Governor Brown Announces Appointments

Published:

SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments:

Joy Anne Sterling, 63, of Sebastopol, has been reappointed to the California State Board of Food and Agriculture, where she has served since 2013. Sterling has been chief executive officer at Iron Horse Vineyards since 2006, where she was director of sales and marketing from 1985 to 2006. She was a deputy bureau chief at ABC Network News Los Angeles from 1983 to 1985. Sterling is a member of the National Geographic Grosvenor Council and regional vice chair of the Rural Caucus, North Coast Region for the California Democratic Party. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Sterling is a Democrat.

Carola A. Nicholson, 56, of Santa Barbara, has been appointed to the California Board of Accountancy. Nicholson has been a founding partner at Nicholson & Schwartz since 2000 and a tax manager at Ernst & Young LLP from 1991 to 1999. She is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, Santa Barbara Bowl Foundation Board of Directors and the 19th District Agricultural Association, Santa Barbara Fair and Exposition Board of Directors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Nicholson is a Democrat.

Lavanza “Cheryl” Butler, 66, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy, where she has served since 2013. Butler has been a pharmacist, vice president and union representative at United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Local 770 since 2002. She was a head pharmacist for Rite Aid Pharmacy from 1980 to 2002. Butler is a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Professional Pharmacist Division Executive Board, California Pharmacists Association and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Butler is a Democrat.

Deborah Veale, 59, of Palos Verdes Estates, has been reappointed to the California State Board of Pharmacy, where she has served since 2010. Veale has been director of payer relations at CVS Pharmacy Inc. since 2006. She held several positions at Albertson Savon Pharmacy from 1981 to 2006, including regional manager for managed care, division pharmacy manager, staff pharmacist and regional pharmacy trainer and pharmacy manager. Veale is a member of the California Pharmacists Association and the California Retailers Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Veale is a Republican.

Kevin Albanese, 43, of San Jose, has been reappointed to the Contractors State License Board, where he has served since 2013. Albanese has been president and chief executive officer at Joseph J. Albanese Inc. since 2014, where he held several positions from 1993 to 2014, including vice president and chief operating officer, project manager, support manager and field superintendent and fleet manager. He has been an attorney at the Law Office of Kevin J. Albanese since 2009. Albanese is co-chair of the United Contractors Cement Masons Negotiating Committee and a member of the Operating Engineers Trust Fund, Local 3 Board of Trustees, Lincoln Glen Little League Board of Directors, Construction Financial Management Association and the United Contractors Executive Labor Committee. Albanese earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Santa Clara University, School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Albanese is a Democrat.

Nancy Springer, 55, of Browns Valley, has been reappointed to the Contractors State License Board, where she has served since 2013. Springer has served in several positions for Butte County since 2007, including building division manager, interim building division manager and building official assistant. She held several positions at Willdan Engineering from 2003 to 2007, including building safety services supervisor, office manager and senior plans examiner. Springer was a plans examiner at Linhart Peterson Powers and Associates from 1998 to 2003 and a building inspector for the Sutter County Community Services Department from 1992 to 1998. She was a building inspector for the City of Colusa from 1991 to 1992 and for the City of Palmdale from 1989 to 1991. Springer was an electrician apprentice at the National Electrical Contractors Association from 1984 to 1987 and an aircraft electrical systems specialist for the U.S. Air Force from 1980 to 1985. She is a member of the International Code Council, Sacramento Valley Association of Building Officials, County Building Officials Association of California, and California Building Officials. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Springer is registered without party preference.

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