Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several appointments to key positions in California.
Matthew Read, based in Sacramento, has been appointed as Chief Counsel at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Read previously served as Acting Chief Counsel at the same office since 2025 and held various roles at the California Strategic Growth Council from 2021 to 2024. His past experience includes serving as Policy Director and Chief of Staff for Sacramento City Councilmember Steve Hansen from 2016 to 2020, working as an Attorney in his own law office from 2016 to 2018, and directing Government Relations at Breathe California from 2015 to 2016. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Politics and Rhetoric and Media Studies from Willamette University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, with a compensation set at $173,844. Read is affiliated with the Democratic Party.
Ross Szabo from Los Angeles has been named to the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Mental Well-Being. Szabo has served as Wellness Director at Geffen Academy at UCLA since 2016 and CEO of Human Power Project since 2013. His previous roles include NGO Capacity Builder in the Peace Corps (2010-2012) and Director of Outreach for the National Mental Health Awareness Campaign (2002-2010). He holds a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology from Ball State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from American University. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation nor does it carry compensation. Szabo is registered with no party preference.
Richard Stein, hailing from San Juan Capistrano, has been appointed to the California Arts Council. Stein was President and CEO of Arts Orange County until this year, having served since 2008, following his tenure as Executive Director of Laguna Playhouse (1990-2007). He is part of the Dean’s Arts Board at UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Stein earned his Master’s degree in English from Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia University. This position requires Senate confirmation with compensation provided at $100 per diem. Stein is a Democrat.
