Imperial Valley News

Sacramento, California - Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the following appointments: Brian Baca, Vernon Chong, Tam Doduc, Paige Marlatt Dorr, Marlon Evans, Toby Ewing, Charles Gahagan, Everett Gooch, Rex Hime, Eric Kawamura, John Lane, Sharon Levine, Benjamin Licari, Gregory Lippe, Peter Lopez, Terri McDonald, Thomas Moran, Timothy Noonan, James Ostrowski, Bruce Saito, Frances Spivy-Weber, Rick Stacey, G. “Michael” Sutton and Charles Wyatt.

Brian Baca, 54, of San Diego, has been appointed to the State Board of Mining and Geology. He previously served on the board from 2001 to 2005. Since 2007, Baca has served as chief of project planning in the department of planning and land use for San Diego County. Prior to that, he worked for El Dorado County as the development services branch manager from 2005 to 2007 and as engineering geologist for Santa Barbara County from 1989 to 2005. From 1980 to 1989, Baca was an exploration geologist for Union Oil Company. He served on the Solvang City Council from 2002 to 2005. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Baca is a Republican.

Vernon Chong, 75, of Lincoln, has been reappointed to the California Veterans Board. He has served on the board since 2004. Prior to retiring, Chong served as special assistant to the network director at the Department of Veterans Affairs from 1995 to 2003. He is a 31-year-veteran of the U.S. Air Force, achieving the rank of major general before his retirement in 1994. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Chong is a Republican.

Tam Doduc, 42, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the State Water Resources Control Board. She has served on the board since 2005. Doduc has served the California Environmental Protection Agency in a variety of positions, most recently serving as deputy secretary for environmental quality since 2004. Prior to that, she was the assistant secretary for technology certification from 2003 to 2004, assistant secretary for air and chemical programs from 2002 to 2003, assistant secretary for agriculture and chemical programs from 2002 to 2003 and assistant secretary for technology certification from 2000 to 2003. Doduc’s experience also includes two years as water resources control engineer for the Division of Water Rights and three years within the Division of Water Quality at the Board. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $128,109. Doduc is registered decline-to-state.

Paige Marlatt Dorr, 40, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of communications for California Community Colleges. She has served as the project director for the California Community Colleges “I Can Afford College” statewide financial aid awareness campaign since 2004 and previously served as an account supervisor at Runyon Saltzman & Einhorn from 1996 to 2004. From 1993 to 1995, Dorr was a sales representative for the sales and integrated logistics division for Nabisco Foods Group and, from 1992 to 1993, she was a marketing specialist and member services representative at Tesoro Credit Union. Dorr was a member services representative and marketing and research assistant at Golden 1 Credit Union from 1989 to 1992. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,590. Dorr is a Democrat.

Marlon Evans, 34, of Redwood City, has been appointed to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Since 2006, he has served as the executive director for All Stars Helping Kids. Prior to that, he served as a director at the Knowledge Is Power Program Foundation from 2003 to 2006 and was a major gifts officer for Stanford University Office of Medical Development from 2002 to 2003. Evans was the assistant director of undergraduate admissions at Stanford University from 1998 to 2001 and was a free agent with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 1998 and the Carolina Panthers in 1997. He is a member of the Sports4Kids Bay Area Advisory Board of Directors. Evans earned a Master of Science degree in sociology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Stanford University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Evans is a Democrat.

Toby Ewing, 43, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the California Research Bureau. He has served as the research director for California Forward since 2007 and previously in the same position for the New California Network from 2006 to 2007. From 1999 to 2006, Ewing served as the project manager at the Little Hoover Commission and, from 1997 to 1999, he was the executive director for the Senate Advisory Commission on Cost Control in State Government for the Senate Rules Committee. Ewing is a member of the California Sociological Association, Community Indicators Consortium and Words to Deeds Leadership Council. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,420. Ewing is registered decline-to-state.

Charles Gahagan, 61, of Moreno Valley, has been appointed to the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Since 1986, he has served as an English and film studies teacher for Canyon Springs High School. From 1969 to 1971 and 1974 to 1986, Gahagan was a teacher of English, humanities and journalism for Mount Clemens High School in Michigan and, from 1972 to 1974, he worked for the U.S. Army in a variety of positions, including Russian intercept operator, translator, transcriber, senior transcriber and German translator. Gahagan is the co-chair of the WASC Accreditation Leadership Team. He holds a continuing clear single subject credential for English, GATE certificate and CLAD certificate. Gahagan earned a Master of Arts degree in English literature from Oakland University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Michigan State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Gahagan is a Democrat.

Everett Gooch, 61, of Yountville, has been appointed hospital services administrator for the Yountville Veterans Home. From 1997 to 2007, he worked for Adventist Health System/West where he served in a variety of positions, most recently as vice president of government relations. Prior to that, Gooch served as vice president of acquisitions and mergers and president and chief executive officer of the Northern California division. From 1995 to 1997, he was the senior vice president for Loma Linda University Medical Center and, from 1991 to 1995, Gooch was the executive director and chief operating officer of Loma Linda Faculty Medical Group. He was the president and chief executive officer for Loma Linda Community Hospital from 1982 to 1991 and was the vice president of Loma Linda University Medical Center from 1978 to 1982. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $99,000. Gooch is a Republican.

Rex Hime, 61, of Loomis, has been reappointed to the California Exposition State Fair Board of Directors. He was previously appointed to the board of directors by Governor Schwarzenegger in 2004. Hime is president and chief executive officer of the California Business Properties Association, a position he has held since 1984. He is a member and incoming chair of the Sacramento Leukemia Society Board of Trustees and the Reserve Officers Association of the U.S. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Hime is a Republican.

Eric Kawamura, 54, of Orinda, has been reappointed to the California Housing Partnership Corporation. He has served on the corporation since 2006. Kawamura has served as vice president and general counsel for the West Division of Citibank since 2002. Previously, he served as senior vice president and senior counsel for California Federal Bank from 1986 to 2002 and as an attorney for Wendel, Lawlor, Rosen & Black from 1980 to 1986. This position requires Senate confirmation, and there is no salary. Kawamura is registered decline-to-state.

John Lane, 44, of Chico, has been appointed to the State Board of Mining and Geology. He has worked as a principal scientist for Chico Environmental since 2002 and previously worked as a senior hydrologist at Stetson Engineers from 2000 to 2002. Lane was a staff geologist at URS Corporation from 1998 to 2000 and Weber Hayes and Associates from 1995 to 1996. From 1993 to 1995, he was a staff scientist at AGEISS Environmental. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lane is a Democrat.

Sharon Levine, 62, of Palo Alto, has been appointed to the Medical Board of California. She has worked for The Permanente Medical Group since 1977, where she has served as an associate executive director since 1991 and previously served as a pediatrician from 1977 to 1991. From 1976 to 1977, Levine was a staff pediatrician for the Georgetown University Community Health Plan, from 1975 to 1976, she was a clinical associate in infant nutrition at the National Institutes of Health and, from 1974 to 1975, Levine was the director of pediatric services for Montgomery Georgetown Pediatric Clinic. She is a member of the California Medical Association, American College of Physician Executives and the California Academy of Medicine. Additionally, Levine is a member of the Integrated Healthcare Association Board of Directors, Women’s Foundation of California Board of Directors, California Hospital Association Board of Directors, Reagan Udall Foundation Board of Directors and the Public Health Institute Board of Directors. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Levine is a Democrat.

Benjamin Licari, 57, of Soquel, has been appointed to the State Mining and Geology Board. He previously served on the board from 1998 to 1999. Licari has worked for Granite Rock Company where he currently serves as the director of geology and exploration, a position he’s held since 2006 and previously served as the director of government and community affairs from 2000 to 2006. He worked for Canyon Resources Corporation as the business development manager of the Briggs Mine in Panamint Valley from 1996 to 2000 and was the mine manager of the Kendall Mine in Hilger, MO from 1993 to 1996. Licari was the operations manager of Sonora Mining Corporation from 1990 to 1995 and worked for Western Mining Corporation where he served as the resident manager from 1986 to 1990, mine superintendent from 1985 to 1986 and ore control engineer from 1983 to 1985. He was a senior exploration geologist for International Mineral Services from 1982 to 1983, manager and senior geologist for Dmex International from 1981 to 1982, project manager and chief geologist for Miller Mining Company from 1978 to 1980 and was a consultant geologist for Applied Geological Engineering from 1977 to 1978. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Licari is a Republican.

Gregory Lippe, 62, of Calabasas, has been appointed to the State Board of Pharmacy. Since 1994, he has served as a managing partner for Lippe, Hellie, Hoffer, & Allison, (CPAs). Lippe worked at Solomon, Ross & Company where he served as president from 1988 to 1994, shareholder from 1983 to 1988 and from 1975 to 1981 and was a senior accountant and manager from 1969 to 1975. From 1981 to 1983, Lippe was the chief financial officer for the Riverside Lumber Yard. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Additionally, he serves as chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, board member and executive committee member for The Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and is a trustee of Woodbury University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lippe is a Republican.

Peter Lopez, 59, of Encino, has been appointed to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors and reappointed to the State Athletic Commission. He has served on the State Athletic Commission since 2007. Lopez is a partner with the law firm Kleinberg, Lopez, Lange, Cuddy and Klein since 1997 where he specializes in entertainment law. Prior to that, Lopez was partner with Mitchell, Silberberg and Knupp. Both positions require Senate confirmation and the compensation. The compensation for the Athletic Commission is $100 per diem and there is no salary for the California Exposition and Fair Board of Directors. Lopez is a Democrat.

Terri McDonald, 45, of Sacramento, has been appointed chief deputy secretary of adult operations for the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). She has served as the associate director of reception center institutions for the CDCR since 2008 and previously served as acting associate director of reception centers for CDCR from 2007 to 2008. From 2006 to 2007, McDonald was chief deputy administrator of correctional programs for California out-of-state correctional facilities and, in early 2006, was chief of the classification services unit for the Division of Adult Parole Operations (DAPO). From 2004 to 2006, she was correctional administrator for general population level II and III institutions for DAI and, earlier in 2004, was a correctional captain and facility captain at Folsom State Prison. From 1990 to 2004, McDonald held various positions at California Medical Facility including correctional captain from 2001 to 2004, correctional lieutenant from 1996 to 2001, correctional sergeant from 1993 to 1996 and correctional officer from 1990 to 1993. She began her career as a correctional officer at Sierra Conservation Center from 1988 to 1990. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $148,836. McDonald is registered decline-to-state.

Thomas Moran, 76, of Lincoln, has been reappointed to the California Veterans Board. He has served on the board since 2007. Moran has owned the real estate brokerage firm Moran Realty since 1995 and currently serves as principal and real estate broker. He previously served as an instructor on real estate principals for the Foothill/Deanza Community College District and the West Valley/Mission Community College District. Moran served 22 years in the U.S. Navy on active duty as an aviator and retired with the rank of commander in 1976. He served as the executive vice president of the Los Gatos/Saratoga Board of Realtors from 1977 to 1990. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Moran is a Republican.

Timothy Noonan, 49, of Beverly Hills, has been reappointed to the State Athletic Commission. He has served on the commission since 2007. Since 1996, Noonan has served as president and chief executive officer for the Lockton Insurance Brokers. From 1983 to 1996, he was senior vice president for Jardine Insurance Brokers. Prior to that, Noonan was an insurance agent for the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company from 1982 to 1983. He is chairman of the board of Phoenix Houses of California, member of the University of California, Los Angeles Center on Aging Board of Trustees and associate member of the California Association of Health Facilities. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Noonan is a Republican.

Thomas O’Malley, 58, of Atascadero, has been appointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board. He has served on the Atascadero City Council since 2002, where he served as mayor in 2006 and mayor pro tem in 2005. Additionally, O’Malley has owned Portola Event Planning since 2007. From 1994 to 2005, he was the administrator for San Luis Obispo County Mental Health Services. O’Malley is a member of the Atascadero Redevelopment Agency Board, El Camino Homeless Organization Board and the Atascadero Kiwanis Board. He is also the secretary of the Central Coast Zoological Society. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. O’Malley is a Republican.

James Ostrowski, 52, of Mount Shasta, has been reappointed to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. He has served on the board since 2005. Ostrowski has served as timberland manager for Timber Products Company since 1994. Previously, he was Mount Shasta’s district manager from 1988 to 1994 and a logging engineer for Sierra Pacific Industries from 1983 to 1988. Ostrowski is a member of the Council on Forest Engineering, California Licensed Foresters Association and Society of American Foresters. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ostrowski is a Republican.

Bruce Saito, 57, of Long Beach, has been reappointed to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. He has served on the board since 2005. Saito has served as executive director of the Los Angeles Conservation Corps since 1995. Previously, he served as the deputy director of the Corps from 1985 to 1995 and, prior to that, as program manager for the California Conservation Corps from 1976 to 1986. Saito is a member of the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy Advisory Committee, Los Angeles Neighborhood Land Trust Board and the Los Angeles Gardening Council and Youth Service California. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Saito is a Democrat.

Frances Spivy-Weber, 54, of Redondo Beach has been reappointed to the State Water Resources Control Board. She has served on the board since 2007. Spivy-Weber has served as the executive director for policy for the Mono Lake Committee since 1997. From 1983 to 1992, she served as the director of international programs for the National Audubon Society. Spivy-Weber previously was a legislative assistant for the Animal Welfare Institute from 1978 to 1982. She is a current member of the steering committee at the California Urban Water Conservation Council as well as co-chair of the Water Climate Action Team. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $128,109. Spivy-Weber is a Democrat.

Rick Stacey, 57, of Visalia, has been reappointed to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors. He has served on the board of directors since 2008. Since 1985, Stacey has worked for the Visalia Citrus Packing Group, where he currently serves as vice president of finance and administration and chief financial officer. He previously was a partner with the agribusiness consulting firm, Stacey & Stacey, from 1981 to 1985 and vice president and controller for the Western Farm Management Company from 1979 to 1980. Stacey currently serves as treasurer for the Visalia Fruit Exchange and is a member of the Western Growers Association Board of Directors and the labor committee of California Citrus Mutual. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Stacey is a Republican.

G. “Michael” Sutton, 51, of Monterey, has been reappointed to the Fish and Game Commission. He has served on the commission since 2007. Sutton has served as vice president and founding director of the Center for the Future of the Oceans at the Monterey Bay Aquarium since 2004. Previously, he served as program officer for the conservation and science program at the David and Lucile Packard Foundation from 1999 to 2004. Prior to that, Sutton served as vice president of the U.S. Land and Wildlife Program for the World Wildlife Fund from 1995 to 1999, as well as senior program officer for international wildlife policy for the World Wildlife Fund from 1990 to 1992. He also served as special agent for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1984 to 1990. Sutton worked for the National Park Service as a park ranger from 1980 to 1984. He is a member of the Wild Salmon Center Board of Directors and the Ocean Champions Political Action Committee Board of Directors. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Sutton is a Democrat.

Charles Wyatt, 43, of Oceanside, has been appointed to the State Board of Mining and Geology. Since 2007, he has worked as a regional manager at Kleinfelder and, in 2006, as a principal engineer at CastilloWyatt Engineering. He was a principal engineer for NorthShore Engineering from 1998 to 2006, project engineer for IT Corporation from 1994 to 1998, project engineer for GeoResearch from 1993 to 1994 and as a staff engineer for Geraghty Miller. From 1989 to 1991, Wyatt worked as staff engineer for Professional Service and, in 1988, he worked as a county water engineer for the Peace Corps in Nepal. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wyatt is a Democrat.