Governor Brown announced the reappointment of Dan Richard and Tom Richards to the California High-Speed Rail Authority on Wednesday:
Dan Richard, 68, of Piedmont, has been reappointed to the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors, where he has served since 2011. Richard has been a principal of Dan Richard Advisors since 2010. He was managing partner and co-founder of Heritage Oak Capital Partners from 2007 to 2009 and was senior vice president of public policy and governmental relations at Pacific Gas and Electric Company from 1997 to 2006. Richard was a principal at Morse, Richard, Weisenmiller and Associates from 1986 to 1996 and was vice president of the Independent Power Corporation from 1983 to 1986. He was deputy legal affairs secretary in the Office of the Governor from 1982 to 1983, where he served as deputy assistant for science and technology from 1978 to 1979. Richard served as an advisor to the chairman at the California Energy Commission from 1978 to 1982 and was assistant to the deputy associate administrator at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration from 1972 to 1978. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Richard is a Democrat.
Tom Richards, 73, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors, where he has served since 2010. Richards has been chief executive officer of the Penstar Group since 1981. He is chair of the Premier Valley Bank Board of Directors, Fresno Chaffee Zoo Corporation Board of Directors and the Fresno First Steps Home Board of Directors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Richards is a Republican.