The elected executive officers are: Total number of employees is 227,536 excluding California State Universities.
Its director, Marybel Batjer, launched an initiative of civil service reform intended to make state employment more attractive to talented employees relative to the private sector.
Some agencies such as the state controller, attorney general, and insurance commissioner are headed by independent elected officials.
Other defunct statewide elected offices that no longer exist include the comptroller (which became controller in 1862), the surveyor general (1849–1926), and the clerk of the Supreme Court.
In June 2012, Governor Jerry Brown obtained approval from the legislature to proceed with a reorganization plan.