February 10th, 2004

GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENTS AT HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointments of Therese Marie Delgadillo as deputy secretary of programs and fiscal affairs, David M. Topp as assistant secretary and assistant counsel, Nicole M. Kasabian Evans as associate secretary for external affairs and Maria Campos-Vergara as administrative assistant to the secretary at the Health and Human Services Agency.

"Therese, David, Nicole and Maria bring the qualities and skills my administration needs to successfully navigate the complexities of providing quality, cost effective health and human services to the people of California," said Governor Schwarzenegger.

Delgadillo most recently served as deputy director of health and bioterrorism policy and deputy director of legislative and governmental affairs at the California Department of Health Services. She was previously the deputy secretary for legislation, and later acting undersecretary at the Youth and Adult Correctional Agency from 1997 to 2000. Delgadillo spent seven years in Washington, D.C. as the legislative and policy director for U.S. Senators John Seymour and Paul Coverdell from 1991 to 1997. She was Senator Seymour's chief legislative consultant in the California State Senate from 1986 to 1991. Before working as chief of the legislative division at the Governor's Office of Criminal Justice Planning from 1982 to 1986, Delgadillo was a peace officer at the Department of the Youth Authority. Delgadillo, 45, has a master's degree in social work from California State University, Sacramento, and bachelor's degree from California State College, Turlock, now California State University, Stanislaus. She is a resident of Sacramento and a registered Republican. This position requires Senate confirmation.

Topp has worked as an associate attorney with Gray Cary Ware & Freidenrich since 2000, specializing in venture capitol financing, securities law and merger and acquisition transactions. He previously served at the Department of Health Services as a special assistant for health policy from 1994 to 1997. In 1993 and 1994, Topp analyzed federal and state health care legislation for FHP Health Care. Topp, 32, received his law degree in 2000 from the University of Southern California, and his bachelor's degree from Claremont McKenna College. He is a member of the California State Bar. He is a resident of Sacramento and a registered Republican. This position does not requite Senate confirmation.

For the past five years, Evans has been communications director for First 5 California. She previously worked as an account supervisor in public relations at Rogers and Associates from 1997 to 1999. Prior to that, Evans served as the director's liaison to nearly 500 county fair board directors at the Department of Food and Agriculture from 1995 to 1998. She also worked in finance for former Governor Pete Wilson's reelection and presidential campaigns. Evans, 33, received her bachelor's degree from California State University, Fresno. She is a resident of Roseville and a registered Republican. This position does not require Senate confirmation.

Campos-Vergara served as administrative assistant to the executive director and chief deputy director for First 5 California. Prior to that, she was a secretary in the office of the late Mayor Joe Serna, Jr. of the City of Sacramento for seven years. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Mexican Cultural Center of Northern California and a commissioner on the City of Roseville Parks and Recreation Commission. Campos-Vergara, 44, is a Democrat from Roseville.

The California Health and Human Services Agency administers state and federal programs for health care, social services, public assistance, job training and rehabilitation. Responsibility for administering the major programs, which provide direct services to millions of Californians, is divided among the Health and Human Services Agency's 13 boards and departments.

The Health and Human Services Agency is led by Secretary Kim Belshé. For biographical information regarding Secretary Belshé, please refer to the press release issued announcing her appointment. The release is available in the press room on the Governor's Website (www.governor.ca.gov).

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