Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of appointments across various boards and commissions in California. Armen Meyer, from San Francisco, will serve as Senior Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Consumer Financial Protection at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. Meyer’s extensive experience includes roles at the American Fintech Council, Millenia Capital, LendingClub, and PriceWaterhouseCoopers. He holds degrees from Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School of Government, and Fordham University. This role does not require Senate confirmation and offers a compensation of $195,564.
Jacob Arkatov from Los Angeles has been appointed to the Medical Board of California. An Associate at O’Melveny & Myers since 2022, Arkatov holds a Juris Doctor degree from Harvard Law School and a Bachelor’s degree in Government from Georgetown University. His position requires Senate confirmation with a compensation of $100 per diem.
Peter Brierty of Highland is appointed to the Southwestern Low-Level Radioactive Waste Commission. A retired annuitant at the San Bernardino County Fire Department since 2025, Brierty’s career spans several decades within the department. He also leads the Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California. His appointment requires Senate confirmation with compensation set at $100 per diem.
Tom Hallinan from Modesto joins the California Board of Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. Currently serving as Deputy District Attorney in Stanislaus County and Partner at White Brenner LLP, Hallinan’s educational background includes degrees from Lincoln School of Law and California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate confirmation with compensation at $100 per diem.
Amanda Steidlmayer from Woodland has been appointed to the California Architects Board. She is currently Director of Professional Development at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Her academic credentials include degrees from UC San Diego and UC Davis. The position does not require Senate confirmation with a $100 per diem compensation.
Pamela Brief from La Crescenta is reappointed to the Landscape Architects Technical Committee where she has served since 2020. As President of Pamela Studios since 2012, her career includes significant roles in landscape architecture firms such as NUVIS and Jerde Partnership. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture from Ohio State University. Her role does not require Senate confirmation with compensation set at $100 per diem.
