Governor Newsom appoints leaders to key state infrastructure, safety communications posts

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

Andrew “Andy” Nakahata, from San Francisco, has been named Executive Director of the California Infrastructure and Economic Development Bank. Nakahata previously served as Chief Deputy Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer at the same bank since 2025. His earlier roles include Director and Western Region Head of Public Finance at TD Securities LLC, Managing Director and Regional Head of Public Finance for the West Region at UBS Financial Services Inc., and other senior positions at National Public Finance Guarantee Corporation, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan, and Goldman Sachs & Co. He is also Treasurer of the Board of Trustees at San Francisco University High School and a board member of Asian Americans in Public Finance. Nakahata holds an MBA from Yale University and a BA in History from Wesleyan University. The appointment requires Senate confirmation with a compensation of $214,692. Nakahata is a Democrat.

Steven Yarbrough, from Gold River, has been appointed Deputy Director of Public Safety Communications at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Yarbrough was most recently Radio Communications Branch Manager for Public Safety Communications at the same office and previously held management roles in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, California Technology Agency, and Office of the Chief Information Officer. He earned a BA in Political Science from California State University, Chico. This position does not require Senate confirmation; compensation is $172,800. Yarbrough is registered with no party preference.

Yarbrough has also been appointed to the State 911 Advisory Board. His background includes similar roles as listed above. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation or offer compensation.

Hafsa Kaka, from San Diego, will serve as Special Advisor on Homelessness and Encampments at the California Department of Transportation. Kaka was Senior Advisor on Homelessness in Governor Newsom’s office since 2023 and previously directed homelessness strategies for San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria's office as well as held related positions in Riverside, Santa Ana, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, Skid Row Lamp Community, and Good Shepherd Center for Homeless Women and Children. She holds an MA in Social Work from the University of Minnesota and a BA in Psychology and Criminology from UC Irvine. The role does not require Senate confirmation; compensation is $200,004. Kaka is a Democrat.

David Duncan, from Penryn, joins the Emergency Medical Services Commission. Duncan serves as Medical Director at El Dorado County Emergency Medical Services since 2021 with previous experience leading the Emergency Medical Services Authority and working as an emergency physician across several hospitals including Mather Veterans Affair Emergency Department and Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital. He is a member of the American Medical Association with an MD from UC San Diego and BS in Human Biology from CSU Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation or provide compensation; Duncan is a Democrat.

Amanda Ward, from Yucaipa, has been appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Commission as well. Ward currently serves as Associate Dean of Public Safety at Crafton Hills College where she has worked since 2002 in various instructional roles; she also worked as an EMT/paramedic for American Medical Response until 2015. Ward holds an MEd in Adult Education from University of Phoenix and BS in Public Safety/Emergency Management from Grand Canyon University; she is registered with no party preference.

Sean Edwards, from Carmel, will also join the Emergency Medical Services Commission. Edwards works as Fire Captain Paramedic at CAL FIRE (California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection) since 2023 after holding multiple positions there since 2012; he also brings experience as Jump Medic/Firefighter at Auto Club Speedway and other paramedic roles dating back to 2003. He participates on CAL FIRE Local 2881’s State Bargaining Team among other committees; Edwards is a Democrat.

Jennifer Shepard, based in Santa Clarita, has been appointed to the Emergency Medical Services Commission where she currently serves as Deputy Paramedic for Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department since 2011; Shepard is a Republican.

All appointments that do not require Senate confirmation are either unpaid or have specified salaries attached to them.