Interim leader appointed for California SAC

Retired California Medical Board member Dave Thornton was appointed interim executive officer of the California State Athletic Commission on Tuesday.

Thornton’s time at the helm is uncertain. The field to replace resigned Executive Officer Armando Garcia still includes former New York commissioner Ron Scott Stevens, retired attorney Ron Arnold and referee Pat Russell. Members of the state athletic commission board will vote on the replacement.

Thornton spent more than 32 years at the Medical Board, serving as chief of enforcement earlier this decade and later executive director.

“The athletic commission knows Dave Thornton has a long track record of making government efficient,” said Timothy Noonan, chairman of the commission.

The commission has some important events to supervise in the coming months, including a boxing card headlined by Oxnard’s Victor Ortiz later this month at Staples Center, an Affliction MMA show at Honda Center in Anaheim in August and an Ultimate Fighting Championship card at Staples in October.