Dion Aroner

Dion Louise Aroner (born 1945) is a Democrat who represented California's 14th Assembly District, including parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, from 1996 until 2002. She also lost in a special election primary to Don Perata for the 9th District Senate seat in 1998. She currently owns her own lobbying firm Aroner, Jewel, & Ellis with two of her former staffers. Since leaving the Assembly, Aroner has also been part of the legislator-in-residence program at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to serving in the Assembly, Aroner served as the Chief of Staff to her predecessor Tom Bates from 1972 until 1996. Bates is also the husband of Aroner's successor, Loni Hancock.

Currently, Dion Aroner works as a public relations consultant (http://www.ajepartners.com/) for businesses and organizations that are interested in purchasing access to government officials, lobbying, and other legislative and policy influencing strategies.

Aroner's move from public servant to paid industrial consultant has not been without some controversy. One particular client of Aroner's, Pacific Steel Casting, has been the subject of several lawsuits and pollution violations, for repeatedly affecting the nearby community. In fact several local publications and reports have commented on the recent community air testing and the history of air quality complaints have led many residents to question the relationship between Pacific Steel Casting and former politicians that move into the public relations industry and begin profiting from their access to government officials.