Governor Newsom announces appointments

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Deborah “Debbie” Cochrane, of Alameda, has been appointed Executive Director of the California Education Interagency Council. Cochrane has been the Chief of the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education since 2021. She held multiple positions at The Institute for College Access & Success from 2007 to 2021, including Executive Vice President, Vice President, Research Director, Program Director, and Policy Analyst. Cochrane was a Policy Analyst at the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education in 2006. Cochrane is a member of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity and the National Association of State Administrators and Supervisors of Private Schools. Cochrane earned a Master of Social Welfare degree in Social Development from San Francisco State University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Religious Studies from the University of Michigan. This position does not require Senate Confirmation and the compensation is $220,656. Cochrane is a Democrat.

Elizabeth Flores, of Chula Vista, has been appointed to the State Board of Education. Flores has been the Vice President of the Associated Student Body at Otay Ranch High School since 2025, where she has also been Founder and Treasurer of the Little Explorers Community Service Club since 2024. She was the Secretary for the Black Student Union at Otay Ranch High School from 2024 to 2025. Flores is the Student Representative at Sweetwater Union High School District School Board, Volunteer Member of the Teen Advisory Group at Chula Vista Public Library, and a member of the Hermanitas Leadership Team at MANA de San Diego. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Flores is not registered to vote.

Roque Barros, of San Diego, has been appointed to the California Arts Council. Barros has been Executive Director at The Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation since 2021. He was Director of the Ford Institute for Community Building at The Ford Family Foundation from 2015 to 2021. Barros was Vice President of Community Impact at Southwest Key Programs from 2014 to 2015. He was Community Advisor and Consultant at Roque Barros Consulting in 2013. Barros held several roles at the Jacobs Center for Neighborhood Innovation and Jacobs Family Foundation from 1997 to 2013, including Vice President of Community Development, Interim President, and Director of Community Building. He was Executive Director of Los Ninos from 1985 to 1997. Barros is a Board Member of Catalyst of San Diego and Imperial Counties. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Redlands. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Barros is a Democrat.