Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of appointments to various state positions in California.

Keali’i Bright, based in Sacramento, has been named Undersecretary of the California Natural Resources Agency. Bright's career includes serving as Division Director of the Division of Land Resource Protection and Deputy Tribal Liaison at the California Department of Conservation since 2018. He also held roles such as Deputy Secretary for Climate and Energy from 2016 to 2018 and Deputy Secretary for Legislation and Salton Sea Policy Lead from 2011 to 2016 at the same agency. Previously, he was a Principal Budget Consultant at the California State Assembly Budget Committee from 2003 to 2011. Bright holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American and Latino Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. His new position does not require Senate confirmation, with compensation set at $218,388. He is affiliated with the Democratic Party.

Jennifer Lucchesi from Elk Grove has been appointed Director at the California Department of Conservation. Since 2012, Lucchesi served as Executive Officer at the California State Lands Commission, where she also held various other roles since 1999 including Chief Counsel and Staff Attorney. She earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. This appointment requires Senate confirmation and offers a salary of $217,891. Lucchesi is also a Democrat.

Linda Serizawa will take on the role of Director at the Public Advocates Office within the California Public Utilities Commission after serving as Interim Director this year. Her previous positions include Deputy Director of Energy from 2012 to 2024 and Program Manager for Electricity Pricing and Customer Programs from 2008 to 2012 within the same office. Serizawa completed her Bachelor’s degree at San Francisco State University. Her position requires Senate confirmation with compensation amounting to $224,424. She identifies with the Democratic Party.

Emiko Burchill has been selected as Policy Advisor at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Burchill previously worked as Deputy Cabinet Secretary under Governor Gavin Newsom since 2021 and served as an Advisor to President Marybel Batjer at the California Public Utilities Commission between 2020 and 2021. Her past roles include Assistant General Counsel among others within the California Natural Resources Agency between 2013 to 2020. Burchill holds a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University along with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UC San Diego. The policy advisor role does not need Senate approval and comes with an annual salary of $181,416; she is affiliated with Democrats.