SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments.
Frederic Foulk, 51, of Susanville, has been appointed warden at High Desert State Prison, where he has been acting warden since 2013 and has served in multiple positions since 2006, including chief deputy administrator, correctional administrator and facility captain. He served in multiple positions at the California Institution for Men from 1993 to 2006, including correctional captain, correctional lieutenant and correctional sergeant. Foulk was a correctional sergeant at Calipatria State Prison from 1991 to 1993 and a reserve police officer at the Pomona Police Department from 1987 to 1990. He was a correctional officer at the California Institution for Men from 1984 to 1991. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $135,828. Foulk is a Republican.
Karla Nemeth, 43, of Sacramento has been appointed deputy secretary for water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. She will serve as the Governor’s senior advisor on water policy. Nemeth has served as Bay Delta Conservation Plan project manager at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2009. She was environmental and public affairs director at the Alameda County Flood Control and Water Conservation District, Zone 7 from 2005 to 2009 and community affairs manager at Jones and Stokes from 2003 to 2005. Nemeth was a legislative assistant at AESOP Enterprises from 2001 to 2003 and held multiple positions for King County, Washington from 1998 to 2000, including legislative assistant and program manager. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $150,000. Nemeth is a Democrat.
Kristopher Tjernell, 32, of Sacramento, has been appointed special assistant for water policy at the California Natural Resources Agency. Tjernell has been a policy consultant at the Conservation Strategy Group since 2007, in the areas of integrated water management, water supply, ecosystem conflict resolution and public finance. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $114,456. Tjernell is a Democrat.
Susan Tatayon, 55, of Rocklin, has been appointed to the Delta Stewardship Council. Tatayon has been an associate director at the Nature Conservancy since 2006. She was supervising resource planner at the Schlumberger Water Division from 2001 to 2005 and special assistant to the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Mid-Pacific regional director from 2000 to 2001. Tatayon served in multiple positions at the California Department of Water Resources from 1996 to 2000, including research program specialist and special assistant to the chief deputy director. She is a member of the Floodplain Management Association Board of Directors. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $40,669. Tatayon is registered without party preference.
Gary Castro, 55, of Visalia, has been appointed to the 24th District Agricultural Association, Tulare County Fair Board of Directors. Castro has been president at KRC Safety Co. Inc. since 1984, where he was vice president from 1981 to 1984. He is a member of the Rotary Club of Visalia. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Castro is a Republican.
Henry Patel, 48, of Tulare, has been appointed to the 24th District Agricultural Association, Tulare County Fair Board of Directors. Patel has been a franchise owner and partner of Subway Sandwich, Tulare since 2002. He was an executor at Kaweah Motel from 1999 to 2002 and a Days Inn franchise owner from 1995 to 1999. He is a member of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce and the Tulare Downtown Association. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Patel is a Republican.