Governor Jerry Brown appointed Michael Cohen director of the Department of Finance in September 2013. He serves as the governor’s chief fiscal policy advisor.
He replaced Ana Matosantos in September 2013. She was the youngest, the first Latina and the first openly gay person to hold the position. She was also the first finance director to serve two governors of different parties, originally being appointed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009 and reappointed by Governor Brown two years later.
Cohen, 40, earned a bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from Stanford University in 1995 and a master’s in Public Affairs from the Lyndon B. Johnson School at the University of Texas in 1997. Matosantos was also a Stanford graduate, class of ’97.
Cohen went from college to California’s independent Legislative Analyst’s Office (LAO) where he served in a number of posts, including local government finance analyst, director of state administration and deputy legislative analyst.
He left the LAO in 2010 for the Department of Finance, becoming its chief deputy director in 2011. Cohen, who declines to state a political party affiliation, advised the Legislature on a wide range of matters related to state government, including the state’s overall budget situation.
He lives in Sacramento with his wife Amy Supinger and his two dogs, Lulu and Dexter.
Finance Chief Ana Matosantos Leaving Brown Administration (by Jeremy B. White, Sacramento Bee)
Budget Advisor Ana Matosantos to Exit Gov. Brown's Administration (by Chris Megerian, Los Angeles Times)
Michael Cohen, Chief Deputy Director, Budget (Department of Finance)
