03/16/2004 GAAS:98:04 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Print Version | Email / Share
Governor Schwarzenegger Appoints Charlene Zettel Director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Charlene Zettel as director of the California Department of Consumer Affairs.
“Charlene’s dedication to the people of California through her years of public service, combined with her professional experience as a state licensee and business owner make her exceptionally qualified to lead this important department,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “She shares my commitment to ensuring the protection of Californians by setting high standards of quality for businesses and individuals providing goods and services to consumers.”
Zettel was the first Latina Republican to be elected to the state Legislature where she served in the Assembly from 1998 to 2002. While in the Legislature, she was chairwoman of the Republican Caucus, vice-chair of the Assembly Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy and a member of the Appropriations, Education, Health, Transportation and GAO committees. The highlight of her Legislative career is “Oliver’s Law” which empowers parents with critical information about licensed daycare providers. Since 2002, she has served as a member of the San Diego Regional Airport Authority and as a public interest director of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco. Prior to her election to the state Assembly, Zettel was a member of the Poway Unified School District board for six years.
Before entering public life, she was a dental hygienist for twenty years. Throughout her professional life she has continued to manage and own more than 300 rental units in the San Diego area. Zettel remains active in her community as vice chair of the board of directors of the San Diego and Imperial Counties Chapter of the American Red Cross and as a member of the Rancho Bernardo Chamber of Commerce.
“I look forward to working with Governor Schwarzenegger to maintain the highest standards for all goods and services provided in the state,” said Zettel. “I am honored that he has asked me to return to public service in this important role.”
Zettel, 56, is from Poway, CA. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in dentistry from the University of Southern California. This position requires Senate confirmation and the statutory salary is $123,255. Zettel is a Republican.
The mission of the Department of Consumer Affairs is to protect the consumer by promoting and advocating the delivery of quality goods and services, fostering fair competition and informing and involving the public. This mission is accomplished through the regulation of professions and businesses, providing consumer representation, education, information and compliant mediation. The Department of Consumer Affairs is under the jurisdiction of the State and Consumer Services Agency.
