Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced a series of appointments to various positions within California's state agencies.

Bret Ladine, based in Sacramento, has been appointed as the Director of the Financial Information System for California (FI$Cal). Ladine has served as General Counsel at the California State Transportation Agency since 2022 and held prior roles at the California Department of Financial Protection and Innovation. His legal career includes positions at Hogan Lovells US LLP and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati PC. Ladine is affiliated with the Anthony M. Kennedy American Inn of Court and holds degrees from the University of Virginia School of Law and Yale University. The position requires Senate confirmation, with a compensation package set at $218,376. He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Alicia Fowler, also from Sacramento, will take on the role of General Counsel at the California State Transportation Agency. Fowler previously served as Chief Counsel at the California High-Speed Rail Authority since 2019 and held other significant legal roles within state government. She earned her law degree from the University of San Francisco School of Law and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation, with compensation listed at $224,364. Fowler is identified as a Democrat.

Basem Muallem from Chino Hills has been named Statewide Regional Director at the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Muallem's professional background includes leadership roles in several engineering firms such as HNTB and RailPros, along with a long tenure at the California Department of Transportation. He holds multiple degrees in civil engineering and biology from California State University, Long Beach. This position does not require Senate confirmation, offering compensation of $355,008. Muallem is registered without party preference.

Christy Bouma from Sacramento has been appointed to serve on the Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (F.A.I.R) Plan Governing Committee. Bouma's previous experience includes serving on the State Compensation Insurance Fund Board since 2024 and working in legislative affairs under Governor Newsom. Her academic credentials include advanced degrees in computer science from California State University, Sacramento and Point Loma Nazarene College. This role does not require Senate confirmation nor offers compensation. Bouma is affiliated with the Democratic Party.