SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced today that after more than a decade of service to the state, Finance Director Ana Matosantos has decided to leave the administration in September, at which point Chief Deputy Director of Finance Michael Cohen will be appointed Director.
“During very tough economic times, Ana carried out her duties as finance director with insight, boundless energy and uncommon effectiveness,” said Governor Brown. “Michael has been an excellent chief deputy director and I’m confident that he’s fully up to the task of leading the department in the years ahead.”
Ana Matosantos was appointed Director of Finance by Governor Brown in December 2010, after being appointed to that position by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in December 2009.
“It has been a privilege to serve the people of California during very difficult fiscal times, and now the state’s economy is recovering and its budget balanced,” said Matosantos. “I am humbled by the Governor’s trust and honored that he gave me this incredible opportunity. My colleagues at the Department of Finance embody all that is good about public service and my life has been enriched by serving the people of this great state as the department’s director.”
Matosantos joined the Department of Finance as Chief Deputy Director for Budget in April 2008 after serving as Deputy Legislative Secretary for the California Health and Human Services Agency and Veterans Affairs in the Office of the Governor in 2007. Matosantos was Assistant Secretary for programs and fiscal affairs and Associate Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the California Health and Human Services Agency from 2004 to 2007. Prior to that, Matosantos worked for the California State Senate as a consultant to the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services and Budget and Fiscal Review. Matosantos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Stanford University in 1997.
Governor Brown also announced today that Michael Cohen, 40, of Sacramento, will be appointed Director of Finance, effective September 16, 2013.
“I am honored that Governor Brown has chosen me as the next Director of Finance,” said Cohen. “It is a tremendous opportunity for public service, and I look forward to assisting the Governor and the Legislature in continuing the tremendous fiscal progress that we’ve made.”
Cohen has served as Chief Deputy Director for Budget at the California Department of Finance since 2011. Cohen served in a number of roles with the Legislative Analyst’s Office from 1997 to 2010, including deputy legislative analyst, director of state administration and local government finance analyst. Cohen earned a Master of Public Affairs degree from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas and a Bachelor of Arts degree in urban studies from Stanford University. He lives with his wife Amy Supinger and two dogs, Lulu and Dexter. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,250. Cohen is a registered decline-to-state.