Realizing the opportunity and room for growth in both the
county’s population and business opportunities, new county Planning
Director Gary Armstrong made the leap to a government office hoping
to bring his 30-plus years of private-sector experience to the
county.
Realizing the opportunity and room for growth in both the county’s population and business opportunities, new county Planning Director Gary Armstrong made the leap to a government office hoping to bring his 30-plus years of private-sector experience to the county.
Armstrong is replacing Interim Director Cathy Woodbury who took over the position when the previous director, Art Henriques, stepped down after four years in April. Armstrong’s first day was Aug. 9.
Despite working for a Irvine- based private consulting firm, called RBF Consulting, Armstrong has worked on public projects before as a consultant, including issuing a peer review of Novato’s plans to use Hamilton Air Force Base. Although he has worked on public sector projects, it never has been as an employee of a government agency.
“I don’t see that many differences between private and public,” Armstrong said. “I have spent half on private and another half on public – I know both sides of the counter and I am familiar with what makes projects work.”
But a lot of his knowledge is steeped in the private sector, which Supervisor Margie Barrios hopes will allow the planning department to run with more consistency and a more fluid flow.
“It gives us insight on how we should provide services,” Barrios said. “I hope he brings that to San Benito County.”
Armstrong’s experiences propelled the county board to change what supervisors were looking for in a new planning director, Barrios said. Initially, the board wasn’t looking for someone with private-sector experience. But after reviewing Armstrong’s resume, they realized that’s what they needed.
“Initially going into it, we were looking for someone to come in here and streamline but we realized he would be a huge asset to San Benito County,” Barrios said. “It’s something that is very much needed right now.”
Armstrong realizes his experience is important for the county.
“I understand both sides of the coin of discussion,” he said.
Barrios expects his experience will help smooth relationships with companies already in San Benito County and those hoping to come, she said.
“We have really great employees but we just need someone to come in here and put it all together,” Barrios said. “Things need to be smooth and quick and not feel like we are wasting people’s time and money.”
Armstrong’s hiring has created a buzz for some businesses in the area, including Pacific Scientific.
Larry Barr, director of Pacific Scientific and president of the San Benito County Business Council, is excited to see that Armstrong has spent so much time in the private sector.
“I think he will have a keener sense of how things should be run,” Barr said. “I think the planning department needs great improvement.”
For the full story, see the Free Lance on Tuesday.
