SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced that First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom will serve as Honorary Chair of the California Volunteers Commission. The California Volunteers Commission supports California Volunteers, which is tasked with uniting Californians in service and empowering them to take action in their communities.
“California Volunteers is at the forefront of driving civic engagement and service opportunities to create a culture of WE,” said First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom. “I’m excited to serve as Honorary Chair of this important effort.”
“We are inspired by Governor Newsom’s commitment to service and civic engagement,” said Chief Service Officer Josh Fryday, who leads California Volunteers. “The First Partner’s leadership will be instrumental in continuing to bring Californians together to solve problems and empower them to lift up their communities.”
The Governor today also announced the following appointments to the California Volunteers Commission:
Rodrego A. Byerly, 44, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Byerly has served as a professor at the California State University, Los Angeles College of Business and Economics since 2015 and has been a managing director at Janas Associates since 2018. He has been president and CEO of EVITARUS Inc. since 2008. Byerly was co-founder and director at Blue Beacon Capital from 2003 to 2007, assistant vice president at SG Capital in 2003 and equity research analyst at UBS Securities from 2000 to 2003. He is a member of the advisory board of the Center of Entrepreneurship at California State University, Los Angeles, the 100 Black Men of Los Angeles Board of Directors, and the Western Academy of Management. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree in business and finance from Columbia University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Byerly is a Democrat.
Benjamin Carvajal, 22, of Daly City, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Carvajal has been a receptionist for Beck’s Motor Lodge since 2015. He was an intern at the Institute for the Future from 2018 to 2019. Carvajal was a volunteer for Breakthrough from 2012 to 2015. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Carvajal is a Democrat.
Rene Jones, 50, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Jones joined United Talent Agency in 2004, where she is a partner, global head of social impact, and founder of the UTA Foundation. She is a senior fellow for the Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab at the University of Southern California, global ambassador for Vital Voices, and a member of the Corporate Leadership Council for Southern California Grantmakers. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Jones is a Democrat.
Dan Newman, 51, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Newman is a California public affairs and political campaign strategist. His volunteer experience includes serving as an acompañante at the Chiapas-Guatemala border, assisting migrants in Tijuana seeking asylum, and serving as a U.S. Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Newman is a Democrat.
Tony Thurmond, 51, of Richmond, has been appointed to the California Volunteers Commission. Thurmond has served as California State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 2019. He served as an Assemblymember in the California State Assembly from 2014 to 2018. Thurmond was senior director of community and public relations for the Lincoln Child Center from 2010 to 2014. He served as a member of the West Contra Costa Unified School Board from 2008 to 2012 and a member of the Richmond City Council from 2005 to 2008. He earned a Master of Law and Social Policy degree and a Master of Social Work degree from Bryn Mawr College. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Thurmond is a Democrat.
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