Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Anisa Escobedo, of Eureka, has been reappointed to the California State Independent Living Council, where she has served since 2023. Escobedo has been Owner and Designer at Escobedo Design since 2016. She held several roles at Tri-County Independent Living from 2019 to 2024, including Systems Change & Special Projects Coordinator, Advocacy and Fund Development Coordinator and Advocacy & Outreach Specialist. Escobedo was Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer at the Arcata Chamber of Commerce in 2022. She was Executive Director of the Ravenna Chamber of Commerce in 2020. Escobedo is a member of Kiwanis International. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Escobedo is a Democrat.
Brendan M. Farrell, of Colusa County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Colusa County Superior Court. Farrell has served as District Attorney of Colusa County since 2023. He was a Chief Deputy District Attorney at the Colusa County District Attorney’s Office from 2016 to 2022 and a Deputy District Attorney there from 2010 to 2016. Farrell served as a Volunteer Attorney at the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office in 2010. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson. Farrell is registered without party preference. The compensation for this position is $243,940.
Fritzgerald A. Javellana, of Sutter County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Sutter County Superior Court. Javellana has served as a Deputy County Counsel in the Office of the Sutter County Counsel since 2022. He was a Contract Juvenile Dependency Attorney for the Office of the Butte County Counsel from 2016 to 2022. Javellana was a Partner at Williams & Javellana LLP from 2014 to 2022 and an Associate at Rooney Law Firm from 2010 to 2014. Javellana earned a Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Perry M. Parker. Javellana is registered without party preference. The compensation for this position is $243,940.
Mark Toney, of Lakeport, has been reappointed to the State Bar of California Board of Trustees, where he has served since 2020. Toney has been Executive Director of The Utility Reform Network since 2008. He was Executive Director of the Center for Third World Organizing from 2000 to 2004 and Executive Director of Direct Action for Rights and Equality from 1986 to 1994. He was Lead Organizer at Workers’ Association for Guaranteed Employment from 1982 to 1985. Toney is a member of the Board of Directors of the National Whistleblower Center. He earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Brown University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $50 per diem. Toney is a Democrat.