SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — On Friday, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: first, Paul Marchand, 64, of Kelseyville, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair Board. Marchand has been an independent emergency physician and contractor since 1985 and owner of Highland Springs Equestrian Center since 2005. He is a founding member of the Lake County Horse Council and Lake County Dressage Society.
Marchand is also a member of the Castle Air Museum, Antique Automobile Club of America and Sierra Club. He earned a Doctor of Medicine degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Marchand is registered decline-to-state.
Meyokeeskow Marrufo, 41, of Upperlake, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair, where she has served since 2007. Marrufo has been environmental protection agency director of the Hopland Band of Pomo Indians since 2011. She held multiple positions at the Robinson Rancheria of Pomo Indians from 1999 to 2010, including interim environmental director, energy coordinator and cultural resource manager. Marrufo was owner of the Native Ways Gift Shop from 2004 to 2006. She held multiple positions at the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act from 1999 to 2004, including director and project assistant. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Marrufo is a Democrat.
Doug Rhoades, 59, of Kelseyville, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair. Rhoades has been a private practice attorney since 1997. He held multiple positions with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department from 1976 to 1997, including sergeant and deputy sheriff. Rhoades was member of the Kelseyville Unified School District Board of Trustees, the Lake County Peace Officers Association, the Northern California Training Officers Association and the California Association of Police Training Officers. Rhoades earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Empire College School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Rhoades is a Democrat.
Kim Alexander, 44, of Ridgecrest, has been appointed to the 53rd District Agricultural Association, Desert Empire Fair. Alexander has been a sales agent and property manager at Vaughn Realty since 1998. She was an aviation ordnance officer in the United States Navy from 1987 to 1996. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Alexander is a Democrat.
Howard Laire, 74, of Ridgecrest, has been appointed to the 53rd District Agricultural Association, Desert Empire Fair. Laire was the regulatory lab director at Searles Valley Minerals from 1996 to 2011 and plant chemist at A/C Power Ace Operations from 1990 to 1996. He was an environmental specialist at Colorado-Ute Electric Association from 1981 to 1990 and a teacher with the Dade County Public School System from 1970 to 1980. Laire earned a Master of Science degree in administration supervision from Nova Southeastern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Laire is a Democrat.
Claire Priestley LeFlore, 56, of Davis, has been appointed chief counsel at the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Leflore has been deputy attorney at the California Department of Transportation since 2007. She was deputy attorney general at the California Department of Justice from 2006 to 2007, and staff counsel at the California Department of Water Resources from 1989 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $131,172. Leflore is a Democrat.
Joshua Tooker, 40, of Roseville, has been appointed legislative director at the California Department of Toxic Substance Control. Tooker has been legislative director for Senator Alan Lowenthal since 2001 and worked as a legislative assistant for Assemblymember Alan Lowenthal from 2000 to 2001. He was a legislative analyst for the California Chamber of Commerce from 1996 to 2000, a recycling specialist for the California Department of Conservation from 1994 to 1996 and a student assistant for the California Department of Conservation from 1992 to 1994. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $91,392. Tooker is a Democrat.
Deborah Hoffman, 46, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant secretary of public and employee communication at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Hoffman has been assistant secretary of communications at the California Environmental Protection Agency since 2011. She was communications director for State Senator Fran Pavley from 2009 to 2011 and a news reporter at KXTV ABC Sacramento from 1995 to 2009 and at KRNV NBC Reno from 1993 to 1995. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $125,004. Hoffman is registered decline-to-state.
