Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of appointments to various state boards and commissions. These appointments include reappointments and new selections across different sectors.

Tiffani Alvidrez, from Elk Grove, has been reappointed to the California Lottery Commission. She has served on the commission since 2022 and currently handles Strategic Initiatives for Public Sector Ecosystem Expansion. Her previous roles include Western Regional Policy Manager at Instacart and Chief of Staff for Senator Holly J. Mitchell. Alvidrez holds degrees from National University, Sacramento, and the University of California, Davis. Her position requires Senate confirmation with compensation set at $100 per diem.

Hernan Hernandez of Bakersfield joins the State Board of Food and Agriculture. Hernandez serves as Deputy Director of Government Relations and Strategic Development at Kern Health Systems. His background includes leadership roles in health education and farmworker advocacy organizations. He earned his academic credentials from California State University, Bakersfield. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation or offer compensation.

Rolston St. Hilaire from Clovis has also been appointed to the State Board of Food and Agriculture. Currently Dean of Agriculture at Jordan College, he brings extensive experience from New Mexico State University where he was a Regents Professor. St. Hilaire is active in several agricultural organizations and holds degrees in horticulture from Iowa State University and the University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez.

Anthony M. Bertram, based in Los Angeles, will serve on the California Board of Barbering and Cosmetology. A barber since 2022 at Blade Barbershop, Bertram is also an actor affiliated with the Screen Actors Guild since 2007. He has held administrative roles at the University of Southern California and possesses degrees from Pepperdine University and Adelphi University.

Josef Preciado from Sacramento takes a role on the Contractors State Licensing Board after working with Sacramento Municipal Utilities District as an Economic & Small Business Development Representative III since 2024. His career includes positions focused on higher education initiatives at American River College among others.

Justin Fichelson from San Francisco joins the California Council for the Humanities' Board of Directors as Co-Founder/Co-CEO at Sidekick Data since 2020 with a history in real estate entrepreneurship through Fichelson Real Estate Group.

Adam Noah from Antioch is appointed to Contra Costa County Fair's 23rd District Agricultural Association Board without requiring Senate confirmation or offering compensation but brings experience as Director of Telehealth Strategy at Kaiser Permanente since 2015.

All appointees are Democrats according to Governor Newsom’s office announcements made today.