SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, Calif. Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced the following appointments: First, Ken August, 58, of Fair Oaks, has been appointed assistant director of external affairs at the California Department of State Hospitals. August has been director of outreach and marketing at the National Public Health Information Coalition since 2007 and chief of risk communication at the California Department of Public Health since 2006.
August held multiple positions at the California Department of Health Services from 1987 to 2006, including deputy director of public affairs. August was a reporter and managing editor at KFBK Radio from 1983 to 1987. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $98,652. August is a Democrat.
Thomas Dey, 62, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant director of legislation at the California Department of State Hospitals. Dey was director of public and government affairs at SCAN Health Plan from 2006 to 2012 and a real estate and planning consultant at Strategic Real Estate Services Inc. from 2001 to 2006. He was regional director of government affairs at AT&T Wireless Services Inc. from 2000 to 2001.
Dey was vice president of government affairs at Blue Shield of California from 1996 to 2000 and at Goddard Claussen Public Affairs from 1995 to 1996. He was vice president of government relations at National Medical Enterprises and Tenet Health Care from 1985 to 1995 and a consultant and staff director for the California State Assembly, Minority Caucus from 1973 to 1984. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,392. Dey is a Republican.
Virginia “Ginger” Pohlson, 70, of Willits, has been reappointed to the 12th District Agricultural Association, Redwood Empire Fair Board, where she has served since 2011. Pohlson was state membership administrator for the National Women’s Political Caucus from 2008 to 2009. She was a recreation employee at the Brooktrails Community Services District from 1990 to 2000 and a hairdresser from 1961 to 1991. Pohlson is a member of the Ukiah Civic Light Opera and president of the Brooktrails Home Owners Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Pohlson is a Democrat.
Timothy “Casey” Cummings, 49, of Rocklin, has been reappointed to the 20th District Agricultural Association, Gold Country Fair Board, where he has served since 2006. Cummings has been an independent apparel sales representative at Landway Fleece since 2008 and at Pacific Headwear since 2007. He was director of sales at Campbell’s Interiors from 2006 to 2007 and vice president of sales and marketing at OFM Imaging from 2005 to 2006. Cummings was director of sales at Hunter Douglas Window Fashions from 2003 to 2005 and at Levolor-Kirsch from 1998 to 2002. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Cummings is registered decline-to-state.
Billie Jelks-Hood, 69, of Madera, has been reappointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association, Madera District Fair Board, where she has served since 2012. Jelks-Hood was a financial program control analyst at FMC Corporation from 1985 to 2008. She is a member of Black Women Organized for Political Action, the National Women’s Political Caucus, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Madera County Democratic Club and the University of California Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners of Fresno County. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Jelks-Hood is a Democrat.
Lori Gallo, 38, of Merced, has been appointed to the 35th District Agricultural Association, Merced County Fair Board. Gallo has assisted the human resources department at Joseph Gallo Farms, maker of Joseph Farms Cheese, since 2008. She was a realtor at Century 21 Salvadori Realty from 2002 to 2008. Gallo is a board member of the Fresno Behavioral Intervention Association and the Fresno Village Preschool. She is a member of the University Friends Circle at the University of California, Merced, the Merced County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, California Women for Agriculture, Italian Catholic Federation of Merced County, Merced College President’s Circle, Mercy Medical Hospital Merced Foundation, the Merced County Make-A-Wish Foundation committee and the Merced Theatre Foundation. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Gallo is a Republican.
Joseph Gallas, 71, of Santa Maria, has been reappointed to the 37th District Agricultural Association, Santa Maria Fair Park Board, where he has served since 2002. Gallas has been an attorney at Joseph C. Gallas APLC since 1970. He was a member of the Santa Barbara County Retirement Board from 2000 to 2009 and the Marian Medical Center, Board of Trustees from 1983 to 1987. Gallas is a charter member of the Rotary Club of Santa Maria South. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Gallas is a Democrat.
Robyn Holt, 44, of Crescent City, has been reappointed to the 41st District Agricultural Association, Crescent City and Del Norte County Fair Board, where she has served since 2012. Holt has been an insurance agent and broker at Western Valley Insurance Associates Inc. since 2001. She was an insurance agent and office manager at Penfold-Leavitt Insurance from 2000 to 2001 and an insurance agent at Fraser Yamor Jacob Insurance from 1993 to 2000. Holt is a member of the Rotary Club of Crescent City, Del Norte Chamber of Commerce and IBA West. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Holt is a Democrat.
