Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Rita L. Saenz, 71, as the new director of California Employment Development Department. Author: Ja'Nel Johnson (ABC10) Published: 5:51 PM PST December 30, 2020 Updated: 5:51 PM PST December 30, 2020 SACRAMENTO, California — Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed a new leader to the state's Employment Development Department (EDD). Rita L. Saenz, 71, is the new director of EDD, Newsom's office announced Wednesday. Saenz was most recently a consultant at Saenz and Associates. Newsom said Saenz is taking on the job at "one of the most difficult moments in the Department’s history," pointing to a record number of unemployment claims and fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic.