Governor Newsom appoints leaders to workforce development and film commission posts

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several new appointments and reappointments to state positions.

Michelle Yoon, from Los Angeles, will serve as Deputy Director of External Affairs and Community Outreach at the California Department of Industrial Relations. Yoon previously worked as a Product Manager at the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement since 2022, and held roles at the California Department of Public Health, California Community Foundation, and California Immigrant Policy Center. She also worked as a Research Assistant at UCLA. Yoon holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychobiology from UCLA. The position does not require Senate confirmation, with compensation set at $138,000. Yoon is not registered to vote.

Michael Wiafe, based in Sacramento, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director of Workforce Policy at the California Workforce Development Board. Wiafe was most recently an Assistant Deputy Cabinet Secretary in Governor Newsom’s office and previously served as an Education Policy Associate there. He also held positions with the Inland Empire Community Foundation and University of the Redlands. Wiafe earned a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from San Diego State University. This role does not require Senate confirmation; compensation is $135,264. Wiafe is a Democrat.

Yetee Osunsanmi, from Playa del Rey, will be Deputy Director at the California Film Commission. Osunsanmi was Vice President for Content Strategy – Originals Scripted Content at Paramount+ until 2024 and held senior roles there since 2019. Her previous experience includes various content strategy positions with Turner Entertainment Networks and marketing roles with 20th Century Fox. She holds a Master’s degree in Communications Management from USC and a Bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies from Chapman University. The position pays $140,004 annually without Senate confirmation required; Osunsanmi is a Democrat.

Frank Quintero III, based in Glendale, has been reappointed to the California Apprenticeship Council where he has served since 2013. Quintero formerly served as Mayor and City Council Member for Glendale and directed the Alliance for Education for over two decades after military service in the U.S. Marine Corps during 1965-1966. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida; this appointment pays $100 per diem without requiring Senate confirmation. Quintero is a Democrat.

Earl Restine of Spring Valley returns to his post on the California Apprenticeship Council where he has served since 2021. Restine leads Fuller Electric as President/Vice President after working up through foreman roles since joining in 1980 following an apprenticeship with other electrical contractors beginning in 1976. He belongs to the National Electrical Contractors Association; this role pays $100 per diem without Senate confirmation needed; Restine is a Republican.

Larry Hopkins of Riverside continues on the California Apprenticeship Council where he has served since 2021 while serving as Director of Training for Operating Engineers Training Trust since 2013 following multiple training leadership roles there dating back to 1997; he is part of International Union of Operating Engineers Local 12; compensation remains $100 per diem without need for Senate approval; Hopkins is a Democrat.

Hugo de la Torre from South San Francisco remains on the council after being reappointed following service that began last year; de la Torre directs apprenticeship programs for Laborers Training & Retraining Trust Fund for Northern California since 2020; pay remains $100 per diem with no requirement for Senate confirmation; de la Torre is a Democrat.