Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Haley Lanham, of San Luis Obispo, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director of Communications at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Lanham has been Brand and Marketing Manager at REACH since 2021. She was a Project Manager at Vibrant Agency from 2020 to 2021. Lanham was a Marketing Coordinator at Visit SLO CAL from 2019 to 2020. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,000. Lanham is a Republican.
Clair Whitmer, of Vallejo, has been appointed Deputy Director at the California Office of the Small Business Advocate. Whitmer has served as Assistant Deputy Director of Regional Economic Engagement at the California Office of the Small Business Advocate since 2023 and as Northern California Regional Advisor at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development since 2021. She was CEO of UpBay Express from 2019 to 2023. Whitmer was an Executive Fellow for the City of Fresno Economic Development Department from 2019 to 2021. She was Head of Consumer Experience for Maker Media from 2014 to 2019 and Senior Director of Media Operations for Slashdot Media for Dice Holdings from 2011 to 2014. She was Director of Voter Outreach for the Overseas Vote Foundation from 2009 to 2010. Whitmer was News Editor/Director of Content Services for CNET Networks from 1996 to 2000. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from San Francisco State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $152,772. Whitmer is a Democrat.