SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.
Karin Caves, 59, of Carmichael, has been appointed deputy secretary of communications at the California Health and Human Services Agency. Caves was communications director in the Office of Senator Kevin de León in 2013 and owner of Caves Communications from 1998 to 2013. She was communications director and special assistant at the Office of Senate President pro Tempore Bill Lockyer from 1994 to 1998 and communications director and press secretary in the Office of California State Senator Gary K. Hart in 1993. Caves was campaign press secretary at Berman and D’Agostino Campaigns from 1988 to 1990 and communications director at the California State Controller’s Office from 1987 to 1988. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $125,004. Caves is a Democrat.
Michael Paravagna, 61, of Rocklin, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Disability Access, where he has served since 2013. Paravagna has been a part-time independent consultant since 2002. He was manager of the Build Los Angeles Community College District Americans with Disabilities Act Project from 2009 to 2011 and the Americans with Disabilities Act coordinator for the City of Sacramento from 2007 to 2009. Paravagna served in multiple positions at the California Department of Rehabilitation from 1975 to 2007, including chief of the Disability Access Division. He served on the California Building Standards Commission from 2008 to 2010. Paravagna is a member of the National Association of ADA Coordinators Board of Directors. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Paravagna is a Democrat.
Douglas Wiele, 61, of Latrobe, has been reappointed to the California Commission on Disability Access, where he has served since 2013. Wiele has been founding partner and president of Foothill Partners Inc. since 1994. He served in multiple positions at Whitney Development Company from 1986 to 1994, including managing partner and general partner and director of acquisitions. Wiele was a real estate broker and leasing agent at McMasters and Westland Commercial Real Estate from 1977 to 1985. He is vice chair of the California Business Properties Association and is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Wiele is registered decline-to-state.