Governor Brown Announces appointments

Melissa Figueroa, 31, of West Sacramento, has been appointed deputy secretary of communications of the State and Consumer Services Agency. Figueroa has been the press secretary for State Senator Joe Simitian since 2009. She was a consumer producer at KCRA 3 Television from 2006 to 2009 and a newscast producer at KSBY 6 Television from 2002 to 2006. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $75,000. Figueroa is a Democrat


Alice Busching Reynolds, 45, of San Francisco, has been appointed deputy secretary for law enforcement and counsel at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Reynolds has served as a deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice since 2002. She was an attorney for Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal from 1998 to 2001 and an attorney for Furth Fahrner & Mason from 1995 to 1998. Reynolds was also a research attorney for Santa Clara County Superior Court from 1993 to 1995. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $131,172. Reynolds is a Democrat.

Reed Sato, 58, of Granite Bay, has been appointed chief counsel for the Department of Toxic Substances Control. Sato has been director of enforcement at the State Water Resources Control Board since 2006. He was deputy attorney general for the California Department of Justice from 1994 to 2006, and was a partner for Washburn Briscoe McCarthy from 1992 to 1994, after working as an associate with the firm from 1990 to 1992. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $139,200. Sato is a Democrat.

Richard Schuetz, 60, of Ojai, has been appointed to the Gambling Control Commission. Schuetz has been a consultant at Schuetz, Inc. and Schuetz, LP since 1995. He was president and chief executive officer of the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino from 1996 to 1997, vice president of corporate marketing of Grand Casinos, Inc. from 1991 to 1995, assistant general manager at John Midby and Associates for Sam’s Town Gold River from 1990 to 1991 and vice president of casino operations at the Stardust Hotel and Casino from 1988 to 1990. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $128,109. Schuetz is registered decline-to-state.

Kristin Stauffacher, 41, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of legislation at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Stauffacher has served as legislative director for State Senator Joe Simitian since 2008. She was legislative director for State Senator Michael Machado from 2001 to 2008, and a consultant for the State Assembly Committee on Water, Parks and Wildlife from 1997 to 2000. Stauffacher was a scientific aide for the California Department of Fish and Game from 1996 to 1997 and a water resources assistant for Lake County in 1996. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,560. Stauffacher is a Democrat.

Eric Worthen, 39, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant deputy secretary for administration at the California Department of Veterans Affairs. Worthen was legislative director for State Senator Leland Yee from 2010 to 2011. He was the chief consultant for the Assembly Committee on Veterans Affairs from 2007 to 2010, legislative consultant for Assemblymember Gene Mullin from 2003 to 2007, legislative aide for Assemblymember Sally Havice from 2001 to 2002, legislative assistant for Assemblymember Carole Migden from 2000 to 2001 and legislative analyst for the American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees from 1999 to 2000. Worthen was an administrative specialist for the United State Army from 1990 to 1994. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the salary is $95,000. Worthen is a Democrat.