In the first week of the new year, Governor Jerry Brown announced more appointments.
Brown was Tuesday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.
Saul Gomez, 36, of Sacramento, has been appointed special assistant for oil, gas and geothermal resources at the California Natural Resources Agency. Gomez has been executive director of the California Alternative Energy and Advanced Transportation Financing Authority since 2013 and advisor to California Energy Commissioner Carla Peterman from 2011 to 2012. He was director of advocacy for the Center for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Technologies from 2009 to 2011. Gomez was a legislative consultant at the California State Senate in 2008 and a legislative aide at the California State Assembly from 2002 to 2006. Gomez earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $121,920. Gomez is registered decline to state.
Robert Powell, 62, of Davis, has been appointed science advisor at the California Natural Resources Agency. Powell will advise the Brown administration on the complex scientific issues involved in well stimulation treatments and will assist in developing the scope of the independent scientific study required by Senate Bill 4. He has been a faculty member at the University of California, Davis since 1984 and is currently on sabbatical from his positions as professor in the Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Department and the Food Science and Technology Department. He served as chair of the Academic Senate of the University of California System from 2012 to 2013 and was vice chair from 2011 to 2012. Powell was an associate professor at Washington University in St. Louis from 1979 to 1984. He earned Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees in mechanics and materials science from Johns Hopkins University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Powell is a Democrat.
James Famiglietti, 53, of Irvine, has been appointed to the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board. Famiglietti has been director of the University of California Center for Hydrologic Modeling since 2009 and professor of earth system science at the University of California, Irvine School of Physical Sciences since 2001. He was a professor at the University of Texas at Austin Department of Geological Sciences from 1994 to 2001 and a postdoctoral research associate at Princeton University and at the National Center for Atmospheric Research from 1992 to 1993. Famiglietti is a member of the Geological Society of America and the American Geophysical Union. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in civil engineering from Princeton University and a Master of Science degree in hydrology from the University of Arizona. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Famiglietti is a Democrat.
James Madaffer, 53, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California Transportation Commission. Madaffer has been president of Madaffer Enterprises since 2009 and publisher at Mission Publishing Group LLC since 1995. He was a councilmember for the City of San Diego from 2000 to 2008, chief of staff to San Diego city councilmember Judy McCarty from 1993 to 2000, owner of JVM and Associates from 1988 to 1993 and general manager at the Delta Coast Corporation from 1981 to 1988. Madaffer is a member of the Lambda Alpha International San Diego Chapter, the San Diego Press Club, the Boy Scouts of America San Diego-Imperial Council Board of Directors and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Madaffer is registered decline-to-state.
Anita Martinez, 60, of Oakland, has been reappointed member and chair of the Public Employment Relations Board, where she has served since 2011. Martinez has served in multiple positions at the Public Employment Relations Board since 1976, including regional director and board agent. She was a board agent at the Agricultural Labor Relations Board from 1975 to 1976 and a field examiner trainee at the National Labor Relations Board from 1973 to 1975. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $136,144. Martinez is a Democrat.
Madeline Auerbach, 69, of Bell Canyon, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board of Directors. Auerbach has been a horse owner and breeder at M. Auerbach LLC since 2000. She was a chief financial officer at JSA Corporation dba Hippopatamus from 1977 to 2004. Auerbach is director of Thoroughbred Owners of California and the founder and chair of the California Retirement Management Account. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Auerbach is a Democrat.
Bo Derek, 57, of Santa Ynez, has been appointed to the California Horse Racing Board of Directors, where she has served since 2008. Derek has been the owner of Bless the Beasts since 1998 and has been a film and television actress since 1977. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Derek is registered decline-to-state.
James A. Aleru, 66, of Fresno, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where he has served since 2007. Aleru has been owner and proprietor of James A. Aleru CPA CVA since 2001. He was an independent contractor for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation from 2005 to 2007 and served in multiple positions for the County of Fresno from 1976 to 2001, including auditor-appraiser at the Assessor’s Office and account clerk at the Elections Office. Aleru was controller and accountant at Soccer and Lifestyle from 1996 to 1997 and partner and controller at the Medicom Management Group from 1994 to 1995. He was partner and chief financial officer at PC Experts from 1986 to 1987. Aleru is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the National Association of Certified Valuation Analysts. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Aleru is registered decline-to-state.
Lynne Ashbeck, 59, of Clovis, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where she has served since 2010. Ashbeck has been regional vice president for the Hospital Council of Northern and Central California since 2006 and has served as mayor and city councilmember for the City of Clovis since 2001. She was a public policy facilitator and mediator at the California State University, Sacramento Center for Collaborative Policy from 2003 to 2006. Ashbeck was director of Extension Programs at Fresno State University from 2003 to 2006 and director of education at the Children’s Hospital of Central California from 1997 to 2003. She is a member of the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees and founder of the United Way of Fresno County Women’s Initiative, where she served co-chair from 2007 to 2012. Ashbeck is a member of the Valley Public Radio Community Advisory Council, the Maddy Institute Board of Directors, the Fresno County Restorative Justice Framework Committee and the Central Valley Health Policy Institute Regional Advisory Council at Fresno State. She earned a Master of Arts degree in peacemaking and conflict resolution from Fresno Pacific University and a Master of Science degree in nutrition from Fresno State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ashbeck is a Republican.
Corwin Harper, 49, of Stockton, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors. Harper has served as senior vice president and area manager for the Central Valley Kaiser Foundation Hospital and Health Plan Inc. since 2005. He held multiple positions at the Kaiser Foundation Hospital in Fresno from 1996 to 2005, including senior vice president, area manager and director of hospital operations. Harper was vice president of professional services at Mount Sinai Hospital Chicago from 1994 to 1996. He served in multiple positions at the U.S. Army Medical Department at Fort Sam Houston, Texas from 1990 to 1994 including healthcare systems planner and administrative resident. Harper served as company commander at the Dwight D. Eisenhower Army Medical Center at Fort Gordon, Georgia from 1987 to 1990. He earned a Master of Healthcare Administration degree from Baylor University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Harper is a Republican.
Dorothy Leland, 66, of Merced, has been reappointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where she has served since 2013. Leland has served as chancellor of the University of California, Merced since 2011. She was president of Georgia College and State University from 2004 to 2011. Leland held multiple positions at Florida Atlantic University from 1995 to 2004, including professor and vice president of the Boca Raton campus. She held multiple positions at Purdue University from 1983 to 1995, including co-director of the doctoral program in philosophy and literature and assistant professor. Leland earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in philosophy from Purdue University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Leland is registered decline-to-state.
David Nelson, 59, of Valley Glen, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where he has served since 2010. Nelson has been senior vice president at AG Spanos Companies since 2008. He was director of commercial real estate at Vulcan Inc. from 2007 to 2008. Nelson held multiple positions at Playa Capital Company from 1998 to 2007, including senior vice president and vice president. He was senior development manager at the Walt Disney Company from 1989 to 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Nelson is registered decline-to-state.
Larry Powell, 65, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where he has served since 2012. Powell served as superintendent at the Fresno County Office of Education from 2005 to 2013. He served as superintendent of the Fresno Central Unified School District from 2001 to 2005. Powell is a member of the Association of California School Administrators and the Fresno Pacific University Board of Trustees. He is the host of Good News with Larry Powell on PowerTalk 96.7 and is an independent educational consultant and motivational speaker. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Powell is a Republican.
Max Rodriguez, 74, of Madera, has been reappointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where he has served since 2013. Rodriguez has served on the Madera County Board of Supervisors since 2005. He was an agent at Farmers Insurance from 1985 to 2008 and a resaw operator at American Forest Products from 1959 to 1984. Rodriguez is a commissioner on the Madera County Transportation Commission and the Madera County Local Agency Formation Commission and chairman of the Madera County Children and Families Commission. He is a member of the National Association of Counties Human Services and Education Steering Committee, the California State Association of Counties Health and Welfare Policy Committee, the Madera and Chowchilla Redevelopment Agency Oversight Board and the Madera County High Speed Rail Task Force. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Rodriguez is a Democrat.
Gary Serrato, 59, of Fowler, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors. Serrato has served in multiple positions for the Fresno Irrigation District since 1986, including general manager and ¬¬assistant general manager. He served as a city council member for the City of Fowler from 1994 to 2002. Serrato is a member of the Kings River Water Association, the Friant Water Authority, Fresno County Water Advisory Committee and the Worship Centre Board of Directors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Serrato is a Democrat.
Theodore Smalley, 47, of Visalia, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where he has served since 2010. Smalley has served as executive director at Tulare County Association of Governments since 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Smalley is registered decline-to-state.
Ashley Swearengin, 41, of Fresno, has been appointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley Board of Directors, where she has served since 2010. Swearengin has served as mayor for the City of Fresno since 2009. She was executive director at the Fresno State University Office of Community and Economic Development from 2000 to 2008. Swearengin is a founding board member of Fresno First Steps Home and Learn2Earn and a member of the U.S. Conference of Mayors Executive Committee and the League of California Cities Board of Directors. She earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Fresno State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Swearengin is a Republican.
The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45am.