Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Melissa Fitch, of Santa Barbara, has been appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. Fitch has been Instructor at the Arc of California since 2025, Creator and Host of the “Raising Ryan” podcast since 2024, and Owner at Fitch Marketing & Design since 2001. She was Marketing and Development Manager at Alpha Resource Center from 2016 to 2017. Fitch was Marketing and Outside Sales Representative at Graphic Ink from 2014 to 2017. She was a Development Associate for the Special Olympics in the Santa Barbara Region from 2012 to 2013. Fitch is President and Founding Member of the Down Syndrome Association of Santa Barbara County and Member of Tri-Counties Regional Center Self Determination Advisory Committee, State Council on Developmental Disabilities Central Coast Regional Advisory Committee, and Inclusive College Alliance. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Illustration and Advertising from the Brooks Institute of Photography. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Fitch is a Democrat.
Kelly Gordon, of Santa Barbara, has been reappointed to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, where she has served since 2021. Gordon has been the Chief of Police at the City of Santa Barbara since 2022. She held multiple positions at the City of Monterey Park from 2017 to 2022, where she was Chief of Police and Captain. Gordon held multiple positions at the City of Montebello Police Department from 2000 to 2017, including Lieutenant, Sergeant, Acting Lieutenant, Detective, and Police Officer. Gordon was a Police Officer at the Los Angeles Police Department from 1996 to 2000. She was a Financial Analyst at HdL Companies from 1993 to 1996. Gordon was a Customer Service Representative at Bank of American from 1991 to 1995. She is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, California Police Chiefs Association, California Police Chiefs Association Training Committee, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations National Academy Associates. Gordon earned a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Saint Mary’s College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Gordon is a Democrat.
Brian Jones, of Monterey County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Monterey County Superior Court. Jones has served as a Deputy District Attorney in the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office since 2013. He worked as an instructor at the South Bay Regional Public Safety Training from 2022 to 2025. Jones received a Juris Doctor degree from Monterey College of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Marla O. Anderson. Jones is a Democrat.
Tina Nieto, of Monterey, has been reappointed to the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training, where she has served since 2021. Nieto has been the Sheriff-Coroner at the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office since 2022. She was the Monterey County Community Restorative Justice Commissioner at the County of Monterey from 2018 to 2023. Nieto was the Chief of Police at the City of Marina Police Department from 2017 to 2022. She held multiple positions at the City of Los Angeles Police Department from 1989 to 2017, including Commanding Officer, Lieutenant, Sergeant, and Police Officer. Nieto was the Facilitator for Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute at the Police Officer Standards and Training Consultant from 2000 to 2010. She served in the United States Army Reserve in 2002. She is a member of the California Homeland Security Advisory Committee, American Legion, Moose International, Inc., Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Carmel Women’s Club, and Monterey Passport Rotary. She earned a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Fullerton. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Nieto is a Democrat.
Jose Olivera, of Yolo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Sacramento County Superior Court. Olivera has worked as a Director & Associate General Counsel at Meta Platforms, Incorporated since 2019. He served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, for the Northern District of California from 2014 to 2019. Olivera served as a Trial Attorney in the U.S. Department of Justice from 2011 to 2014. Olivera received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Andre K. Campbell. Olivera is a Democrat.
Gavin Payne, of San Luis Obispo, has been reappointed to the California Cradle-to-Career Data System Governing Board, where he has served since 2022. Payne has been Consultant at GPC Advisors LLC since 2016. He was Director of United States Policy, Advocacy, and Communications at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation from 2013 to 2016. Payne was Chief Deputy State Superintendent of Public Instruction at the California Department of Education from 2003 to 2010. He was Chief of Staff to the California State Senate Majority Caucus Chair Jack O’Connell from 1996 to 2002. Payne is a member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and the Data Quality Campaign. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Payne is a Democrat.
Stephen Propheter, of Lincoln, has been appointed to the Early Childhood Policy Council. Propheter has been Director of the Early Education Division at the California Department of Education since 2019, where he has held several positions since 2015, including Associate Director of the Early Learning and Care Division and Staff Services Manager of Fiscal and Administrative Services Division. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Propheter is registered with no party preference.