Sertan Usanmaz brings a fresh perspective as a first-generation college graduate to the UC Davis Government and Public Policy Alumni Group. He is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy and Administration at California State University, Sacramento.

Beginning in 2026, Sertan Usanmaz accepted a promotional opportunity with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), where he will serve as the Departmental Health and Safety Officer. Cal OES is the state’s leadership hub for major emergencies and disasters, coordinating state and federal resources, supporting local agencies, and strengthening statewide resilience to threats such as wildfires, earthquakes, and cyberattacks through planning, training, and mitigation funding.

From 2023 to 2025, Mr. Usanmaz served at the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) in the Office of Employee Health and Safety, helping lead statewide communications, policy, training, and outreach programs that supported employee health and safety across the department.

In 2022, Mr. Usanmaz completed a special assignment with the California State Treasurer’s Office (STO), serving as a delegate/designee to the Boards of the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS). CalPERS and CalSTRS are among the largest public pension systems globally and play significant roles as investors and fiduciaries in the U.S. and international economies.

From 2017 to 2021, Mr. Usanmaz worked as an analyst at the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee (CTCAC), helping administer federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit programs that incentivize private investment in affordable rental housing across California.

In addition to his civilian public service career, Mr. Usanmaz is a service member in the California Army National Guard, supporting the Guard’s dual mission of serving both the State of California and the nation.

Mr. Usanmaz earned a double major in Political Science and International Relations from the University of California, Davis, along with a minor in Managerial Economics. While at UC Davis, he completed two public service internships: in Fall 2016, he participated in the UC Center Sacramento program and interned with the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce; in Spring 2017, he served in the Davis office of U.S. Congressional Representative John Garamendi.