Cal. Gov. Code § 12404

All deputy controllers, chiefs of divisions, assistant chiefs of divisions, attorneys, district managers, investigators, and financial data compiler in the State Controller’s Office shall be civil executive officers. The Controller may designate and appoint, or terminate the designation and appointment of, such other officers or employees of his office to serve as civil executive officers while performing the duties of their established classifications in the state civil service; such appointments or terminations of appointments to be effective when filed by the Controller in writing in the office of the Secretary of State.