Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has appointed Bonnie Reiss, a Santa Monica private equity adviser, as secretary of education.

Reiss, 54, served as Schwarzenegger’s senior advisor from his 2003 gubernatorial campaign until 2007. She has also since served on the University of California Board of Regents. After leaving the Schwarzenegger administration, Reiss joined Pegasus Capital Management as an adviser on investments in sustainable resource technologies.

Before she joined Schwarzenegger’s campaign, Reiss was an entertainment lawyer and founder of Earth Communications Office, which raised awareness of environmental issues.

Reiss replaces Glen Thomas, who stepped down on Feb. 2 to care for his ailing mother. The secretary of education provides advice on education issues to the governor.

Reiss is the fifth appointee to the post since Schwarzenegger took office.