Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Fresno County
administrator Susan Thompson to be San Benito County’s top
administrator, hoping that her appointment will be a step toward
stability in the county government which has experienced much
turbulence in recent years.
Hollister – Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to hire Fresno County administrator Susan Thompson to be San Benito County’s top administrator, hoping that her appointment will be a step toward stability in the county government which has experienced much turbulence in recent years.
Currently deputy director of behavioral health for Fresno County, Thompson beat out more than 40 other candidates from throughout the country and will start work as San Benito’s Chief Administrator Officer on July 7.
Thompson’s many years of experience working in Fresno County’s government will benefit San Benito, Supervisor Reb Monaco said.
“I think she brought a lot to the table … experience, enthusiasm and a good background” said Monaco.
“She understands the win-win approaches and will be able to carry out this board’s mission of restoring public trust through respect for the individual,” he said.
Monaco said he feels that Thompson will bring stability to the county, which is suffering from a $2.6 million budget gap. Recently the county’s planning department also experienced a shake up when long-time Director Rob Mendiola was abruptly fired by acting CAO Susan Lyons earlier this month. Less than two weeks later the department’s second in command Fred Goodrich quit to work for the City of Los Banos. Thompson will be the third CAO since Terrence May quit the position in June 2004. Following May’s resignation, the county had two interim CAOs – Gil Solario, who resigned in January and Susan Lyons, who will hold the post until July.
“We’ve experienced very chaotic times,” he said. “There is always uncertainty in chaotic times. She (Thompson) can rebuild the structures that have been disrupted.”
Thompson will earn $136,500 per year as CAO.
Thompson said she doesn’t have any preconceived notions about what she will do as CAO, but she is looking forward to rolling up her sleeves, learning about San Benito and then making positive changes in the county.
“I want to talk to folks and listen to folks,” she said. “I really want to get in there and see what we can do to make things happen.”
Currently Fresno County residents, she and her husband Charlie will relocate to San Benito County. They have a son, Brent, who is a sophomore at the University of California at Davis.
As CAO, Thompson said she plans to have open communication with county officials and county residents to find out what the county needs and make community-minded decisions.
“I really feel it’s important to be open to building a community through collaboration, making sure we have as much dialogue as we can,” she said. “I’m that kind of person. I’d rather listen than talk.”
Luke Roney covers politics and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at lr****@fr***********.com
