Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Elia Gallardo, of West Sacramento, has been appointed Deputy Director of Legislative and Governmental Affairs at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Gallardo has been Director of Government Affairs at the County Behavioral Health Directors Association of California since 2019. She was Director of Policy Research at Insure the Uninsured Project from 2017 to 2019. Gallardo was Executive Director of Government Relations and Program Oversight at the Alameda Alliance for Health from 2011 to 2017. She was Director of Government Affairs at California Primary Care Association from 1998 to 2011. She is a member of the California Bar Association. Gallardo earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,084. Gallardo is a Democrat.
Julia Jackson, of Healdsburg, has been appointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. Jackson has been Founder of Grounded since 2018 and has been a second-generation Proprietor at Jackson Family Wines since 1988. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Jackson is a Democrat.
Teal Kozel, of Yuba City, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Kozel has been Senior Psychologist Supervisor in the Forensic Assessment Division at the Board of Parole Hearings since 2009. She was Psychologist Specialist at the California Medical Facility in 2009 and was Staff Psychologist and Suicide Prevention Coordinator at San Quentin State Prison from 2007 to 2009. She was Staff Psychologist at Napa State Hospital from 2004 to 2007. Kozel earned a Doctor of Psychology degree in clinical psychology from Baylor University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $166,306. Kozel is a Democrat.
William Muniz, of Marina, has been appointed to the Board of Parole Hearings. Muniz served as Chief Deputy Administrator of the Prison to Employment Initiative at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2019 to 2020. He held several positions at Salinas Valley State Prison from 1998 to 2019, including Correctional Sergeant, Correctional Lieutenant, Captain, Associate Warden, Chief Deputy Warden and Warden. Muniz was a Correctional Officer at the Correctional Training Facility from 1994 to 1998. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $166,306. Muniz is a Republican.
Mayra Vega, of Woodland, has been appointed Deputy Director of Communications and Planning at the California Department of Health Care Access and Information. Vega has been Regional Business Development Executive at Labcorp since 2021. She has been Mayor of the City of Woodland since 2022 and has served on the Woodland City Council since 2020. Vega was Director of Strategy and Business Development at Sutter Health from 2019 to 2021. She was Director of Business Development at Dignity Health from 2017 to 2019. Vega was Administrative Director at Adventist Health from 2011 to 2017. She was Specialist of Marketing and Sales at Diageo Plc. from 2003 to 2011. She is a member of the Woodland Community College Foundation Committee and Luna Vista Rotary Club. Vega earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Sonoma State University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,716. Vega is a Democrat.