SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.
Nathaniel Kirtman III, 40, of Sherman Oaks, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Kirtman has been senior vice president of publicity for NBC Universal since 2009 after serving as a vice president from 2006 to 2009. He was a manager of marketing communications for General Electric Aviation from 2005 to 2006, a manager at General Electric from 2002 to 2005 and a senior manager of new media for NBC Entertainment from 1998 to 1999. Kirtman worked at Warner Bros. as a marketing representative from 1995 to 1998 and as a public affairs representative from 1994 to 1995. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Kirtman is a Democrat.
John Smolin, 43, of Long Beach, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Smolin has worked in a number of firefighting positions with Los Angeles County since 1998, including serving most recently as a firefighter specialist. Smolin has been the treasurer for the Los Angeles County Firefighters Local 1014 since 2006. From 1997 to 1998, Smolin was a firefighter in the City of Glendale. He was self-employed as a certified public accountant from 1995 to 1996 and worked as a certified public accountant at Ernst and Young from 1992 to 1995. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Smolin is a Democrat.
Glenn Sonnenberg, 55, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Commission. Sonnenberg has been president of Latitude Management Real Estate Investors since 2000. He was co-chief executive officer of Prudential Carbon Mesa from 1997 to 2000, president of ING Real Estate Investors from 1995 to 1997, executive vice president and co-chief executive officer of Kearny Street Realty from 1994 to 1995. Sonnenberg is a member of the boards of directors at Para Los Ninos and Bet Tzedek Legal Services and is president of the board of Friends of the USC Libraries and formerly served on the USC Board of Trustees. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the USC Gould School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $25 per diem. Sonnenberg is a Republican.
Phil Tagami, 46, of Oakland, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Tagami has worked at the California Capital and Investment Group since 1992, including serving as president and chief executive officer since 2009. He was director of operations for Berger Enterprises from 1987 to 1992. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Tagami is a Democrat.