Governor Newsom announces appointments 10.30.2025

SACRAMENTO - Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Monica Erickson, of Folsom, has been appointed Director of the California Department of Human Resources. Erickson has been Chief Deputy Director of the California Department Human Resources since 2023. She was Deputy Director of Administration at the Office of Health Care Access and Information from 2015 to 2023. Erickson was a Budget Officer at the Department of Social Services from 2012 to 2015. She held multiple positions at the Department of Finance from 1999 to 2012, including Principal Program Budget Analyst and Budget Analyst. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $231,264. Erickson is a Democrat.

Christopher Pierce, of Riverside County, has been appointed Warden at California State Prison, Ironwood, where he has served as Acting Warden since 2024. Pierce held multiple positions at the California State Prison, Chuckawalla Valley from 2018 to 2024, including Chief Deputy Administrator and Associate Warden. He was a Correctional Captain at California State Prison, Ironwood from 2016 to 2018. Pierce was a Correctional Lieutenant at California State Prison, Chuckawalla Valley from 2008 to 2016. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $199,332. Pierce is a Republican.

Negeen Mirreghabie, of La Jolla, has been appointed to the Osteopathic Medical Board of California. Mirreghabie has been a Law Professor at University of San Diego School of Law since 2017 and an Attorney and Mediator at Mirreghabie Law Group since 2011. She was a Law Professor at California Western School of Law and The Colleges of Law in 2025. She was a Law Professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law from 2011 to 2012. Mirreghabie was Assistant Director of Deposition, Expert Deposition, and Trial Advocacy Programs at National Institute for Trial Advocacy from 2009 to 2011. She is an Arbitrator and Law School Council Officer for the State Bar of California. Mirreghabie earned a Juris Doctor degree from University of San Diego School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from University of California, San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Mirreghabie is a Democrat.

Christine Fitzgerald, of San Jose, has been appointed to the State Independent Living Council. Fitzgerald held several positions at Silicon Valley Independent Living Center from 2000 to 2024 including Community Advocate, Independent Living Skills Contractor and Lab Vocational Specialist. She was a Program Assistant for Women Entrepreneurs Programs at YWCA of the Mid-Peninsula from 1996 to 2007. Fitzgerald was a Security Benefits Specialist at Center of Independence for Individuals with Disabilities from 2003 to 2006. She was a Receptionist at Project Hired in 1999. Fitzgerald earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from California State University, San Jose. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Fitzgerald is a Democrat.

Brandi Bluel, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the State Independent Living Council. Bluel has been Executive Director at Resources for Independent Living since 2022. She was Associate Governmental Program Analyst for Traumatic Brain Injury at the Department of Rehabilitation from 2021 to 2022. Bluel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Bluel is a Democrat.

Kimberly Rutledge, of Sacramento, has been reappointed to the State Independent Living Council, where she has served since 2022. Rutledge has been Director of the Department of Rehabilitation since 2025, where she was Deputy Director of Legislation and Communications from 2022 to 2025. She held several positions at the California Department of Social Services from 2016 to 2022, including Chief of the Adult Programs Policy and Quality Assurance Branch and Adult Protective Services Program Liaison. Rutledge held several positions at United Domestic Workers of America, AFSCME Local 3930 between 2012 and 2016, including Budget and Policy Analyst and Assistant Legislative Director. She was an Independent Policy Consultant at the County Welfare Directors Association of California from 2011 to 2012. Rutledge was a Sweeney Graduate Intern on Disability Policy at the National Academy of Social Insurance in 2011. She was a Graduate Policy Intern at the Disability Community Resource Center from 2010 to 2011. Rutledge was a News Copy Editor at the Sacramento Bee from 2005 to 2009. She is a member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. Rutledge earned a Master of Social Welfare degree from the University of California, Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Journalism degree from the University of Missouri, Columbia. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Rutledge is a Democrat.

Jose Alan Cruz, of Anaheim, has been reappointed to the State Independent Living Council, where he has served since 2023. Cruz has been a Youth Community Liaison for Dayle McIntosh Center since 2019. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Cruz is a Democrat.