01/30/2008 GAAS:50:08 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version |
Governor Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments
Elizabeth Ashford, 33, of Sacramento, has been appointed chief deputy cabinet secretary in the Office of the Governor. Most recently, she served as deputy communications director for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2006 to 2008. Prior to that, Ashford worked for the Administrative Office of the Courts as a communications specialist from 2004 to 2005. Previously, she worked as public relations manager for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, as corporate communications editor for CMP Media and as a consultant at the United Nations. Ashford earned a Masters degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $120,000. Ashford is a Democrat.
Jeffrey M. Barker, 29, of San Diego, has been appointed deputy communications director in the Office of the Governor. Most recently, he was communications director for the northeast region for the Rudy Giuliani Presidential Committee in 2007. Prior to that, Barker was associate communications director in the Office of the Governor from 2006 to 2007 and director of rapid response for Californians for Schwarzenegger 2006. From 2005 to 2006, he was a reporter for the Sacramento News & Review. Barker previously was a reporter for the Stockton Record from 2004 to 2005, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer from 2002 to 2004 and the San Diego Union-Tribune in 2000. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $90,000. Barker is a Republican.
Darren Bouton, 38, of Sunnyvale, has been appointed deputy cabinet secretary in the Office of the Governor. Most recently, he served as manager of sustainable communities for the Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) from 2006 to 2008. From 2004 to 2006, Bouton was senior program manager of renewable energy programs at PG&E and, from 2003 to 2004, was green building services manager for KEMA Incorporated. Prior to that, he was green building coordinator for San Jose's Environmental Services Department from 2001 to 2003 and policy specialist of the energy management program in the Environmental Studies Department at De Anza College from 1999 to 2001. From 1997 to 1999, Bouton was renewable energy policy specialist at the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy at the University of Delaware. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $110,004. Bouton is a Democrat.
Pamela Giacomini, 49, of Hat Creek, has been appointed to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. She has served on the board since 2005. Since 2003, Giacomini has owned and operated Hat Creek Grown, a natural beef production and sales company. She also owns and operates a range cow-calf ranch on lands managed by her family since 1906. Previously, Giacomini served as director of natural resources and commodities for the government affairs division of the California Farm Bureau Federation from 2001 to 2005. She is a member of the California Cattlemen's Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Giacomini is a Republican.
Martin Hoshino, 44, of Folsom, has been appointed executive officer for the Board of Parole Hearings. He has served in the office of internal affairs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2003 and currently holds the position of assistant secretary. From 2000 to 2003, Hoshino was chief assistant inspector general for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) and, from 1999 to 2000, was assistant inspector general for OIG. He worked for the State Controller's Office from 1988 to 1999 and held the positions of project manager from 1996 to 1999, telecommunications manager from 1992 to 1996 and staff analyst from 1988 to 1992. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $144,996. Hoshino is a Democrat.
Andrea McCarthy, 21, of Red Bluff, has been appointed communications manager in the Office of the Governor. Most recently, she was an assistant reporter and office assistant for the Malibu Surfside News in 2007. Additionally, in 2007, McCarthy was an intern at the national campaign headquarters for John McCain for President. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Pepperdine University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $38,004. McCarthy is a Republican.
Gary Nakamura, 57, of Redding, has been appointed to the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. He has served on the board since 2007. Since 1985, he has served as a forestry specialist for the Center for Forestry at the University of California, Berkeley. From 1980 to 1985, Nakamura was supervisor of research and development for the California Region of Champion International Corp, where he conducted applied forest research. Prior to that, from 1974 to 1980, he was a coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service where he monitored 35 field research areas throughout California. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Nakamura is a Democrat.
Melanie Perron, 27, of Sacramento, has been appointed legislative coordinator for the Department of General Services. Since 2007, she has served as a legislative assistant in the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In 2006, Perron was internal logistics manager for the Governor's 2007 Inaugural Committee and prior to that, in 2006, was political affairs liason for Californians for Schwarzenegger 2006. From 2004 to 2006, she was executive assistant and scheduler for Assemblymember Rick Keene. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $52,000. Perron is a Republican.
