California Governor Newsom announced nominations for June 7, 2024, including county agricultural associations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. /CALIFORNIA NEWSWIRE/ – Last week, June 7, 2024, California Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments: First, Jeremy Kirk of Hidden Valley Lake has been named deputy administrator of the California Veterans Home, Yountville.

Since 2023, Kirk has been the direct construction manager II at the California Department of Veterans Affairs, and since 2015 he has held several positions there, including stationary and plumbing engineer, water and sewer plant supervisor, and chief engineer II. Kirk was a general contractor/project foreman for RNW Construction & JK Home Services from 2005 to 2015. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the salary is $147,132. Kirk is a Democrat.

Allison Wagaman of West Sacramento has been named Special Assistant to the California State Exposition and Fair. Wagaman served as a planner and legislative advisor in the Office of State Assemblyman Jasmeet Bains from 2023 to 2024. In 2021-2022, she was a planner and executive assistant in the office of State Senator Monique Limon and a planner and executive assistant in the office of State Senator Dave Mina in 2021. Wagaman was a planner and legislative advisor in the office of State Assemblyman Ed Chau from 2018 to 2021 and an executive assistant in the office of State Senator John Chiang from 2017 to 2018. Wagaman was a Human Resources Analyst, Conference and Webinar Coordinator for the Office of the State Treasurer of the Local Agency Investment Fund from 2014-2017. From 2012 to 2014, she was an office technician for the State Contractors Licensing Board. Wagaman earned a bachelor’s degree in English from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the salary is $76,788. Wagaman is a Democrat.

Doug Houston of Auburn has been appointed to the 20th District Gold Country Fair Agricultural Association Board of Directors. Houston has been a general partner at Houston Magnani and Associates since 2015. He is a board member of Placer Land Trust. Houston earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and carries no remuneration. Houston is registered without party preference.

Bethel Vercruyssen of Auburn has been appointed to the 20th District Gold Country Fair Agricultural Association Board of Directors. Vercruyssen has been a care manager at Downs Fiduciaries since 2021 and owner of Guide Right LLC since 2018. From 2001 to 2016, she was a program manager for the California Department of Corrections. Vercruyssen received her master’s degree in social work from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and carries no remuneration. Vercruyssen is registered without party preference.

Albert Gallegos of West Sacramento has been appointed to the 40th District Agricultural Association on the Yolo County Fair Board of Directors. Gallegos has served as ACE’s deputy for technology and finance in Yolo County since 2022. From 2019 to 2020, he was senior director of development for the San Francisco Bay Area Council of Boy Scouts of America. Gallegos was the Boy Scouts of America’s senior director of development for the Redwood Council of America from 2016-2019. From 2012 to 2016, he was Director of Field Service and Chief Operating Officer of the Golden Empire Council for Boy Scouts of America. Gallegos was the CEO/Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2005 to 2012 and was the Assistant Scout Director of the Pacific Skyline Council of the Boy Scouts of America from 2002 to 2005. Gallegos earned a bachelor’s degree in management from Saint Mary’s College in California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and carries no remuneration. He is a democrat.

Miguel Sanchez of Palmdale has been appointed to the 50th District Antelope Valley Fair Agricultural Association Board of Directors. Sanchez has been a foreman with Solv Energy since 2024. He was a foreman with CSI Electrical Contractors from 2022 to 2024 and with Rosendin Electric and SCC Energy in 2022. He was an IBEW Local Apprentice Apprentice/IBEW Local Steward 11 from 2015 to 2022. Sanchez serves on the Antelope Valley Union High School District Board of Trustees and the Knights of Columbus. This position does not require Senate confirmation and carries no remuneration. Sanchez is a Democrat.

Carmela Smith of Elk Grove has been appointed to the 52nd District Agricultural Association on the Sacramento County Fair Board of Directors. Smith has been an IT Specialist I with the California Department of Tax and Fee Administration since 2016. From 2012 to 2016, she was an Assistant Information Systems Analyst at the California Department of Technology. Smith was an assistant information systems analyst at California Correctional Health Care Services from 2010-2012. She was an information systems technician at the California Department of Justice from 2008 to 2010. Smith is a member of the National Urban League, Black Students of California United, National Urban League – Young Professionals and Blacks in Government. She is an ambassador for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and carries no remuneration. Smith is a Democrat.

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This message is based on a press release issued by Governor Newsom’s office