Governor Newsom announces appointments to toxic substances control department

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced two new appointments to the California Department of Toxic Substances Control. Thanne Berg, from Albany, will serve as Deputy Director of Site Mitigation and Restoration Program. Berg has been acting in this role since 2024. Her previous roles include Attorney of Hazardous Waste Program at the United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 9 from 2023 to 2024 and Special Advisor to Center Associate Director for NASA Ames Research Center in 2023. She also held various positions at the United States Environmental Protection Agency between 1997 and 2023. Berg holds a Juris Doctor degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Science from the University of Alabama. This position does not require Senate confirmation, with compensation set at $203,004. Berg is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Albert Lundeen, from Sacramento, has been appointed as Deputy Director of the Office of Communications at the same department. Lundeen has served as Assistant Secretary in the Office of Public and Employee Communications at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation since 2023. His past experience includes roles such as Deputy Executive Director for Strategic Planning and Media at the California Energy Commission from 2014 to 2021 and Media Relations and Legislative Affairs Manager at the Financial Information System for California from 2012 to 2014. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, a Master’s degree in English from California State University, Sacramento, and a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies (Broadcast Journalism) from California State University, Chico. This appointment also does not require Senate confirmation, with compensation set at $167,052. Lundeen is also a Democrat.