Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
Executive Staff

Brian P. Kelly
Acting Secretary

In March 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Brian P. Kelly to lead the State’s Business, Transportation and Housing Agency (BT&H).

As Acting Secretary, he oversees 12 departments and several economic development programs and commissions consisting of more than 45,000 employees and a budget of $18 billion -- a budget larger than most states in the nation.

The Agency's portfolio is one of the largest and most diverse in the State of California. Its operations address myriad issues that directly impact the state's economic vitality and quality of life including transportation, public safety, affordable housing, international trade, financial services, and tourism.

Brian has been at the center of most of the major transportation policy decisions in the state of California for the past decade and a half, having served as chief transportation policy consultant for four successive Senate President pro Tempores.

Brian was 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.

Brian C. Annis
Deputy Secretary, Transportation

In April 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Brian as Deputy  Secretary, Transportation. Prior to joining the Agency, Brian served in various positions for the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review, including deputy staff director, principal consultant and consultant. He also served in various positions at the California Department of Finance, including principal program budget analyst, staff finance budget analyst and research analyst. Brian has also been an adjunct professor of economics at American River College and an economist for the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor.  

Brian holds a bachelor’s degree in political economy of natural resources from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in economics from the University of Washington.

In February 2012, Benjamin was appointed by Governor Brown as Special Assistant for the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency. Prior to joining the Agency, Benjamin spent ten years in the customer service industry where he worked directly with the public and pursued an interest in civic involvement.

Benjamin holds an associate of arts degree from Sierra College in Rocklin, California, and a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, San Diego.

In April 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Russia as Deputy  Secretary, Housing and Real Estate.

Prior to joining the Agency, Russia served as a fiscal and policy analyst in the Legislative Analyst’s Office. She was a planning and program development intern at the Los Angeles Community Redevelopment Agency, a database manager and analyst at Environmental Synectics and a grants program coordinator at Sacramento Child Advocates.

Russia holds a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz; a graduate certificate from the University of Southern California in geographic information science; and a master of public policy degree from the University of Southern California.

Prior to joining the Agency in January 2011, Bill served more than eleven years with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), while serving his last three years as DMV’s chief budget officer. As chief budget officer, Bill managed the Motor Vehicle Account, a major transportation fund supporting the operations of the DMV and the California Highway Patrol. Bill’s service with the State of California has been in the areas of finance and administration.

Bill earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting) from the California State University, Sacramento.

In January 2013, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Gareth Lacy as Deputy  Secretary, Communications and Strategic Planning.

Lacy had been a senior research associate at the Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. since 2011. He was editor-in chief of the Washington Journal of Law, Technology and Arts from 2010 to 2011. Lacy was press secretary at the Office of Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. from 2006 to 2008 and deputy campaign manager at Brown for Attorney General from 2005 to 2006. He was a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho from 2003 to 2005.

Lacy earned a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Washington School of Law.   

Carol D. Farris
Deputy Secretary, Business Oversight and Agency Operations
Native American Liaison 

In April 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Carol as Deputy  Secretary, Business Oversight and Agency Operations.

Prior to her appointment, Carol served as assistant secretary in the Agency. She has worked in the Lieutenant Governor’s office, the Speaker’s Office of Member Services, and for various members of the legislature.

Carol holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from California State University, Sacramento.

In April 2012, Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. appointed Ronda Paschal as Deputy Secretary, Legislation.

Prior to joining the Agency, Ronda served as deputy secretary of state for legislative and constituent affairs for the Secretary of State. She has also served as an associate vice president at the California Medical Association, a consultant for Senator Joseph Dunn and an associate consultant for Senator Tom Hayden. Her legislative experience covered a broad array of policy issues, including elections, environment, labor, consumer protection, transportation and energy.

Since joining the Agency in 2000, Michael has been responsible for establishing and overseeing the implementation of policies related to audits, investigations and performance-based management throughout the Agency. He also assists Agency management in the requisite biennial assessment of internal controls; conducts ad hoc reviews, evaluations and risk assessments; and consults with BTH senior staff and department leadership on operational policy and process improvements, including ensuring clarity of focus on program outcomes and efficiency of operations.

Michael has also served as Deputy Director for the Program Review Branch in the Employment Development Department, Deputy Executive Director in the Little Hoover Commission, and Senior Performance Auditor in the Office of the Auditor General.

Michael earned an associate of arts degree in business at American River College, a bachelor’s degree in business administration (accounting) from California State University, Sacramento, and an M.B.A. from National University.

Augustin provides legal counsel and advice over a wide range of issues affecting the Agency and the several statewide subordinate departments that report directly to the Agency.

Prior to entering state service, Augustin was a partner at a Los Angeles-based law firm where he represented numerous public institutions and private businesses in matters involving government, employment, labor, and personnel law, as well as general litigation.

Augustin holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from California State University, Long Beach, a juris doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law, and an M.B.A from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. He is admitted to practice law in the states of California and Washington.

Gabor provides legal counsel to the Agency Secretary  which includes research and legal review of documents and department regulations. His state legal service includes working as a staff attorney, senior attorney, assistant chief counsel, and assistant general counsel for several state agencies over the past 23 years. He also worked as a corporate attorney in Budapest, Hungary.

Gabor earned a juris doctor degree in 1980 from ELTE University Faculty of Law in Hungary. He has been licensed to practice law in California since 1989.