California: Governor Newsom announces appointments

News

Oct 30, 2026

Governor Newsom announces appointments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Michael Martin, of Highland, has been appointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Martin has been Senior Psychiatric Technician at the California Department of Developmental Services since 2022, where he was a Psychiatric Technician from 2020 to 2021. He was a Psychiatric Technician at the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation from 2020 to 2022. Martin was Administrator at ResCare from 2017 to 2019. He was a Psychiatric Technician at Patton State Hospital from 2009 to 2017. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Martin is registered without party preference.

Thomas Shaffer, of Murrieta, has been appointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Shaffer has been Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Space Mobility since 2026. He has been Chief Revenue Officer at TruArc Health since 2023. Shaffer has been Founder and President at Health Campus since 2021. He was Founder and Chief Executive Officer at New Power Inc. from 2013 to 2022. Shaffer was a Strategic Developer at Platinum Protection from 2007 to 2010. He was a Data Analyst at The Hershey Company from 2006 to 2007. Shaffer is board member of Covid Clinic. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Shaffer is registered without party preference.

Judy Corless, of Santa Ana, has been appointed to the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians. Corless has been Chief Executive Officer at Venture Education Strategies, Inc since 2019, where she has been Senior Consultant since 2011. She has been a Consultant at the California Association of Colleges of Nursing since 2018. She is member of the California Medical Association Alliance. Corless earned a Master of Science degree in Nursing from West Haven University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Corless is a Republican.

Diane Gu, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Health Workforce Education and Training Council. Gu has been Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Kind Shark ® Inc. since 2024. She was Chief Philanthropy Officer at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington from 2022 to 2025. Gu was a Fellow in the University President Leadership Program at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities from 2022 to 2023. She held multiple positions at the University of California, Los Angeles from 2012 to 2023, including Chancellor's Senior Advisor in Asia Pacific Philanthropy, Executive Director of Major Gifts and Strategic Initiatives, Faculty in the School of Educational and Information Studies, Director of Major and Strategic Initiatives, and Founding Director of University Initiatives. Gu was a Researcher at the National Science Foundation from 2009 to 2012. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Higher Education and Organizational Change from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Comparative Cultures from the University of Copenhagen. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $25 per diem. Gu is registered without party preference.

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Kary "Lynn" Matsuda, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California State Board of Optometry. Matsuda has been Project Manager at JD Thompson & Associates, LLC since 2023. She has held multiple positions at Tri Counties Bank since 2024, including Integration Management Consultant and Management Consultant. Matsuda was an Operational Management Consultant at El Camino Group, LLC from 2015 to 2023. She was Senior Manager in the Customer Advocacy Department at Blue Shield of California from 2011 to 2012. Matsuda was Senior Vice President and Director in Customer Experience and Strategy at Wells Fargo from 2007 to 2011. She was Executive Vice President and Director of Operations at Placer Sierra Bank from 2003 to 2007. Matsuda is President of the Wyndham Waikiki Beach Walk Vacation Owners Association Board, board member of KVIE PBS and the Sacramento Zoo, and member of Impact 100 Greater Sacramento and the Northern California Time of Remembrance Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Matsuda is a Democrat.

Avygail Sanchez, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy. Sanchez has been Senior Vice President in Government Relations at WSP since 2026. She was Executive Vice President in Business Strategy at Vanir from 2024 to 2026. Sanchez was Vice President and Principal Project Manager at Mott MacDonald in 2024. She was Executive Vice President in Sales and Government Relations at Vanir from 2023 to 2024. Sanchez was Founder and Chief Executive Officer at TQM Partners LLC from 2020 to 2023. She held multiple positions at HNTB from 2020 to 2022, including Director of Government Relations and Vice President of Business Development. Sanchez held multiple positions at Parsons Corp. from 2014 to 2020, including Vice President, Director of Political Affairs and Policy, Business Development Manager, and Senior Business Development Representative. She is member of the Adventist Health White Memorial Charitable Foundation Board. Sanchez earned a Master of Arts degree in Urban Planning from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Mount Saint Mary's University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Sanchez is a Democrat.

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