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

Karen Douglas, 44, of Davis, has been reappointed to the California Energy Commission, where she has served since 2008. Douglas was director of the California Climate Initiative for the Environmental Defense Fund from 2005 to 2008. She held several positions at the Planning and Conservation League from 2001 to 2005, including acting executive director and general counsel. Douglas earned a Juris Doctor degree from Stanford Law School and a Master of Public Policy degree in environmental policy from the University of Colorado, Boulder. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,778. Douglas is a Democrat.

Nancy Wheeler, 53, of Templeton, has been reappointed to the 16th District Agricultural Association, California Mid-State Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2016. Wheeler has been owner at the Rocking JN Cattle Company since 2017, director at the Wheeler Foundation since 1991 and owner at Wheeler Limited Partnership since 1990. She was owner at Kiss Me Cattle Company LLC from 2011 to 2015. Wheeler is a member of the Junior League of Bakersfield, Mendiburu Magic Foundation, Atascadero High School Parent Teacher Association and the American Quarter Horse Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Wheeler is a Republican.

Christina Snider, 30, of Healdsburg, has been appointed Governor’s Tribal Advisor and executive secretary to the Native American Heritage Commission. Governor Brown established the position of Governor’s Tribal Advisor by executive order to bolster communication and collaboration between California state government and Native American Tribes. Snider is a member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians and has served as an Indian Child Welfare Act representative for the Tribe since 2017. She was of counsel at Ceiba Legal LLP from 2016 to 2017, staff attorney at the National Congress of American Indians from 2015 to 2016, a legal fellow at the Wishtoyo Foundation in 2014 and a law clerk in the Office of Tribal Justice at the U.S. Department of Justice in 2012. Snider is a member of the Dry Creek Rancheria Band of Pomo Indians Housing Advisory Committee and the California Indian Law Association. She 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 $161, 496. Snider is a Democrat.

Jorge Lomeli, 45, of Corning, has been reappointed to the 30th District Agricultural Association, Tehama District Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2013. Lomeli has held several positions at Bell-Carter Olive Co. since 1993, including lead mechanic and mechanic. He is a volunteer equipment captain at the Corning Rural Fire Department. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Lomeli is a Democrat.

Shanna Long, 50, of Corning, has been reappointed to the 30th District Agricultural Association, Tehama District Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2014. Long has been co-owner at Greg Long Ranch since 1995. She is a member of the California Farm Bureau Federation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Long is a Republican.

Mark Mulliner, 47, of Corning, has been reappointed to the 30th District Agricultural Association, Tehama District Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2015. Mulliner has been business manager at Plumbers and Pipefitters Local Union 228 since 2011. He is a member of the Beale Air Force Liaison Honorary Commander Program. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Mulliner is a Democrat.

Farrell Shatswell, 83, of Red Bluff, has been reappointed to the 30th District Agricultural Association, Tehama District Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2003. Shatswell served as a deputy sheriff at the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office from 1960 to 2003. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Shatswell is a Republican.

Jennifer Coile, 63, of Hollister, has been reappointed to the 33rd District Agricultural Association, San Benito County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2012. Coile has been a contract project manager at the City of Salinas Community Development Department since 2013. She was a project manager and interim housing coordinator at the City of Marina Economic Development Division from 2006 to 2013, national environmental policy act specialist at Pinnacles National Monument from 2008 to 2009, a contract housing planner at the City of Sunnyvale Housing Division from 2003 to 2007 and city manager of the City of San Juan Bautista from 2005 to 2006. She was a transportation planner at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area from 2000 to 2002 and assistant cultural affairs officer at the U.S. Information Agency and U.S. Department of State from 1995 to 2000. Coile was a transportation planner in the City of Burbank Advance Planning Division from 1992 to 1995. She is a member of Pinnacles National Park Foundation, El Teatro Campesino, Hollister Art League, San Benito County Arts Council and the San Benito Agricultural Land Trust. Coile earned a Master of City and Regional Planning degree from Harvard University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Coile is a Democrat.

Nicole Shelton, 34, of Hollister, has been reappointed to the 33rd District Agricultural Association, San Benito County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2017. Shelton has been a physician assistant at Hollister Pediatrics since 2016. She was a physician assistant in Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery at the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford from 2011 to 2016. She earned a Master of Public Health Education degree from Touro University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Shelton is registered without party preference. 

Laurie Costa, 51, of Maxwell, has been reappointed to the 44th District Agricultural Association, Colusa County Fair Board of Directors, where she has served since 2002. Costa has been manager at the Colusa Wellness Center since 2003 and partner and owner at G and L Farms since 1995. She was co-owner and director at Kids Country Preschool from 1996 to 2002 and a purchasing assistant at the Colusa Community Hospital from 1991 to 1996. Costa is a member of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Costa is a Democrat. 

Tony Garofalo, 48, of Colusa, has been appointed to the 44th District Agricultural Association, Colusa County Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2005. Garofalo has been a sergeant at the Colusa County Sheriff’s Office since 2008, where he has served in several positions since 1992, including deputy sheriff and correctional corporal. He is a member of the Colusa County Deputy Sheriff’s Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Garofalo is a Republican. 

E. Dan O’Connell, 71, of Colusa, has been reappointed to the 44th District Agricultural Association, Colusa County Fair Board of Directors, where he has served since 2006. O’Connell has been owner of O’Connell Ranch since 1985. He served as the Colusa County assessor from 1973 to 2007. O’Connell is a member of the Glenn-Colusa County Cattlemen’s Association and the California Rangeland Trust. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. O’Connell is a Republican.