Kern Regional Center executive director chosen for state role

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) – The new Chief Deputy Director of California’s Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has been selected from Kern County.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and DDS Director Nancy Bargmann announced Dr. Michi Gates, the executive director of Kern Regional Center, will step into the role in September.

Gates’ duties include oversight and management of program operations for DDS.

For the past six years, Gates has served as the executive director at Kern Regional. Before that, she was associate executive director, as well as other executive and management positions, at North Bay Regional Center in Northern California.

“It has been my honor to work with the boards, staff, family and persons served at both KRC and NBRC,” Gates said. “I have learned so much from them over the years and look forward to taking this knowledge and experience with the to DDS for the benefit of California’s 450,000 persons with developmental disabilities and their families.”

Gates will assume the role of Brian Winfield, who will be partially retiring in September.

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