Announcements regarding key staffing changes of importance to California's rural counties.
Trent Allen, of Twain Harte, has been appointed Warden of Salinas Valley State Prison, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2021. He was Chief Deputy Administrator at Sierra Conservation Center from 2020 to 2021. He was Correctional Administrator at San Quentin State Prison from 2017 to 2020. He was Correctional Captain at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Headquarters from 2015 to 2017 and at California Correctional Health Care Services from 2014 to 2015. He was Correctional Lieutenant at multiple institutions including California State Prison, Avenal State Prison, Salinas Valley State Prison and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Headquarters from 2008 to 2014. He was a Correctional Sergeant at Salinas Valley State Prison from 2005 to 2008. He was a Correctional Officer at Calipatria State Prison from 2002 to 2005. He was E-5 Sergeant for the U.S. Army from 1995 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,332. Allen is registered without party preference.
Dawn Blake, of Hoopa, has been reappointed to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, where she has served since 2022. Blake has been Forestry Director for the Yurok Tribe since 2021. She served in several roles for the Hoopa Valley Tribe from 2003 to 2021, including Wildlife Biologist and Wildlife Bio-Technician. Blake is a member of the Hoopa Tribal Education Association Board of Directors, the Intertribal Timber Council and the Wildlife Society. She earned a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources from Humboldt State University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Blake is a Democrat.
Tammatha Foss, of Rescue, has been appointed Undersecretary of Operations at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Foss has been Director of Corrections Services at California Correctional Health Care Services since 2020. She was Associate Director of Female Offender Program and Services in 2020 and Associate Director of Reception Center Missions from 2019 to 2020 at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Foss was Warden at Salinas Valley State Prison from 2018 to 2019 and was Chief Deputy Administrator there in 2018. She was Chief Deputy Administrator at High Desert State Prison from 2016 to 2018. Foss was Chief for Reception Center Missions at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2013 to 2014. She was a Community Resources Manager at San Quentin State Prison from 2012 to 2013 and a Business Manager II there from 2009 to 2012. She held multiple positions at Pelican Bay State Prison including Procurement & Services Officer II from 2006 to 2009, Budget Analyst from 2002 to 2006 and Correctional Officer from 1996 to 2002. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $226,032. Foss is registered without party preference.
Martin Gamboa, of Visalia, has been appointed Warden of Avenal State Prison, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2020. He was Chief Deputy Warden at California State Prison, Corcoran from 2019 to 2020 and served in several other positions there from 2007 to 2020, including Correctional Administrator, Captain-Adult Institutions, Correctional Lieutenant and Correctional Sergeant. He was a Correctional Sergeant at San Quentin State Prison from 2005 to 2007. He was a Correctional Officer at California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison from 1998 to 2005. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,332. Gamboa is a Republican.
Elizabeth F. Pardi, of Davis, has been reappointed to the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection, where she has served since 2021. Pardi has been Associate Director of The Nature Conservancy since 2011. She was a Graduate Student Researcher at the University of California, Berkeley from 2009 to 2011 and a Research Associate for the Congressional Budget Office in 2009. Pardi was a Policy Associate for The Nature Conservancy from 2005 to 2009. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Pardi is registered without party preference.
Eric Sklar, of St. Helena, has been reappointed to the California Fish and Game Commission, where he has served since 2015. He has been CEO of Napa Valley Fume LLC since 2017. Sklar served as a Member of the California Wildlife Conservation Board from 2016 to 2021. He was Founder of Yount Ridge Cellars from 2013 to 2017. Sklar was Founder and Managing Partner at Alpha Omega Winery from 2005 to 2013. He was a City Council Member and Vice Mayor for the City of St. Helena from 2003 to 2010. Sklar was a Planning Commissioner for the City of St. Helena from 2002 to 2003. He was Co-Founder of Infohaze Inc. from 1999 to 2001. Sklar was an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University from 1997 to 1999. He was Founder and CEO of Burrito Brothers from 1988 to 1999. Sklar earned a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per month. Sklar is a Democrat.