After a week as San Benito County Superior Court’s new court
executive officer, lifelong resident Gil Solorio already has major
plans to improve the modest institution as much as possible.
Hollister – After a week as San Benito County Superior Court’s new court executive officer, lifelong resident Gil Solorio already has major plans to improve the modest institution as much as possible.
The former San Benito County administrative officer, who left his post in 2004 after three years at the top of the county’s administrative ladder, said he never thought about working at the courthouse until the position became vacant.
But when former CEO Alex Calvo left at the end of July to take a similar job as court executive officer of Santa Cruz County, Solorio jumped at the opportunity, he said.
“It’s been terribly interesting,” Solorio said, whose first day was Sept. 1.
While he was impressed with the level of services at the court and hopes to maintain them, first on his list of priorities is getting the ball rolling on the construction of a new courthouse.
San Benito’s courthouse was built in 1960, and the facility is in need of an upgrade, according to Superior Court Judge Steven Sanders. The state has committed to building a new courthouse for about $20 million by 2010, but whether it will remain downtown or elsewhere has not been decided.
Sanders, who worked with Solorio during his time as the county’s counsel, was ecstatic to have him come on board at the court, he said.
“His word is gold and you can’t ask for better skills and integrity in this position,” he said.
Solorio, whose duties include coordinating personnel issues, overseeing the court’s financial matters and “everything in between,” said his first week on the job went smoothly thanks to the help of his employees.
“I’m working hard to listen to them and take that input and provide leadership,” he said.
Solorio said he hopes to remain at the court for awhile.
“I hope to stay long enough to make as good a mark as possible,” he said. “I want to do something for the public, the employees and the judges.”
