Phil began his private lobbying and association management business in November of 1994.  His business has grown to become one of the most highly respected lobbying firms in Sacramento, with clients located throughout the state. 

Principal, Philip M. Vermeulen
Governmental Relations Sacramento, CA

Formed a new statewide § 501(c)6 trade association of independent waste oil collectors and transporters. Phil runs the association as well as serves as their lobbyist.

• License Instruction Schools – June 2002 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for License Instruction Schools, a statewide contractors’ license school company that handles about 95% of all prospective contractor licensees who attend a preparatory course.

• Engineering Contractors' Association   January 1996 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for client at the California State Capitol and with numerous state and local agencies, including the Contractors' State License Board, Cal OSHA, Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD), CalTrans, California Energy Commission, Public Utilities Commission, Building Standards Commission, Housing and Community Development Commission, and local building inspection departments.

• Skyles Insurance March 1997 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities at the Capitol and at the Contractors’ State License Board

• Flasher Barricade Association June 1997 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for client at the California State Capitol and with numerous state and local agencies.

• California Chapter of the American Fence Association   March 1997 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for client at the California State Capitol and with numerous state and local agencies.

• California Fence Contractors' Association   March 1997 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for client at the California State Capitol and with numerous state and local agencies.

• Sacramento Builders' Exchange  January 1998 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for client at the California State Capitol and with numerous state and local agencies.

• Marin Builders' Exchange   January 1998 to Present

Responsible for all lobbying activities for client at the California State Capitol and with numerous state and local agencies.

• California Research Institute for the Plumbing, February 1997 - November 1998 Heating and Piping Industry (The Service Institute), Sacramento, CA

As a result of the deregulation of the utilities in California, Mr. Vermeulen obtained funding to develop a pilot private-sector energy efficiency program for the Plumbing Industry.

• California Legislative Conference of the   March 1995 – February 1997        Plumbing, Heating and Piping Industry (CLC)

Served as lobbyist for their association.

• California Association of Sheet Metal, April 1989 – November 1994

As Chief Executive Officer of CalSMACNA, a trade association of over 600 members throughout California, Mr. Vermeulen was responsible for implementing all policies and programs approved by the board of directors. He was responsible for the management of all affairs of the association, including all of the lobbying activities.  During his tenure with CalSMACNA, Mr. Vermeulen was responsible for achieving numerous pieces of landmark legislation, including:

• Utility Competition Legislation

This law has literally kept the utilities out of the construction industry in California.

• School Financing for Energy Conservation Measures

This law has allowed schools to obtain loans for energy retrofit measures, producing millions in energy savings since 1982.

• Prompt Pay for Subcontractors

Requires that general contractors pay their subs within ten days of receiving progress payments.  Also obtained legislation which changed the amount of time that generals have to release retention payments.

• 3-Day Right to Rescind

Raised the 3-day right to rescind law to $100 for emergencies.

• Certificate of Merit

Requires that before a homeowner's association can name a contractor into a construction defect lawsuit, they must obtain a certificate of merit from an independent third party expert (agreed to by the contractor) that verifies the defects caused by a specific contractor's work.

• California Association of Sheet Metal, January 1984 - April 1989         Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors' 
• National Association (CalSMACNA) – Director of Governmental Affairs

Mr. Vermeulen was responsible for all lobbying and technical programs for the association.

• California Association of Sheet Metal, February 1981 – December 1983 Heating and Air Conditioning Contractors'                                                National Association (CalSMACNA) – Director of Technical Services

Mr. Vermeulen was responsible for providing the technical and training services for the association, which also included lobbying several bills during this time.

• California Energy Commission (CEC) - April 1976 – February 1981          Associate, Conservation Division

During his tenure with the CEC, Mr. Vermeulen developed the low-income weatherization program (which is still in existence today); developed numerous  energy conservation programs with the utilities and the oil companies in California; and served as program manager for the state's emergency energy planning operations during the drought from July 1975 to March 1976.

• Lieutenant Governor Mervyn M. Dymally July 1975 – March 1976          Administrative Assistant

Under the direction of Lt. Governor Dymally, Mr. Vermeulen served as the assistant         on the Commission of the Californias, which was responsible for developing projects between Baja California and the State of California. He had the only job in state government that allowed working out of the country (Mexico) on a regular basis.

• University of California at Davis  June 1975

BA, Political Science and Public Service

• California Energy Commission

Served on numerous task forces and professional groups, including the advisory groups which developed both the residential and commercial Title 24 energy standards.

• Contractors' State License Board

Served on numerous task forces, including the Contractors' Education task force, and the task force which created the C-14, Metal Roofing License.

• CalOSHA

Served on the Asbestos Regulation Task Force, Indoor Air Quality Task Force, and the Ergonomics Task Force.

• SMACNA – Served on numerous national standards committees.
• Training and Publications

Mr. Vermeulen has developed and conducted numerous training programs, some of which were as a result of contracts with the California Energy Commission. He has also written countless technical publications, reports, and articles. Mr. Vermeulen writes a weekly update printed by his clients in their respective magazines or newspapers.

• Governor's Construction Task Force

Created and served on both the steering committee and as a member of Governor Wilson's Construction Task Force.

• Californians for Compensation Reform (CCR)

Served on the board of directors of CCR from 1986 – 1998.  CCR is the employers' coalition which was responsible for both the 1989 and 1993 workers' compensation reform acts.  Mr. Vermeulen was also instrumental in achieving split rates for workers' compensation in 1985.

• California Society of Association Executives

Served on the board of directors as well as several committees.