California Finance Director to Step Down

LOS ANGELES -- California’s director of finance, Ana Matosantos, has decided to leave the Brown administration in September after more than a decade of working for the state.

The chief deputy director of finance, Michael Cohen, will take over when she leaves, according to an announcement from Gov. Jerry Brown Friday afternoon.

“During very tough economic times, Ana carried out her duties as finance director with insight, boundless energy and uncommon effectiveness,” said Brown. “Michael has been an excellent chief deputy director and I’m confident that he’s fully up to the task of leading the department in the years ahead.”

Matosantos was appointed director of finance by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in December 2009, and Brown kept her on the job after he was elected in 2010.

“During the worst of times, as the Golden State faced fiscal cliffs, crises, and calamity, Ana was the consummate problem-solver,” John Chiang, California’s controller, said in a statement. “She inherited a seemingly intransigent multi-billion deficit and, during her tenure, helped state policymakers remake it into a balanced budget.”

Matosantos joined the department as chief deputy director for budget in April 2008.

She also worked as a consultant to the Senate Committees on Health and Human Services and Budget and Fiscal Review. She earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University in 1997.

“I am humbled by the Governor’s trust and honored that he gave me this incredible opportunity,” Matosantos said in a statement.

Michael Cohen, 40, of Sacramento, will be appointed as the new director, effective September 16.

He has been chief deputy director for budget since 2011. Prior to that, he served in a number of roles with the Legislative Analyst’s Office from 1997 to 2010.

“I am honored that Governor Brown has chosen me as the next Director of Finance,” Cohen said. “It is a tremendous opportunity for public service, and I look forward to assisting the Governor and the Legislature in continuing the tremendous fiscal progress that we’ve made.”

Cohen’s appointment requires Senate confirmation.

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