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 a Consulting Agronomist in the western U.S. and internationally since 1985 and an Adjunct Professor in Viticulture at Santa Rosa Junior College since 2017. He was Viticulturist at Chenoweth Vineyards from 2020 to 2022. Bedolla was Vineyard Manager at Navarro Vineyards in 2018 and at North Pacific Vineyard Management from 2016 to 2018. He was Crop Advisor, Pest Control Advisor 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 and an Agricultural Biologist in the Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office in 2010. He was a Vineyard Manager at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates from 2000 to 2010 and at Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars from 1999 to 2000. Bedolla was Vice President of Vineyard Operations at Hambrecht Vineyards from 1995 to 1999. He was Vineyard Manager at Hambrecht and Peterson Vineyards from 1988 to 1995 and at Iron Horse Vineyards from 1983 to 1988. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Bedolla is a Democrat.
Stephen P. Foley, of Los Olivos, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Foley has served as a Commissioner at the Santa Barbara County Superior Court since 2018. He served as Supervising Deputy District Attorney at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2018 and was an Instructor at Allan Hancock Community College from 2005 to 2018. Foley served in several positions at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office from 1996 to 2004, including Senior Deputy District Attorney and Deputy District Attorney. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James Voysey. The Governor’s appointment allows him to immediately assume the position he was otherwise elected to begin in January 2023. Foley is a Democrat.
Hallie Gorman Campbell, of Sonora, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Tuolumne County Superior Court. Campbell has served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Tuolumne County Public Defender’s Office since 2011. She served in several roles at the California Parole Advocacy Program from 2010 to 2011. Campbell earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donald Segerstrom Jr. Campbell is a Democrat., of Sonora, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Tuolumne County Superior Court. Campbell has served as a Deputy Public Defender at the Tuolumne County Public Defender’s Office since 2011. She served in several roles at the California Parole Advocacy Program from 2010 to 2011. Campbell earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Donald Segerstrom Jr. Campbell 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 Manager and Environmental Planner at Dudek since 2006. She was a Planner at the Santa Barbara County Long-Range Planning Division from 2004 to 2006 and a Policy Planner for Planning and Environmental Services for the County of Fresno from 2003 to 2004. Gray was an English-Language Arts and English as a Second Language Teacher and worked in refugee resettlement programming and funding in California from 1998 to 1999 and 2003 to 2004, in New York from 1993 to 1995 and in Arizona from 1991 to 1993. Gray earned a Master of Science degree in Regional Planning and Management from the Technical University of Dortmund. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $250 per diem. Gray is a Democrat.
Denise Hippach, of Grover Beach, has been appointed to serve as a Judge in the Santa Barbara County Superior Court. Hippach has been Senior Deputy County Counsel at the Santa Barbara County Counsel’s Office since 2018. She served as a Deputy Attorney General at the Idaho Attorney General’s Office from 2016 to 2018. Hippach was Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Canyon County Prosecutor's Office from 2015 to 2016 and a Panel Attorney at the Judicial Council of California’s Court-Appointed Program from 2014 to 2018. She was a Deputy County Counsel at the Los Angeles County Counsel’s Office from 2008 to 2014, Staff Attorney for Los Angeles Dependency Lawyers from 2007 to 2008 and Deputy District Attorney at the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2006. Hippach earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Southern California School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge James E. Herman. Hippach is a Democrat.
Katherine Rigby, of Fresno, has been appointed to serve in an interim appointment as a Judge in the Madera County Superior Court. Rigby has served as a Deputy District Attorney at the Fresno County District Attorney’s Office since 2017. She was an Associate at Gilmore Magness Janisse PC from 2013 to 2017 and at Richard A. Ciummo & Associates from 2011 to 2013. Rigby earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Mitchell C. Rigby. The Governor’s appointment allows her to immediately assume the position she was otherwise elected to begin in January 2023. Rigby is registered without party preference.