Edgar Ruiz serves as Director of The Council of State Governments West (CSG West), leading the organization since November 2011. He oversees CSG West’s many flagship programs and services that encourage peer-to-peer sharing and professional development for legislators and legislative staff throughout the Western states, territories and Canadian provinces.
Edgar engages directly with partners both regionally and nationally and manages a team of professionals who help arrange and implement policy forums, leadership development and non-partisan collaborative opportunities. He previously served as the organization’s deputy director and managed U.S.–Mexico programs for CSG West members. Edgar brings expertise from his more than 25 years in the public and nonprofit sectors, giving him a strong organizational foundation and keen insight into local, regional, national, and international policy issues and politics.
Prior to joining CSG West, Edgar held positions with the California State Legislature as legislative staff; with the City of Lake Forest, CA as Management Analyst in the Community Development Department; and with the San Diego County Probation Department while in college. Edgar is a graduate of Lincoln Law School of Sacramento, holds a Master of Public Administration degree and a Bachelor of Political Science degree from San Diego State University.