California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 9.16.2026
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~ In a recent press release, Governor Gavin Newsom announced several new appointments to key positions in the state of California. These appointments, which were made on September 16, 2026, include Patrick Brown as Chief Deputy Director at the Housing Development and Finance Committee, Kevin Hixon as Deputy Director for Facility Support of the Division of Adult Institutions, Rohit Chopra to the Governor's Military Council, and Andrea Rosales to the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training.

Patrick Brown, a resident of West Sacramento, has been appointed as Chief Deputy Director at the Housing Development and Finance Committee. Brown brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as Assistant Deputy Director of Administration and Management and Chief Financial Officer at the California Department of Housing and Community Development since 2022. He has also held various positions within the department since 2019. Prior to that, Brown was Budget Manager at the California High Speed Rail Authority from 2017 to 2019. With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from California State University, Sacramento, Brown is well-equipped for his new role. It is worth noting that this position does not require Senate confirmation and comes with a compensation package of $191,220.

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Joining Brown in his new role is Kevin Hixon from Springville. Hixon has been appointed as Deputy Director for Facility Support of the Division of Adult Institutions. He brings with him extensive experience in corrections management, having served as Warden at North Kern State Prison since 2023. Prior to that, he held multiple positions at North Kern State Prison from 2016 to 2023 including Acting Warden and Chief Deputy Administrator. Hixon's career in corrections began in 2000 when he joined Deuel Vocational Institution as a Correctional Officer. With his appointment as Deputy Director for Facility Support, Hixon will receive a compensation package of $219,756.

Rohit Chopra, a resident of Sacramento, has been appointed to the Governor's Military Council. Chopra is no stranger to public service, having previously served as the Secretary of the Business and Consumer Services Agency since 2026. He also has experience at the federal level, having served as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from 2021 to 2025 and as a Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission from 2018 to 2021. With a Master of Business Administration degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard University, Chopra is well-qualified for his new role. It is important to note that this position does not require Senate confirmation and comes with no compensation.

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Lastly, Andrea Rosales from Vacaville has been appointed to the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training. Rosales brings over a decade of experience in corrections, having served as a Correctional Sergeant at San Quentin State Prison since 2019. Prior to that, she was a Correctional Officer at the same facility for thirteen years. With her appointment to this commission, Rosales will play an important role in ensuring standards and training for correctional officers in California. It is worth mentioning that this position does not require Senate confirmation and comes with no compensation.

In other news, Governor Newsom has been actively working towards promoting clean transportation in California. He recently cut red tape to fast-track a new pier in Berkeley for a zero-emission ferry connecting San Francisco Bay communities. Additionally, he signed SB 1050 (Ashby) which requires clear disclosure when advertisements use performers generated by AI and protects workers in the creative industry.

Furthermore, Governor Newsom visited Jay Leno's Garage where he signed two pieces of legislation aimed at preserving California's classic car and lowrider heritage. SB 1392 (Cortese), also known as Jay Leno's Law, creates a phased-in smog check exemption for qualifying collector cars built between 1976 and 1985. AB 2541 (M. González) establishes the California Historic Vehicle Preservation Program to recognize and preserve historic vehicles in the state.

Governor Newsom's recent appointments and efforts towards promoting clean transportation and preserving California's heritage demonstrate his commitment to serving the people of California. With these new appointments, the state is well-equipped to continue making progress in various areas under Governor Newsom's leadership.

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