SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Bill Leonard as secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency (SCSA). “Bill Leonard has served as an elected public official in California since 1978, and we are fortunate to have such an experienced leader,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “His commitment to serving the people of this state assures me that he will uphold the integrity of his newly appointed position. Bill understands the need to protect consumers so that California will continue to be a great place to live and do business. He knows that protecting consumers means our economy will grow.”

Since 2002, Leonard has served as the elected member of the second district for the State Board of Equalization, where he was reelected in 2006. Previously, he served in the State Assembly from 1996 to 2002. Prior to that, Leonard was a member of the State Senate from 1988 to 1996. Leonard was first elected to the State Assembly in 1978, where he served until 1988. He served as Senate Republican Caucus Chair from 1990 to 1996 and as Assembly Republican Leader in 1997 and 1998.

Leonard, 62, of Sacramento, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the University of California, Irvine. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $175,000. Leonard is a Republican.

“I know the Governor and I share a desire to be fiscally prudent during these difficult economic times,” said Bill Leonard. “Overseeing the state’s purchasing authority will give me the opportunity to make sure state government is running efficiently. I am honored to enforce equality for Californians so that people may live, work and conduct business where they choose without discrimination. I look forward to continuing my public service as secretary of SCSA and to serving California as it continues to grow.”

The secretary of the State and Consumer Services Agency is responsible for the enforcement of civil rights, protecting consumers, the licensing of 2.3 million Californians in more than 230 different professions, procurement of more than $4 billion in goods and services, management and development of state real estate, overseeing two state employee pension funds, collecting taxes, hiring state employees, adopting state building standards, and administering two state museums.