Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California’s rural counties.
Hector Bedolla, of Healdsburg, has been reappointed to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, where he has served since 2016. Bedolla has been an Agriculture Consultant at Grapewise LLC since 2011. He was a Manager and Viticulturist at Chenoweth Vineyards INC. from 2020 to 2022. Bedolla was Vineyard Manager and Viticulturist at Navarro Vineyards in 2018. He was Adjunct Faculty at Santa Rosa Junior College from 2017 to 2021. Bedolla was Vineyard and Ranch Manager at North Pacific Vineyard Management from 2016 to 2018. He was Viticulturist and Agronomist at Crop Production Services from 2013 to 2016. Bedolla was Vineyard and Ranch Manager at Stuhlmuller Vineyards from 2011 to 2013. He was a Consulting Viticulturist at Windsor Oaks Vineyards in 2011. Bedolla was Bulk Wine and Grape Broker at H and H Wine Brokerage from 2010 to 2011. He was an Agricultural Biologist at the Office of the Sonoma County Agriculture Commissioner in 2010. Bedolla was a Vineyard Manager at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates from 2000 to 2010. He was Vineyard Manager at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars from 1999 to 2000. Bedolla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Science at the University of California, Davis. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Bedolla is a Democrat.
Farfalla Borah, of Santa Barbara, has been reappointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board where she has served since 2026. Borah held multiple positions at University of California, Santa Barbara, from 1989 to 2018, including Manager, Employee & Labor Relations, Whistleblower Coordinator, Assistant Manager, and Sexual Harassment Prevention Education Coordinator. She earned a Juris Doctor Degree from The Colleges of Law, Santa Barbara and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Film Studies from University of California, Santa Barbara. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Borah is a Democrat.
Jane Gray, of Goleta, has been reappointed to the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, where she has served since 2015. Gray has been a Senior Project Director at Dudek since 2020, where she held several other positions from 2006 to 2020 including Senior Project Manager, Project Manager, and Environmental Planner. She was a Policy Planner at Santa Barbara County Long Range and Strategic Planning from 2005 to 2006. Gray was a Policy Planner at Fresno County Community Development Division from 2003 to 2004. She was an English Language Arts and English as a Second Language Teacher at Los Angeles Unified School District in 2003. Gray was an English as a Second Language Teacher at Beverly Hills Lingual Institute in 2003. She was an English as a Second Language Teacher at Beverly Hills International School of Languages from 2002 to 2003. Gray was a Grant Writer at Southeast Area Arts Development from 2001 to 2002. She was a Regional Planning Researcher at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology from 2001 to 2002. Gray earned a Master of Science degree in Regional Planning and Management from the University of Dortmund, Germany and a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work from the University of New York College at Buffalo. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Gray is a Democrat.
Alexandra Hart, of Montague, has been reappointed to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board, where she has served since 2022. Hart has been Senior Appraiser for Central California Appraisals since 2025. She has been Senior Appraiser at Land Vest Real Estate since 2022. Hart was Appraiser at Yosemite Farm Credit, ACA, from 2015 to 2022. She is a member of American Farmland Trust. Hart earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness Management and Food Marketing from the University of Kentucky. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Hart is registered without party preference.
Charles Hopper, of Goleta, has been appointed to the California Park and Recreation Commission. Hopper has been President and Chief Executive Officer at the Santa Barbara Zoo since 2025. He was Chief Operating Officer at Birch Aquarium at Scripps from 2021 to 2025. Hopper held several roles at the Seattle Aquarium from 2008 to 2021, including Senior Business Operations Manager, Business Operations Manager, Events Operations Manager, Events Operations Supervisor, and Audio-Visual Lead. He was a Supply System Analyst in Health Services Management at the United States Air Force from 2000 to 2003. Hopper is Vice Chair of the Board of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Finance from Seattle Pacific University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hopper is a Democrat.
Denise Kadara, of Allensworth, has been reappointed to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, where she has served since 2014. Kadara was a Senior Management Analyst and Economic Development Specialist for the City of San Mateo Community Development Department from 1997 to 2004. She was a Planning Committee Member of Tulare County Board of Supervisors for the 2nd District from 1994 to 1995. Kadara was a Senior Planner for the City of Hesperia Planning Department from 1990 to 1994. She was a Senior Planner and Administrative Analysts for the City of Fontana from 1986 to 1990. Kadara was a Project Coordinator for the City of Norwalk from 1984 to 1986. Kadara is a member of the ICARP Technical Advisory Committee and President of the Allensworth Progressive Association. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $250 per diem. Kadara is a Democrat.