The Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians voted Feb. 7 to adopt two-year terms for its executive officers and to elect Carol Mountain as board chair and Abraham Hill as vice chair.

The board opened nominations after Executive Officer Elaine Yamaguchi noted the board now has the option to hold two-year elections under recent sunset-related statutory changes. Board member John Dierking moved that executive officer positions be two-year terms; the motion was seconded and the board approved the change by roll call vote.

Following ratification of term length, the board accepted nominations and elected Carol Mountain to continue as chair. Mountain was nominated and seconded on the floor; the board recorded supporting votes during a roll-call. The board then nominated Abraham Hill as vice chair; Hill accepted the nomination and the board approved his election. Hill publicly abstained during the vice-chair roll call, and the board clerk recorded the result as approved for the slate of executive officers for the two-year term.

Why it matters: Lengthening officer terms can reduce the frequency of leadership turnover and alter how the board plans its multi‑year priorities, including rulemaking and program oversight. The board will use the longer terms for its incoming chair and vice chair as it pursues regulatory and education initiatives through the year.

Board procedure: Yamaguchi explained that the board follows standard parliamentary practice — motion, second, public comment, then roll-call vote — and asked members to state their names before making or seconding motions. Public comment was solicited during each vote; no public speakers opposed the motions at the meeting.

Ending: The newly elected executive officers will serve through the two-year cycle established by the board; staff said administrative steps to reflect the change in the board’s schedule will follow.