Governor Makes Appointments

John “Jack” Brooks, 87, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo, and Suisun. After graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in 1944, he spent eight years as a naval officer and a ships officer in the U.S. Merchant Marine. After concluding his service, Brooks worked as a homebuilder and real estate developer. Brooks currently serves on the advisory board with the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point and was elected to their hall of distinguished graduates. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Brooks is a Democrat.


Bernadette Cheyne, 62, of Arcata, has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Cheyne currently serves as a professor of theater, film, and dance at California State University Humboldt. Cheyne has served in multiple roles at the university since 1990, including chair of the theater, film, and dance department from 2006 to 2010 and from 1998 to 2001, and as the interim associate dean for the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences in the spring of 2003. Cheyne served as a statewide senator for the CSU Academic Senate from 2004 to the present. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Cheyne is registered decline-to-state.

Danny Hawkins, 47, of San Jose, has been appointed to the California Community Colleges Board of Governors. Hawkins has served as the senior systems administrator for the San Jose Evergreen Community College District since 1997. Previously, he served as the systems manager for Santa Clara University undergraduate admissions from 1988 to 1997. Hawkins received his Associate of Science and Accounting/CIS from Evergreen Valley College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hawkins is a Democrat.

Russ Lopez, 49, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director for communications of the California State Lottery. Lopez was a communications director with the California State Senate from 2007 to 2010 after serving as the communications director for the State Controller’s Office from 2005 to 2007. He was a communications director for the Senate Democratic Caucus from 2003 to 2005 and served as press secretary for the California Kerry/Edwards 2004 Presidential Campaign. Lopez served as senior deputy press secretary for Governor Gray Davis from 2001 to 2003 and was a reporter for KTXL Fox 40 News from 1999 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $99,000. Lopez is a Democrat.

Jillian Ruddell, 21, of Chico, has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Ruddell is currently a student at California State University Chico, pursuing a degree in multicultural and gender studies with a minor in women's studies. Ruddell served as the director of the Associated Students Women’s Center from 2009 to 2011, after interning at the center from 2008 to 2009. Ruddell has served as the co-president of the PRIDE/Safezone club since 2009, as a committee member for Conversations on Diversity since 2009, and she co-founded the Chico State Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Leadership Conference. She has been on the CSU Chico President and Superintendent’s list for academic excellence since 2008. Ruddell received the William Randolph Hearst/CSU Trustee’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in 2010. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ruddell is a Democrat.