Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Michael Allen, of Santa Rosa, has been reappointed to the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board, where he has served since 2013. Allen served as a California State Assemblymember from 2010 to 2012. He was District Director in the Office of State Senator Patricia Wiggins from 2006 to 2010. Allen was Executive Director of the Service Employees International Union Local 707 from 1984 to 2004, where he was a Staff Attorney from 1979 to 1984. He was a Psychiatric Registered Nurse for the County of Sonoma Mental Health Department from 1976 to 1979. Allen is a member of the Sierra Club of California, the American Civil Liberties Union, and is Chair of the Board of Directors of Sonoma County Conservation Action. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Empire College School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $181,156. Allen is a Democrat.
Heather Bernikoff, of Catheys Valley, has been appointed to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors. She has been Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat Program Manager and Tribal Liaison at the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts since 2024. Bernikoff has been an independent Consultant since 2017. She was Program Director at The Special Hope Foundation from 2014 to 2017 and was Program Officer and Program Director at the California Consumer Protection Foundation from 2002 to 2014. Bernikoff was Program Manager at the California Telehealth and Telemedicine Center from 2000 to 2002 and Senior Health Educator and Program Manager at Contra Costa Health Plan from 1997 to 2000. Bernikoff earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from California State University, Humboldt and a Master of Science degree in Health Education from the University of Wyoming. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Bernikoff is a Democrat.