California Construction Trucking Association (CCTA)

Former Assemblyman Hector De La Torre was appointed by Gov. Jerry Brown today to the state air resources board, a part-time job paying $40,699.

De La Torre, a 44-year-old South Gate Democrat, was termed out of the Assembly in 2010 and currently is serving as vice president of the Free Conferencing Corporation, Brown said in a press release.

The Senate must confirm De La Torre's appointment.

A former South Gate councilman, De La Torre was elected to the Assembly in 2004. He served as chairman of the powerful Assembly Rules Committee, but was ousted by Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez in 2008 after challenging a "golden handshake" early retirement plan that boosted pensions for 55 employees.

De La Torre ran unsuccessfully for state insurance commissioner last year against an Assembly Democratic colleague, Dave Jones.

His resume also includes stints as a manager for the Los Angeles Superior Court, a manager at Southern California Edison, and chief of staff to the deputy secretary of the United States Department of Labor.

De La Torre is filling the seat previously held by Lydia Kennard, Brown's office said. Kennard was appointed to the board by Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2004.