As California's Secretary of Natural Resources, John Laird has made climate change adaptation, water conservation, and oceans sustainability, among other issues, top priorities. He provides administrative oversight to thirty departments, commissions, councils, museum, boards and conservancies. Laird has been preparing for this role with decades of public service, from being Mayor of Santa Cruz to serving as California Assemblyman for the 27th Assembly District.

Laird graduated with honors in politics from the University of California Santa Cruz in 1972.