California: Governor Newsom announces appointments 10.23.2026

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Oct 23, 2026

Governor Newsom announces appointments 10.23.2026

SACRAMENTO – Governor Gavin Newsom today announced the following appointments:

Stefanie Roumeliotes, of Hillsborough, has been appointed to the 1a District Agricultural Association – Cow Palace Fair Board.  Roumeliotes has been the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of SGR Consulting since 2004. She served as Chief Development Officer at Democratic Data Exchange (DDx) from 2019 to 2025. Roumeliotes was National Senior Advisor for Technology and Business for the Harris Walz campaign in 2024. She was a Committee Member of the Biden Victory Fund in 2020, a Committee Member of the Kamala Harris for President Finance Committee in 2019, and a Committee Member of the Hillary Clinton Victory Fund from 2015 to 2016. Roumeliotes is a Board Member of Children of Shelters and the San Francisco Opera Guild. Roumeliotes earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in World Arts & Cultures from the University of California, Los Angeles. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. Roumeliotes is a Democrat.

Tera Napier, of Madera, has been appointed to the 21st District Agricultural Association – Madera County Fair Board. Napier has been Executive Director at Sherman Thomas Charter Schools since 2022, where she held several other positions from 2003 to 2022, including Deputy Director, Principal, Vice Principal and Lead Teacher. She earned a Masters in Cross Cultural Education degree from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation.  Napier is registered without party preference.

Sam Nejabat, of La Jolla, has been reappointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association – Del Mar Fair Board where he has served since 2019. Nejabat has been Founder and Chief Executive Officer at SJN Properties since 2008. He was Senior Advisor of Business Affairs at the California Department of Justice from 2023 to 2025. Nejabat held multiple roles at the Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development from 2020 to 2023, including Assistant Deputy Director of External Affairs and Senior Business Development Specialist. He is a Trustee of the California State University. Nejabat earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, a Master of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Dartmouth College, and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Nejabat is a Democrat.

Mark Arabo, of Rancho Santa Fe, has been reappointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association – Del Mar Fair Board where he has served since 2023. Arabo has been President and CEO of Refined Management since 2015.  He has held multiple positions at the Neighborhood Market Association from 2006 to 2015. Arabo was a Member of the California Workforce Development Board from 2019 to 2023. He is a Commissioner on the State Racetrack Leasing Commission. Arabo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University. He received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from San Diego State University and the California State University Board of Trustees. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Arabo is a Democrat.

Donna DeBerry, of San Diego, has been reappointed to the 22nd District Agricultural Association – Del Mar Fair Board where she has served since 2025. DeBerry has been Chief Executive Officer of Donna Deberry & Associates since 2025. She has been President and Chief Executive Officer for the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce since 2020. DeBerry was the Vice President of Global Inclusion at Seismic from 2021 to 2022. She was the Director of Global Inclusion and Diversity at Indeed from 2016 to 2018. DeBerry was Thought Leader for Global Inclusion & Diversity at Starbucks from 2015 to 2017. She was President and CEO at Brand Inclusion from 2007 to 2015. DeBerry was a consultant and Vice President of Global Diversity at Nike from 2004 to 2006. She was the Executive Vice President of Global Diversity & Community Development at Wyndham Worldwide from 2000 to 2004. DeBerry earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Diversity and Organizational Development from Thomas Edison State College. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and there is no compensation. DeBerry is registered without party preference.

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Venoma "Nomie" Bengel-Kautz has been appointed to the 24A District Agricultural Association – Kings County Fair Board. Kautz was Vice President – Portfolio Manager at Fresno Madera Farm Credit from 2000 to 2022. She was Vice President at Sanwa Bank from 1983 to 2000. Kautz earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agricultural Business/Crop Science from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Kautz is registered without party preference.

Jonathan "John" Garcia, of Lemoore, has been appointed to the 24A District Agricultural Association – Kings County Fair. Garcia has been the South Valley Market Manager at Simplot Grower Solutions since 2020, where he has also held multiple positions including Satellite Supervisor since 2019 and Water Logic Analyst from 2016 to 2019. He was the Water Treatment Operations Manager at Deerpoint Group Inc. from 2012 to 2016. Garcia earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Plant Sciences from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Garcia is a Republican.

Kelsi Williams-Karschner, of Jackson, has been appointed to the 26th District Agricultural Association – Amador County Fair Board. Williams-Karschner has been a Science Instructor at Calaveras Unified School District since 2025. She has been a Director of Amador Resource Conservation District since 2021. Williams-Karschner has been an Owner and Operator of Williams Ranch since 2020. She has been a Director for Farms of Amador since 2021. Williams-Karschner was an Environmental Scientist at the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 2023 to 2024. She was a Community Education Specialist at the University of California Cooperative Extension from 2021 to 2023. Williams-Karschner was a Mentor Teacher at Calaveras County Office from 2017 to 2022. She was Science Department Chair and Instructor at Amador County Unified School District from 2004 to 2017. Williams-Karschner earned a Doctor of Education degree from City University of Seattle, a Master of Education degree from National University, and a Bachelor of Science Degree from University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Williams-Karschner is a Democrat.

Don Dowell, of Volcano, has been appointed to the 26th District Agricultural Association – Amador County Fair Board. Dowell held several positions at Lockheed Martin's Sunnyvale facility from 2006 to 2017, including Metrology Manager, Staff Metrologist, Senior Metrologist, Metrologist, and Metrology Standards Technician. He was a Metrologist at Raytheon from 1997 to 2003. Dowell was a Metrologist at Pratt & Whitney's Solid Rocket Division from 1988 to 1997. Dowell earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Management from Columbia Southern University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Dowell is a Democrat.

Stephanie Dietz, of Merced, has been appointed to the 35th District Agricultural Association – Merced County Fair. Dietz has been Owner of Dietz Consulting since 2023. She held multiple positions at the City of Merced from 2017 to 2023 including City Manager, Assistant City Manager, and Interim Finance Officer. Dietz was Management Analyst III at Merced County Executive Office from 2013 to 2016. She was the Fiscal Manager at Merced County Human Services Agency from 2012 to 2013. Dietz was a Personnel Analyst at University of California, Merced from 2009 to 2012. She was a Fiscal Analyst at Merced County Human Services Agency from 2007 to 2009. Dietz was the Dependency Drug Court Coordinator at Merced County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services from 2005 to 2007. She earned a Master of Arts degree in English from National University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from California State University, Fresno. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Dietz is a Democrat.

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Michael "Mike" Neilson, of Lakeport, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association – Lake County Fair Board. Neilson has been a Heavy Equipment Mechanic at CalFire since 2016. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Neilson is a Republican.

Jennifer Hanson, of Lakeport, has been appointed to the 49th District Agricultural Association – Lake County Fair Board. Hanson has been a Professor of Economics at Yuba Community College District since 1996. She earned a Master of Science degree in Economics from the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Hanson is a Democrat.

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