JOSHUA ARCE
Executive Director
Joshua Arce is the Executive Director of the California Alliance for Jobs, representing over 70,000 union construction workers and nearly 2,000 construction industry employers that build the state’s public infrastructure from the Central Valley to the Oregon border. In this role, he leads efforts to advance transportation, water, and energy infrastructure projects that create family-sustaining jobs, expand contracting opportunities, and strengthen California’s economy. Prior to his appointment in 2026, Josh was the Alliance’s Bay Area Advisor and Special Assistant to the Northern California District Council of Laborers, supporting labor and management partnerships, training programs, and government relations.
From 2018 to 2023, Josh was San Francisco’s Director of Workforce Development, overseeing $40 million in programs aimed at supporting local jobseekers while coordinating the business, labor, education, and community partnerships that make up San Francisco’s $150 million workforce development system. His local government career began as Director of CityBuild, a nationally recognized construction pre-apprenticeship training program.
Since 2023, Josh has held the ratepayer advocate seat on the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission, representing 2.7 million water, 1 million wastewater, and 400,000 power customers. He was President of the San Francisco Commission on the Environment from 2012 through 2016 while leading Brightline Defense Project, a civil rights and environmental justice nonprofit. Josh holds a JD from UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings) and a BA in Political Science from UCLA.
Kao Nou Xiong
Operations Manager
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Kao Nou Xiong serves as the Operations Manager at CAJ, where she is responsible for the day‑to‑day internal operations that keep the organization running smoothly. She works closely with the Executive Director to provide administrative support and serves as the liaison to the Board of Directors.
With more than 15 years of senior-level administrative and operational experience, Kao Nou brings a depth of expertise spanning organizational management, financial oversight, process improvement, and executive support. Her professional background reflects a strong commitment to excellence, accountability, and collaborative leadership.
Born and raised on California’s Central Coast, Kao Nou developed a deep appreciation for community, family, and service from an early age. In 2026, she relocated to West Sacramento to be closer to her family and to build new roots in the region. Outside her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her children and extended family. Her balance of professional dedication and family-centered values enriches her contributions to CAJ and the community she serves.