Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Sydney Bennett, of San Luis Obispo County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Bennett has served as a Senior Public Defender at the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office since 2020 where she was also a Deputy Public Defender from 2006 to 2020. Bennett worked as a Contract Attorney at Maguire & Ashbaugh in 2006, at the Santa Barbara County Public Defender’s Office from 2005 to 2006, and at the North Defense Team from 2003 to 2005. Bennett received a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Michael J. Carrozzo. Bennett is a Democrat.
Charlton “Chuck” Bonham, of Berkeley, has been appointed to the California State Park and Recreation Commission. Bonham has been the California Executive Director at the Nature Conservancy since 2026. He was the Director of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife from 2011 to 2025. Bonham held multiple positions at Trout Unlimited from 2000 to 2011, including California Director and Senior Attorney. Bonham was a Member of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy Board from 2010 to 2011. He was an Instructor at Nantahala Outdoor Center from 1994 to 1997. Bonham was a Small Business Development Agent for the United States Peace Corps from 1991 to 1993. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis and Clark College and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Georgia. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Bonham is a Democrat.
Maeva Renaud, of Vacaville, has been appointed to the Early Childhood Policy Council. Renaud has been Vice President of Advocacy and Policy ad Kidango since 2021, where she was a Community Organizer from 2019 to 2021. She was a Public Policy Fellow at Leadership for Educational Equity from 2018 to 2019. Renaud was Executive Director at Common Ground Community Development from 2016 to 2017. She was a Special Education Teacher at Palm Beach County School District from 2016 to 2018. Renaud was a Special Education Teacher at The HeartShare School for Autism from 2015 to 2016. She was a Special Education Teacher at New York City Department of Education from 2014 to 2015. Renaud was a Travel Planner and Concierge at New York Guest from 2012 to 2014. She was a Teaching Artist and Development Intern at BuildaBridge International from 2010 to 2011. Renaud was a Multi-Media Account Coordinator at Sonshine Communications from 2006 to 2007. She is a member of the Community Advisory Council at Alameda County Early Care and Education Planning Council. Renaud earned a Master of Science degree in Education and Special Education from Brooklyn College, a Master of Arts degree in Urban Studies and Community Arts Development from Eastern University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Multimedia Communication from Florida Atlantic University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Renaud is a Democrat.
Shani Roark, of Sacramento County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Placer County Superior Court. Roark has served as a Commissioner at the Placer County Superior Court since 2024. She worked as an Adjunct Professor at American River College in 2025. Roark served as an attorney at the California Office of the Inspector General in 2024. She worked as an attorney at Smith, Koyama & Costello from 2017 to 2024 and at the Farmers Insurance Exchange from 2015 to 2017. She worked as a Litigation Specialist at the Law Offices of David A. Martin & Associates from 2014 to 2015. Roark served as an Assistant Public Defender at the Placer County Public Defender’s Office from 2013 to 2014. Roark received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Alan V. Pineschi. Roark is a Democrat.
Ismael Rodriguez, of Tulare County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Kings County Superior Court. Rodriguez has been the owner of the Law Office of Ismael Rodriguez since 2013. He served as a Small Claims Advisor at the Tulare Small Claims Advisor from 2016 to 2018. He served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Tulare County District Attorney’s Office from 2005 to 2013. Rodriguez received a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Michael J. Reinhart. Rodriguez is a Democrat.
Daniel Walters, of Madera County, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Madera County Superior Court. Walters has served as a Senior Deputy District Attorney at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office since 2012. Walters received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Brian T. Austin. Walters is a Republican.