Planning Commissioner Biographies

Maria Ceja is an Orange County native, born and raised in the City of Santa Ana, and currently residing in the City of Anaheim. Maria has been involved in community volunteering in her hometown since 2018, advocating for housing and tenant rights and protections, public transportation focusing on bus rider conditions, and active transportation. She attended Santa Ana College and then transferred to Cal State Long Beach where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology in 2019. After graduating, Maria began graduate school at the University of California, Irvine, and received her Master's in Urban and Regional Planning in 2021. Maria currently works in the private sector, working for a consulting firm supporting jurisdictions across the state of California with planning-related matters.

In her personal life, Maria enjoys spending time with her family, reading, traveling, and hiking, among many other joys life has to offer.

Kevin G. Rice is an attorney with his offices in Fullerton. With over twenty years in private practice, his focus is on probate law and estate planning, as well as probate and general civil litigation. Prior to this, he was a public affairs consultant.

Mr. Rice attended Orange High School and graduated from Cal. State University, Fullerton with a degree in Political Science and later graduated from Western State University, College of Law.

Mr. Rice serves as a hearing officer and Member of the Orange County Assessment Appeals Board as well as a member of the “Citizens Advisory Committee” for the East Orange County Water District. He spent many years as a little league and softball coach as well as being the President of the Orange/Villa Park Girls Softball League. He is also active in the Boy Scouts of America and serves as a merit badge counselor.

Kevin and his wife Laura have resided in Cowan Heights since 2003. He was appointed to the Planning Commission by 3rd District Supervisor Todd Spitzer in May of 2016.

Claudia is a California native living in the City of Anaheim since 1981. Currently appointed as County of Orange Planning Commissioner (District 4), she also serves on the City of Anaheim Housing & Community Development Commission and as a Board Member at The Heritage Museum of Orange County.  Prior to these appointments, Claudia had the privilege of serving the City of Anaheim as a Library Trustee and Oversight Committee Member.

Claudia is currently Senior Field Representative for Assemblywoman Cottie Petrie-Norris (74th AD). Previously, she was Project Director for Represent OC, an Orange County-based leadership development project where Claudia recruited, mentored, and trained over 300 project participants to serve in public leadership positions.

Claudia’s professional career began with CA State Senator Martha Escutia (34th S.D.) and CA State Assemblyman Mike Eng (49th A.D). She also worked as the Public Affairs Manager for Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties.

Claudia’s personal life revolves around her family, traveling, cooking, and spending time with friends. She holds a bachelor's degree in Business Marketing.

Dave Bartlett is the Vice-President of Land Entitlement for Brookfield Properties Development. Over the past 30 years, he has guided the successful entitlements of many residential, mixed-use and commercial development projects throughout southern California. He joined the Brookfield team in 2004 and is currently oversees entitlements and pre-development for Brookfield’s Land and Housing operations in Southern California. 

Dave is past president of the Building Industry Association of Orange County and the current President of the Building Industry of Southern California. Mr. Bartlett is also the incoming Chair of the Orange County Business Council and currently serves as a member of the Orange County Planning Commission, representing the Fifth District. 

Dave attended the University of Arizona, in Tucson and obtained a liberal arts degree in Geography and Regional Development, with an emphasis in urban planning. 

Dave and his wife Anne Marie have three daughters and have lived and enjoyed life in Orange County for over 30 years.