Golden State Today

Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several key appointments to various state positions. Andrew Rakestraw of Kensington has been appointed as the Chair of the Board of Environmental Safety. Since 2022, Rakestraw has served as a Senior Climate Negotiator and U.S. Deputy Head of Delegation to the Paris Agreement and UN Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations at the United States Department of State. He previously held roles including Senior Advisor to the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and Attorney-Advisor in the Office of the Legal Advisor. His appointment requires Senate confirmation, with a compensation package of $186,588.

Kenny Louie from Sacramento will assume the role of Chief Counsel at the California Department of Finance. Louie has been an Attorney IV at the department since 2017 and previously served as Attorney III from 2012 to 2017. He also worked with the California Commission on State Mandates and was an Assistant Finance Budget Analyst at the California Department of Finance in 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation, offering a compensation of $217,824.

Emily Morrison from Roseville has been named Chief of Contract Administration at the California High Speed Rail Authority. She brings experience from her recent role as Construction Branch Chief at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs and previous contracting officer positions within Air Force bases. Her new role does not need Senate confirmation, with compensation set at $210,000.

Yvonne Dorantes from Sacramento will serve as Deputy Director, Legislative and Governmental Affairs at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Dorantes steps into this role following her tenure as Assistant Deputy Director in similar capacities both in legislative affairs and board relations within state departments since 2022. The position does not require Senate confirmation and comes with a salary of $154,860.

All appointees have extensive backgrounds relevant to their new roles, contributing diverse experiences across government sectors.