Gonzalo Medina of Long Beach was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Boating and Waterways Commission in November 2024. Medina has been the Marine Safety Chief at the City of Long Beach Fire Department since 2014. He has held many other positions at the City of Long Beach Fire Department since 1995 including Administrative Captain from 2013 to 2014, Operations Captain from 2012 to 2013, Public Safety Dive Team Supervisor from 2009 to 2012, Rescue, Swiftwater Team Member from 2006 to 2012, Marine Safety Officer from 2004 to 2012, and Ocean Lifeguard from 1995 to 2004. Medina is a member of the United States Department of Homeland Security, the United States Coast Guard Area Maritime Security Committee, and a Board Member of the Centro Community Hispanic Association. He earned his Master of the Arts degree in Writing and his Bachelor of the Arts degree in English from the University of Alaska, Anchorage.