Department of General Services Director Daniel C. Kim was approved by the Senate Rules Committee by a 4-0 vote on Wednesday afternoon.
Kim's confirmation is now subject to approval by the entire State Senate. The Senate must confirm gubernatorial appointees within a year of the appointment for them to continue. Gov. Jerry Brown appointed Kim to his current position in late May 2015.
DGS manages procurement and acquisition, real estate, professional printing and other services on behalf of state agencies.
Kim told the Rules Committee that he wants to focus on efficiency and agility at DGS, and take a "data-informed approach" to help prioritize what the department does.
"I also want to be more transparent so we can share our data and other information to the public and other interested parties so that — in meaningful ways for them — and also to increase our own accountability," Kim said.
Kim also mentioned the importance of collaboration.
"[I] really want to engage those who are most impacted by the policies and practices that we develop so that we can collectively do business better," he said.
Upkeep of state buildings is one of the biggest challenges ahead for DGS, Kim said, with more than $1 billion in deferred maintenance needed. He also said DGS could be a significant contributor to addressing climate change by building zero net-energy buildings, procuring more zero energy vehicles and expanding the network of electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state.
Kim previously was chief deputy director of operations at the California Department of Public Health since 2011, and was deputy director at the Sacramento County Department of Human Assistance from 2002 to 2011.
He was a budget and legislative affairs manager at the San Francisco Department of Human Resources from 1998 to 2002, management consultant at Price Waterhouse from 1996 to 1998, and fiscal and policy analyst at the California Legislative Analyst’s Office from 1994 to 1996.
Kim has a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree in politics from UC Berkeley.
At DGS, Kim replaced the retired Fred Klass.
