SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Grace Arupo Rodriguez, 35, of Rancho Cordova, has been appointed deputy director of legal affairs at the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development. Arupo Rodriguez has been senior deputy city attorney for the City of Sacramento since 2012. She was corporate counsel at the California Independent System Operator Corporation from 2007 to 2012, business associate at Downey Brand LLP from 2002 to 2006 and summer associate at Wilke Fleury Hoffelt Gould and Birney LLP in 2000.
Arupo Rodriguez was president of the Asian Pacific Bar Association of Sacramento from 2011 to 2012. She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $126,264. Arupo Rodriguez is a Democrat.
John Carvelli, 51, of Newport Beach, has been appointed to the California State Athletic Commission. Carvelli has been executive vice president at LIBERTY Dental Plan since 2004. He was president of Medimanager Inc. from 1999 to 2003 and a health care consultant at Empire Pacific LLC from 1995 to 1999. He is a member of the Team 100 Food for Kids Board of Directors and the Parents Television Council Advisory Board. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Carvelli is a Republican.
James Lally, 58, of Upland, has been appointed to the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Lally has been president and chief medical officer at Chino Valley Medical Center since 2004, owner of Inland Physicians Services Inc. since 1992 and team physician for the United States Olympic Shooting Team since 1993. He served as a physician’s assistant in the U.S. Army, Special Forces from 1972 to 1987. Lally earned a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific, Western University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lally is a Republican.
Phil Tagami, 47, of Oakland, has been appointed to the California Medical Board. Tagami has served in multiple positions at the California Capital and Investment Group since 1992, including president and chief executive officer. He worked in public service for over twenty years, serving in various municipal and state appointments, including chair of the California Lottery Commission from 2012 to 2013, commissioner of the California Transportation Commission from 2008 to 2009, commissioner of the California State Park and Recreation Commission from 2003 to 2006 and commissioner of the California State World Trade Commission from 2002 to 2003. Tagami was commissioner of the Oakland Landmarks Preservation Review Board from 1994 to 1996 and commissioner of the Oakland Environmental Affairs Commission from 1992 to 1994. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Tagami is a Democrat.
Leslie Lohse, 59, of Glenn, has been appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission, where she has served since 2007. Lohse has served as tribal council treasurer and assistant administrator for the Paskenta Band of Nomlaki Indians since 1998. She is a member of the Rolling Hills Clinic Board of Directors, vice-chairperson of the California Tribal Business Alliance and a member of Tehama County, Girls Inc. Lohse was chair of the Bureau of Indian Affairs Central California Agency Policy Committee, vice president at the National Congress of American Indians, board member of Northern Valley Indian Health, member of the Bay Delta Public Advisory Committee and served on the National Indian Health Services Budget Committee. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Lohse is a Republican.
Marshall McKay, 60, of Brooks, has been appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission, where he has served since 2007. McKay has served as tribal chairman of the Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation since 2006 and was a tribal councilmember from 1984 to 2006. He serves as chair of the Autry National Center and the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation and is a delegate of the National Indian Gaming Association. McKay is a member of the State Historical Resources Commission, UC Davis Foundation and National Museum of the American Indian. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. McKay is a Democrat.
James Ramos, 46, of Highland, has been appointed to the California Native American Heritage Commission, where he has served since 2007. Ramos has been third district supervisor for the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors since 2012. He was chairman of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians from 2008 to 2012 and has served in multiple positions with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians since 1994, including coordinator of the Cultural Awareness Program, chair of the San Manuel Gaming Commission, treasurer and business committee member. Ramos is a member of the University of Redlands Board of Trustees and served on the San Bernardino Community College District Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2012. He earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Redlands. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Ramos is a Democrat.
