Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Danny Samuel, of Santa Maria, has been appointed Warden at the California Men’s Colony, where he has been Acting Warden since 2021 and has served in several positions since 1997, including Chief Deputy Warden, Associate Warden, Classification and Parole Representative, Correctional Counselor and Correctional Officer. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $162,024. Samuel is registered without party preference.
Heather Snipes, of Eureka, has been appointed to the Advisory Commission on Special Education. Snipes has been a Program Specialist for the Supporting Inclusive Practices Program at the El Dorado Office of Education since 2022 and an Instructor at the California Preschool Instructional Network since 2018. Snipes held several positions at the Eureka City School District from 2013 and 2022, including Director of Early Childhood Development and Special Education, Assistant Director of Early Childhood Education, Preschool Center Teacher, Substitute Preschool Teacher and Elementary School Secretary. She was SEEDS Afterschool Program Coordinator at the Westside Community Improvement Project from 2015 to 2016. Snipes was a Financial Aid Technician at the College of the Redwoods from 2014 to 2015 and an Emergency Communications Dispatcher Trainee at the City of Eureka Police Department from 2012 to 2013. Snipes was an Early Head Start Teacher at Hoopa Valley Tribal Early Head Start from 2011 to 2012 and a Preschool Teacher at the College of the Redwoods Child Development Center from 2007 to 2011. Snipes was treasurer at the California Association for the Education of Young Children, North Coast Chapter from 2020 to 2021 and is a member of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. She earned a Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Studies from Walden University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Snipes is a Democrat.
Mary T. Teichert, of Granite Bay, has been reappointed to the Contractors State License Board, where she has served since 2019. Teichert has been President at Teichert Inc. since 2020, where she has held several positions since 2004, including Chief Operating Officer, Vice President and General Manager, Estimator, Project Engineer and Miner. She was Director of Product Strategy at Apple Computer from 2002 to 2004 and a Consultant at Bain and Company from 1998 to 2001. She is a member of the Associated General Contractors of America, the Beavers, California Transportation Foundation, American Leadership Forum, Capital Region Family Business Center, United Contractors and California Building Industry Association. Teichert earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Harvard Business School. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Teichert is a Democrat.