Kevin and Don Norte - Don Norte

Don Norte

Don Norte is also one of the first openly gay Republican appointees to a governing body, when California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him to the Governor's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities. The Governor's Committee is charged with developing a comprehensive strategy to assist disabled youth and adults to enter the workforce by focusing on the needs and interests of the worker, the employer, and the community. Don's appointed position did not require Senate confirmation and the position does not receive a salary. Don's term does not expire but Don serves at the will of the Governor of California. That Governor is now Jerry Brown. Don is the first Log Cabin Republican to remain an appointee under Democratic Governor Jerry Brown's administration.

In 2004, Don was involved in the Bobby Shriver for Santa Monica City Council Campaign and was one of about 10 named prominent community leader endorsers in Shriver's campaign literature.

Don Norte's career covers over twenty years of public service with Federal, State, and local government, including the US Defense Department and the New York State Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation.

Don holds a BA from Montclair State University in New Jersey, and Masters Degree from New York University's Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, where he studied under Professor Rae Zimmerman, among others. Don served on the Board of Directors and later as President of the California Public Parking Association. Don has been employed by the City of West Hollywood's Department of Transportation and Public Works since 1990 and currently holds the position of Parking Services and Development Officer for the City’s parking division. Don currently served on the board of Log Cabin Republicans – Los Angeles and he currently resides in Hollywood with his partner since high school, and now husband, Kevin.

In 2009, Don Norte was named the Program Chair of CPPAs 25th Annual Conference and secured San Francisco Assemblyperson Fiona Ma as the Keynote Speaker.

In 2010, both Kevin and Don Norte were co-hosts at a fundraiser for Democratic San Francisco Assembly person and Speaker Pro Tempore Fiona Ma for Fiona Ma's expected bid for the California Senate in 2014 (or 2012 depending on the election results for the new mayor of San Francisco).