Governor announces appointments

Francis Johnston, 75, of San Rafael, has been appointed to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for the Bays of San Francisco, San Pablo and Suisun, where he has served since 2008. Johnston is a retired rear admiral in the United States Maritime Service. He was the western region director for the U.S. Department of Transportation Maritime Administration from 1990 to 2008 and the head of maritime affairs for the U.S. Navy from 1984 to 1990. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $600 per month. Johnston is registered decline-to-state.



Tracy Rhine, 39, of El Dorado has been appointed deputy director of Legislative and Policy Review for the California Department of Consumer Affairs. Rhine has served as assistant executive officer and staff to the Board of Behavioral Sciences since 2008. She served as a consultant to the California State Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection from 2005 to 2008 and as a consultant to the Speaker’s Office of Member Services from 2002 to 2005. She was a graduate research assistant in the Governor’s Office of Innovation in 2002 and a program coordinator at Changing Courses from 1988 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,008. Rhine is a Democrat.

Michael Richwine, 53, of Rocklin, has been appointed assistant state fire marshal at the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Richwine has worked at the Office of the State Fire Marshal in multiple positions since 1986, and has been the division chief of State Fire Training since 2005. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $105,420. Richwine is a Republican.

Lisa Silverman, 45, of Pilot Hill, has been appointed executive officer for the Office of Public School Construction at the California Department of General Services, where she has served as acting executive officer since 2010. Silverman served as senior management auditor and chief of fiscal services at the Office of Public School Construction from 2006 to 2010 and was a business tax specialist and associate tax auditor for the Board of Equalization from 1997 to 2006. She was an associate tax auditor and hearing officer for the Franchise Tax Board from 1984 to 1997. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $110,580. Silverman is a Democrat.

 James Barthman, 77, of Castro Valley, has been appointed to the California Building Standards Commission, where he has served since 2000. Barthman worked in multiple positions at Underwriters Laboratories Inc. from 1990 to 2000, including building and electrical code consultant and regional supervisor of codes and technical services. Barthman worked for the City of Oakland from 1965 to 1990, where he served as building official from 1975 to 1990, chief electrical inspector from 1971 to 1975, and electrical inspector from 1965 to 1971. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Barthman is a Democrat.

Michael Hersek, 49, of San Francisco, has been appointed state public defender at the Office of the State Public Defender, where he has served since 2004. Hersek was a staff attorney for the California Supreme Court from 1999 to 2004 and deputy state public defender at the Office of the State Public Defender from 1991 to 1999. He serves on the Appellate Advisory Committee to the Judicial Council of California and the Selection Boards for the U.S. District Court for the Northern and Eastern Districts of California. Hersek earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $142,965. Hersek is a Democrat.

Eric Kawamura, 57, of Orinda, has been appointed to the Housing Partnership Corporation, where he has served since 2006. Kawamura has worked at Citibank since 2002 and has been vice president and associate general counsel since 2006. He worked at California Federal Bank from 1986 to 2002 in multiple positions, including senior vice president and senior counsel. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Kawamura is a Democrat.

Geraldine Knatz, 60, of Long Beach, has been appointed to the California Ocean Protection Council, where she has served since 2007. Knatz has been the executive director for the Port of Los Angeles since 2006. She worked at the Port of Long Beach from 1985 to 2006 in multiple positions, including managing director. She is the president of the International Association of Ports and Harbors. Knatz earned a doctorate in biological sciences from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Knatz is registered decline-to-state.

David Lumian, 57, of Venice, has been appointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission. Lumian has been a consultant for the American Sailing Association since 2007. He was the owner of Twist Management from 1984 to 2007. He is the director of the Southern California Yachting Association and chair of the Los Angeles County Small Craft Harbor Commission. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Lumian is a Democrat.

Michael Minor, 52, of Elk Grove, has been appointed chief deputy secretary for the Division of Juvenile Justice at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where he has served as acting chief deputy secretary since 2011 and where he has worked in multiple positions since 1986, including superintendent of the N.A. Chaderjian Youth Correctional Facility. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $145,740. Minor is registered decline-to-state.

Frank Peralta, 65, of Bonita, has been appointed to the California Boating and Waterways Commission. Peralta has been a deputy sheriff at the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department since 1974. He is a member of the Latino Police Officers Association. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Peralta is registered decline-to-state.

Richard Sierra, 54, of San Bernardino, has been appointed to the California Building Standards Commission. Sierra has worked at the Laborers' International Union of North America Local 783 since 1977 and has served as business manager since 1996. This position requires Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Sierra is a Democrat.