Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
 

Brandon Chapin, of Woodland, has been appointed Legislative and Policy Advisor at the Delta Stewardship Council. Chapin has been Public Participation Manager at the Delta Stewardship Council since 2018. He was an Associate Governmental Program Analyst at the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy from 2016 to 2018, Legislative Analyst at the California Department of Toxic Substances Control from 2012 to 2016 and a Graduate Assistant at the California Energy Commission from 2010 to 2012. Chapin earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $121,284. Chapin is a Democrat.

Anthony Garrison-Engbrecht, of Merced, has been appointed to the California State Lottery Commission. Garrison-Engbrecht has been Vice President of Student Life at Saint Mary’s College of California since 2021. He held multiple positions at the University of California, Merced from 2019 to 2021, including Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff. Garrison-Engbrecht held multiple positions at the University of California, Berkeley from 2018 to 2019, including Assistant Dean of Students and Director of the Leadership, Engagement, Advising and Development Center. He held several positions at Loyola Marymount University from 2008 to 2017, including Director of Leadership Programs and LGBTQ+ Student Services. Garrison-Engbrecht earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Curriculum Theory from Chapman University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Garrison-Engbrecht is a Democrat. 

Dawn Groten, of Napa, has been appointed Chief of Primary Care Services at Napa State Hospital, where she has been Chief Physician and Surgeon since 2020. Groten was a Primary Care Physician at IPC Team Health from 2012 to 2018. She was an Internist and Geriatrician in private practice from 1987 to 2011. Groten is a member of the California Medical Association and the Napa County Medical Society. She earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the Washington University School of Medicine. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $307,188. Groten is a Democrat.

Aaron Pereira, of Alturas, has been appointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association (Modoc Fair Board). Pereira has been a Maintenance Road Worker for the County of Modoc since 2019. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Pereira is registered without party preference. 

Kara Ponton, of Eureka, has been reappointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she has served since 2019. Ponton was an Officer at the Department of Developmental Services for the Consumer Advisory Committee from 2014 to 2019. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ponton is a Democrat. 

Rosanna “Rosie” Ryan, of Redding, has been reappointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she has served since 2019. Ryan was a Peer Instructor at the We Care A Lot Foundation from 2010 to 2016. She is a member of People First of Shasta County. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ryan is a Republican. 

Clark S. Stone, of Paicines, has been appointed to the 33rd District Agricultural Association (San Benito Fair Board). Stone has been an Attorney at Law Offices of Clark Stone since 2017. He was an Attorney at Bergeson LLP from 2015 to 2017. Stone was a Partner at Hogan Lovells LLP from 2012 to 2015. He was a Partner at Hayne and Boone LLP from 2009 to 2012 and at MacPherson, Kwok, Chen & Heid LLP from 2004 to 2009. Stone was an Associate at Sidley Austin LLP from 2003 to 2004. He was an Associate at Skjerven Morrill LLP from 1999 to 2003. Stone was a Judicial Extern and Law Clerk for the Honorable James Ware at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California from 1998 to 1999. He was Process Support Manager at Novellus Systems Inc. from 1989 to 1997. Stone was Process Support Supervisor at Applied Material Inc. from 1985 to 1989. He was a Sales and Service engineer at Drytek Corporation from 1981 to 1989. Stone was a Field Service Engineer and Technical Specialist at LFE Corporation from 1979 to 1981. He served as a Fire Control Technician in the U.S. Navy from 1975 to 1979. Stone is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, San Benito County Amateur Radio Association, San Benito County Democratic Central Committee. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Stone is a Democrat.

Jennifer Torres, of Red Bluff, has been appointed to the 30th District Agricultural Association (Tehama Fair Board). Torres has served as Enrollment and Recruitment Manager at Northern California Child Development Inc. since 2005. She is a member of Head Start California, Every Child California, Tehama County Community Action Agency's Tripartite Board, Latino Outreach of Tehama County, and Red Bluff Parks & Recreation Commission. Torres earned a Master of Science degree in Human Services from Capella University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Torres is a Republican.