SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today announced the following appointments:
Jay Virbel, 50, of Sacramento, has been appointed director of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, where he has been associate director of female offender programs and services since 2012 and served as assistant deputy director of facility operations from 2011 to 2012. Virbel held several positions at the Board of Parole Hearings from 2008 to 2011, including chief deputy of program operations and chief of investigations. He was senior special agent at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Internal Affairs from 2007 to 2008, where he was a special agent from 2005 to 2007. Virbel served in several positions at the California Medical Facility, Vacaville from 1994 to 2005, including lieutenant, sergeant and correctional officer. He was a correctional officer at California State Prison, Los Angeles County from 1993 to 1994. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $165,360. Virbel is a Republican.
Chad Cabral, 43, of Walnut Creek, has been appointed to the 23rd District Agricultural Association, Contra Costa County Fair Board of Directors. Cabral has been a realtor with Century 21 Real Estate since 2015 and co-owner at Cabral Livestock since 2010. He was assistant general manager for the Solano County Fair from 2008 to 2010 and general manager for the Grand National Rodeo Horse and Stock Show from 2000 to 2008. Cabral is president of the Contra Costa County 4-H Council. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Cabral is a Republican.
Michael Stevens, 64, of Victorville, has been appointed to the 28th District Agricultural Association, San Bernardino County Fair Board of Directors. Stevens has been owner at Stevens Consulting Services since 2006. He was community resource officer at Keadjian Associates LLC in 2014, community liaison officer at the Mojave Water Agency from 2003 to 2012 and served in the U.S. Air Force from 1969 to 1994. Stevens is a member of Desert Communities United Way. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Stevens is registered without party preference.
Linda Newman, 57, of Alturas, has been appointed to the 34th District Agricultural Association, Modoc District Fair Board of Directors. Newman is a member of the Modoc Performing Arts Theater and reunion coordinator for Newark High School Class of 1976 Reunion Committee. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Newman is a Republican.
Katherine McDowell, 49, of Cobb, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association, Lake County Fair Board of Directors. McDowell has been an independent real estate broker with the Real Estate Alliance since 2015. She was an independent real estate broker from 2006 to 2015 and a real estate broker with Century 21 Real Estate from 2000 to 2006. McDowell is communications director at the Middletown Sports Boosters Club. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. McDowell is a Republican.