Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Brian Barrett, of El Macero, has been appointed to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors. Barrett has been Manager of McKenzie Seed since 2016, Owner of Barrett’s Landing Warehouse since 2014, a Management Consultant for Conway Preservation Group since 2023, and a Grain Merchandiser of Archer Daniels Midland Rice since 2007. Barrett was a Grower Representative of Farmers Rice Cooperative in 2006. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business from California State University, Chico. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Barrett is a Democrat.
Cindy Elliott, of Los Osos, has been appointed Medical Director of Atascadero State Hospital. She has been the Acting Medical Director at Atascadero State Hospital since 2025, where she has held multiple positions since 2019, including Chief Psychiatrist and Contract Psychiatrist. Elliott was Staff Psychiatrist at the California Men’s Colony of California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2013 to 2019. She was a Contract Psychiatrist and Civil Service Staff Psychiatrist at Atascadero State Hospital from 2010 to 2013. Elliott was a Staff Psychiatrist and Assistant Professor in Psychiatry at Truman Behavioral Health from 2007 to 2010. She was a Psychiatrist at the University of Southern California and Los Angeles County Medical Center from 2004 to 2007. Elliott earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from Saint Louis University of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science degree in Bioresources from University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $482,208. Elliott is registered without party preference.