Gov. Gavin Newsom has named a new leader for a beleaguered state department and reappointed two executives to key government leadership roles.
Newsom appointed Rita L. Saenz to be the new director of the state Employment Development Department (EDD), succeeding Sharon Hilliard, who retired last month.
“With more than 40 years of experience in state government and the private sector, Rita Saenz is well-prepared to lead EDD at what is sure to be one of the most difficult moments in the Department’s history,” Newsom said in a statement. “Nationally, we are seeing a record number of unemployment claims as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and with that, unprecedented abuse of unemployment systems and fraudulent claims. California has certainly not escaped this national crisis unscathed, but with Rita at the helm, we stand ready to ensure payments to Californians who are in desperate need of financial support while simultaneously stopping fraud in our systems and holding people who have committed fraud accountable.”
Of the outgoing EDD director, Newsom said: “I am extremely grateful to Sharon Hilliard and congratulate her on her retirement after 37 years of service at EDD. Sharon is a dedicated public servant, and we owe her our gratitude for leading the department through the pandemic.”
Saenz, 71, was a consultant at Saenz and Associates from 2016 to 2020. She held several positions at Xerox Corp. from 2010 to 2016, including director of California governmental affairs and director of communications. From 2007 to 2009, Saenz was Western regional director of Health and Human Services for Affiliated Computer Services. She was chief executive officer at the Academy for Coaching Excellence from 2003 to 2006; director of the California Department of Social Services from 1999 to 2003; and CEO for Maria Nemeth Associates LLC from 1983 to 1998. Saenz served in several positions in the Office of Gov. Jerry Brown from 1981 to 1983, including appointments secretary and special assistant to appointments. She was director of the California Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse from 1978 to 1981. This position requires Senate confirmation, and the annual compensation is $204,864. Saenz is a Democrat.
Marybel Batjer, 65, of Sacramento has been reappointed president of the California Public Utilities Commission, having held that position since 2019. Batjer was secretary of the state Government Operations Agency from 2013 to 2019. Before that, she was vice president for Public Policy and Corporate Social Responsibility at Caesars Entertainment Inc. from 2005 to 2013; cabinet secretary for Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2003 to 2004; chief of staff in the Office of Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn from 2000 to 2003; and undersecretary for the California Business, Transportation and Housing Agency from 1997 to 1998. Batjer was chief deputy director of the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing from 1992 to 1997 and special assistant to the U.S. Secretary of the Navy from 1989 to 1992. She was a National Security Affairs special assistant for President Ronald Reagan and deputy executive secretary for the National Security Council from 1987 to 1989. Batjer was assistant to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Deputy Secretary of Defense from 1981 to 1987, and she was director of Political Planning for the National Women’s Political Caucus from 1980 to 1981. This position requires Senate confirmation and the annual compensation is $219,000. Batjer is a Democrat.
Newsom also reappointed Adam Dondro as deputy secretary for IT and agency chief information officer for the California Health and Human Services Agency, where he has served in those positions since 2017. Dondro, 38, of Carmichael was assistant director of Horizontal Integration at the California Department of Social Services from 2013 to 2017, and before that he served as assistant secretary of External Affairs for the California Technology Agency from 2011 to 2013. Dondro was a Budget Committee consultant for the California State Assembly Budget Committee from 2006 to 2010, and was a legislative aide to Assemblymember John Laird from 2005 to 2008. He earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California. This position does not require Senate confirmation, and the compensation is $148,524. Dondro is a Democrat.
