SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments. First, Janet Barentson, 49, of Rocklin, has been appointed chief deputy director at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Barentson has been deputy director of management services at the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection since 2009, and has worked at the department since 2005. She worked in multiple positions at the California Highway Patrol from 1990 to 2005, including budget officer. Barentson was an auditor at the Bureau of State Audits from 1985 to 1990. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $119,398. Barentson is a Democrat
Mark Farouk, 36, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy commissioner of the Office of External Affairs at the California Department of Corporations. Farouk has been the chief consultant for the Assembly Banking and Finance Committee since 2005. He was a legislative consultant for Assemblymember Jerome Horton from 2003 to 2005, a legislative assistant for Assemblymember Hannah-Beth Jackson from 2002 to 2003, and a legislative assistant for Assemblymember Sally Havice from 2001 to 2002. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $90,000. Farouk is a Democrat.
Mark Leary, 56, of Carmichael, has been appointed chief deputy director at the California Department of Resources, Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Leary has been deputy director at CalRecycle since 2010. From 1999 to 2009, he worked at the California Integrated Waste Management Board in multiple positions, including executive director. Leary was area director of governmental affairs at Browning-Ferris Industries from 1994 to 1999 and branch chief at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 1982 to 1994. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $125,232. Leary is registered decline-to-state.
James Spurling, 57, of Sacramento, has been appointed chief counsel at the Office of the Inspector General. Spurling has been assistant chief counsel for the Department of Personnel Administration since 2006. He was an industrial relations counsel for the Department of Industiral Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement from 2001 to 2006, an attorney at the Law Offices of James Casey Spurling from 1999 to 2001 and an attorney for the Union Pacific Railroad Company from 1998 to 1999. Spurling was an associate attorney for Knox Lemmon Anapolsky and Sheridan from 1995 to 1997, a partner with Jencks and Hunt from 1993 to 1995 and a partner with Nelson Thompson Pegue Thornton Spurling from 1987 to 1993. Spurling earned a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $137,196. Spurling is a Republican.
David Zocchetti, 54, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director and chief counsel at the California Department of General Services. Zocchetti has been chief counsel and legislative director for the California Emergency Management Agency since 2009. He worked at the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services in multiple positions from 1991 to 2009, including chief counsel of legal and legislative affairs. Zocchetti earned a Juris Doctorate degree from McGeorge School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $136,512. Zocchetti is a Democrat.
