GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE
Members of the APAPA-GAC review, vet, and advocate for the best applicants who are interested in receiving gubernatorial appointments. The State of California has more than 400 boards and commissions and the job falls on the governor’s appointment team, consisting of 12 staff members, to sift through applications that are submitted. The governor’s appointment team heavily leans on the recommendations from APAPA-GAC to fill those vacancies. Our mission is to assist the governor’s appointment team in finding interested candidates to reflect the diverse demographics of California.
APAPA Government Appointments Committee
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DR. DAVID YEE
Chair
Commissioner for CA Commission on Asian & Pacific Islander American Affairs
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JUDGE SOPHIA CHOI
Judicial Advisor
Riverside County Superior Court
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JUDGE STUART HING
Judicial Advisor
Alameda County Superior Court
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MAIHOUA LO
Committee Member
Assistant Director of Customer Service & Operations at Chico State University
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JACQUI NGUYEN
GAC Consultant
Solano Community College Trustee
Co-Chair, Solano County Commission for Women and Girls
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JUDGE STEPHANIE SATO
Judicial Advisor
Alameda County Superior Court
Past GAC Committee Members
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Krishna Bachina
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Y.K. Chalamcherla
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Dr. Catherine Yang
Highlight of our Success Stories
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Commissioner for President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
Appointed in 2018 to California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs
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Superior Court Judge for Fresno County
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JUDGE SOPHIA CHOI
Superior Court Judge for Riverside County
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Department of Consumer Affairs Acupuncture Board
Term Expires: December 2025
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ROMER CRISTOBAL
52nd District Agricultural Association
Sacramento County Fair Board
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AMY FABI
California First Five Commission
Term Expires: 2028
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JOE JOHAL
Fast Food Council member
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City Commissioner for the City of West Sacramento Economic Development & Housing Commission
County Commissioner for the County of Yolo Climate Action Commission
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GREGORY LEUNG
Appointee, Department of Consumer Affairs Acupuncture Board
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TONY LIN
California Board of Accountancy
Term Expires: 2027
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MARILYN CACHOLA LUCEY
First 5 Commissioner and Commissioner for Women and Girls in Contra Costa County
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Past Co-chair
Department of Consumer Affairs Acupuncture Board
Term Expires: December 2025
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MICHAELA MENDELSOHN
Fast Food Council member
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LINDA NG
Chair, City of Sacramento Ethics Commission
Advisory Member, CA Department of Consumer Affairs Professional Fiduciaries Bureau
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Solano Community College Trustee
Co-Chair, Solano County Commission on Women & Girls
GAC Consultant
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DR. TECOY PORTER
State Advisory Committee on Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention
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AVANTI RAMRAJ
Youth Commissioner (alternate)
California Youth Empowerment Commission
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EVA SHALEM ROBINSON
California Student Aid Commission
Term Expires: 2027
Sacramento County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls
Term Expires: 2025
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HAN TRAN
Superior Court Judge for Alameda County
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DANNY VANG
California Student Aid Commission
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California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs
Term Expires: March 2026
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SARAH YEE
Youth Commissioner (alternate)
California Youth Empowerment Commission
APAPA Additional Appointments
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TAI SHAW
Commissioner, New York AAPI Commission; Chair, Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association Syracuse Chapter of New York
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GARY YU
Commissioner, Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission of Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Services We Offer
1) Latest information on gubernatorial appointments. APAPA GAC can provide you with information on gubernatorial appointment vacancies, eligibility, and opportunities to be considered for an appointment by the California Governor.
2) Letters of endorsements and recommendations. Following a vetting process, APAPA GAC can provide successful candidates with official letters of endorsements and recommendations. These letters are issued on behalf of APAPA, and can greatly help during the appointment process.
3) Interview training. We have an extensive network of current and former appointees who can provide mentorship and training for individuals undergoing the appointment interview process.
4) Professional Workshops. We provide professional development workshops to strengthen communication and interviewing skills, and to support qualified candidates who are interested in running for local office.
FAQ
Why should you serve?
In some cases, achieving a gubernatorial appointment is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an individual and for some, it is a stepping stone to entering the public arena and a possible run for office.
Are you ready to serve?
Click here to learn more about the many boards and commissions and find out whether or not they have an opening.
Who can apply for a governor’s appointment?
Many positions are open to all residents of California.
There’s no citizenship requirement.
What are the types of boards and commissions available?
From the arts to licensing boards, vacancies are of abundance. Many licensing boards have both licensee and public slots.
Are these paid appointments?
Depending on the position, yes, in some cases, some appointments offer compensation and require Senate confirmation.
APAPA Government Appointments Contact Information Form
Professional Workshops
Getting Elected to Local Office 101
Communications Skills Workshop: The Art of Effectively Pitching a Story for News Coverage
What People Are Saying
"APAPA provided me with real support when I was seeking an appointment. I appreciate this opportunity to mentor and help other well-qualified API candidates navigate the gubernatorial appointments process. There are many opportunities for public service!"
— Judge Stuart Hing
"It is such an honor to be appointed by Governor Newsom to the CA State Accupuncture Board. APAPA GAC played an instrumental role and I appreciate the support."
— Amy Matecki