California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 6.18.25
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~ Sacramento, California - Governor Gavin Newsom has announced several key appointments today, June 18, 2025. These appointments include Dina El-Tawansy as the Director of the California Department of Transportation, Marta Barlow as Chief Counsel at the Office of the Inspector General, and Patricia "Patti" Ochoa as Special Assistant to the Secretary at the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency.

Dina El-Tawansy, a resident of San Leandro, has been appointed as the Director of the California Department of Transportation. She has been serving as District 4 Director at the department since 2021 and has held various positions within the department since 1998. El-Tawansy holds a Master of Science degree in Construction Management from California State University, Long Beach and a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona. Her appointment is subject to Senate confirmation and her compensation will be $227,388. El-Tawansy is a member of the Democratic party.

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Marta Barlow, from El Dorado Hills, has been appointed as Chief Counsel at the Office of the Inspector General. She currently serves as an Attorney IV at the State Personnel Board and previously worked as a Special Assistant Inspector General at the Office of the Inspector General from 2019 to 2022. Barlow also has experience working in various legal roles within state agencies such as the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and Correctional Law Section at the California Office of Attorney General. She holds a Juris Doctor degree from University of California Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from United States International University. Her compensation for this position will be $208,440 and does not require Senate confirmation. Barlow is also a member of the Democratic party.

Patricia "Patti" Ochoa, hailing from Elk Grove, has been appointed as Special Assistant to the Secretary at the California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Agency. Ochoa has been serving as Staff Services Manager I at the agency since 2016 and has held various roles within the agency since 2013. She previously worked as an Administrative/Executive Assistant at the California Air Resources Board. Her compensation for this position will be $108,000 and does not require Senate confirmation. Ochoa is a member of the Democratic party.

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In other news, as multiple fires continue to burn across the state, President Trump's illegal deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles has left firefighting crews short-staffed. This has caused concern for many residents and officials as they struggle to contain the fires.

Governor Newsom also issued a proclamation declaring June 2025 as "LGBTQ+ Pride Month" in support and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community in California.

Furthermore, Governor Newsom issued an emergency proclamation for the City of Malibu to aid in recovery efforts from the December 2024 Franklin Fire that caused significant damage and threatened thousands of lives.

These recent appointments and actions by Governor Newsom demonstrate his commitment to addressing important issues facing California and ensuring that qualified individuals are appointed to key positions within state agencies.

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