Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Janeth Corona, of El Centro, has been appointed to the Salton Sea Conservancy Governing Board. Corona has been the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement Program Director at Imperial Valley College since 2023, where she was Internship and Work Experience Coordinator from 2017 to 2023. She was a Career Specialist at the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program from 2015 to 2017. Corona was an Institutional Management/United States Liaison at the Universidad Del Sur from 2012 to 2015. She was an Adult Development Specialist at the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program from 2010 to 2012. Corona was an Office Manager/Case Manager at Calexico Community Action Council from 2002 to 2010. She earned a Master of Business Administration Degree from Universidad Del Sur and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Corona is a Democrat.
Cynthia “Cindy” Mendonza, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed Chief Deputy Executive Director at the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank. Mendonza has been Deputy Director of Fiscal Services at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2024, where she was previously Chief of Legislative Affairs, Administration in 2024. She held several roles at the California Department of Finance from 2016 to 2024, including Principal Program Budget Analyst, Staff Finance Budget Analyst and Finance Budget Analyst. Mendonza was the Chief of Marketing and Regulatory Compliance at the California Prison Industry Authority from 2020 to 2021, where she was Chief of Budget and Financial Planning from 2018 to 2020. She held several roles at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2012 to 2016, including Staff Services Manager, Health Program Specialist I, and Associate Governmental Program Analyst. Mendonza earned a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, San Jose, a Master of Science degree in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $187,380. Mendonza is registered without party preference.
Leticia Palamidessi, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Assistant Secretary for Communications at California Natural Resources Agency. Palamidessi has been the Deputy Director of Communications at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation since 2025 and Lead Communications Officer at the California Strategic Growth Council since 2024. Palamidessi was Communications Officer at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation from 2024 to 2025. Palamidessi was Marketing Specialist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife from 2020 to 2024. She was Public Information Specialist in the California Department of Water Resources in 2020. Palamidessi was the General Assignment Reporter and Traffic Anchor at KCRA TV Channel 3 from 2017 to 2020. She was Public Relations and Marketing Manager at Capital West Realty, Inc. from 2014 to 2017. Palamidessi was the General Assignment Reporter for KXTV Channel 10 from 2008 to 2014. She was the News Anchor for Metro Networks of Sacramento from 2006 to 2008. Palamidessi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $152,952. Palamidessi has no party preference.
Jessica Russell, of Davis, has been appointed Labor Relations Officer at the California Department of Human Resources. Russell has been a Labor Relations Manager at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2023, where she has held several roles since 2016, including Labor Relations Specialist and Labor Relations Analyst. She was a Staff Services Analyst in the Labor Relations Office at the Franchise Tax Board from 2013 to 2016. Russell earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Security and Conflict Resolution from San Diego State University. This position does not require Senate Confirmation and the compensation is $141,144. Russell is a Democrat.
David Silva, of Buellton, has been appointed to the California Air Resources Board. Silva has been Mayor of the City of Buellton since 2024 and Senior Director of Development for Annual Giving Programs at the University of California, Santa Barbara since 2024. He was a City Councilmember for the City of Buellton from 2022 to 2024. Silva held multiple roles at the University of California, Santa Barbara from 2015 to 2017, including Director for Development for Annual Giving Programs, Director of Development for Digital Fundraising and Annual Giving, Assistant Director of Development for Digital Fundraising, and Director of Business Development. He held multiple roles at Hilton Worldwide from 2013 to 2014, including Sales Manager and Guest Services Manager. Silva is on the Board of Directors of the of the Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Silva is a Democrat.
Heather Snipes, of Eureka, has been reappointed to the Advisory Commission on Special Education, where she has been served since 2022. Snipes has been a Program Specialist for the Supporting Innovative Practices Project at the El Dorado Office of Education since 2022 and an Instructor at the California Preschool Instructional Network since 2018. She held multiple positions at the Eureka City School District from 2013 to 2022, including Director of Early Childhood Development and Special Education, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education, Preschool Center Teacher, Substitute Preschool Teacher, and Elementary School Secretary. Snipes was SEEDS Afterschool Program Coordinator at the Westside Community Improvement Project from 2015 to 2016. She was a Financial Aid Technician at the College of the Redwoods from 2014 to 2015. Snipes was an Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee at the City of Eureka Police Department from 2012 to 2013. She was an Early Head Start Teacher at Hoopa Valley Tribal Early Head Start from 2011 to 2012. Snipes was a Preschool Teacher at the College of the Redwoods Child Development Center from 2007 to 2011. She is a Member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Snipes earned a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Snipes is a Democrat.