California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 5.8.2026

~ SACRAMENTO - In a recent announcement, Governor Gavin Newsom revealed his latest appointments to various positions within the state government. These appointments include Joshua Hurlbert as the Chief Technology Officer of the California High Speed Rail Authority, Stephen "Steve" Kawa and Jason Elliott as members of the Board of Directors for the same authority, and Guillermo Martinez's reappointment to the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists.

Hurlbert, a resident of Las Vegas, Nevada, brings a wealth of experience to his new role. He has previously served as Director of Information Technology at Brightline West Trains and Front Gate Tickets/Ticketmaster. He also has a background in the military, having served in the United States Army as a Tactical Communications System Specialist. Hurlbert's appointment does not require Senate confirmation and he will receive a compensation of $218,256.

Kawa, from Cloverdale, has been appointed to the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors. He has an extensive background in politics and strategic advising, having previously served as Chief of Staff for San Francisco Mayors Edwin M. Lee and Gavin Newsom. Kawa holds a Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk University Law School and a Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science and Government from Merrimack College. His appointment does not require Senate confirmation and he will receive a compensation of $100 per diem.

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Elliott, who resides in San Francisco, is another addition to the California High Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors. He brings with him experience in both public policy and business management. Elliott has previously held positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Newsom's office and President of Versus Solutions. He holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Columbia University. Like Kawa's appointment, Elliott's does not require Senate confirmation and he will receive a compensation of $100 per diem.

Martinez, from Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists. He has been a Harbor Engineer at the Port of Los Angeles since 2020 and previously served as a Senior Transportation Engineer. Martinez is also involved in various professional organizations such as the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association and the Institute of Transportation Engineers. His reappointment does not require Senate confirmation and he will receive a compensation of $100 per diem.

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In other news, Governor Newsom has highlighted the state's first-of-its-kind paid family leave program ahead of Mother's Day. The program provides benefits for mothers and maternal figures, recognizing their dedication and strength. Additionally, the Governor announced a major milestone in hiring for the wildland firefighting force with over 1,000 young adults joining the team. He also requested an extension of federal disaster assistance for survivors of Los Angeles wildfires to ensure continued support for those rebuilding their lives.

As California continues to make progress in various areas under Governor Newsom's leadership, these appointments serve as another step towards achieving the state's goals.

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