Former Marin Community Clinic Director Joins Governor's Staff

Gov. Jerry Brown appointed two Bay Area men to serve in state healthcare agencies Thursday, officials announced.

Brent Barnhart, of Danville, was appointed director of the Department of Managed Health Care. Brown also appointed John Shen, of Berkeley, chief of the Long Term Care Division at the Department of Health Care

Shen, whose appointment does not require Senate approval, worked as a health care consultant for Marin and Contra Costa counties for four years.

In his last job, the 61-year-old was executive director of the Marin Community Clinic from 1997 to 2011. He also served as geriatric planning director at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York.

The Republican would earn $122,196 as chief of the Long Term Care Division at the Department of Health Care Services, state officials said.

Barnhart, 68, spent 13 years as senior counsel at the Oakland-based nonprofit Kaiser Foundation Health Plan from 1996 to 2009. Prior to that, he was a policy consultant to the California State Assembly for three years.

At Blue Cross of California, Barnhart served as legislative affairs director, senior attorney and legislative advocate. He was also the California legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union from 1975 to 1983.

— Bay City News