Governor Gavin Newsom today announced six new appointments to state boards, including one to the Scholarshare Investment Board and five to the California Library Services Board. These roles are uncompensated and do not require Senate confirmation.
Amy Tong, of Elk Grove, has been appointed to the Scholarshare Investment Board. Tong currently serves as Partner and Chair of the Emerging Tech and AI Group at Ballard Partners. Her extensive public service career includes roles as Senior Counselor to the Governor, Secretary of the California Government Operations Agency, and Director of the California Department of Technology. She is also a Member of the California Racial Equity Commission.
Five individuals were appointed to the California Library Services Board. Brandy Buenafe, of Sacramento, is a Principal Librarian at the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and a board member of the California Library Association. Claire Zurcher-Hamm, of Three Rivers, directs the Tulare County Public Law Library and is Secretary of the Academy of Law and Justice Advisory Committee.
Nancy Pacheco, of Woodland, serves as Outreach Specialist II at Yolo Reads of Yolo County Library and is President of the Northern California Literacy Coalition. Starla Villalba, of Covina, is an Adult Services Librarian for the City of Ontario and chairs the California Library Association’s Adult Services Interest Group. Giselle Luevanos, of Escondido, is Senior Director of Communications and Marketing at California State University, San Marcos, and a Trustee of the Escondido Public Library.