Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Ian Bastek, of Roseville, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Bastek has been Acting Chief Deputy Director at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services since 2025, where he has also been Deputy Director for Response Operations since 2024. He held several positions in the United States Coast Guard from 1997 to 2024, including Captain and Commanding Officer, Air Station Sacramento, Joint Task Force East Liaison Officer, Commander and Executive Officer and Commander and Operations Officer with the United States Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Commander and Fixed Wing Platform and Sensors Division Chief, Lieutenant Commander and Long-Range Surveillance Aircraft Platform Manager, Lieutenant Commander and HC-144 Standardization Branch Assistant Branch Chief, Lieutenant Commander, Flight Safety Department Head, Fixed Wing Flight Safety Officer, HC-130H Duty Pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade, Deck Watch Officer and Law Enforcement Officer. Bastek earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the United States Coast Guard Academy. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $224,328. Bastek is a Democrat.
Joshua Lepper, of Atwater, has been appointed to the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board. Lepper has been Business Manager at Laborers’ International Union of North Americal Local 1130 since 2024, where he was a Business Agent from 2023 to 2024. He was a Labor Relations Representative at the Laborers’ International Union of North America Pacific Southwest Region from 2009 to 2023. Lepper was a Project Manager at Case Construction from 2008 to 2009. He was a Senior Construction Superintendent at Meritage Homes from 2001 to 2008. Lepper was a Construction Superintendent at KB Home from 2000 to 2001. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications and Public Relations from California State University, Stanislaus. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lepper is a Democrat.
Gustavo Velasquez, of Davis, has been appointed to the California Housing Development and Finance Committee Executive Committee. Velasquez has been Director at the Department of Housing and Community Development since 2020. He was Senior Director at the Urban Institute from 2017 to 2020. Velasquez was Assistant Secretary for the Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity at the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2017. He was executive director at the Latino Economic Development Center from 2013 to 2014. Velasquez was Director of the Office of Human Rights at Government of the District of Columbia from 2007 to 2013. He was Director of Office of Latino Affairs at Government of the District of Columbia from 2003 to 2006. Velasquez was Director of Operations at Congreso de Latinos Unidos Inc. from 2001 to 2003. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pennsylvania. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Velasquez is a Democrat.