SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Calif. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the following appointments: First, Edna Anderson-Owens, 71, of Burbank, has been reappointed to the California Science Center Board of Directors, where she has served as a member since 2000. She has been senior vice president of West Grand Media since 2000 and co-chief executive officer of the Gordy Company Management since 2005. Anderson-Owens served the Jobete Music Company as assistant to the chairman and senior vice president from 1994 to 1996, administrator for the office of the chairman from 1989 to 1993 and executive secretary and administrator for the office of the chairman from 1970 to 1989. She was executive secretary for the Gordy Company from 1993 to 1994. Anderson-Owens is director and corporate secretary of the Berry Gordy Family Foundation and serves on the Science Center Foundation’s Board of Trustees. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Anderson-Owens is a Democrat.
Ronald Barsamian, 56, of Fresno, has been appointed to the Big Fresno Fair Board (21st District Agricultural Association). He has served as managing partner for Barsamian and Moody Professional Corporation since 1992. Previously, Barsamian was partner for Finkle and Barsamian Law Firm from 1985 to 1992 and assistant general counsel for Western Growers Association from 1978 to 1985. He is president of the Agricultural Personnel Management Association Board of Directors and vice-chairman and chairman-elect of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Barsamian is a Republican.
Archie “Joe” Biggers, 65, of San Diego, has been appointed to the State Bar of California Board of Governors. Since 2006, he has served as a commissioner on the Board of Parole Hearings where he previously served as a juvenile commissioner from 2005 to 2006. Prior to that, Biggers served San Diego as executive director of the Greater San Diego Inner-City Games from 1994 to 2003, director of the sports training academic recreation program from 1993 to 1994 and management assistant to the city manager working for the police athletic league from 1992 to 1993. From 1968 to 1991, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps, rising to the position of Lieutenant Colonel. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Biggers is a Republican.
Devon Carey Berrier, 26, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant secretary of communications for the State and Consumer Services Agency. Most recently, she served as public relations and events manager for Virgin America in San Francisco from 2008 to 2009. Previously, Carey Berrier served the Office of the Governor as special assistant to the deputy chief of staff for communications from 2006 to 2007 and legal assistant to the Legal Affairs Secretary from 2005 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $60,000. Carey Berrier is registered decline-to-state.
Rachelle Chong, 50, of San Francisco, has been appointed special counsel of advanced information and communications technologies for the Office of the State Chief Information Officer. She served on the Public Utilities Commission from 2006 to 2009. From 2001 to April 2008, she was general counsel and vice president of government affairs for BroadBand Office and, since 2001, has been president of Carina Jewelry. Prior to that, Chong was a partner in the telecommunications and internet practice group of the Coudert Brothers International Law Firm from 1998 to 1999. In 1994, she was appointed a commissioner of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) by President Clinton, where she served from 1994 to 1997. From 1989 to 1994, Chong served as an associate attorney, and later as a partner, in the Public Utilities Department for the international law firm of Graham and James, specializing in communications matters before the California Public Utilities Commission. From 1984 to 1987, she was an associate lawyer with the law firm of Kadison, Pfaelzer, Woodard, Quinn and Rossi in Washington D.C. where she practiced communications law before the FCC. She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and political science from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $140,000. Chong is a Republican.
Ernest Crowder, 47, of Elk Grove, has been appointed to the Corrections Standards Authority. Since 2000, he has served the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation as a parole agent. Prior to that, Crowder served the California Youth Authority as program specialist from 1999 to 2000, youth correctional counselor from 1998 to 1999 and parole agent from 1997 to 1998. He was a youth counselor for the Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility from 1987 to 1991 and Preston Youth Correctional Facility from 1991 to 1997. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Crowder is a Democrat.
John Davies, 75, of San Diego, has been appointed to the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority Governing Board. Since 1993, he has been of counsel for Allen, Matkins, Leck, Gamble, Mallory and Natsis. Davies served as judicial appointments advisor for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2004 to 2007 and previously was judicial appointments secretary for Governor Pete Wilson from 1995 to 1999. Prior to that, he was chairman of Senator John Seymour’s California Judicial Qualification Committee from 1991 to 1992 and Senator Pete Wilson’s California Judicial Qualification Committee from 1983 to 1990. Davies served as a partner for the law firm of Davies and Burch from 1963 to 1976 and research attorney for Justice Roger J. Traynor of the California Supreme Court from 1962 to 1963. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Davies is a Republican.
Jeffrey Eben, 48, of Clovis, has been appointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council. He has been chief executive officer for the Fresno Convention and Visitors Bureau since July 2009 and previously held the position of interim chief executive officer from February to July 2009. Additionally, Eben has been chief executive officer for Speaking of Love…, a motivational and educational consulting corporation, since 2006. Previously, he was deputy mayor of Fresno from 2007 to 2009 and program director for Clovis Adult School from 2006 to 2007. Eben was principal of Clovis East High School from 1999 to 2006 and Fort Washington Elementary School from 1996 to 1999 and deputy principal of Clovis West High School from 1994 to 1996. He was the learning director at Clovis High School from 1993 to 1994 and resource teacher for Alta Sierra Intermediate School from 1991 to 1993 and for Kastner Intermediate School from 1990 to 1991. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the there is no salary. Eben is a Republican.
Jane Floethe-Ford, 58, of San Jose, has been appointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council. She has worked for Parents Helping Parents of San Jose as director of education services since 1999 and previously as education resources specialist from 1997 to 1999. Floethe-Ford was manager for Varian Associations from 1975 to 1986. She is a member of the California Association Family Empowerment Centers, California Improving Special Education Services Committee, Santa Clara Mental Health Kidscope Program, First 5 Santa Clara Committee, Community Advisory Committee for Special Education for San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties and is founder of Parents Helping Parents Asperger’s parent support group. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Floethe-Ford is a Democrat.
Gordon Hinkle, 36, of Roseville, has been appointed press secretary for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). He has served CDCR as deputy press secretary since 2007 and acting press secretary since September 2009. Previously, Hinkle was communications director for Congressman John Doolittle in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2007, senior consultant for Assemblymember Mike Villines in the California State Assembly from 2006 to 2007 and communications director for Senator Jim Battin in the California State Senate from 2001 to 2006. Prior to that, he was a logistics process analyst for Hewlett Packard from 2000 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $94,224. Hinkle is a Republican.
Kevin Hunting, 53, of Orangevale, has beenappointed chief deputy director of the Department of Fish and Game (DFG). He has served DFG as deputy director of the Ecosystem Conservation Division since 2007 and previously held the positions of regional manager of the South Coast Region in 2007, chief of the Habitat Conservation Branch from 2005 to 2007 and staff environmental scientist for the North Coast Watershed Assessment Program’s Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, from 2001 to 2005. Prior to that, Hunting was principal of North State Resources, a private consulting firm, from 1999 to 2001. He served DFG from 1994 to 1999 as associate wildlife biologist for the Bird and Mammal Conservation Program from 1997 to 1999, environmental specialist III from 1996 to 1997, associate wildlife biologist for the California Wildlife Habitat Relationships Program from 1995 to 1996 and associate wildlife biologist for the Game Bird Heritage Program from 1994 to 1995. From 1991 to 1994, Hunting was principal of biological services for the Planning Center and, from 1985 to 1990, he was executive director of the California Living Museum. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $113,712. Hunting is a Democrat.
Steven Klemin, 55, of Seal Beach, has been reappointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council where he has served as a member since 2007. Since 2000, he has served as supervisor for the advocacy department at the Westside Center for Independent Living, where he previously held the position of housing advocate trainer from 1996 to 2000. Prior to that, Klemin was a public relations specialist and writer for Cerritos College from 1995 to 1996, senior fire department dispatcher for Northrop Grumman Corporation from 1984 to 1994 and fundraiser and public relations specialist for the Disabled Resources Center in Long Beach from 1981 to 1983. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Klemin is a Democrat.
LeNae Liebetrau, 40, of Santa Cruz, has been appointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council. She has served as a senior vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Department of Rehabilitation since 2005 and previously held the same position from 2001 to 2003. Liebetrau was a field specialist II for Intracorp from 2003 to 2005 and client assistant program advocate for the Center for Independent Living from 1999 to 2000. Prior to that, she worked for Pima Prevention Partnership as a project manager from 1998 to 1999 and project associate from 1997 to 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Liebetrau is a Democrat.
Stephanie Murphy, 35, of La Mesa, has been reappointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council where she has served as a member since 2008. Since 2007, she has served as the regional director of education, development and community relations for Money Management International, also known as Consumer Credit Counseling Services. From 2001 to 2007, Murphy was the business service manager at San Diego Career Opportunities Partners and, in 2000, she worked as an employment recruiter at Staff Works. Murphy is a member of the San Diego Workforce Investment Board and the Employment and Community Options Board. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Murphy is a Democrat.
John Peck, 52, of Sutter Creek, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. He served the California Department of Corrections (CDCR) as deputy commissioner-retired annuitant from 2007 to April 2009, correctional captain-conservation camp liaison from 2001 to 2007, correctional captain-custody at Ironwood State Prison from 2000 to 2001 and correctional lieutenant-camp commander at the California Correctional Center from 1998 to 2000. Prior to that, Peck served CDCR as correctional lieutenant at Calipatria State Prison from 1991 to 1998 and Chauckawalla Valley State Prison from 1989 to 1991 and correctional sergeant at Deuel Vocational Institution from 1988 to 1989 and Avenal State Prison from 1986 to 1988. He was a correctional officer at Deuel Vocational Institution, from 1983 to 1986. The position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $111,845. Peck is a Democrat.
Vaughn Pena, 35, of Ukiah, has been appointed to the California State Rehabilitation Council. Since 2006, he has been the vocational rehabilitation project director for the Pinoleville Pomo Nation Vocational Rehabilitation Program. Previously, Pena was the education director for the Guidiville Indian Rancheria from 2002 to 2005 and math instructor for the Salt River-Pima Maricopa Indian community. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Pena is a Democrat.
Susan Peppler, 53, of Redlands, has been appointed chief deputy cabinet secretary in the Office of the Governor. Most recently, she served the U.S. Office of Housing and Urban Development as assistant secretary for the Office of Community Planning and Development from 2008 to 2009 and previously served the U.S. General Services Administration as deputy associate administrator in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs from 2006 to 2008. Peppler previously served as mayor of Redlands from 2003 to 2006 and councilmember and mayor pro tem from 1999 to 2003. She worked for State Farm Insurance Company as public affairs specialist from 1998 to 2006 and administrator for the Corporate Law Department from 1993 to 1998. From 1988 to 1993, Peppler was senior paralegal and supervisor for Thompson and Colegate. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $126,048. Peppler is registered decline-to-state.
Daniel Provencio, 46, of Santa Clarita, has been appointed to the California Science Center Board of Directors. He has served as senior manager and west coast leader of real estate evaluation services for Deloitte Financial Advisory Services since 2006. Previously, Provencio was a self-employed real estate consultant from 2001 to 2005, manager for Deloitte and Touche from 1993 to 2001, tax manager for Angeles Corporation from 1991 to 1993 and tax senior for KPMG from 1986 to 1990. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Provencio is a Republican.
Valerie Purnell, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant vice chancellor of federal relations for the California Community Colleges. Since 2008, she has served as owner of Purnell Partnerships, a consulting and advocacy firm. Previously, Purnell served the University of California’s Office of the President as associate director of state governmental affairs for from 2000 to 2007 and assistant director from 1994 to 2000. She worked for Children Now as director of external affairs 1993 to 1994 and director of political and legislative affairs from 1989 to 1992. Purnell was a law associate and health care advocate for Public Advocates, Inc. in 1989. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,608. Purnell is a Democrat.
Irene Romero-Rhine, 57, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Science Center Board of Directors. She has owned Irene M. Romero and Associates since 2008. Prior to that, Romero-Rhine was chief executive officer and producer of Kifaru Production from 1983 to 2008. She serves on the Brave New Foundation Board of Directors, USC Thornton School of Music Advisory Board and the Los Angeles Leadership Academy. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Romero-Rhine is a Democrat.
Larry Serpa, 57, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the Big Fresno Fair Board (21st District Agricultural Association), where he has served as a member since 2005. He has been director of member relations for Land O’Lakes since 1995 and salesperson specializing in agricultural and dairy facility properties and dairy cattle for Tony P. Cardoza Incorporated since 1990. Previously, Serpa was a field representative for Western United Dairymen from 1981 to 1995. He is vice chairman and member of Dairy CARES and a member of the California Creamery Operators Association, Dairy Environmental Justice Fund and Dairy Advisory Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Serpa is a Republican.
Thomas Sheehy, 50, of Carmichael, has been appointed undersecretary and designated acting secretary for the State and Consumer Services Agency. He has served the Department of Finance as chief deputy director since 2008 and previously as deputy director from 2006 to 2008. From 2004 to 2006, Sheehy served as regional vice president of state government relations at Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association, and from 2003 to 2004, he was the legislative director to former Senate Minority Leader James Brulte. Sheehy worked as a principal consultant in the Senate Republican Fiscal Office and was a senior consultant to the Assembly Appropriations Committee from 1995 to 1999. From 1993 to 1995, he was the chief of the budget development branch for the State Department of Transportation and, from 1989 to 1993, Sheehy was the staff program budget analyst for the Department of Finance. He earned a Masters of Business Administration degree and Bachelor of Science degree in plant science from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $138,528. Sheehy is a Republican.
Robert Stein, 61, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Science Center Board of Directors, where he has served since 2005. He has served as chief executive officer of Toika Pictures since 2007. Prior to that, Stein was vice president and head of motion pictures for Paradigm Literary and Talent Agency from 2003 to 2007, vice president, partner and head of motion pictures for William Morris Agency from 1995 to 2003 and vice president and partner of United Talent Agency from 1988 to 1995. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Stein is a Democrat.
John Sullivan, 56, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun. Since 2003, he has been vice president of vessel operations for Matson Navigation Company where he previously served as director of vessel operations from 1999 to 2003, director of offshore labor relations and general manager of bulk operations from 1998 to 1999, vessel manager from 1997 to 1998 and sailed as master of the motor vessel Moku Pahu from 1993 to 1997. Previously, Sullivan was captain for Pacific Gulf Marine from 1983 to 1993 and deck officer for American Maritime Officers Union from 1975 to 1982. He is a member of the National Cargo Bureau and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is up to $600 per month. Sullivan is registered decline-to-state.
