For more than fifty years, AIA California members have benefited from the political savvy of California Advocates, California’s oldest contract lobbying firm. Their team has successfully aided our organization in countless ways – from proactive legislative initiatives to navigating a complex political environment, supporting member goals and protecting the profession. Success? To describe just a few bills signed into law: prohibition of unauthorized duplication and dissemination of architects’ work; advancing collection of demographic data to better understand equity, diversity, and inclusion in the profession; promoting climate action in the built environment; fostering more livable communities; and developing policies that address California’s housing crisis. The list is long and all-encompassing.
Mike Belote, who has led AIA California’s team at California Advocates for over fifteen years, was recently inducted into Capitol Weekly’s Top 100 Hall of Fame, which recognized “some of the true giants within our Capitol community, folks we think have a track record of influence so impressive and that we must acknowledge them in a way that stands the test of time”. Notably, Mike is part of only the sophomore class of the Hall of Fame, with just five names selected in each class, underscoring the exclusivity of this recognition and the high regard in which he is held.
Any member who has interacted with Mike directly knows why he’s worthy of this recognition. He possesses a unique combination of expertise, strategic acumen, and communication skills – the later of which includes his ability to break down the complicated proceedings of the legislative process for architects, making it fascinating and relevant.
As noted by Capitol Weekly:
“The Capitol community may be a small world, but it covers a lot of ground: policy issues ranging from the judiciary to transportation to real estate, the logistics of campaigning and fundraising and the accumulation of power, palace intrigue and the personalities of the electeds and their aides. No one person has a handle on all aspects of it, but Mike Belote – a 10-time member of the Top 100 list – sure comes close. He is one of the Capitol’s standard bearers, with nearly 50 years of experience and a deep, deep understanding of the machinery of California politics…”
Among Mike’s other clients at California Advocates are such legacy companies as Apple and Coca-Cola, as well as the California Judges Association.
AIA California is grateful to Mike for the many contributions he has made to the profession, we are honored to be a client. Congratulations, Mike!
Read the entire article in Capitol Weekly.
