Governor Newsom announces appointments
SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:
Ian Bastek, of Roseville, has been appointed Chief Deputy Director at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. Bastek has been Acting Chief Deputy Director at the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services since 2025, where he has also been Deputy Director for Response Operations since 2024. He held several positions in the United States Coast Guard from 1997 to 2024, including Captain and Commanding Officer, Air Station Sacramento, Joint Task Force East Liaison Officer, Commander and Executive Officer and Commander and Operations Officer with the United States Coast Guard Aviation Training Center, Commander and Fixed Wing Platform and Sensors Division Chief, Lieutenant Commander and Long-Range Surveillance Aircraft Platform Manager, Lieutenant Commander and HC-144 Standardization Branch Assistant Branch Chief, Lieutenant Commander, Flight Safety Department Head, Fixed Wing Flight Safety Officer, HC-130H Duty Pilot, Lieutenant Junior Grade, Deck Watch Officer and Law Enforcement Officer. Bastek earned a Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from the United States Coast Guard Academy. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $224,328. Bastek is a Democrat.
Elizabeth Elias, of Sacramento, has been appointed Chief of the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. Elias has been Deputy Bureau Chief of Enforcement at the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education since 2024, where she was the Enforcement Chief for Compliance and Discipline from 2022 to 2024. She was the Assistant Executive Officer at the Dental Hygiene Board of California from 2018 to 2022. Elias was the Probation Program Manager at the California Board of Registered Nursing from 2015 to 2018. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $175,008. Elias is a Democrat.
Nicole Dragoo, of Fair Oaks, has been appointed Chief of the Professional Fiduciaries Bureau. Dragoo has been Licensing Chief at the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education since 2025. She was Budget Manager of the Fiscal Operations Budget Office at the California Department of Consumer Affairs from 2024 to 2025. Dragoo was a Licensing Manager at the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education in 2024. She was a Resource Management Analyst at the Nutrition Services Division of the California Department of Education from 2018 to 2024. Dragoo was a Budget Analyst for the California Department of Consumer Affairs from 2017 to 2018. She was Licensing Technician and Enforcement Analyst for the Bureau of Electronic and Appliance Repair, Home Furnishings, and Thermal Insulation from 2014 to 2017. Dragoo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nutrition and Food from California State University, Sacramento. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $118,824. Dragoo is a Democrat.
Andrew Carhart, of Rancho Cordova, has been appointed Assistant Deputy Director of Legislation at the California Department of Transportation. Carhart has been the Federal Legislation Manager at the California Department of Transportation since 2023, where he was also a State Legislative Manager from 2018 to 2023. He held multiple positions at the Employment Development Department from 2008 to 2018, including Group Manager for the Integrity and Legislation Group, Legislative Manager, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, and Employment Program Representative. Carhart earned a Master of Public Policy and Administration degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from California State University, Sacramento. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $150,660. Carhart is registered without party preference.
Doug Hendrickson, of Kentfield, has been appointed to the California State University Board of Trustees. Hendrickson has been Executive Vice President at The Team since 2018. He was President of Football at Independent Sports & Entertainment from 2014 to 2017. Hendrickson was Director of Football at Octagon from 2001 to 2013. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from California State University, San Jose.This position requires Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hendrickson is a Democrat.
Jackson Martinez, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the California State University, Board of Trustees. Martinez has been an Intern at the Department of Finance since 2026 and Secretary of Accessibility for Associated Students Inc. at California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo since 2025. He was a Legislative Scheduling Intern at SEIU in 2026. Martinez was an Intern at the Office of Congressman Salud Carbajal at the United States House of Representatives in 2025. He was an Intern at the Office of Assemblymember Gregg Hart at the California State Assembly in 2025. Martinez was an Office Assistant at the Community College League of California from 2023 to 2024. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $100 per diem. Martinez is a Democrat.
Kyle Alexandra Hamer, of Los Angeles, has been appointed to the California State Athletic Commission. Hamer has been a Sports Representative at LCA Sports Management since 2024. She was an Advisor at Tyson Ranch from 2020 to 2021. Hamer is a Board Member of Kids Los Angeles. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Loyola Marymount University. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Hamer is registered with no party preference.