The first appointed director to have previously served as a staff member of the California Conservation Corps, David N. Muraki started with the CCC in 1978 as a crew supervisor and stayed with the corps until 1996.
Before joining the CCC, Muraki received his bachelor’s degree in Renewable Natural Resources from University of California, Davis. From 1973-1975, he was a senior instructor with the Yosemite Institute, a nonprofit organization that sponsors field science programs in national parks. Muraki became a program coordinator in 1975 for the Upward Bound Program at Claremont McKenna, which helps low-income students generate skills and motivation to be successful in college. He stayed with them for two years before joining the CCC.
As a corps member, Muraki spent more than 60 weeks living in the backcountry of Yosemite National Park supervising three trail crews. Muraki started the Backcountry Trails Program in 1979, which he headed for 10 years, leading to 139 trail crews and almost 8,000 miles of trail in state and national parks since its inception.
He served in several positions with the CCC, including center administrator for the Del Norte Center; director of development; and manager of the Planning and Quality Assurance Division.
Muraki joined the California Volunteers (formerly the California Service Corps) in 1996. He eventually became deputy director of the state office that manages programs aimed at increasing the number of Californians engaged in volunteer work. He worked there until his appointment as CCC director by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2007. Muraki left in 2015.
Muraki, a Democrat, is a member of America's Service Commissions Board and former member of the Child Abuse Prevention Council of Sacramento. He is also an ex-coach and board member for Auburn Little League. He lives in Placer County with his wife, Judy, and three children.
Director’s Biography (CCC website)
California Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints David Muraki Director of California Conservation Corps (All American Patriots)
