State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones, Public Affairs Director Steve Lyle retiring

As our CDFA family prepares to turn the calendar over to 2026, the adage “the only constant is change” seems particularly appropriate this time around.

This week, we say a fond “farewell” to two longstanding and outstanding leaders of our department, State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones and Public Affairs Director Steve Lyle, who are both retiring. Stacked end-to-end, their careers in public service stretch to more than half a century. And for much of that time, they worked in tandem on the department’s successful efforts in response to emergencies and outbreaks ranging from “mad cow” disease and foodborne illnesses to brucellosis and bird flu. It took both Annette’s expertise as a veterinarian and a veteran of public policy, and Steve’s experience as a journalist and communicator, to build and lead these emergency response efforts as parallel projects to solve the scientific problems at-hand while also keeping producers, stakeholders and consumers informed of the importance of compliance, vigilance and cooperation. We have been fortunate as a state, as consumers, and as producers to have the benefit of such leadership during these critical times, when no less than public health, animal health and the continuity of our food supply were at stake.

Steve’s and Annette’s careers here covered such a broad swath of projects, challenges and successes that any attempt at a list would be incomplete. Sufficed to say that whatever issue presented itself, these were the right people for the job, again and again. It has been my pleasure to work with them on their professional journeys as public servants, and I have sincerely appreciated their counsel, conduct and friendship.

In recent days, I’ve said “Thank you” in person to our retiring leaders for their service to California and to our state’s agricultural community. I would like to publicly add my thanks to them for their care and dedication in training the next generation of leaders who stand ready to succeed them. Dr. Jones hands the reins of our Animal Health and Food Safety Services (AHFSS) Division to two experienced leaders in their own right, Acting State Veterinarian Dr. Amanda “Mandy” Murray and newly appointed AHFSS Division Director Stephen Beam; and Steve Lyle is succeeded by Acting Public Affairs Director Jay Van Rein, a 25-year veteran with our communications office.

Much of what CDFA does is about the stability of agricultural markets, the safety and reliability of the food supply, and the innovation that allows those conditions to evolve and endure. What makes all of that happen isn’t just the laws, the bills, the regulations – it’s our people. It’s our CDFA employees who work with farmers and ranchers and everyone up and down the food production and marketing chain, helping build both strength and foresight into our food systems.

I trust you will all join me in sending our appreciation to those embarking upon the adventure of retirement, and our support and congratulations to those stepping forward into new roles. I, for one, feel blessed and thankful to be a part of this tremendous team and this ever-changing, always-learning process called government.