Governor Newsom announces appointments
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Kate Folmar, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief of Strategic Communications at the California High-Speed Rail Authority. Folmar has been the Founder of Kate Folmar Communications, Sacramento since 2021. She was Deputy Secretary for External Affairs at the California Health and Human Services Agency from 2019 to 2021. Folmar was Communications Director and Deputy Communications Director at Everytown for Gun Safety from 2015 to 2019. She was Communications Director at the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center from 2011 to 2014. Folmar was the Founder of Kate Folmar Communications, New York from 2014 to 2015. She was Press Secretary for California Secretary of State Debra Bowen from 2007 to 2009. Folmar held multiple positions at the San Jose Mercury News from 2000 to 2007, including Statehouse Reporter and Local Editor. She held multiple positions at the Los Angeles Times from 1995 to 2000, including Staff Writer and Correspondent. Folmar is a board member of Opening Doors. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from Ohio University. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $180,000. Folmar is a Democrat.
Alexandra Schultheis, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California New Motor Vehicle Board. Schultheis has been Director of Mediation since 2022 and Senior Investigator since 2020 at the San Francisco Police Commission Department of Police Accountability, where she was previously Investigator from 2019 to 2020. She was a Contract Attorney at Davis Wright Tremaine from 2016 to 2018. Schultheis was a Contract Legal Writer for Thomson Reuters from 2013 to 2014. She was an Associate Attorney for Finnegan, Marks, Theofel and Desmond from 2003 to 2013. Schultheis earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and American Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Schultheis is a Democrat.
Shirley Jones, of El Monte, has been appointed to the California New Motor Vehicle Board. Jones has been Chief Financial Officer at Car Pros Automative Group since 2017, where she has held several positions since 2005, including Controller and Office Manager. She was the Controller at Sonic Automotive Group from 2003 to 2005. Jones was the Office Manager at Don Kott Auto Center from 1988 to 2002. Jones earned a Bachelor of Public Administration degree from California State University, Dominguez Hills. She is a member of the NCM 20 Group. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Jones is a Democrat.
William Adams, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Exposition and State Fair Board of Directors. Adams has been International President of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union since 2018, where he was the International Secretary-Treasurer from 2003 to 2018. Adams is a member of the San Francisco Port Commission. This position requires Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Adams is registered without party preference.
Giselle Morris, of Hollister, has been reappointed to the California Youth Empowerment Commission, where she has served since 2024. Morris has been an Intern for the Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand Association since 2025 and a Business Administration Data Aide at Northwestern University since 2024. She was a Research Assistant at Northwestern University from 2024 to 2025. She is Co-President of Effective Altruism Northwestern and a member of Alpha Kappa Psi. Morris is a Lead Tutor for Books and Breakfast. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Morris is a Democrat.
Jocelyn Weinstock, of Los Angeles, has been reappointed to the California Youth Empowerment Commission, where she has served since 2024. Weinstock has been an Intern at Modern Animal since 2023. She is a Junior Venture Capitalist for the Women Founders Network and Tutor at High Rise Tutoring. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Weinstock is not registered to vote.
Andrea Terrones, of Eastvale, had been reappointed to the Youth Empowerment Commission, where she has served since 2024. Terrones was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs in 2025. She was a Records Clerk at Jacoby & Meyers LLP from 2023 to 2024. Terrones was an Admissions Intern for the University of California, Riverside Office of Undergraduate Admissions from 2021 to 2023. She was an Organizing Fellow for Golden State Opportunity in 2022. Terrones is the Founder and President of Womxn in the Law, a Youth Teen Ministry Leader at Saint Oscar Romero Roman Catholic Church, and a member of the Latina Golfers Association. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Political Economy from the University of California, Riverside. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Terrones is a Democrat.
Adelina Ramirez, of San Diego, had been reappointed to the Youth Empowerment Commission, where she has served since 2024. Ramirez was an Aaron Price Fellow from 2022 to 2025. She was a Student Intern for the University of California, San Diego Center for Research on Educational Equity, Assessment, and Teaching Excellence in 2023. Ramirez is a member of Project Accelerate with Girls Inc. of San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Ramirez is a Democrat.