06/25/2004 GAAS:268:04 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments 06/25/2004
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the following appointments:
Roger Brautigan, 58, of Stockton, has been appointed undersecretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He is a 33-year-veteran of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of major general while serving in a number of command and staff positions in the United States, Vietnam and Germany. Most recently he served as deputy commanding general and chief of staff, I Corps and Fort Lewis in Fort Lewis, WA. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $109,380. Brautigan is a Democrat.
Paul Cerles, 54, of Sacramento, has been appointed senior negotiator for the California Medical Assistance Commission. He has over 30 years experience in state service, including 20 years working in state health programs at the Department of Health Services and the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development. He most recently served as budget officer for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $77,544. Cerles is a Democrat.
Dr. Vernon Chong, 70, of Lincoln, has been appointed to the California Veterans Board. He most recently served as special assistant to the network director at the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Chong 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. Dr. Chong is a Republican.
Scott Edelen, 32, of Folsom, has been appointed assistant director of public affairs for the Department of General Services. Previously he served as special projects analyst within the fraud division of the Department of Insurance. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $72,000. Edelen is a Republican.
Caroline Herndon, 59, of American Canyon, has been appointed deputy secretary for health care at the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency. She most recently served as chief psychologist on special assignment to the agency. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $106,000. Herndon is a Democrat.
Ron Joseph, 56, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the Department of General Services. He has been serving as chief deputy director and interim director of the Department since February 2004. Prior to that, Joseph served as interim director for the Department of Consumer Affairs. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $123,255. Joseph is a Republican.
Lisa Kalustian, 40, of North Hills, has been appointed chief deputy director of the Governor’s Los Angeles Office. She most recently served as vice president of public affairs for the western region of Health Net, Inc. Kalustian is also currently a member of the boards of directors of the Armenian Assembly of America and Coro Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,000. Kalustian is a Republican.
Alexander Kim, 31, of Los Angeles, has been appointed deputy director and community liaison to the Asian American community in the Governor’s Los Angeles Office. He most recently served as an economic development representative and liaison to the Asian-American community for Los Angeles Mayor Jim Hahn. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $55,000. Kim is a Republican.
Sharon Mathew, 27, of Davis, has been appointed assistant general counsel for the Resources Agency. Since 2002 she has served as a fellow of the College of Public Interest Law at the Pacific Legal Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $63,840. Mathew is a Republican.
William Parente, 62, of Santa Monica, has been appointed deputy secretary of Veterans’ Homes for the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. He has over 34 years of experience in healthcare administration, including serving as president of St. Vincent Medical Center in Los Angeles from 1998 to 2003. Parente served in the U.S. Naval Reserve, achieving the rank of lieutenant (jg) before his retirement. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,332. Parente is a Democrat.
John Peter (J.P.) Tremblay, 47, of Citrus Heights, has been appointed assistant secretary for external affairs at the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency. He most recently served as assistant director of communications at the California Department of Corrections. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100,008. Tremblay is a Republican.
Michael Prosio, 31, of Roseville, has been appointed deputy director of legislative affairs for the Labor and Workforce Development Agency. He most recently served as the legislative director for the Department of Industrial Relations. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $91,004. Prosio is a Republican.
Deborah Rogers, 45, of Sacramento, has been appointed associate secretary for legislative affairs at the Health & Human Services Agency. She most recently served as the Senate Republican policy consultant to the Health and Human Services and Veterans Affairs Committees. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $94,944. Rogers is a Republican.
