Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Ryan Buckley, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Counsel at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Buckley has been an Attorney IV for the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development since 2018 and Acting Chief Counsel since 2019. He was an Attorney III at the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from 2016 to 2018, where he served as an Attorney from 2014 to 2016. He was Principal for the Law Offices of Ryan A. Buckley from 2011 to 2014, an Associate at Hardy Erich Brown & Wilson LLP from 2008 to 2011 and Outside Counsel for the Children’s Village Healthcare Centers from 2007 to 2008. Buckley was Associate Counsel for Petrovich Development Company from 2004 to 2007, Certified Law Student for the Business and Community Development Clinic from 2002 to 2003 and Small Claims Mediator for the Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission of Sacramento from 2002 to 2003. Buckley earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,248. Buckley is registered without party preference.
Elizabeth “Betsy” Dirks, of Hollister, has been appointed County Supervisor for the San Benito County Board of Supervisors, District 1. Dirks has been an Independent Education Consultant since 2005. She was a Teacher at Christopher High School from 2020 to 2021, a Teacher at Gilroy High School from 2001 to 2005 and a Public Relations Account Associate at Walt & Co. Communications from 2000 to 2001. Dirks is a member of the Live Like Geno Foundation, Benito Link – Strategic Planning Committee and the Measure G Citizens’ Oversight Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation. Dirks is a Democrat.
Brent Houser, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director of Operations for the California Department of State Hospitals. Houser has been Deputy Director for the California Department of State Hospitals since 2021. He was Principal Program Budget Analyst for the California Department of Finance from 2019 to 2021 and held multiple positions at the California Department of State Hospitals from 2016 to 2019, including Assistant Budget Officer, Staff Services Manager II and Staff Services Manager I. Houser was a Staff Services Manager I at the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development from 2015 to 2016, where he was Health Program Specialist I from 2014 to 2015. He was an Associate Governmental Program Analyst for the Health Professions Education Foundation from 2014 to 2015, where he was a Staff Services Analyst from 2012 to 2013. Houser earned a Master of Arts degree in Public Policy and Administration from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $172,068. Houser is registered without party preference.
Brendan McCarthy, of Davis, has been appointed Deputy Secretary for Program and Fiscal Affairs at the California Health and Human Services Agency. McCarthy has been Assistant Secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency since 2019. He was Chief Consultant for the California State Assembly Committee on Business and Professions from 2018 to 2019, Principal Consultant for the California State Senate Committee on Appropriations from 2009 to 2018 and Senior Fiscal and Policy Analyst at the Legislative Analyst’s Office from 2004 to 2009. McCarthy earned a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $190,008. McCarthy is a Democrat.
Buffy McQuillen, of Mendocino, has been appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission. McQuillen is a descendant of Yokayo Pomo, Yuki, Nomlaki and an enrolled Tribal Citizen of Round Valley Indian Tribes. She has been Tribal Heritage Preservation Officer at the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria since 2015. McQuillen held several positions at the Yurok Tribe between 2001 and 2015, including Acting Assistant to the Social Services Director and Youth Outreach Coordinator and Repatriation and Cultural Collections Manager. She was Repatriation Specialist for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation from 2012 to 2013. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. McQuillen is a Democrat.
Stephanie Weldon, of Humboldt, a member of the Yurok Tribe, has been appointed Director of the Office of Tribal Affairs at the California Department of Social Services. Weldon has been Program Advisor to the California Department of Social Services as an ICWA/Tribal Social Services Specialist for the Children and Families Policy Institute of California since 2020. She was Director of Yurok Health and Human Services from 2019 to 2020 and held multiple positions at the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services from 2013 to 2019, including Child Welfare Director, Social Services Branch Director, Deputy Director of Children and Family Services and Social Worker Supervisor. Weldon was Social Services Director for the Yurok Tribe from 2010 to 2013 and held various Tribal positions from 2002 to 2010, including Interim Public Relations Manager, Executive Secretary, JOM Education Site Supervisor and Social Services Assistant Director. Weldon is a board member of the National Indian Child Welfare Association. She earned a Master of Social Work degree from Humboldt State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $122,244. Weldon is a Democrat.