California Alliance for Jobs names Joshua Arce executive director

By AI, Created 5:13 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – The California Alliance for Jobs said May 15 that Joshua Arce will become executive director, replacing longtime leader Michael Quigley. The transition comes as the labor-management coalition pushes for more infrastructure investment in California, where demand for transportation, water and energy upgrades remains high.

Why it matters: - The California Alliance for Jobs represents more than 70,000 union construction workers and nearly 2,000 construction employers. - The group has been a major advocate for public infrastructure spending in California, including transportation, water systems and the energy grid. - Arce takes over as California faces growing pressure to modernize infrastructure for a larger population and economy.

What happened: - The California Alliance for Jobs announced Joshua Arce as its next executive director, effective May 15. - Arce will succeed Michael Quigley, who is stepping down after 18 years with the organization. - Quigley will transition to a consulting practice in June. - Arce will lead the Sacramento-based labor-management coalition into its next chapter.

The details: - Arce previously served as San Francisco’s director of workforce development, where he led a $60 million agency. - That role included coordination with labor, business, community and education leaders across multiple industries, including construction. - Arce currently serves as president of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. - His background includes a political science degree from UCLA and a law degree from UC Law San Francisco, formerly UC Hastings. - Clinton Myers, CEO of Myers & Sons Construction and CAJ co-chair, said Arce is well-suited to lead the alliance because of his coalition-building, labor-management and infrastructure strategy experience. - Oscar De La Torre, business manager of the Northern California District Council of Laborers and CAJ co-chair, credited Quigley with helping transform California’s infrastructure landscape. - CAJ said it helped secure more than $100 billion in new statewide and Northern California infrastructure investments. - Those efforts included support for Prop 1A in 2008, Prop 22 in 2010, Prop 1 in 2014 and Prop 69 in 2018, as well as opposition to the 2018 gas tax repeal measure Prop 6.

Between the lines: - The leadership change suggests CAJ is trying to keep its influence in state infrastructure politics while bringing in a leader with public-sector, labor and policy credentials. - Quigley’s departure follows more than a decade of coalition work that helped make CAJ one of the better-known labor-management groups in the state. - Arce’s mix of workforce, utility and political experience could help the alliance navigate funding fights and project approvals.

What’s next: - Arce is expected to focus on building labor, business and community partnerships around future infrastructure projects. - The alliance will keep pushing for investments in water, transportation, climate and transit systems. - CAJ said it aims to secure the partnerships and financing needed for the next generation of critical infrastructure projects across Northern California.

The bottom line: - California’s infrastructure politics are entering a new phase, with CAJ handing the reins to a leader who combines labor ties, policy experience and public-sector management.