IHSS Statewide Authority: Members

The IHSS Statewide Authority has five members: the Directors of the California Departments of Social Services (CDSS), Health Care Services (DHCS) and Finance (DOF) and two county officials appointed by the Governor. The members are as follows:

Will Lightbourne, Chair
Will Lightbourne was appointed Director of the California Department of Social Services by Governor Jerry Brown in April of 2011. Having served as the director of three county social services agencies as well as being a member of numerous commissions, councils, boards and nonprofits, over the past three decades, he has been deeply involved in a wide range of social welfare issues in California. Prior to coming to the California Department of Social Services, Mr. Lightbourne served as Director of the Social Services Agency of the County of Santa Clara for more than ten years. He also served as Executive Director of the Human Services Agency of the City and County of San Francisco, and as Director of the Santa Cruz County Human Services Agency. Before his role in the public human services field, Mr. Lightbourne served as General Director of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, one of the oldest and largest private human services organizations in the Bay Area. 

Jennifer Kent, Vice-Chair 
Jennifer Kent was appointed Director of the California Department of Health Care Services in January 2015. Prior to becoming Director, Ms. Kent was the executive director at Local Health Plans of California since 2013. She was principal at Health Management Associates from 2011 to 2013 and served as associate director at the California Department of Health Care Services in 2011, where she served as deputy director of legislative and governmental affairs from 2004 to 2007. Ms. Kent served as a deputy legislative secretary in the Office of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger from 2008 to 2010, associate secretary of legislative affairs at the California Health and Human Services Agency from 2007 to 2008 and was director of government and external affairs at the California Optometric Association from 1999 to 2004. Ms. Kent earned a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Southern California, Sol Price School of Public Policy.

Michael Cohen
Michael Cohen was appointed as Director of the California Department of Finance by Governor Jerry Brown in September 2013. He serves as the Governor’s chief fiscal policy advisor. Prior to becoming Director, he served as Chief Deputy Director of the Department of Finance from 2011 to 2013. In this capacity, Mr. Cohen was the department’s lead contact with the state Legislature on the state budget. From 1997 to 2010, Mr. Cohen worked at the Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO). While there, he served as a local government finance analyst, Director of State Administration, and Deputy Legislative Analyst. Mr. Cohen earned a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas and a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies from Stanford University. He lives in Sacramento with his wife Amy Supinger and his two dogs, Lulu and Dexter.

Michael Powers 
Michael Powers has served as the County Executive Officer for Ventura County since April 2011, where he oversees a budget of $1.9 billion and over 8,500 employees in 27 agencies and departments. Mr. Powers held several positions with the Ventura County Health Care Agency (HCA) from 1999 to 2011. From 2006 to 2011, he was the Director of HCA where he oversaw the operation and management of the Ventura County's health departments and a workforce of over 2,300. Powers also served as Hospital Administrator, Physician Services Director, Compliance Officer and Deputy Director from 1999 to 2006. He began his career with Ventura County in 1992 as an Assistant County Counsel. From 1989 to 1992, Mr. Powers worked in private legal practice with Nordman, Cormany, Hair & Compton. He earned a Juris Doctor degree from Loyola Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business from the University of California, Los Angeles.

David Twa 
David Twa has served as the County Administrator for Contra Costa County since 2008 and has oversight responsibility for a County-wide budget of $2.2 Billion, 9,500 County employees and 31 County Department Heads. He served as County Manager, or County Administrator, for three different Counties in Minnesota from 1987 to 2008. Mr. Twa was an elected County Attorney from 1982 to 1987 and a County Prosecutor from 1975 to 1982 in Blue Earth County, Minnesota. He served as President of the County Administrators Association of California from 2013 to 2014 and is currently serving on the California State Controller’s Advisory Committee on County Accounting Procedures.  Mr. Twa earned a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Art in Political Science from the University of Minnesota and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Minnesota State University.