Lucas Frerichs, left, talks with Scott Oneto, UC Cooperative Extension director in the Central Sierra region.

Frerichs, who has served as a Davis city councilman since 2012, started his position with UC ANR on Jan. 4. In his new position, Frerichs will work with UC ANR scientists to make research-based facts more accessible to help Californians make informed policy decisions.

“I am excited to use my experiences working in state and local government to assist UC ANR in building more effective relationships with local and state elected officials and community leaders throughout the state of California,” said Frerichs.

Frerichs brings to UC ANR a decade of experience working in the California State Assembly in Sacramento. Most recently, from 2010 to 2015, he served as legislative director for Assemblyman Rich Gordon, chairman of the Assembly Rules Committee, advising him on agriculture, housing, natural resources, energy and the budget process.

“I'm amazed by the diversity of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources,” said Frerichs. “Seeing the full scope of UC ANR's footprint throughout California — whether through Cooperative Extension working as the bridge between local issues and the power of UC research, the statewide 4-H Youth Development Program, UC Master Gardener Program, UC Master Food Preserver Program, or the Statewide UC Integrated Pest Management Program — if it has to do with agriculture in California, UC ANR is there!"

Frerichs spent his childhood in upstate New York and Alaska, but has been active in the Davis community since graduating from Davis High School. He has served on the planning commission (2008–2012), innovation park task force (2010–2012), housing element steering committee (2007–2008) and social services commission (2004–2008).

In addition to the city council, Frerichs serves as vice chair for the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (Amtrak California), and as board member for the Sacramento Area Council of Governments, Yolo County Transportation District (Yolobus) and the Yolo Habitat Conservancy. He is also an appointed member of the California Tax Credit Allocation Committee.

The Sacramento State alumnus also spent nearly a decade advocating for affordable housing throughout Davis and Yolo County as president of Yolo Mutual Housing Association. During his tenure, the nonprofit association created affordable rental housing for 450 residents.

On environmental matters, Frerichs is a board member for the Yolo Basin Foundation, which oversees the management of 16,000 acres of wetland habitat in the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area.

Frerichs received a B.A. in government from California State University, Sacramento, and earned a certificate in land use and environmental planning from UC Davis. He and his wife Stacie live in Davis with their German shorthaired pointer, Poppy, and a flock of backyard chickens.