Management Team

The POST Management Team is comprised of the Executive Director, three Assistant Executive Directors, a Public Information Officer, and 15 Bureau Chiefs. The Management Team works with POST staff, affiliated POST agencies, and associations to develop and maintain programs and services which assist California Law Enforcement in addressing the needs of the communities they serve.

The Management Team meets twice a month to discuss organizational issues and share program updates, agency developments, and upcoming events that may impact POST and its stakeholders.

Executive Director

Manuel Alvarez Jr.

Executive Director

On July 26, 2016, the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) appointed Manuel "Manny" Alvarez as the Executive Director of POST. Manny started his employment and leadership role at POST on September 6, 2016.

Prior to joining POST, Manny served as a Special Agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1990 to 2016. Following his training at the FBI Academy in 1990, he was assigned to the FBI’s San Francisco Field Office, San Jose Resident Agency until 2006. From 2006 to 2010, he served as the FBI Assistant Legal Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid, Spain. From 2010 to 2016 he served as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge in the FBI’s Sacramento Field Office.

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Assistant Executive Directors

Maria Sandoval

Assistant Executive Director
Field Services Division

On May 2, 2017, Maria Sandoval was appointed as one of two Assistant Executive Directors of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).   Maria started with POST in January 2013 and was assigned to the Training Delivery and Compliance Bureau, as a Law Enforcement Consultant.  Her duties included connecting with Chiefs, Sheriff’s and Training Managers, evaluating course certification, and conducting rigorous agency compliance checks throughout the State of California. 

Maria served the majority of her municipal law enforcement career in the Sacramento Police Department.  She worked in every division within the department, and fulfilled ancillary assignments including serving as an Academy Coordinator, a Recruit Training Officer, a Field Training Officer, a Lead Lifetime Fitness Instructor and an instructor in a local police academy for over 20 years.

Maria possesses a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Organizational Management and a Lifetime Teaching Credential.  In keeping her commitment to physical fitness, Maria also has completed a half Ironman triathlon, ran the Boston Marathon and runs several half marathons a year.  

Annemarie Del Mugnaio

Assistant Executive Director
Standards and Accountability Division

Annemarie has over 26 years of public service, where she has held several leadership roles, including most recently as the Deputy Director, Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development (POSED), California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR).  Annemarie was responsible for oversight of the Office of Peace Officer Selection, the Office of Training and Professional Development, the R. A. McGee Correctional Training Center, and the Advanced Learning Institute and Employee Development Programs.  Annemarie also served as the Executive Director for the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training, CDCR where she oversaw the development and vetting of correctional peace offer training standards and managed the Department’s apprenticeship program which included over 4,500 active apprentices. 

Annemarie began her state career in 1996 at the Department of Consumer Affairs where she spent over twenty years working as an Executive Officer managing regulatory and enforcement matters related to licensed health care practitioners.  Annemarie advocated for laws and regulations that served to protect the public welfare with a focus on minimum standards for licensure, continued professional development and training, and standards of professional conduct.

Annemarie is engaged to her fiancé Brian and together they have three children.  Annemarie enjoys hiking and spending as much time in the mountains as possible.

Jim Grottkau

Assistant Executive Director
Standards and Development Division

On June 1, 2022, Jim Grottkau was appointed as the Assistant Executive Director of the Standards and Development Division, which includes leadership of the Training Delivery and Compliance Bureau, Training Program Services Bureau, Computer Services Bureau, and Strategic Communications and Research Bureau. 

Jim joined POST in September 2016 as a Law Enforcement Consultant in the Basic Training Bureau. As a Law Enforcement Consultant, he managed the Field Training Programs, Public Safety Dispatcher Basic Course, Aviation Security Course, and the Campus Security Course. In addition, he assisted with the Basic Course Certification Reviews (BCCR) and facilitated in the Director/Coordinator and Recruit Training Officer Courses. In September 2018, Jim was promoted to Bureau Chief, where he managed the Basic Training Bureau operations.

Jim began his law enforcement career with the Yolo County Sheriff’s Office and served a majority of his career with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, where he retired as a Captain in 2016. He had many notable assignments, which included commanding the Sheriff’s Technical Services Division, Detention Division, and the Sheriff’s Training Division, which included management of the Law Enforcement Training Center and Basic Academy operations.

Jim has a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice from California State University Sacramento. He is a graduate of POST Executive Development, Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, and the FBI National Academy - Class 254.

Legislative Liaison & Public Information Officers

Meagan Poulos

Legislative Liaison & Public Information Officer

Meagan Poulos joined POST in January 2019 as the Legislative Liaison and Public Information Officer for POST.

Prior to joining POST, she spent seven years as the Training and Program Manager for the California Police Chiefs’ Association. There, Meagan helped to successfully launch the association’s legislative program and established their grassroots efforts to advocate for law enforcement at the state capitol. She is most proud of her work with the Women Leaders in Law Enforcement Training Symposium; an event that has grown to over 1,000 attendees and includes women in law enforcement of all rank and file from across the country.

Meagan earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2007.

Katie Strickland

Legislative Liaison & Public Information Officer

Katie joined POST in July 2019 as a Staff Services Analyst in the Executive Office where she coordinated POST Commission meetings and Office of Administrative Law rulemaking packages. In August 2020, she was promoted to an Associate Program Governmental Analyst and was tasked with leading the coordination and implementation of the 2021 POST Strategic Plan. In December 2022, she was promoted to Public Affairs Liaison.   

Prior to joining POST, Katie worked at an advertising agency, where she managed marketing and advertising campaigns for several destination and homebuilder clients. She began her career at a public relations firm in Las Vegas where she managed media relations for numerous clients in the hospitality industry.

Katie earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communications from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Legal Affairs

William Darden

Chief Counsel

On August 29, 2022, William “Toby” Darden was appointed as Chief Counsel of POST’s Legal Affairs Bureau. Toby was admitted to the State Bar of California after graduating Order of the Coif from the University of California, Davis, School of Law in 1991. He began his legal career in 1991 as an attorney and “Of Counsel” at the international law firm of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, in its Sacramento office. In 2005, he left Orrick to join the California Department of Justice as a Deputy Attorney General and was promoted to the position of Supervising Deputy Attorney General before leaving to join POST as Chief Counsel.

Earlier in his career, after graduation from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in Law and Society and a minor in Criminal Justice, he worked as a police officer for the City of Carpinteria, serving in various capacities including as a reserve officer and regular officer. He began his service as a full-time police officer in September 1980 and worked in various assignments including patrol and the detective bureau. He was promoted to police sergeant in January 1985. While employed there, he obtained Advanced and Supervisory POST certificates, and was awarded the H. Thomas Guerry Award for Outstanding Performance as Police Detective by the Santa Barbara Citizen’s Counsel on Crime.

Bureau Chiefs

Cheryl Smith

Bureau Chief
Administrative Services

Cheryl joined POST in December 2007 as a Bureau Secretary in the Basic Training Bureau. As a Bureau Secretary she provided administrative support to bureau staff and basic course presenters. In 2009 she was promoted to Staff Services Analyst where she maintained the POST Basic Course Training and Testing Specifications. In 2012 she was promoted to Associate Governmental Program Analyst. In 2018 Cheryl was promoted to Staff Services Manager I where she supervised the work of Basic Training Bureau analysts and support staff.

Cheryl has been married to her husband, Greg, for 25 years. Together they have three children: Russell, a CHP officer; Ryan, and James.

Cheryl was promoted to Bureau Chief of the Administrative Services Bureau in July 2022.

Carrie Hollar

Bureau Chief
Basic Training

Carrie joined POST in October 2019 as a Law Enforcement Consultant in the Basic Training Bureau. She managed the PC832 Program, Requalification Course and was part of the Basic Course Certification Review Team (BCCR) for PC832 Courses and Basic Academies. In addition, she facilitated the Recruit Training Officer Course.

Carrie began her law enforcement career in 2007 as a Deputy with the Solano County Sheriff’s Office where she served in patrol, courts, investigations and was a Crisis Negotiator and a forensic interviewer. Carrie was promoted to Sergeant in 2017 and was assigned to the Background and Training Unit. Carrie earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in the Administration of Justice from the University of Phoenix and is an alumni of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, class 448.

Carrie was promoted to Bureau Chief in June 2022 and assigned to the Basic Training Bureau.

 Michelle Weiler

 Bureau Chief
 Certification Bureau

Michelle joined POST in August 2019 as the Staff Services Manager I in the Training Delivery and Compliance Bureau where she oversaw the professional staff and Certificates Unit, updated the Perishable Skills Program, and led the project to draft regulatory changes to successfully implement the requirements of Senate Bill 2.

Michelle began her career as a Management Assistant with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) where she worked her way to up to a Management Analyst II. Her assignments included community relations, crime analysis, risk management, and training. Michelle’s last assignment was with the Instructional Design Unit, Police Training and Education where she was responsible for maintaining curriculum for the Supervisory Course and the Academy Instructor Certification Course, among others. She has been a facilitator in various LAPD courses including, “Civilian Supervisor School,” “Peak Performance for Law Enforcement,” and “Mission, Vision, Values.”

In addition to facilitating courses for the LAPD, Michelle was a facilitator with the Instructor Development Institute (IDI) for seven years before coming to POST. She facilitated in the Academy Instructor Certification Course, Level II – Intermediate Course, and several workshops in the annual Instructor Symposium. During this time, Michelle also assisted the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department in redesigning their Regular Basic Course.

Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science with a minor in Asian Regional Specialization from the University of California at San Diego, a master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Southern California, and a PhD in Psychology, with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction from Grand Canyon University. Michelle is also a 2009 graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department Leadership Program (formerly known as the West Point Leadership Program) and a 2012 graduate of the Master Instructor Certification Course.

Michelle was promoted to Bureau Chief in August 2022 and is assigned to the Certification Bureau.

Colin O'Keefe

Bureau Chief
Computer Services

Colin O'Keefe worked for 10 years at several Fortune 500 corporations in the areas of information technology, foreign currency exchange system design, and technical product marketing.  He joined POST in 2004 and has overseen projects in network management, telecommunications, POST web applications, and computer-based law enforcement testing.  Colin promoted to Bureau Chief of the Computer Services Bureau in 2013.

Colin is a graduate of the State of California IT Management Academy XIII.  He holds a bachelor's degree in Economics, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from University of California, Davis. 

Sonya Baland

Bureau Chief
Human Resources

Sonya Baland joined POST on January 29, 2018.  Sonya began her employment with the State of California in 2002, and since 2002 has served as a Public Safety Dispatcher, Office Technician, Personnel Specialist, Staff Services Analyst, Associate Governmental Program Analyst, Staff Services Manager I and Staff Services Manager II.

Sonya started her career as a Public Safety Dispatcher with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Sacramento.  This position fueled Sonya's admiration for law enforcement and public safety.  Sonya transferred to CHP’s Human Resources Section and served as a Personnel Specialist and was responsible for all payroll, benefits, and retirement for a roster of over 350 employees.  Sonya promoted to Staff Services Analyst and was responsible for assisting with transfers and promotions for over 7500 CHP uniformed staff.  This included ensuring all promotions were compliant with applicable laws and certified promotional lists.  Sonya promoted to Associate Governmental Program Analyst and was responsible for uniformed transfers and promotions for all CHP sergeants and above and continued ensuring CHP was making legal hires and promotions.  Sonya transferred to the CHP Facilities Section and served as the administrative assistant to the Commander where she handled personnel-related issues, training, budget, policy compliance, and Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) issues.  After 15 years of service at CHP, Sonya promoted to Staff Services Manager I for the High-Speed Rail Authority and served as the EEO Officer, as well as the Title VII and Bilingual Coordinator.

Sonya has been married to her husband, a CHP lieutenant, for 18 years. Sonya is an avid runner, has completed the California International Marathon on two occasions, over a dozen half-marathons, has completed two triathlons and enjoys Orange Theory Fitness.  Sonya and her family love to travel and her favorite destination is Cancun, Mexico.

Sonya promoted to Bureau Chief in June 2022 and is assigned to the Human Resources Bureau.

Sarah Wallace

Bureau Chief
Intake and Disposition

Sarah Wallace joined POST in August 2022 as Bureau Chief of the Intake and Disposition Bureau.

Sarah began her state career in 2008 at the Dental Board of California within the Department of Consumer Affairs and has over 14 years of experience working for a consumer protection regulatory agency assuring initial and continued competence of licensees through licensure, investigation of consumer complaints, and administrative discipline of licensees found in violation of statutory and regulatory requirements. She served as the Dental Board’s Interim Executive Officer since December 2021 and as Assistant Executive Officer since 2014.

Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno.

 Rosanne Richeal

 Bureau Chief
 Learning Technology Resources

Rosanne Richeal began her law enforcement career in February 1991 as a reserve police officer with the Sacramento Police Department. In 1993, she was hired full-time with the West Sacramento Police Department as a police officer. She served 5 years in various assignments to include patrol, street crimes unit, a field training officer, K-9 handler, and as the department recruiter. In 1998, Rosanne lateraled to the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. She rose through the ranks and retired in 2016 as a Chief Deputy. As a deputy and sergeant with the sheriff’s office, she worked assignments in corrections, patrol, motors, employee relations and was a field training officer and jail training officer. As a lieutenant, she served as a watch commander in patrol, an executive lieutenant in the Airport Division, and as an assistant and acting Chief of Police for the contract city of Rancho Cordova. As a Captain, she commanded the Field Services Division, Main Jail, and served as Chief of Police in the city of Rancho Cordova. During her tenure as Chief Deputy, she held executive oversight for Contracts and Regional Services, and Support Services. In September of 2018, Rosanne was hired by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and served as the Basic Course Coordinator in the Basic Training Bureau before being promoted to Bureau Chief in the Learning Technology Resources Bureau. 

Rosanne earned a bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice Management from the Union Institute and University and is a graduate of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) West Point Leadership Program.

Rob Patton

 Bureau Chief
 Management Counseling and Project Bureau

Rob Patton joined POST on April 20, 2020 as a Law Enforcement Consultant ll. Since his employment, Rob has been assigned to the Training Program Services Bureau where he managed the Command College and Executive Development Course.

Prior to joining POST, Rob retired as a lieutenant from the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. His experience included corrections, patrol, community-oriented policing, metro detective, FBI gang task force detective, fugitive apprehension detective, SWAT operator, communications supervisor, detective bureau supervisor, internal affairs sergeant, corrections watch commander, and field and investigations watch commander.

Rob possesses a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. He is a graduate of the Sherman Block Leadership Institute, LAPD’s West Point Leadership Program, and the Executive Development Course. Rob created and implemented a leadership development program for his prior agency and received the Distinguished Alumni Service Award from his alma mater for outstanding leadership in law enforcement.

Jackie Nelson

 Bureau Chief
 Professional Conduct Bureau 1

Jackie Nelson was appointed to Bureau Chief for the Training Delivery and Compliance Bureau in January 2021. She began working for POST in April of 2020 as a Law Enforcement Consultant II with the Management Counseling and Projects Bureau. Jackie came to POST from the Nevada Department of Public Safety where she served for 29 years and retired as the Deputy Director for the state. She was responsible for overseeing all the administrative and operational components of the agency which included the Nevada Highway Patrol, Parole and Probation, Capitol Police, Dignitary Protection, Investigations, Emergency Management, State Fire Marshal, Training, Traffic Safety, Office of Professional Responsibility and several other support divisions. During her career, she served in a variety of roles throughout the department.

Jackie earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Reno. She is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 254.

Scott Campbell

 Bureau Chief
 Professional Conduct Bureau 2

Scott Campbell began his law enforcement career in June 1990 as an officer with the California Highway Patrol where he served in patrol, field training, investigative, and vehicle theft program management assignments. In February 1998, Scott was appointed as a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) where he served in investigative, tactical, and supervisory assignments at the Albuquerque and Sacramento Field Offices as well as FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. While in the FBI, Scott completed several overseas assignments including a deployment to Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism. In June 2018, Scott retired from the FBI as a Supervisory Special Agent.

Following his retirement from the FBI, Scott joined POST in August 2018 as a Law Enforcement Consultant II in the Basic Training Bureau where he managed the Field Training Program. In April 2019, Scott was promoted to Bureau Chief of the Administrative Services Bureau.

Scott earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University, Sacramento. Scott and his wife, Wendy, are proud parents of twins who graduated from college in 2018.

Christine Ford

 Bureau Chief
 Professional Conduct Bureau 3

Christine Ford joined POST in July 2015 as a Law Enforcement Consultant and served seven years in the Training Delivery, and Compliance Bureau as the regional consultant for POST’s Region 8. She facilitates the Training Manager Course and the Training Coordinator Course.

Christine was in law enforcement for 21 years, serving with the Hayward Police Department and the Citrus Heights Police Department. She was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2011 and worked in the Patrol and Investigations Divisions. She managed the Professional Standards and Training Unit, Field Training Unit, and Formal Mentoring Program.

Christine has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership and has attended the Senior Management Institute for Police in Boston (class 54). She is an alumna of Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (SLI) and was an SLI facilitator for four years. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, being a foodie, and watching Major League Baseball.

Christine was promoted to Bureau Chief in August 2022 and assigned to the Peace Officer Standards Accountability Division.

Mike Radford

 Bureau Chief
 Professional Conduct Bureau 4

In 2018, Mike Radford retired from the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office as Chief of the contract City of Waterford. With 25 years of law enforcement experience, Mike’s assignments included custody, patrol, internal affairs, Field Training Officer, and investigations. Mike was promoted to lieutenant in 2007 and helped positions of patrol commander, investigation lieutenant, and Chief of Waterford Police Services. Mike was a member of the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team for 19 years, completing the last 11 as tactical commander.

Mike has actively taught in local police academies since 1999 and was an Adjunct Faculty member of Los Positas and San Joaquin Delta College until 2018. Mike taught in the areas of Arrest and Control, Use of Force, Firearms and Hazardous Materials.

Following his retirement, Mike joined POST in October of 2019 as a Law Enforcement Consultant II in the Training Program Services bureau where he managed Crisis Intervention Training, and the Master Instructor Program. In October of 2019, Mike was promoted to Bureau Chief of Training Program Services. Mike earned a bachelor's degree in Police Management from Union Institute University and is a graduate of the FBI National Academy Class 261.

John Lowden

 Bureau Chief
 Strategic Communications and Research

John joins POST following a 26-year career with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. John held a variety of assignments in his career, which included: custody, patrol, investigations, Civil, Emergency Services, Professional Standards, Coroner and Special Operations. John retired as an Assistant Sheriff, overseeing the Field Operations Bureau.

John has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Criminal Justice and is an alumni of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute, POST Executive Development Course and POST Command College.

Brad NewMyer

 Bureau Chief
 Training Program Services

Brad joined POST as a Law Enforcement Consultant in August of 2016. Brad has served for the last six years as a Law Enforcement Consultant in the Management Counseling and Projects Bureau. During his time at POST, Brad supervised the Team Building Workshop Program, completed numerous management studies for state and local agencies, and coordinated Executive Seminars. Brad has also been responsible for numerous POST guidelines on use of force, hate crimes, and domestic violence, just to name a few.

Brad served for over 30 years with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, retiring at the rank of lieutenant. He served as the Chief of Police for the contract city of Mission Viejo the last three years of his law enforcement career. Brad also served in various assignments, including as the tactical sergeant at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy; managed the School Mobile Assessment Resource Team investigating campus violence and conducting threat assessments; and was a founding member of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Field Training Bureau. Brad spent over 21 years teaching at the Orange County Sheriff’s Regional Training Academy as a classroom instructor, defensive tactics instructor, and physical training instructor.

Brad holds an Associate of Arts degree from Citrus College and is a graduate of the Sherman Block Supervisory Leadership Institute (Class 305). Brad was promoted to Bureau Chief of the Training Programs Services Bureau effective August of 2022.

Charles Sandoval

Bureau Chief
Training Delivery and Compliance

Charles Sandoval came to POST in 2005 as a Law Enforcement Consultant. During his time at POST, Charles served in the Basic Training Bureau and spent 12 years in the Training Delivery and Compliance Bureau as the Region 9, Los Angeles County Manager. In 2018, Charles retired from full time state service. In December 2020, Charles returned to POST as a Retired Annuitant. He was assigned to the Basic Training Bureau to the Basic Course Certification team (BCCR) for PC832 Courses and Basic Academies.

In July 2022, Charles reinstated full time as Bureau Chief and was assigned to the Training Delivery and Compliance Bureau. Prior to POST, Charles spent 24 years with the Sacramento Police Department as a sworn officer. He had numerous assignments during his tenure at Sacramento PD, including patrol, academy operations, backgrounds, training, recruitment, and field training. In his free time, Charles likes to hike and travel with his spouse and dogs. Charles enjoys his fitness regimen as an avid Peloton enthusiast.