“San Francisco will continue to maintain investments in HIV/AIDS care, treatment and prevention, which reflect our values to care for our most vulnerable populations and prevent the spread of infection,” said Mayor Lee. “Despite continued budget challenges, we remain committed to funding critical care services for those living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco. Our City will continue to be a model for the rest of the nation, and we will continue to work collaboratively with our local community partners to build greater efficiencies in providing services to protect against future destabilizing Federal cuts.”

“I’m deeply grateful to Mayor Lee for his understanding of the critical need for this funding and for his swift and decisive action restoring the Federal cuts,” said Supervisor Wiener. “I represent many people living with HIV or at risk for it. This funding will save lives and prevent new infections.”

“We are grateful for Mayor Lee’s leadership on funding critical HIV/AIDS programs and services that will save lives, ensure that basic HIV/AIDS services are provided to the most vulnerable and prevent the spread of the disease in our community,” said Supervisor Campos.

“I thank Mayor Lee for working closely with the Board of Supervisors and community advocates to take bold actions against potentially devastating impacts in our community,” said Supervisor Olague. “Every dollar that we restore is going to save lives and prevent another infection.”

“As Director of Health, I am pleased that the Mayor has taken the extraordinary step of bridging the gap in federal funding for HIV AIDS services,” said San Francisco Director of Health Barbara Garcia. “This will allow us to continue to address the health needs for people living with HIV/AIDS and those who are at risk for HIV/AIDS.”

“We are deeply grateful to the Mayor for his bold decision to use City funds to fully replace Federal HIV/AIDS funding cuts that would have destabilized San Francisco’s nationally recognize system of care and prevention. His leadership will help thousands of San Franciscans continue to access HIV/AIDS treatment services and will prevent the further spread of new infections,” said San Francisco HIV/AIDS Provider Network (HAPN) President Mike Smith. “In this time of decreasing state and federal funding, his action today reaffirms our City’s long-standing commitment to people with HIV/AIDS.”

The $6.6 million in funding restoration in the San Francisco budget reflect a total budget impact from a $4.3 million Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act reduction to HIV/AIDS health services and a $2.3 million Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reduction to HIV/AIDS prevention.

The $4.3 million Ryan White Care Act funding restoration will maintain primary care services and critical support services for San Franciscans living with HIV/AIDS, including hospice, treatment adherence, case management and housing. Maintaining these services is critical because San Francisco’s aging population living with HIV/AIDS is creating more complex conditions due to accelerated aging co-morbidity. In addition, over half the people living with HIV/AIDS in San Francisco do not have private health insurance.

The $2.3 million CDC HIV/AIDS prevention funding restoration will maintain local surveillance, research, and prevention and evaluation activities and to build capacity and infrastructure to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. These activities are critically important because CDC estimates that about 1.1 million Americans are living with HIV, and that 21 percent of these persons do not know they are infected. In addition, the number of people living with AIDS is increasing, as effective new drug therapies keep HIV-infected persons healthy longer and dramatically reduce the death rate.

Jeanine B. Nadel, 57, of Ukiah, has served as county counsel for Mendocino County since 2005. She served as assistant county counsel, and previously deputy county counsel, for Alameda County from 2000 to 2005 and as deputy county counsel for Mendocino County from 1990 to 2000. Nadel was a deputy public defender in the Mendocino County Public Defender’s Office from 1989 to 1990. She was an associate attorney at Beam and Brobeck LLP from 1985 to 1989 and an associate attorney at Anderson and Bauman from 1982 to 1985. Nadel earned a Juris Doctorate degree and a Bachelor of Science in Law degree from Western State University College of Law. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Ronald W. Brown. Nadel is a Democrat.

David A. Riemenschneider, 63, of Ukiah, has been a sole practitioner since 2003. He was a partner at Nelson and Riemenschneider from 1984 to 2003 and a staff attorney for the Georgia Legal Services Program from 1978 to 1984. Riemenschneider earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Northeastern University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. He fills the vacancy created by retirement of Judge Jonathan M. Lehan. Riemenschneider is registered decline-to-state.

The compensation for each position is $178,789.

Johnson, 63, of Rodeo, served as the executive director of the State Bar of California from 2000 to 2011 and previously served as chief trial counsel from 1994 to 2000. Johnson was an assistant district attorney in the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office from 1977 to 1994 and an adjunct professor at New College of California School of Law from 1979 to 1984.

She served as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Alameda County from 1976 to 1977. Johnson earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Harlan G. Grossman. Johnson is a Democrat.

The compensation for this position is $178,789.

Allison M. Danner, 41, of Palo Alto, has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division for the Northern District of California since 2007. She took a leave to serve as an attorney-adviser at the Office of Legal Counsel for the U.S. Department of Justice from 2009 to 2010. Danner was a visiting professor at Harvard Law School and the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law in 2006, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School from 2001 to 2007 and a lecturer at Stanford Law School in 2000. She served as a law clerk for U.S. Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens from 1998 to 1999. Danner earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Williams College. She fills the vacancy created by the appointment of Judge Edward J. Davila to the U.S. District Court. Danner is a Democrat.

Mary J. Greenwood, 55, of Menlo Park, has served as the chief public defender in the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office since 2005. She was an assistant public defender and supervising attorney in the Santa Clara County Alternative Public Defender’s Office from 2002 to 2005. Greenwood was an attorney at Coblentz Patch Duffy and Bass LLP in 2001. She served in multiple positions in the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office from 1988 to 2001, including deputy public defender and assistant public defender. She was an associate attorney at the Boccardo Law Firm in 1987. From 1982 to 1986, she served as deputy public defender in the Santa Clara County Public Defender’s Office. Greenwood earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Grinnell College. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Alfonso Fernandez. Greenwood is a Democrat.

The compensation for each position is $178,789.

Julian W. Bailey, 63, of San Clemente, has served as a superior court referee for the Orange County Superior Court since 2011. He served as a juvenile court referee for the Orange County Juvenile Court from 2007 to 2011. He held multiple positions at Bailey and Brott from 1982 to 2007, including partner and attorney. Bailey was a partner at Dolan Bailey and Reopelle from 1979 to 1982 and an associate at Giles Callahan and McCune from 1978 to 1979. He served as a deputy district attorney in the Orange County District Attorney’s Office from 1975 to 1978. Bailey earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Bailey is registered decline-to-state.

Lewis W. Clapp, 57, of Anaheim, has served as director of the Orange County Associate Defender’s Office since 2011. He held multiple positions in the Orange County Public Defender’s Office from 1981 to 2011, including assistant public defender and deputy public defender. He is a member of the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County. Clapp earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Loyola Marymount University. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Clapp is a Democrat.

The compensation for each position is $178,789.

Debra A. Cole, 50, of Long Beach, has served in multiple positions in the Los Angeles County Alternative Public Defender’s Office since 1994, including head deputy, deputy in charge and trial deputy. Cole was a trial deputy in the Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office from 1988 to 1994. She earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Loyola Law School Los Angeles and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. She fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge Andrew C. Kauffman. Cole is a Democrat.

Halim Dhanidina, 39, of Los Angeles, has served as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1998. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Pomona College. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Dhanidina is a Democrat. According to the Muslim Public Affairs Council, Dhanidina will be the first American-Muslim judge ever appointed in California.

Peter A. Hernandez, 42, of Alhambra, has served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California since 1999. He was a litigation associate at Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison LLP from 1998 to 1999. Previously, Hernandez was a trial attorney in the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice from 1995 to 1998. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Hernandez is a Democrat.

Bruce G. Iwasaki, 61, of Los Angeles, has been a partner at Lim Ruger and Kim LLP since 2006. He was executive director of the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles from 1997 to 2006 and was an associate at O’Melveny and Myers LLP from 1988 to 1997. From 1980 to 1988, he served in muliple positions at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles, including senior counsel and staff attorney. He was a staff attorney at San Fernando Valley Neighborhood Legal Services from 1976 to 1980. Iwasaki earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Iwasaki is a Democrat.

H. Clay Jacke II, 53, of Los Angeles, has been a sole criminal defense practitioner since 1983. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Southwestern Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Drake University. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Jacke is a Democrat.

Virginia Keeny, 50, of Los Angeles, has been a partner at Hadsell Stormer Keeny Richardson and Renick LLP since 2008. She was a partner at Hadsell and Stormer Inc. from 1993 to 2007 and a senior trial attorney in the Los Angeles District Office of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission from 1991 to 1993. Keeny was a public interest fellow at Litt and Stormer from 1989 to 1991. From 1988 to 1989, she served as a law clerk for Judge William A. Norris in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Keeny earned a Juris Doctorate degree from Stanford Law School and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard University. She fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Keeny is a Democrat.

David B. Walgren, 43, of Calabasas, has served as a deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office since 1996. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Davis School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Los Angeles. He fills the vacancy created by the conversion of a court commissioner position. Walgren is a Democrat.

Jeffrey K. Winikow, 47, of Los Angeles, has been a sole practitioner since 1992. Previously, he was an associate attorney at Mitchell Silberberg and Knupp LLP from 1989 to 1992. Winikow earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Chicago Law School and a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University. He fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Judge William J. Birney Jr. Winikow is a Democrat.

The compensation for each position is $178,789.

Thompson was counsel, and previously an associate, at Morrison and Foerster LLP from 1988 to 1997 and an associate at Rutan and Tucker LLP from 1984 to 1988. He served as a staff attorney for the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three in 1983. Thompson earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. Thompson is registered decline-to-state.

Thompson fills the vacancy created by the elevation of Kathleen E. O’Leary to Presiding Justice of the Fourth District Court of Appeal, Division Three. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The Commission consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and Senior Presiding Justice Manuel A. Ramirez.

The compensation for this position is $204,599.

He served as general counsel, and previously assistant general counsel, for the San Francisco Unified School District from 2006 to 2008. He was a deputy city attorney in the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office from 2004 to 2006 and deputy county counsel for San Mateo County from 2002 to 2004. Marquez was an associate at Remcho Johansen and Purcell LLP from 2000 to 2002. Prior to that, he served as deputy county counsel for San Mateo County from 1998 to 2000. Marquez was an associate at Cooley Godward LLP from 1996 to 1998. He earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University. Marquez is a Democrat.

Marquez fills the vacancy created by the retirement of Associate Justice Richard J. McAdams. This position requires confirmation by the Commission on Judicial Appointments. The Commission consists of Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris and Senior Presiding Justice Conrad Lee Rushing. Subject to his confirmation, Marquez will be the first Latino to serve on the Sixth District Court of Appeal.

The compensation for this position is $204,599.

Beneto served as chair of the Board from 2001 to 2002. He has been a member of the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame board of directors since 2009. He was a founding member and has served as chair of the University of California Davis MIND Institute since 1998 and was a member of the Shriner’s Hospital board of directors from 2008 to 2010. Beneto was inducted into the California State Fair Rodeo Hall of Fame in 2011 and was awarded the California State Fair Golden Bear Award in 2004. This position requires Senate confirmation and compensation is $100 per diem. Beneto is a Republican.

Chris Masami Myers, 41, of Sacramento, has been appointed to the 52nd District Agricultural Association, Sacramento County Fair Board. He has been managing director at the California Democratic Party since 2011, where he was research director from 1998 to 2010. He served as a legislative aide to Assemblymember Don Perata from 1997 to 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Myers is a Democrat.

Connie M. Perez, 36, of Porterville, has been appointed to the California Lottery Commission. Perez has held a number of positions at Brown Armstrong Accountancy Corporation since 2002, including staff accountant, senior accountant, manager, partner-in-training and partner. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Perez is registered decline-to-state.

Mike Taugher, 49, of Benicia, has been appointed assistant deputy director of communications, education and outreach at the California Department of Fish and Game. Taugher has been a reporter for the Bay Area News Group and Contra Costa Times since 2000. He was an environmental reporter for the Albuquerque Journal from 1995 to 2000, a reporter for Greeley Tribune from 1992 to 1995 and a reporter for the Tahoe Daily Tribune and North Lake Tahoe Bonanza from 1989 to 1992. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $90,000. Taugher is registered decline-to-state.

Jordan Traverso, 36, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy director of communications at the California Department of Fish and Game. Traverso has been deputy director of communications, education and outreach for the Department of Fish and Game since 2008 and served as director of communications for the Consumer Attorneys of California from 2007 to 2008. She was director of communications for the California Restaurant Association from 2004 to 2007, director of public liaison for the California State Treasurer’s Office from 2003 to 2004 and assistant press secretary for Governor Gray Davis from 2000 to 2003. Traverso has been a member of the Sacramento Press Club since 2004. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $98,844. Traverso is registered decline-to-state.

On Friday, May 11, 2012, WEST held a Career Mentoring event for 80 Girl Scouts from Eastern Massachusetts made possible by the Mathworks who sponsored the event, and by Microsoft who provided WEST with the venue.

In all, there were 12 WEST career mentors for the Girl Scouts; the future leaders of science, engineering and technology. The career mentors included: dental hygienist, systems architect, molecular biologist, video game inventor, electrical engineer, environmental engineer, chemical engineer, post-doctor in biology, serial entrepreneur and a pharmacist.

Having women role models representing different career paths for the young girls show them that it is possible for women to work in science, engineering and technical fields. The Girls Scouts were inspired by this event and realized that professions are not limited to any gender, or in general, any person.

One Girl Scout said, “I didn’t know there were so many different things you could do when you are older and to never give up.”

Another young girl proclaimed, “No matter what, there is something out there for everyone.”

The Career Mentoring Event was also rewarding for the career mentors as well.

One mentor was moved by girls’ aspirations to become professionals in Science and Technology. She said, “It is exciting to see many young women who want to go into Science and Technology, you have all inspired me.”

While another mentor was impressed with the young ladies’ enthusiasm with activities inside and outside the classroom, she said, “I was really impressed with how articulate these ladies were in describing what they were passionate about inside and outside of the classroom. I want to encourage them to do things inside and outside the classroom.”

Ilene Fischer, WEST’s Executive Director said “WEST has a membership of 500-plus women in science, engineering and technology, they are great role models and career mentors for these young girls. This is WEST’s way of giving back and of developing the future leaders in Science and Technology.”

The event was successful, an unforgettable, life changing event for the girls, their parents and the mentors. By the end of the evening, the Girl Scouts, parents, and career mentors were moved and inspired by the new possibilities they had in front of them.

More information: http://www.westorg.org or ifischer@westorg,org.

About WEST:
WEST: Advancing Women in Science and Technology is a 501(c)3 Massachusetts based non-profit. WEST’s mission is to promote, advance, and develop women in Science, Engineering, and Technology as leaders, advocates, C-level executives and thought leaders that make a profound difference in the communities they serve.

WEST is a community and a forum, for early, mid-career, executive and entrepreneurial women. Through participation our members become inspirational leaders and role models for their teams, organizations and businesses.

News Source: WEST: Advancing Women in Science and Technology

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