Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Arturo “Roberto” Arias III, of Brawley, has been appointed Warden of Calipatria State Prison, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2022 and has held several positions since 2018, including Chief Deputy Administrator and Correctional Administrator. He served in several positions at Centinela State Prison from 1999 to 2010, including Captain, Classification and Parole Representative and Correctional Counselor II and I. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $187,884. Arias is registered without party preference.
Amy Bernardino-Fabi, of Vacaville, has been appointed to the First 5 California Children and Families Commission. Bernardino-Fabi has been Executive Director of Asian Americans for Good Government since 2021. She has been Vice Chair and Commissioner of the First 5 Solano Children and Families Commission since 2021. Bernardino-Fabi was a Senior Social Worker for Orange County Social Services, Department of Children and Family Services from 1999 to 2003. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Bernardino-Fabi is a Democrat.
Joyce E. Dudley, of Santa Barbara, has been reappointed to the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Advisory Board, where she has served as Chair since 2023. Dudley was Chair of the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training from 2016 to 2022 and a member there from 2013 to 2022. She served as District Attorney of Santa Barbara County from 2010 to 2023. Dudley was a Deputy District Attorney in the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office from 1990 to 2010. She was Director of Child Development Programs at the Community Action Commission of the County of Santa Barbara from 1984 to 1988 and Child Development Director at the Children’s Home Society of California from 1979 to 1984. Dudley earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara, a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood Education from Antioch University, a Master of Arts degree in Education from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Barbara College of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $350 per diem. Dudley is a Democrat.
Katie Hawkins, of Truckee, has been reappointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission, where she has served since 2020. Hawkins has been the California Organizer for Outdoor Alliance since 2023. She was National Sales Manager for Marmot Mountain from 2013 to 2018. Hawkins was International Sales Manager for Black Diamond Equipment from 2008 to 2011. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Hawkins is a member of the California Department of Natural Resources 30x30 Partnership Coordinating Committee. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Washington State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hawkins is a Democrat.
Bryan D. Phillips, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed Warden of Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison, Corcoran, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2022. Phillips was Chief Deputy Warden at California Men’s Colony in 2022 and held several positions there from 2009 to 2022, including Associate Warden, Captain of Adult Institutions, Correctional Counselor II Specialist and Correctional Lieutenant. He was Associate Warden and Acting Chief Deputy Warden at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in 2020. Phillips was a Correctional Sergeant at California Correctional Institution from 2004 to 2009 and a Correctional Officer at Avenal State Prison and California Correctional Institution from 1996 to 2004. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $187,884. Phillips is a Republican.
Eric Taylor, of Hollister, has been appointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections. Taylor has been Sheriff-Coroner for San Benito County since 2021, where he was Sheriff’s Captain from 2014 to 2021. He held several positions at the Watsonville Police Department from 1999 to 2014, including Detective Sergeant, Police Sergeant, Police Detective, Corporal and Police Officer. Taylor is a member of the Rotary Club of Hollister, the San Benito Saddle Horse Show and Rodeo, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and the LULAC Farm Worker Task Force. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Taylor is a Republican.