Gov. Terry Branstad today appointed a new human rights director. San Wong,

Gov. Terry Branstad today appointed a new human rights director.

San Wong, the director of workforce and education initiatives at Des Moines Area Community College, was appointed by Branstad today to replace former director Isaiah McGee, who failed to win Senate confirmation in April.

Wong was the president-elect of the Asian American council from 2002-2004; president of the board of directors for the Chrysalis Foundation from June 2009 to June 2011; board chair of the Iowa Asian Alliance from 2006-2007;and president of the Iowa Asian Foundation from 2005-2009.

McGee, Branstad’s first appointee to the position this year, lost Senate confirmation due in part to his February memo to staff in which he prohibited all of his department’s employees from talking with state lawmakers or reporters. The memo – which many called a gag order – angered civil rights advocates. One of the department’s key roles is advocacy for such groups as African Americans, women, Latinos, the deaf or people with disabilities, they noted.

Branstad earlier this month announced that McGee had been hired by Education Director Jason Glass as an education program consultant for achievement caps and student equity.

McGee will make almost $78,000 a year in his new education role. He made a base annual salary of $80,000 as the human rights director.

Wong will begin as director on July 11.