Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Matthew B. Atchley, 52, of Cameron Park, has been appointed Warden at Salinas Valley State Prison, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2019. Atchley held several positions at Salinas Valley State Prison from 2004 to 2016 and in 2019, including Chief Deputy Warden, Associate Warden, Correctional Captain, Correctional Lieutenant, Correctional Sergeant and Correctional Officer. Atchley also served in several positions at the Correctional Training Facility, where he was an Associate Warden from 2016 to 2019 and a Correctional Officer from 2002 to 2004. Atchley was an Aviation Mechanic for the United States Navy from 1986 to 1988. Atchley is a member of the Monterey County Peace Officers Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $162,024. Atchley is registered without party preference.
Katie D. James, 51, of Woodland, has been appointed Chief of the Office of Victim Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she has served as Acting Chief since 2020. James held several positions at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2006 to 2020, including Assistant Chief and Staff Services Manager at the Office of Victim Services. She was an Associate Governmental Program Analyst for the Special Processing Unit of the Board of Parole Hearings from 2005 to 2006. James held several positions at the Board of Prison Terms from 1996 to 2006, including Victim Assistance Coordinator and Executive Assistant. She was Senior Legal Typist for the Department of Personnel Administration at the California Department of Human Resources from 1994 to 1996. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $143,652. James is a Democrat.
Essra Mostafavi, 39, of Bishop, has been appointed to the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board. Mostafavi has been Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Geode Environmental Inc. since 2017. She was Senior Project Manager at VCS Environmental from 2015 to 2017. Mostafavi was an Associate Environmental Planner at Caltrans District 8 from 2012 to 2015. She was on the Board of Directors at Global Majority from 2010 to 2012. Mostafavi was Acting County Director at Winrock International in 2010. She earned a Master of Arts degree in international environmental policy at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Mostafavi is a Democrat.
Kathleen M. Otermat, 63, of Georgetown, has been appointed Administrative Assistant to the Secretary and the Undersecretary at the Government Operations Agency. Otermat has been an Executive Assistant at the California Department of Motor Vehicles since 2019. She was an Executive Assistant and Clerk of the Board for the Lahontan Regional Water Quality Control Board from 2016 to 2019. Otermat was a Program Technician III at the California Contractors State License Board from 2015 to 2016. She was a Project Manager for Apple Computer Inc. from 2001 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $86,880. Otermat is a Democrat.
Vivian E. Perez, 59, of Holtville, has been appointed to the Colorado River Basin Regional Water Quality Control Board. Perez has been Center Manager at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest since 2016 and a Faculty Member at the University of Phoenix since 2010. She was a Provider Network Consultant at Fresenius Health Partners from 2016 to 2017. Perez was Operations Manager at Fresenius Medical Care North America from 2012 to 2014. She was a Commissioner for the Imperial Valley Housing Authority appointed by the City of Holtville from 1997 to 2013. Perez earned a Master of Public Administration degree from San Diego State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Perez is a Democrat.
Lori J. Templeton, 51, of Yountville, has been appointed Home Administrator at the Veterans Home of California, Redding. She has served as Director of Residential Services at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville since 2020. She was a Liaison Officer in Southern California with Work for Warriors at the California Military Department from 2019 to 2020. Templeton was Deputy Commander of the Soldier Incentives Assistance Center at the California Military Department from 2017 to 2019. She was a Company Commander at the California Army National Guard from 2014 to 2016 and 2018 to 2020. Templeton was Training, Assessment, Counseling Officer at the Oakland Military Institute from 2013 to 2016. She was a Middle School Teacher and Community Day School Supervisor at Red Bluff Unified Elementary School District from 2006 to 2013. Templeton has served in the Reserve Army National Guard since 2010. Templeton earned a Master of Education degree from Simpson University. She is a member of the National Guard Association of California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $138,648. Templeton is a Democrat.
Geneva E. Thompson, 31, of Arcata, has been appointed Assistant Secretary for Tribal Affairs at the California Natural Resources Agency. Thompson is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and has been Associate General Counsel at the Yurok Tribe since 2019. She held multiple positions at Wishtoyo Foundation from 2016 to 2019, including Staff Attorney and Legal Fellow. Thompson is a board member of the National Native American Bar Association and former chair of its Young Lawyers Committee. She is a member of the American Bar Association and a member and past president of the California Indian Law Association. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $135,000. Thompson is a Democrat.