Roger Niello has been a Sacramento resident for most of his life, having graduated from Encina High School in Arden.
After earning his undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley and his Master’s Degree from the University of California at Los Angeles, Roger began his career as a Certified Public Accountant.
In 1974, Roger joined his family business, the Niello Auto Group, and spent the next 25 years running retail automobile dealerships with his family partners. He served as corporate Chief Financial Officer and was president and general manager of several of the group’s franchises. While involved in the retail auto business, Roger was recognized for his service in the industry as American International Automobile Dealer Association All Star Dealer and the Central Valley New Car Dealer Association Dealer of the Year.
Roger was elected to the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors, in a special election in 1999 and in 2004 was elected to the California State Assembly and re-elected twice. During his six years in the Assembly, Roger served on the Transportation Committee, Banking and Finance Committee, Public Employees, Retirement and Social Security Committee; Business, Professions and Consumer Protection Committee, Insurance Committee, Budget Committee, Joint Legislative Audit Committee, Joint Committee on Emergency Services and Homeland Security, and the Select Committee on Foster Care.
After his time in the Assembly concluded, Roger accepted an appointment as President and CEO of the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. Roger was elected to represent Placer and Sacramento counties in the State Senate in 2022.
Throughout his career, Roger has been a dedicated community and civic volunteer, including service as President of the Golden State Voter Participation, Chair of the Sacramento Valley Lincoln Club Board, Co-Chair of the California Civic Learning Partnership in Sacramento County, member of the University of California Center Sacramento Advisory Board, the Dignity Health Sacramento Service Area Hospital Community Board, the Greater Sacramento Economic Council Board, and Sacramento Rotary.
In February 2011, Roger was named the University of California Center Sacramento Governance Fellow, the first to serve in that position.
Roger, and his wife, Mary, reside in Fair Oaks. They have five adult children and six grandchildren.