Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Grecia Staton, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the Department of Industrial Relations. Staton has been Deputy Director of Disability Insurance at the Employment Development Department since 2025, where she was Deputy Director of Unemployment Insurance from 2021 to 2025. She held multiple positions at the California Secretary of State from 2019 to 2021, including Chief of the Management Services Division and Staff Services Manager III in the Political Reform Division. Staton held multiple positions at the Employment Development Department from 2008 to 2019, including Staff Services Manager II, Staff Services Manager I, Employment Manager II, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, and Employment Program Manager I. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration from San Diego State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $205,488. Staton is registered without party preference.
Jami Terrell, of Auburn, has been appointed Deputy Director and Chief Counsel at the California Department of Health Care Services. Terrell has been Assistant Chief Counsel and Deputy Director at Covered California since 2025. She held multiple positions at the Department of Health Care Services from 2017 to 2025, including Assistant Chief Counsel, Attorney IV, and Attorney III. Terrell was a Senior Attorney at Hunt, Jeppson & Griffin LLP from 2015 to 2017. She was Supervising Tax Counsel III at the Board of Equalization from 2012 to 2015. Terrell was an Administrative Litigation Team Staff Counsel at the Department of Health Care Services from 2010 to 2012. She was a Staff Counsel in Family Law at Downey Brand LLP from 2007 to 2010. Terrell was an Associate Attorney at Stein & Baydaline, LLP from 2006 to 2007. She was Associate Attorney at Mayall, Hurley, Knutsen, Smith & Green from 2005 to 2006. Terrell earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Economics from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $232,008. Terrell is a Democrat.