SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) proudly recognized Bryan Baldwin, Assistant Director of the Office of Human Resources at the California Department of Justice (DOJ), as the recipient of the 2026 CalHR Robert L. Negri Human Resources Achievement Award. The award was presented during CalHR’s Annual Conference in Sacramento.
Baldwin was honored for his leadership, collaboration and contributions to human resources across state service. His work has extended beyond DOJ through statewide and multi-departmental initiatives focused on workforce development, classification, compensation and the future of HR. Among his accomplishments, Baldwin led an effort to establish a statewide Crime Analyst classification series, helping address longstanding recruitment and retention challenges. He also helped advance multi-departmental efforts that increased retention pay and secured a special salary adjustment. At DOJ, he led the development and implementation of the department’s first Employee Viewpoint Survey, designed to collect authentic feedback on leadership perception, equal employment opportunities, career growth and more. Baldwin also established an HR-focused Generative AI Workgroup to explore emerging technologies and prepare the department for the future of work.
“Bryan has strengthened HR practices, expanded opportunities for professional and career development, brought people together to tackle complex workforce challenges, and helped prepare California’s HR community for the future,” said Paul Starkey, CalHR Deputy Director of Labor Relations and ceremony host. “Bryan, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition. Your leadership, innovation, collaboration and dedication to the HR profession have made a meaningful difference, and we are honored to recognize your contributions.”
The CalHR Negri Award honors the legacy of Robert “Bob” Negri, who began his state employment in 1968 with the Department of Transportation, where he held various roles including Chief of Employee Safety, Chief of Labor Relations and ultimately, until his passing in December 1990, Chief of the Division of Personnel Management. As a distinguished leader in human resources, Bob made significant contributions to the landscape of labor relations within state government. He was a member of the State’s inaugural negotiating team, served as chief negotiator in subsequent labor negotiations and earned a reputation as a highly revered advisor to all. The CalHR Negri Award is presented to a state employee or organizational group for outstanding performance and achievement in the field of human resources.
The CalHR Negri Award is sponsored by CalHR. Award nominations are made by the state employee’s department, reviewed by the CalHR Negri Award Review Committee and approved by the Director of CalHR. Since the award began in 1993, there have been only 24 recipients of this prestigious award. Nominations must clearly identify and support the nominee’s qualifications in one or more of the following areas:
- Dedication to excellence in the field of human resources.
- Outstanding customer service to the state, department and/or employees.
- Excellent performance and achievements in the field of human resources.
- For more information about the CalHR Negri Award, visit the award website.
About CalHR
CalHR is responsible for all issues related to employee salaries and benefits, job classifications, civil rights, training, exams, recruitment and retention. For most employees, many of these matters are determined through the collective bargaining process managed by CalHR.
CalHR was created on July 1, 2012, by Governor Brown’s Reorganization Plan Number 1 of 2011. The reorganization plan consolidated the State of California’s two personnel departments, combining the Department of Personnel Administration with certain programs of the State Personnel Board. For more information about CalHR, please visit our website.
CONTACT:
Angela Musallam
Deputy Director of Communications, CalHR
Angela.Musallam@calhr.ca.gov
(916) 202-4633