Gov announces appointments

George Alexeeff, 57, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed director of the Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment at the California Environmental Protection Agency. Alexeeff has been the deputy director at the Office of Environmental Health and Hazard Assessment since 1998. He has worked at the department since 1988, serving as chief of the Air Toxicology and Epidemiology branch from 1990 to 1998, and chief of the Air Toxics Unit from 1988 to 1990. Alexeeff earned a doctorate in pharmacology and toxicology from the University of California, Davis. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $147,828. Alexeeff is a Democrat.



Robert Chase, 66, of West Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director at the Division of the State Architect. Chase has been acting chief building official for the City of Stockton since 2011. He was the director of governmental relations at Build It Green in 2010, the chief building official for the County of Sacramento in 2009 and chief building official for the City of Sacramento from 2006 to 2009. Chase was a partner at LPA/Sacramento Architects from 2002 to 2006, a managing principal at Nadel Architects from 1994 to 2002 and the director of design at Leidenfrost Horowitz and Associates from 1985 to 1994. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $108,636. Chase is a Democrat.

Daniel M. Curtin, 63, of Carmichael, has been appointed to the California State Compensation Insurance Fund Board of Directors, where he has served since 2009. Curtin has served as director for the California Conference of Carpenters since 2001 and previously held the same position from 1992 to 1999. He served as chief deputy director for the California Department of Industrial Relations from 1999 to 2001. Prior to that, Curtin was a legislative advocate for the California State Council of Carpenters. He serves on the Economic Development Commission, the California Water Commission and the Industrial Welfare Commission. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $50,000. Curtin is a Democrat.

Sandra Hutchens, 57, of Dana Point, has been appointed to the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training. Hutchens has served as sheriff-coroner for Orange County since 2008 and served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department from 1976 to 2007, in multiple positions, including the division chief for homeland security. She is a member of the California State Sheriffs’ Association and the California Peace Officers’ Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hutchens is a Republican.

Gregory Lewis, 48, of Monterey, has been appointed warden of Pelican Bay State Prison at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where he has served as acting warden since 2010. Lewis served as chief deputy administrator for Salinas Valley State Prison from 2009 to 2010 and for Kern Valley State Prison from 2008 to 2009. Lewis served in various positions with the Salinas Valley State Prison, including correctional administrator from 2006 to 2008, facility captain from 2004 to 2006, correctional lieutenant from 1998 to 2004 and correctional sergeant from 1996 to 1998. He also served as a correctional sergeant for the Pelican Bay State Prison from 1994 to 1996 and was correctional officer at the Sierra Conservation Center from 1987 to 1992. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $130,668. Lewis is a Republican.

Terri McDonald, 48, of Sacramento, has been appointed undersecretary of operations at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where she has served as acting undersecretary of operations since 2011. McDonald has served with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation in various positions since 1988. She was chief deputy secretary of adult operations from 2009 to 2011, associate director of reception centers from 2007 to 2009, chief for the out-of-state correctional facilities from 2006 to 2007, correctional administrator from 2004 to 2006, correctional captain at Folsom State Prison and the California Medical Facility from 2001 to 2004, correctional lieutenant and correctional sergeant at the California Medical Facility from 1993 to 2001 and correctional officer at the California Medical Facility and the Sierra Conservation Center from 1988 to 1993. She is a member of the American Correctional Association and the North American Association of Wardens and Superintendents. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $162,420. McDonald is registered decline-to-state.

Jonathan Parker, 56, of Yuba City, has been appointed to the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training. Parker has been sheriff-coroner for Sutter County since 2008. He was undersheriff at the Sutter County Sherriff’s Department from 2006 to 2008 and was division commander at the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department from 2003 to 2006. Parker worked at Sutter County Jail from 1990 to 2003 in multiple positions, including jail captain. Parker is a member of the California State Sheriffs’ Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Parker is a Republican.