Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several appointments to various state positions. Karen Morrison, based in Sacramento, will serve as the Director at the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. Morrison has been with the department since 2018 and has held roles such as Chief Deputy Director and Science Advisor. Her previous experience includes work as a Senior Environmental Scientist and Policy Advisor at the California Department of Resources, Recycling, and Recovery. She holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College. This appointment requires Senate confirmation with compensation set at $213,651.

Nicholas Lutton from Fresno has been appointed to the State Council on Developmental Disabilities. His recent role was Program Manager at Family Voices of California until 2024. He also served as an Educational Resource Specialist at EPU Children’s Center. Lutton is involved with the American Association of Pediatrics’ Editorial Board and Fresno County In-Home Services Advisory Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and offers $100 per diem.

Eric Bergersen of Long Beach joins the Physician Assistant Board. Since 2020, he has been Regional Medical Director at Bicycle Health Medical Group and previously worked for VEP Healthcare as APC Director and Emergency Medicine Physician Assistant. Bergersen is affiliated with Physician Assistants in Virtual Medicine and Telemedicine and holds multiple degrees including a Master’s in Health Care Administration from Oklahoma State University. The position provides $100 per diem without needing Senate confirmation.

Ed Perez from Sacramento will also serve on the Physician Assistant Board. Previously a manager at Labor Relations and Performance Management within the California Department of Water Resources, Perez's background includes roles as Labor Relations Specialist both there and at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. He participates in several community organizations including APAPA and AARP Community Activism group; this role offers $100 per diem without requiring Senate confirmation.

Drake Dillard from Los Angeles is reappointed to the California Commission on Disability Access where he has served since 2020. Dillard works as a Senior Project Manager at Perkins & Will, having previously held positions such as Senior Healthcare Architect at Parsons. He earned his Master's degree in Architecture from Howard University; this appointment needs Senate confirmation with compensation set at $100 per diem.

Jaqueline Jackson from San Diego continues her service on the California Commission on Disability Access since 2020 while working as a Non-Profit Management Consultant since 1994. Her career includes being Development Director for San Diego Center for Blind among other educational consulting roles; she holds an M.Ed from University of San Diego which aligns with her advisory board memberships across city committees related to accessibility issues requiring senate approval compensated similarly by day rate ($100).