SACRAMENTO, May 12, 2011 – California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross is welcoming two new members to the agency’s leadership team.

Sandra Schubert has been appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown as undersecretary and James Houston has been appointed by the governor as deputy secretary for legislation and public engagement.

Schubert most recently was an attorney in private practice serving as a consultant on political, communications and legal issues.

She has been an adjunct law professor at Georgetown University and has more than a decade of experience in the political arena in Washington D.C., including staff positions for Senator Barbara Boxer and Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada.

Houston has worked for the California Assembly and has served as a representative for the Sacramento-based BGS Group since 2004. He received a law degree from Mc George School of Law in 2009.

“These are two people with talent and experience that will be of great benefit to CDFA and the people of California,” said Secretary Ross. “Sandra Schubert has invaluable experience on Capitol Hill that will be key as we begin work on the next federal farm bill. And Jim Houston brings state legislative experience and knowledge of the issues that will serve us well as we continue our essential work with the legislature. We look forward to major contributions from each of them.”