The County of San Diego is ushering in a new era of leadership, with County Chief Administrative Officer Ebony Shelton helping the transition. According to the County of San Diego, Shelton, who stepped into her role in July, has announced a series of crucial appointments to propel the county toward a future anchored in justice, sustainability, and resilience. The announcement comes after a comprehensive national search that factored in pivotal community input during selection.
In a move that underscores the value of local voices in government actions, the county involved community members from diverse backgrounds in reviewing resumes and conducting interviews. "This is an exciting time in our organization as we look towards the future, working together to support our employees and reflect the communities we serve," Shelton articulated, "The fact that the community played a key role in helping select this new team is indicative of the collaboration we need to move the region forward," as stated in an article from the County of San Diego.
The newly appointed leadership team is headlined by Caroline Smith, stepping into the role of Assistant Chief Administrative Officer after nearly nineteen years of service with the county. Smith's experience ranges from Director of the Office of Economic Development and Government Affairs to interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer. Joan Bracci, boasting a tenure with the county since 2008 and a background in public finance within the private sector, has been named the new Chief Financial Officer.
Brian Albright will be the new Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Finance and Government. He is currently the interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Land Use and Environment and Director of Parks and Recreation, with experience from Carlsbad and Alexandria, Virginia. Kim Giardina will lead the Health and Human Services Agency, bringing over 20 years of dedication to child and family well-being. Dahvia Lynch will start as the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer for Land Use and Environment on September 18. She has experience in planning and development from the City of San Marcos and North County Transit District and will oversee departments focused on health, sustainability, and infrastructure.
Andrew Strong will complete the Public Safety leadership team. He has experience as the interim Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Public Safety and director of the Office of Equity and Racial Justice. Strong will oversee key departments that ensure community safety and welfare. The other Deputy Chief Administrative Officers and the Assistant Chief Administrative Officer will start on September 30, while the Chief Financial Officer will begin on October 10. Managing an $8.5 billion budget and around 20,000 employees, the San Diego County leadership team is committed to serving and representing the region’s diverse population.
