post and/or cosponsoring private organization. The cost for food, housing and operations continue to escalate each year, and the need for funds to meet demands increase in importance.

Contributions from individuals, families, businesses and other charitable foundations and organizations comprise the Foundation assets. The income produced by these assets is used for the enhancement of The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program. Some contributors may wish to specify the manner in which their contributions are to be used. Others may desire to delegate the use of the funds to the discretion of the Foundation Board of Directors. For anyone wishing to donate to The California Boys & Girls State Foundation either during their lifetime or after death, the Foundation offers a variety of ways to make gifts as responsive as possible to the continually changing needs of the Boys State Program.

One of the primary goals of the Foundation is to provide as much financial support as possible to the Program so as to keep the fees paid by local, sponsoring American Legion Posts as affordable as possible.

Along with its year-round fund-raising activities, the Foundation hosts an Annual Fundraising Gala that includes honoring staff, alumni and members of the community who have made long standing contributions of time and money to the Program.

In addition to providing support for The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program, it also oversees the California Boys & Girls State Alumni Association and The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Hall of Fame.

Foundation Governance and Operations

The Foundation governing body is the Board of Directors consisting of eleven members. This Board determines grant-making policies and authorizes all disbursements in the manner that donors direct. In the cases of unrestricted gifts, it distributes the available funds in a way it believes best meets the needs of The American Legion California Boys & Girls State Program.

Giving to the Foundation

Every gift to the Foundation benefits the approximately 1000 Delegates who attend each year. Donations in any amount will assist in continuing to enhance and improve the Program..

The California Boys & Girls State Foundation is exempt from State of California income tax under Section 23701(d) of the Revenue and Taxation Code, and from Federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Donations to The California Boys & Girls State Foundation can be made online via the link below or checks may be sent to:

The California Boys & Girls State Foundation
c/o Mr. William Denson – CFO
963 San Francisco Way
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Checks should be made payable to: The California Boys & Girls State Foundation

Please consult with your tax advisor about tax advantages and deductibility of donations to the Foundation

Gary Leach

President

Bill Denson

Ted Hillyer

Term: 2026-2028

Tim Aboudara

American Legion California Boys & Girls State Chief Counselor

Kris Chase

Term: 2025-2027

Jon Fisher-Espinoza

Term: 2026

Ken Kramlich

Term: 2026 - 2028

Dan Rummel

Term: 2025-2027

Richard Shick

Term: 2024 - 2026

Ryan Silver

Term: 2025-2027

Nick Spear

Term: 2026-2028

John Leach

Term: 2026

Paul Pavletich

Term: 2026

Paul Pavletich

Gary Leach

President, Boys & Girls State Director

Gary, having been appointed by the Boys State Commission, is the Director of the California Boys State program. His duties include preparing the budget, securing all necessary contracts with the venue site, and recommending the appointment of the Chief Counselor and other Administrative Staff. Gary has served on the staff since 2021 and previously served on the Boys & Girls State Commission for nine years. He is a Past Commander of The American Legion Department of California. In 2024, Gary was elected to serve a 1-year term as American Legion National Vice Commander for the Western Region. He currently serves as the President of the Board of Directors of The California Boys & Girls State Foundation. He retired from the United States Navy in 1989 as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, and from the Woodland Joint Unified School District in 2014 where he was Network Administrator.

Bill Denson

Chief Financial Officer

Bill joined the Boys State staff in 1988 as a City Counselor. In 1997 he became a County Counselor. In 2009 he became Assistant Chief Counselor. In 2023, Bill was elevated to the position of Deputy Chief Counselor. Bill is a member of the American Legion and the Sons of the American Legion. Bill also serves as the Chief Financial Officer of The California Boys & Girls State Foundation. He is retired after a career in the accounting field. Both of his sons and wife are members of the Boys & Girls State Staff.

Ted Hillyer

Secretary
Term: 2026-2028

Ted was appointed by the Boys State Commission in 2015 as the Program Administrator. Ted has been the Boys & Girls State Chair for his Post since 2016, and the District 6 Chair since 2018. He is the Chairman of the American Legion California Boys & Girls State Commission and the Secretary of the California Boys & Girls State Foundation. Ted retired from UC Davis after more than 30 years of service. He supported graduate student research at the College of Engineering. After joining the American Legion, Ted was drawn to continue his work in education, which led him to the California Boys State program. Ted has been a member of the staff since 2019.

Kris Chase

Term: 2025-2027

Kris currently serves as the post Boys & Girls State chairperson for American Legion Post 507 in Newhall, CA, and the district Boys & Girls State chairperson for California District 20. She is also the Oratorical Contest chairperson and past commander of Post 507. Kris retired from the U.S. Army after 20 years of combined active and reserve service. She resides in Santa Clarita, CA, with her husband and daughter. Kris is proud to represent Area 6 on the California Boys & Girls State Commission. Kris joined the American Legion California Boys & Girls State Staff in 2022.

Jon Fisher-Espinoza

Term:2026

Jon Fisher-Espinoza is a Policy Manager at Plaid, where he leads work on AI, fraud, credit, and privacy. Before joining Plaid, he managed similar portfolios at FICO. Jon began his lobbying career at U.S. Bank, where he also ran the company’s political action committee, increasing receipts by more than 40%. Earlier in his career, he served in the White House’s Office of Public Liaison during the first Trump Administration. Outside of work, Jon is an avid camper and motorcycle rider. He is an obsessed pickleball player and plays almost every day. He and his husband who share the same legal name live in Rockville, Maryland, with their three dogs and cat.

Ken Kramlich

Term: 2022 - 2024

My name is Kenneth A. Kramlich. I was born in South Dakota, in 1943. After I graduated from Eureka High School, after high school I enlisted in the USAF, in October 1960. Took my basic training in Lackland AF Base in San Antonia Texas. After Basic training I was stationed at Fairchild AF Base in Spokane Washington, which was a (SAC) base. My AFSC was special maintenance. After about two and half years, I was stationed in Thule Air Base in Greenland which a (ADC) base, for one year, then went to McGuire AFB where I was Discharged. After discharge I went back to S.D. And worked in maintenance. I got married in 1964 2 years after I moved to California. In 1982 I joined the American Legion in Lodi Ca. I became active almost right away. I went through all the chairs and became Commander in 1993. After being Commander I was the Adjutant for 7 years. I have been on board ever since. I became active with the Post Boys State about 25 years ago, currently I am the chair. I also went through the District chairs and was Commander of the District in 2000-2001, In 2007_2008 I was the Area 3 Commander I also held many positions in the Department. I was membership chair for area 3 in 2004 through 2007 in which achieved awards for being 100%. In 2012-2013 I was elected Department Commander of California. While being Department Commander attended my first session of Boys State at Sac State. I have attended Boys State sessions ever since; they are some of my most memorial time in the Legion. I currently am on the Boys and Girls State Foundation. After 44 years I’m starting to cut back and let the younger generation take over. I still do Boys and Girls State for the Post. It was a memorable 44 years in the Legion with lots of fun and great friends especially at Boys and Girls State. A big thank you for my fellow Veterans I met in the American Legion.

Dan Rummel

Assistant Chief Counselor

Dan Rummel attended The American Legion California Boys State program as a Delegate in 1996. Since then, he has been a counselor, serving as a City Counselor, County Counselor, on the 2021 Program Virtual Task Force, and is now serving as the Assistant Chief Counselor for City & County Operations. In 2022 he was a Party Counselor for The American Legion Boys Nation program. Dan is a member of The American Legion and The Sons of The American Legion. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the California Boys & Girl State Foundation. Dan served in the United States Navy in a variety of assignments including as a as a Nuclear Electrician, on the USS Enterprise, where he did two deployments in support of Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom, Navy Recruiting District San Francisco as a Recruiter and the Nuclear Field Coordinator, the USS Harry S Truman where he did a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Naval Nuclear Prototype Charleston as an Instructor, the USS John C. Stennis, and Navy Nuclear Regional Maintenance Department. In April of 2023 Dan retired from the United States Navy after 20 years of honorable service. He is now a Project Manager in the Denver area.

Ryan Silver

Term: 2025 - 2027

Coach Ryan Silver is widely regarded as one of the most influential people in College Sports. He has helped mold and shape thousands of student-athletes lives. He has enriched the lives of many basketball players through academic and athletic programs. He has helped shape West Coast Elite Basketball into one of the premier event operators in the country. West Coast Elite Basketball is the #1 event operator on the West Coast. Coach Ryan Silver has mentored numerous current and former NBA & NCAA Division 1 college basketball players. Coach Silver has assisted over 500 student-athletes achieve scholarships from premier NCAA Division 1 programs. Coach Silver is widely regarded as an industry leader and is considered one of the most influential people in the basketball World. Coach Silver is also a leader in the High Academic arena and has numerous players at Ivy/Patriot League schools including 5 players currently at Harvard University. Coach Silver is widely regarded as the premier Industry Leader in the High Academic Space. Coach Silver was named the 2011 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Coach of the Year in 2011. Coach Silver won a CIF Championship at Sierra Canyon High School in 2011, the school’s first and only championship, and amassed 41 wins in 2 years while at Sierra Canyon. Coach Silver is involved with numerous city and state charitable organizations including California Boys’ State where he has served as a counselor for 18 years. Coach Ryan Silver is the Director and Founder of the West Coast Elite Under Armour program, widely regarded as one of the top AAU programs in the country. West Coast Elite Under Armour participates in the Under Armour Association. The program has teams from 3rd grade through 12th grade. The West Coast Elite program has helped generate over $60,000,000 in scholarships for former players. West Coast Elite also currently has 27 former Coaches working at the college and NBA level. The West Coast Elite program is an absolute powerhouse in terms of helping place Coaches in college. In 2019, Coach Ryan Silver was inducted into the California Boys State Hall of Fame. The 40 year old Silver has been a counselor at California Boys State for 24 years. He has served as a City and party counselor. He is the youngest inductee into the California Boys State Hall of Fame. Silver was also recognized by the California State Senate for dedicating his life to serving the community. California State Senator Henry Stern gave Silver the proclamation at the California Boys' State Hall of Fame induction ceremony. in 2019, Silver was recognized by the Los Angeles City Council for his incredible work in the community. He was presented a Los Angeles City Service award for his work in the community. He was also presented a California State Senate and Assembly resolution recognizing his service to California and induction into California Boys State Hall of Fame. In 2020, Silver was given the Presidential Service award. In 2020, Silver also released his first book "The 40 Year Plan" guiding families through the roaring rivers of grassroots basketball. Silver is currently President of the Silver Family Foundation, Founder of West Coast Elite Basketball, President of West Coast Elite Under Armour, serves on the Under Armour Grassroots Board of Directors, serves on the HOPE Foundation Board of Directors, California Diabetes Board. Silver annually gives substantial amounts of monies to help underprivileged kids attend college. Silver is a 2003 graduate of UCLA with a B.A in Political Science.

Nick Spear

Term: 2026-2028

Nick Spear is an attorney at Susman Godfrey LLP, specializing in commercial litigation. Nick attended the Boys State program in 2004 and has been a Media, Legal, and Elections Counselor at the program since 2007. Nick, his wife, and their two children live in Los Angeles, California.

John Leach

Term: 2026

Biography of John Leach Graduated High School 1960, United States Navy Reserves 1959, transferred to United States Air Force June 1961.supported the Vietnam War 1967 and again in 1972. Crew Chief on B-52 heavy bomber 9 ½, 27 bombing missions over Vietnam 1967 carried a Top-Secret Clearence. Work History Construction Worker 1972-1978, Welder Fabricator 1978-1984, Coached Pony League mid 70’s, Original Board Member Corning Business Improvement Development District, Royal Ranger Boys Ministry Northern California/Nevada (5) years, Regional Coordinator for seven Western States (5) years. Developed Resource Management (RMG) 1995 Employed 13 employees, former President Corning Exchange Club, Life Member Corning VFW Post 4218, American Legion Raisner Post 45, Adjutant/Finance Officer 14 years, New Life Assembly of God church Board Member, Church Treasure, Former Corning City Council Member, past Tehama County Supervisor District 5. Served as Department of California Vice Commander Representing Area 1

Paul Pavletich

Term: 2026

Paul Pavletich is a lifelong Bakersfield community leader, business executive, and advocate for youth leadership and civic engagement. A graduate of Shafter High School (Class of 1985), Paul was selected to attend Boys State in 1984, an experience that sparked a decades-long commitment to mentoring young leaders. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from California State University, Bakersfield in1992. Paul is the CEO and second-generation owner of Premier Lighting, a California-based lighting company that has been in operation for 45 years, serving clients throughout the state. Under his leadership, Premier Lighting has continued its legacy of excellence, innovation, and long-term relationships. Deeply committed to education and community service, Paul has served as a Boys State counselor for 25 years, guiding and mentoring students in leadership and civic responsibility. He also served for six years as a board member of Bakersfield Christian High School and is currently the President of the Bakersfield College Foundation, supporting student success and access to higher education. In addition, Paul is a founding board member of Bakersfield Vision 2020, contributing to long-term strategic planning and community development efforts across the region. Through his professional leadership and extensive volunteer service, Paul Pavletich has made a lasting impact on education, business, and civic life in Kern County and beyond. Paul and his wife Ashley have been married for 20 years and are proud parents to three children: Lincoln (17), George (14), and Monroe (6).