Executive Team

mark_thumb.jpg Mark Ghilarducci, Secretary
Mark Ghilarducci, 51, of El Dorado Hills, has been appointed secretary of the California Emergency Management Agency. Ghilarducci has been a partner and managing director at Diamante Partners LLC since 2011. He was vice president of Witt and Associates from 2003 to 2011, deputy director for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services from 2000 to 2003, a federal coordinating officer for the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency from 1997 to 2000 and deputy fire chief for the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services from 1988 to 1997.
Mike Dayton

Mike Dayton, Undersecretary

Michael Dayton, 41, of Sacramento, has been appointed undersecretary of the California Emergency Management Agency. Dayton has been acting secretary for the California Emergency Management Agency since 2009. He was chief of staff for the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security from 2003 to 2008. He worked for Congressmen Gary Condit from 1990 to 2003 in multiple positions including chief of staff for the Washington DC office.

James Ayre
James E. Ayre is Assistant Secretary for Training and Exercises within the California Emergency Management Agency. His organization’s three divisions support California’s preparedness and response capability through coordinated training and exercise activities throughout the state.
Christina Curry
Tina Curry was appointed Assistant Secretary for Cal EMA in February 2009, following appointments as Assistant Director in 2005 and Deputy Director of Preparedness and Training in 2008. Tina’s areas of oversight include state-level Planning and Preparedness programs for all hazards.
Kelly Huston
Kelly Huston was appointed by Gov Schwarzenegger as Assistant Secretary of the Cal EMA – formerly known as the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services. He leads a team of communications professionals working daily on a wide range of public safety issues including disaster mitigation, response and recovery.
Helen Lopez
Helen Lopez oversees the functions of the Technology Operations Division, and the Audits and Evaluation Office. Ms. Lopez is also the agency’s liaison for Mexico and other Latin American countries.

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Dawn Mehlhaff, Assistant Secretary - Policy, Strategic Initiatives, Legislative Affairs, and Recovery

Dawn Mehlhaff currently serves as the Assistant Secretary for Policy, Strategic Initiatives, Legislative Affairs and Recovery. She is responsible for the planning, development, implementation and administration of strategic initiatives, emerging issues, executive briefings, and external affairs.  She also oversees the statewide recovery unit and Cal EMA’s legislative affairs.

Peggy Okabayashi

Peggy Okabayashi, Assistant Secretary - Public Safety, Victim Services, and Emergency Mgmt Programs and Admin

Peggy Okabayashi serves as the Assistant Secretary for Public Safety, Victim Services, and Emergency Management Programs and Administration. She oversees the activities of three divisions: Grants Management Division, Administrative Services Division, and Monitoring and Grants Technical Assistance.

Stephen Sellers
Stephen Sellers has served in a variety of staff assignments at OES/Cal EMA including the Hazard Mitigation program and Southern Region. In 2004, he received an executive assignment as the Southern Region Administrator. In 2008, he was appointed by Gov Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Dep Director of Regional Operations. In 2009, he was selected to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Prevention, Information Sharing and Operations for Cal EMA.
David Zocchetti ​​David Zocchetti, Chief Counsel
David Zocchetti is Chief Counsel for the California Emergency Management Agency. During his over twenty years with the OES/Cal EMA, he has served in various capacities. He has participated in over 30 federally declared and 60 state declared disasters ranging from major earthquakes to hazardous materials spills to wild-land fires.