Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Betty Andrews, of Santa Rosa, has been appointed to the Central Valley Flood Protection Board. Andrews has been a Consulting Engineer and Strategic Advisor since 2021. She held multiple roles at Environmental Science Associates from 2010 to 2021, including Vice President/Principal Engineer and Project Director. Andrews held multiple roles at Philip Williams and Associates Ltd. from 1990 to 2010, including Principal, Project Manager, Staff Engineer and Chair of the Board of Directors. She was a Graduate Student Intern at the California Department of Water Resources from 1988 to 1989. Andrews was Conservation Director of Friends of the River from 1981 to 1987. She is a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Salmonid Restoration Federation and the Floodplain Management Association. Andrews earned a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California, Davis and a Bachelor of Science degree in Technology and Human Affairs from Washington University in St. Louis. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $55,738. Andrews is a Democrat.
Janet C. Frank, of Monterey, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Aging, where she has served since 2020. Frank has been Owner and Chief Executive Officer of Applied Aging Resources since 2001. She has been a Faculty Associate at the University of California, Los Angeles Center for Health Policy Research since 2013 and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Community Health Sciences at the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health since 1997. She served in several positions at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1983 to 2013, including Assistant Director for Academic Programs in the Multicampus Program for Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology at the David Geffen School of Medicine and Assistant Director of Continuing Education in Health Sciences at the University Extension Department of Health Sciences. Frank earned a Doctor of Public Health degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Science degree in Gerontology and Bachelor of Science degree in Social Welfare from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Frank is a Democrat.
Albert Gallegos, of West Sacramento, has been appointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association, Yolo County Fair Board of Directors. Gallegos has been ACE Deputy of Technology and Finance for Yolo County since 2022. He was a Senior Development Director for the San Francisco Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2019 to 2020. Gallegos was a Senior Development Director for the Sequoia Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2016 to 2019. He was Director of Field Service and Chief Operating Officer for the Golden Empire Council for Boy Scouts of America from 2012 to 2016. Gallegos was Scout Executive/Chief Executive Officer for the Monterey Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2005 to 2012 and an Assistant Scout Executive for the Pacific Skyline Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2002 to 2005. Gallegos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management from Saint Mary’s College of California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. He is a Democrat.
Doug Houston, of Auburn, has been appointed to the 20th District Agricultural Association, Gold Country Fair Board of Directors. Houston has been a Principal Partner at Houston Magnani and Associates since 2015. He is a member of the Placer Land Trust Board of Directors. Houston earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Houston is registered without party preference.
Jamie Jensen, of Eureka, has been appointed to the California Commission on Aging. Jensen has been Owner and Consultant of HealingOrgs.com since 2014 and an Associate Professor at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt since 2008. She was a Planner and Contract Manager for Area 1 Agency on Aging from 2010 to 2013. Jensen was a Family Consultant at the Redwood Caregiver Resource Center from 2006 to 2009. She was a Medical Social Worker for St. Joseph’s Health Systems from 2007 to 2009. Jensen was a Nursing Assistant, Dementia Care Specialist, and Health Educator for the Humboldt Senior Resource Center from 1995 to 2023. She is a member of the Gerontological Society of America, the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission, Hospice of Humboldt, Area 1 Agency on Aging, and the Community Health Alliance of Humboldt-Del Norte. Jensen earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University and a Master of Social Work degree and Bachelor of Social Work degree from California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Jensen is a Democrat.
Jeremy Kirk, of Hidden Valley Lake, has been appointed Deputy Administrator of the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Kirk has been Direct Construction Supervisor II for the California Department of Veterans Affairs since 2023 and has served in several positions there since 2015, including Stationary Engineer and Plumber, Water and Sewage Plant Supervisor, and Chief Engineer II. Kirk was a General Contractor/Project Foreman with RNW Construction & JK Home Services from 2005 to 2015. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,132. Kirk is a Democrat.
Jamie Romas, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director in the Office of Communications at the California Department of Health Care Services. Romas has been Special Assistant to the State Librarian at the California State Library since 2019. She was a Communications Consultant from 2016 to 2019. Romas was an Executive Speechwriter in the Office of California Attorney General Kamala Harris from 2014 to 2016. She was Senior Vice President of Mercury Public Affairs from 2012 to 2013. Romas earned a Juris Doctor degree from Emory University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Art History from the University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,132. Romas is a Democrat.
Bethel Vercruyssen, of Auburn, has been appointed to the 20th District Agricultural Association, Gold Country Fair Board of Directors. Vercruyssen has been Care Manager at Downs Fiduciaries since 2021 and Owner of Guide Right LLC since 2018. She was a Program Manager at the California Department of Corrections from 2001 to 2016. Vercruyssen earned a Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Vercruyssen is registered without party preference.
Allison Wagaman, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Special Assistant at the California Exposition and State Fair. Wagaman has served as a Scheduler and Legislative Aide in the Office of State Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains from 2023 to 2024. She was a Scheduler and Executive Assistant in the Office of State Senator Monique Limon from 2021 to 2022 and a Scheduler and Executive Assistant in the Office of State Senator Dave Min in 2021. Wagaman was a Scheduler and Legislative Aide in the Office of State Assemblymember Ed Chau from 2018 to 2021 and Executive Assistant in the Office of State Senator John Chiang from 2017 to 2018. Wagaman was a Staff Services Analyst, Conference and Webinar Coordinator for the State Treasurer’s Office Local Agency Investment Fund from 2014 to 2017. She was an Office Technician for the Contractors State License Board from 2012 to 2014. Wagaman earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $76,788. Wagaman is a Democrat.