Jim Evans, 42, of Sacramento, has been appointed deputy secretary for communications and strategic planning at the Business Transportation and Housing Agency. He has been a consultant for Senator Mark DeSaulnier since 2009. He was communications director for Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg from 2006 to 2009 and communications director for Senator Joe Dunn from 2005 to 2006. Evans was a staff writer for the Sacramento Bee from 2003 to 2004, managing editor at California Journal from 2002 to 2003, a staff writer for the Sacramento News and Review from 2001 to 2002, and a staff writer at The Industry Standard from 1998 to 2001. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $129,900. Evans is a Democrat. 

Brian Kelly, 43, of Sacramento, has been appointed undersecretary at the Business Transportation and Housing Agency. Kelly has been executive staff director for Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg since 2008. He was executive principal consultant for Senate President pro Tempore Don Perata from 2004 to 2008, principal consultant for Senate President pro Tempore John Burton from 1998 to 2004, and assistant consultant for Senate President pro Tempore Bill Lockyer from 1995 to 1998. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $172,992. Kelly is a Democrat.