Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Jennifer Benavidez, of Roseville, has been appointed Deputy Director of Facility Operations, Division of Adult Institutions at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she has served as Acting Associate Director of Female Offender Programs and Services since 2023. She has been Warden of the California Medical Facility since 2022, where she has held several positions since 2020, including Acting Warden and Chief Deputy Warden. Benavidez was Acting Chief Deputy Administrator at the California Health Care Facility in 2020. She served in several positions at Folsom State Prison from 2016 to 2020, including Associate Warden and Correctional Captain. Benavidez was a Correctional Captain at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Headquarters from 2013 to 2016, where she served as a Correctional Counselor from 2008 to 2013 and Correctional Lieutenant from 2007 to 2008. Benavidez served as a Correctional Sergeant and Correctional Officer at California State Prison, Solano from 2003 to 2007 and was a Correctional Officer at the Northern California Women’s Facility from 1997 to 2003. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $193,212. Benavidez is a Republican.
Keith Boylan, of Winters, has been appointed Undersecretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Boylan has served as Deputy Secretary at the California Department of Veterans Affairs since 2013. He was Government Relations Liaison at the California Association of Veteran Services Agencies from 2011 to 2013 and Community Education and Engagement Manager for the Institute for Veteran Policy from 2008 to 2013. He was Gulf War Outreach Coordinator at Swords to Plowshares from 1997 to 2001. Boylan served at the rank of E-4 in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1992. He serves on the Veteran and Community Oversight and Engagement Board for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is a member of the National Association of State Directors of Veterans Affairs, the No Place like Home Advisory Committee, the Small Business Advisory Council, the Aging and Disability Resource Connection Advisory Committee, Veterans for Peace, the American Legion, and Veterans of Foreign Wars. Boylan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Screenwriting/Film Production from California State University, San Francisco. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $204,732. Boylan is a Democrat.
Dean Growdon, of Susanville, has been reappointed to the Board of State and Community Corrections, where he has served since 2012. Growdon has been Sheriff-Coroner for Lassen County since 2011, where he has served in several positions since 1994, including Assistant Sheriff, Lieutenant, Sergeant, Deputy Sheriff and Correctional Officer. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice Management from the University of Nevada, Reno. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Growdon is a Republican.
Catherine Purcell, of Vallejo, has been reappointed to the Board of Parole Hearings, where she has served since 2021. Purcell served as Presiding Judge at the State Bar Court of California from 2014 to 2021, and as a Review Judge there from 2008 to 2014. She served as a Judge at the Kern County Superior Court from 2001 to 2008. Purcell was Deputy District Attorney for the Kern County District Attorney’s Office from 1989 to 2001. She was Business Management Consultant at Merchant Overseas Property Group Ltd. from 1991 to 1992. Purcell was an Attorney at the Law Offices of Terry M. Giles from 1987 to 1989 and an Associate at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher from 1986 to 1987. Purcell was a Judicial Attorney Clerk for the Honorable Malcolm M. Lucas at the California Supreme Court from 1985 to 1986 and a Registered Nurse for the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail from 1981 to 1982. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from Pepperdine School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from California Lutheran University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $192,407. Purcell is a Democrat.
Megan Rheinschild, of Santa Barbara, has been appointed to the California Council for Interstate Adult Offender and Interstate Juvenile Supervision. She has been Victim/Witness Assistance Program Director for the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office since 1994. Rheinschild is a member of the California Crime Victims Assistance Association. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Spanish from the University of California, Santa Barbara. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Rheinschild is a Democrat.