Governor Newsom announces new appointees across multiple state departments

Governor Gavin Newsome | Twitter Website

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of appointments across various state departments.

Annabelle Hopkins has been appointed as Deputy Director of Government Affairs at the California Public Advocates Office. With a recent role as Government Relations Manager at RWE Offshore Wind, Hopkins brings extensive experience from her work with multiple offices in the California State Assembly and Senate. Hopkins holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Wooster, and her role will offer a compensation of $153,000, not requiring Senate confirmation.

Mandi Posner has been named Deputy Director of the Center for Health Care Quality at the California Department of Public Health. She has been serving as Chief of Field Operations for the South Division and has held numerous roles within the department since 2016. Posner has a Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration from California State University, Chico. This position provides a salary of $183,840 without the need for Senate confirmation.

Yang Lee has taken the position of Chief of Data Analytics and Strategy at the California Department of Developmental Services. Lee's prior roles include Deputy Director at the California Department of Social Services and posts at the Department of Finance. He possesses both a Master of Public Policy Analysis and a Bachelor of Arts in Ethnic Studies from California State University, Sacramento. The role does not require Senate confirmation and comes with a compensation package of $198,660.

Heather Leslie has been appointed Chief Counsel at the California Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety. Previously, she was Assistant General Counsel at the California Natural Resources Agency and served as a Deputy Attorney General. Leslie holds a Juris Doctor from UCLA School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from UC Berkeley. Her compensation will be $198,000, and the position does not require Senate confirmation.

Cindy Gustafson joins the State Board of Fire Services. Currently District Five County Supervisor for Placer County, her previous experience includes serving as CEO of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. Gustafson earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gustavus Adolphus College, and this unpaid role does not need Senate confirmation.

Hampus Idsater has been appointed to the Boating and Waterways Commission. He is currently an Investment Manager with Suntex Marina Investors. Idsater has held positions at Hamner, Jewell & Associates, and other firms. He has a Master of Arts in Economics from the University of Oxford and the appointment requires Senate confirmation, with a compensation of $100 per diem.