Governor Newsom announces key appointments across state boards

Governor Gavin Newsome | Official website

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several appointments, impacting various state positions.

Aaron Maguire from Roseville is appointed as the Executive Officer of the Board of State and Community Corrections. Maguire has been serving as Acting Executive Officer since 2024. His previous roles include Chief Deputy Director and General Counsel from 2022 to 2024, and General Counsel from 2016 to 2022. He also served in various capacities at Warner & Pank, LLC, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Office of Governor Brown. This position requires Senate confirmation with a compensation of $219,156. Maguire is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Abby Edwards of Sacramento will take on the role of Senior Deputy Director of State Planning and Policy at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation. Edwards has been with this office since 2022 in multiple roles including Acting Senior Deputy Director. She previously worked at CivicWell and Twisted Fields among others. Edwards holds a Master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Colorado, Denver. This position does not require Senate confirmation, offering a compensation package of $170,004. She is a Democrat.

Gareth Elliott from Sacramento is reappointed to the University of California Board of Regents where he has served since 2015. Elliott's career includes being Partner at Sacramento Advocates, Inc., Legislative Affairs Secretary for Governor Edmund Brown Jr., and various roles within the California State Senate. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, Humboldt. The position requires Senate confirmation but offers no compensation. Elliott identifies as a Democrat.

Darnell C. Grisby from Oakland continues his role on the California Transportation Commission where he has served since 2021. Grisby works as Senior Vice President at Beneficial State Foundation and has held significant positions at TransForm and American Public Transportation Association among others. He holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from UCLA. This appointment requires Senate confirmation with compensation set at $100 per diem. Grisby is also affiliated with the Democratic Party.