SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the following appointments: First, Jody Belgard Akimoto, 52, of Watsonville, has been reappointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association), where she has served as a member since 2006. She has been an account specialist for the Santa Cruz County Office of Education since 1985. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Akimoto is a Republican.
Bennett Drake, 61, of Temecula, has been appointed to the State Board of Food and Agriculture. He has served as president for Drake Enterprises since 1980. Previously, Drake worked as manager of grower relations for McMillan Farm Management from 1976 to 1980 and manager of agricultural development at Kaiser Atena from 1973 to 1976. He is a member of the Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board, Rancho California Water District Board, California Sustainable Wine Grape Alliance, California Wine Grape Growers Foundation and Murrieta Temecula Group. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Drake is a Republican.
Loretta Estrada, 67, of Watsonville, has been reappointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association), where she has served as a member since 1989. Since 1991, she has owned and operated Estrada Ranch and, since 1974, has worked as a food service manager for Pajaro Valley Unified School District. Estrada is a member of the Santa Cruz Cattlemen’s Association and the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Estrada is a Republican.
Jill Larson, 55, of Loomis, has been appointed to the State Rehabilitation Council. Larson has worked as special education consultant for the California Department of Education since December 2009, where she previously held the positions of education research and evaluation consultant in 2009, education research and evaluation consultant from 2002 to 2008 and education programs consultant from 2001 to 2002. She served as a school-to-career coordinator for the California School for the Deaf from 1986 to 2001. Larson was a teacher for the Little Lake School District from 1984 to 1986 and for the Los Angeles Unified School District from 1979 to 1984. She is a member of the Council of Chief State School Officers, Council for Exceptional Children and Learning Disabilities Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Larson is a Democrat.
Brian Mathias, 25, of Aptos, has been reappointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association), where he has served as a member since 2008. He has served as a law clerk for the Law Offices of Timothy J. Morgan since 2009. Previously, Mathias was a journeyman for Bruce Mathias Home Improvement and Repair from 2002 to 2009. He is a member of the Santa Cruz County Republican Central Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Mathias is a Republican.
Sean McNally, 53, of Bakersfield, has been appointed to the State Board of Food and Agriculture. He has worked for Grimmway Farms as vice president of human resources and corporate and government affairs since 1997. Previously, McNally practiced law at Hanna, Brophy, MacLean, McAleer, and Jensen from 1991 to 1997. He worked as a self-employed general contractor doing residential real estate development from 1984 to 1990. McNally was a municipal court deputy for the Kern County District Attorney’s Office from 1983 to 1984. He is a member of the Graces Memorial High School Board of Trustees and Self Insurers’ Securities Fund. McNally is president of the Kern Adult Literacy Council and commissioner of the Commission on Health and Safety and Workers Compensation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. McNally is registered declined-to-state.
Frank Oneto, 86, of Boulder Creek, has been reappointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association), where he has served as a member since 2001. He worked for Park Mutual Water Company from 1973 to 1993, where he retired as manager. Oneto was a sole practitioner from 1968 to 1986. Previously, he was associate and partner for Ruffo and Oneto from 1956 to 1968. Oneto is a member of The American Legion. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Oneto is a Democrat.
John Seiler, 52, of Blythe, has been appointed to the Colorado River Board of California. Since 1980, he has been partner for Jack Seiler Farms. Seiler has been a member of the Palo Verde Irrigation District Board of Directors since 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $50 per diem. Seiler is a Republican.
Christopher Smith, 70, of Santa Cruz, has been appointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association). He has owned and operated the Law Offices of Christopher G. Smith since 1980. Smith also has owned and operated Mystery Spot since 1995. This position does not require Senate confirmations and there is no salary. Smith is a Libertarian.
Bob Thomas, 75, of Soquel, has been appointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association). He has been president and chief executive officer of Outdoor World since 1976. From 1952 to 1981, Thomas was vice president of Longs Drugs Stores. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Thomas is a Republican.
Stuart Yamamoto, 60, of Aptos, has been reappointed to the Santa Cruz County Fair Board of Directors (14th District Agricultural Association), where he has served as a member since 2003. Since 2004, he has been director of operations for Dole Berry Company. Previously, Yamamoto was ranch manager for Coastal Berry Company from 1994 to 2004 and general manager of Watsonville Berry Co-operative from 1986 to 1994. He is a board member and past research chairman of the California Strawberry Commission, member of the Alumni Council of California Agricultural Leadership Program and board member and former treasurer of Watsonville-Santa Cruz Japanese American Citizen League. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Yamamoto is a Republican.
