Stanislaus County Taxpayer Association Board
Founding Director, Former Chairman: Nick Dokoozlian, MPP
Nick Dokoozlian is a Founding Director and Chairman Emeritus of the Stanislaus County Taxpayer Association. He has served at all levels of government — local, state, and federal — including as a policy and budget consultant in the California State Capitol and working with the House Budget Committee in Washington, D.C. Nick brings experience in fiscal policy, government accountability, and public-sector reform to his work on behalf of Stanislaus County taxpayers. He graduated from Gregori High School, earned a B.A. from the University of Colorado, Boulder and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Chicago.
Chairwoman: Carolyn Neumann
Carolyn Neumann is dedicated to serving her community. In addition to being a Notary Public and Election Official, she also volunteers for United Way in the aftermath of disasters. Her interest in public engagement and oversight was honed by serving on the 2024-2025 Stanislaus Civil Grand Jury. She is currently serving on the Modesto Citizens Transportation Sales Tax Commission. She looks forward to helping the SCTA investigate public spending at all levels, and educating the public on how to navigate the systems that affect their everyday lives.
Vice Chairman: Patrick Shields
A Founding Director and the Vice Chairman of the Board, Patrick Shields is a 6th generation Californian born and raised in Stanislaus County. He resides in Turlock, with his Wife Kayla and daughter Parker. A strong advocate for education, fiscal responsibility, and family values, Patrick is committed to preserving Stanislaus County’s future through principled local leadership. Patrick serves on the Turlock Unified School Board and holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Liberty University.
Treasurer: Armand Ash
A Founding Director and Treasurer, Armand Ash grew up in Modesto and graduated from Gregori High School. He cares deeply about local issues, including tax policy, water rights, and land use. Armand brings a strong legal perspective to regional challenges and is committed to protecting the long-term interests of Stanislaus County residents. He earned a B.A. from Wake Forest and J.D. from UC Law San Francisco.
Secretary: Seth Simas, Ed.D
Seth Simas is excited to be part of the Stanislaus Taxpayers Association to inform everyone about how their taxpayer dollars are used. Seth has served on a local board for the Selective Service System and previously served on the City of Modesto Citizen’s Districting Commission. Seth is a public school teacher in the history-social sciences content area and a part-time instructor at UC Merced. He holds a Ed.D in Educational Leadership, a M.Ed. School Administration, and a B.A. Social Sciences, all from California State University, Stanislaus.
Board Member: Leslie Shaw Klinger, OP
Mrs. Leslie Shaw Klinger, OP has lived in Modesto, CA since 1998. A member of the American Solidarity Party, she has worked at St. Joseph's Catholic Church and, currently, works for Tango Kennels in Oakdale, California. Leslie has served the community as a member of the Civil Grand Jury. Leslie is an AKC Registered Breeder of Scottish Terriers and a Canine Good Citizenship Evaluator. She believes that government needs to operate for the common good through finding common ground and using common sense.
About Stanislaus Taxpayer Association
Join Us
If you would like to join as a member, please send us an email at info@stancountytaxpayers.org
