Paul Matulich, the agriculture commissioner whose career working
on behalf of county ranchers and farmers spanned four decades, has
died. Matulich took over as the San Benito County agriculture
commissioner in April 2004 and before that had spent 39 years
working in the office.
Paul Matulich, the agriculture commissioner whose career working on behalf of county ranchers and farmers spanned four decades, has died. He was 66 years old.
Matulich took over as the San Benito County agriculture commissioner in April 2004 and before that had spent 39 years working in the office. County officials today confirmed he has died following a battle with illness.
Matulich took a natural interest in agriculture early on because his family owned an orchard on the west side of Hollister near the location of the old slaughterhouse, noted Mark Tognazzini, whom Matulich succeeded as agriculture commissioner five years ago.
Tognazzini, who said he grew up with Matulich, first hired him to work for the county office in 1965. Tognazzini called him a “good guy and a dedicated guy.”
“He cared about agriculture and the farmers and the county,” Tognazzini said. “You couldn’t ask for a better person. It’s a great loss.”
County Administrative Officer Susan Thompson echoed that thought and said Matulich’s passing will be “a huge loss for all of us.”
“He embodied the personality of this community,” she said. “He’s a great friend for all of us and we’re going to miss him. Our hearts go out to his family.”
Board of Supervisors Chairman Anthony Botelho, who owns an apple orchard in San Juan Bautista, said Matulich’s death is “still a shock.”
“It’s a really big loss to the county and the agricultural industry in San Benito County,” he said. “He’s irreplaceable. He always tried to make things work. He tried to always look out for the interests of the growers.”
Botelho said Matulich has been in the agriculture department for “as long as I can remember” and said “he’s always been fair and accommodating to anyone who has the benefit to work with him.”
“He was really one of us,” said Botelho.
Tognazzini noted how many regulatory officers in similar positions have an enforcement mentality.
“His personality really wasn’t that way,” he said. “He did a good job.”
After his initial appointment in 2004, Matulich had this to say to the Free Lance: “It’s great to know the board of supervisors holds a lot of trust in me, and it will be nice after all these years to finish up my career in the top position.”
As for finding a successor, Thompson said the “board is going to have to make a decision.” Matulich had two assistant directors, which may be considered in replacing him.
“We’re going to try and deal with his death in the best way we can,” she said.
Biography information from San Benito County:
– Born in Hollister
– Graduated from San Benito High School in 1961
– Served in the California National Guard for six years
– Attended Gavilan College 1965-1968
Work history with San Benito County:
1965: temporary employee with Agricultural Commissioner’s Office working weed rodent control, certifying vehicle and livestock scales and seed certification
1968: appointed agricultural inspector/biologist I, II III
1996: appointed as deputy agricultural commissioner
2000: passed county sealer of weights and measures certification
2001: passed certification requirement for county agricultural commissioner
2004: appointed for 4-year term as agricultural commissioner
2008: reappointed for another four-year term as county agricultural commissioner
