Lee Adams III

In April 2017, Governor Edmund G. Brown appointed Sierra County Supervisor Lee Adams III as a member of the Commission on State Mandates.  Lee's public service career spans 36 years and includes elected office, and service in local government.

Lee earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento in 1978.

Lee Adams began service as a Sierra County Supervisor representing District 1 on January 3, 2009 and is now serving a third term. Lee previously served as sheriff-coroner of Sierra County from 1988 to 2007.  Prior to his appointment as sheriff and election to four additional four year terms, he served as a Sierra County deputy sheriff and administrative sergeant for ten years.

In addition to his current service as Supervisor, Lee serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the 35 Rural County Representatives of California (RCRC), the California State Association of Counties (CSAC), the Pacific Forest Stewardship Council, and Northern California Emergency Medical Services, Inc.

He is a past chair of RCRC, and is a lifetime member of the California State Sheriffs' Association.  Lee also is a member and treasurer of the Downieville Lions Club, treasurer of the Downieville Museum, member and treasurer of Downieville Parlor No. 92 - Native Sons of the Golden West, a docent at the Leland Stanford State Historic Park, and a lifetime member of the Death Valley Natural History Association.  He also sits on the board of directors of the Native Sons of the Golden West's historic preservation foundation.

A native of San Francisco, his maternal great-great-Grandfather, John A. Brewster, was elected California's fourth surveyor general in 1856.