California Coastal Commission Appoints New Executive Director

The state agency overseeing access to beaches and coastal development appointed a new executive director Thursday with degrees in geochemistry and law.

The California Coastal Commission voted unanimously in closed session to name Charles Lester as the agency's fourth executive director since its creation in 1972, said Sarah Christie, a spokeswoman for the commission. Lester had served as the acting executive director since former director Peter Douglas announced in August that he was retiring to battle lung cancer.

Lester previously served as senior deputy director of the commission and began working with the commission in 1997. He earned a bachelor's degree in geochemistry from Columbia University and a law degree from Boalt Hall School of Law and holds a doctorate in jurisprudence and social policy from UC Berkeley. He also was a former assistant professor of political science at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

“I am deeply committed to implementing the Coastal Act, but I am also a problem-solver, and I look forward to bringing people together around environmentally sustainable solutions that protect coastal resources and provide maximum public access to the coast for all Californians," Lester said in a statement.

Douglas had a profound impact on California's 1,100-mile coastline, helping craft Proposition 20, which was approved by voters in 1972 and created the coastal commission. He also authored the Coastal Act, which was signed into law in 1976 by Gov. Jerry Brown, and was appointed as the commission's third executive director in 1985.

“The entire commission recognized and appreciates the unique experience, unwavering integrity and clear vision Dr. Lester brings to this position," Commission chairwoman, Mary Shallenberger, said in a statement. "While Peter Douglas leaves very large shoes to fill, Charles fits into them quite comfortably.” 

Lester will not have a vote on the 12-member commission but will lead a staff of 142 that makes recommendations to the commissioners. The commission's annual budget is roughly $16 million.