California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) Director Mark Ghilarducci officially swore in Edward Westfall as the new Deputy Director of Response Operations. He was appointed to his new position on March 8.
Westfall was the Cal OES Coastal Region Administrator in 2021 after more than three decades with the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring with the rank of Captain (O-6). He also held multiple positions in the Coast Guard, including Commanding Officer of the Cutters Red Cedar, William Tate, Aspen, Escanaba, and Boutwell, as well as Executive Director of the Interdiction Committee and Chief of the Office of Emerging Policy.
He served as Deputy Director of the National Maritime Intelligence-Integration Office from 2018 to 2020 and Chief of the Arctic Strategy Branch for the U.S. European Command from 2012 to 2014.
With a wealth of operational and executive leadership, Westfall moves into his new role as Cal OES continues to manage increasingly complex and ever challenging emergencies and disasters. California is still dealing with ongoing COVID-19 response along with drought conditions and the threat of extreme wildfires.
Westfall’s appointment provides a permanent replacement for Chief Kim Zagaris, who served in an acting capacity after previously retiring as the Cal OES Fire and Rescue Chief.