California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 8.25.2026

~ SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several key appointments to important positions within the state government. These appointments, made on August 25, 2026, include Cynthia Stein as General Counsel at the California Housing and Homelessness Agency, Nicole Richardson as Administrative Director of the Division of Workers Compensation at the Department of Industrial Relations, and Sherri Sarro as Deputy Director of Response at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services.

Cynthia Stein, a resident of Piedmont, has been appointed as General Counsel at the California Housing and Homelessness Agency. She brings a wealth of experience to this role, having served as Senior Counselor for LA Recovery in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2025. Prior to that, she was a Deputy Legal Affairs Secretary since 2022 and also worked as Deputy City Attorney at Oakland City Attorney's Office from 2019 to 2022. Stein's legal career also includes working as an Associate in the Supreme Court and Appellate Practice at Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP from 2015 to 2019 and serving as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals from 2014 to 2015. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Stanford University. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation and Stein will receive a compensation package worth $228,984. She is registered as a Democrat.

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Nicole Richardson, hailing from San Ramon, has been appointed as Administrative Director of the Division of Workers Compensation at the Department of Industrial Relations. Richardson has been serving as Chief Counsel for this division since 2026 and previously held positions such as Staff Counsel IV from 2017 to 2026. Her legal career also includes working at SiliconBay Training from 2013 to 2017 and serving as Staff Counsel at Pacific Compensation Insurance Company from 2011 to 2013 and State Compensation Insurance Fund from 2004 to 2011. Richardson holds a Juris Doctor degree from Santa Clara University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of California, Berkeley. This appointment is subject to Senate confirmation and Richardson will receive a compensation package worth $217,692. She is registered without party preference.

Sherri Sarro, a resident of Escondido, has been appointed as Deputy Director of Response at the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services. Sarro has been serving as Assistant Director of Response, South at this office since 2020 and has held multiple positions since 2015, including Deputy Chief of Law Enforcement and Assistant Chief of Law Enforcement. Prior to her work in the state government, she served as Chief at San Diego County Sheriff from 1985 to 2015. Sarro is also a member of the California Emergency Services Association and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from National University. This appointment does not require Senate confirmation and Sarro will receive a compensation package worth $182,964. She is registered as a Republican.

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In other news, Governor Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom have issued a statement on the passing of singer-songwriter, actress, and philanthropist Dolly Parton. In honor of her legacy, all flags on state buildings will be flown at half-staff.

Additionally, California continues to lead in job creation and raising wages according to recent data through July 2026. The state has accounted for one in six new jobs in the nation and is adding jobs at three times the rate of the rest of the country.

Furthermore, California has become the first state to offer same-day and ongoing opioid treatment support through CA Bridge Connect - a free statewide call- and text-based service that provides immediate help with follow-up support for those seeking treatment for opioid use. This initiative is part of Governor Newsom's efforts to combat the opioid crisis in the state.

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