SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today reappointed Michael Picker to the California Public Utilities Commission, where he has served since January 2014, and designated him president of the commission. Governor Brown also announced the appointment of Liane Randolph, who has served as deputy secretary and general counsel of the California Natural Resources Agency, to the commission.
“Michael Picker’s deep experience and sound judgment make him uniquely qualified to take on this role,” said Governor Brown. “Liane Randolph has handled very difficult issues with insight and balance and will be a real asset to the commission. Most importantly, both appointees share a commitment to seeing California achieve its ambitious renewable energy goals.”
Before serving on the commission, Michael Picker, 62, of Sacramento, was senior advisor for renewable energy in the Office of the Governor from 2009 to 2014. Picker was principal at Lincoln Crow Strategic Communications from 2000 to 2009 and a consultant at Kaufman Campaign Consultants from 2000 to 2002. He served as deputy treasurer at the California State Treasurer’s Office from 1998 to 1999 and chief of staff to Sacramento Mayor Joe Serna Jr. from 1992 to 1999.
Picker served as deputy assistant for toxic substance control in the Office of the Governor from 1981 to 1982 and was a stop environmental cancer organizer at the Campaign for Economic Democracy from 1978 to 1982. He was a member of the Sacramento Municipal Utility District Board of Directors from 2012 to 2014. Picker earned a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of California, Davis Graduate School of Management. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $138,867. Picker is a Democrat.
“I’m honored by the Governor’s trust and confidence, and take his charge to heart – reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen safety programs and modernize the agency,” said Michael Picker. “I look forward to continuing this important work with my fellow commissioners and I welcome Liane Randolph to the commission.”
Liane Randolph, 49, of Sacramento, has served in several positions at the California Natural Resources Agency since 2011, including deputy secretary and general counsel. At the agency, she advised the secretary and has worked on numerous policy, regulatory and legal issues, including: the California Environmental Quality Act, timber harvest plans, renewable energy, well stimulation regulations, Klamath River restoration and dam removal, State Parks, the California Coastal Commission and the Electric Program Investment Charge Program.
Randolph was an attorney at Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman from 2007 to 2011 and served as chair of the California Fair Political Practices Commission from 2003 to 2007, where she also served as a staff attorney from 1996 to 1997. She served as San Leandro City Attorney and was a principal at Meyers Nave from 2000 to 2003, where she was an associate from 1997 to 2000. Randolph was an attorney at Remcho, Johansen and Purcell from 1994 to 1996 and an associate attorney at Manatt, Phelps and Phillips from 1993 to 1994. She earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $134,591. Randolph is a Democrat.
Picker’s reappointment and designation as president and Randolph’s appointment are all effective January 1, 2015.