San Diego County's chief financial officer, Ebony Shelton, is likely to become the county's next chief administrative officer, Commissioner Nora Vargas announced Wednesday, concluding a hiring process that has lasted more than a year and recently seen unusual political pressure over who should be selected for the job.
Shelton will be the first Black woman to serve as the county's top executive and succeed the first woman appointed to the position. The county Board of Supervisors is expected to vote on her appointment Tuesday and approve Shelton's employment contract, which includes a June 14 start date.
“I am very proud that our board unanimously agreed to a recruitment process that allowed us to find such a highly-respected and exceptionally qualified candidate from our community to be San Diego County’s next chief operating officer,” Vargas said.
He said the commission unanimously decided last week to offer the job to Shelton, who has worked for the county for almost 30 years, after interviewing finalists.
County spokesman Michael Workman declined to comment until the commission acts on Tuesday, and Shelton could not be reached for comment. It is not yet clear what her salary will be.
The finalists were also interviewed by a committee of 10 community members, two from each supervisory district, who provided the committee with feedback on each candidate's strengths and weaknesses.
The CAO reports to the Board of Supervisors and oversees the county's budget of more than $8 billion and a workforce of approximately 20,000, implementing policy, managing labor agreements and negotiations, and directing the operations of county departments, including health, land use and finance.
They also oversee all of the county’s non-elected department heads and work closely with elected officials, such as the sheriff and district attorney, and other local governments.
“Ebony N. Shelton brings decades of fiscal and administrative leadership experience, as well as a deep understanding of our community and working families,” Vargas said. “I am confident she is the right person to oversee the county's operations and execute the board's vision, and I look forward to working with her in this new leadership role.”
As Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer, Shelton will oversee the County's fiscal and financial operations, manage the budget and assist the Chief Administrative Officer in providing administrative direction and oversight of County operations.
Shelton previously served as the county’s director of financial policy and planning and group finance director. She lives in San Diego with her husband, Cecil, and their three daughters.
She holds a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Phoenix and an executive master's degree in public administration with an emphasis in public sector leadership from California State University, Northridge.
Vargas said that as a San Diego native and proud Afro-Latina of black and Salvadoran descent, Shelton understands the historical impact on the county's black and Latino communities and that understanding is the foundation of his commitment to the county's health, prosperity and overall well-being.
And she said Shelton's leadership style has earned him respect and admiration from his colleagues and beyond.
Shelton's hiring caps more than a year-long search to replace Helen Robbins-Meyer, who recently retired after more than a decade in the top position.
The hiring process began early last year but was complicated by the resignation of head coach Nathan Fletcher, who faced allegations of sexual misconduct.
At the time, the supervisors had extended a conditional employment offer to Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez. Try your search again When Fletcher's successor took office,
Chavez later reapplied, but Removed It was taken off the table, sparking fierce criticism from local labor unions representing workers in the county.
A few weeks ago, the local labor union Meeting Chavez's lawyers have told the county they are considering a lawsuit, alleging “numerous irregularities.”
The committee continued to interview candidates behind closed doors as usual and discussed hiring only in closed meetings.
Crystal Irving, president of SEIU 221, which endorsed Chavez, criticized what she called an “extremely conservative county culture” and an “opaque selection process” but said she was optimistic. “We stand ready to work with John to build a new culture within the organization to ensure workers have a strong voice,” she said.
