County Hires New County Administrative Officer
Author: Human Resources
Date: 11/7/2017 2:04 PM
After a nationwide search and extensive selection process, the County of San Luis Obispo Board of Supervisors selected Wade Horton as the next County Administrative Officer.
Since 2014, Horton has served as the County’s Public Works Director. Previously, he was Deputy Director of Utilities/Water for the City of San Luis Obispo. Horton has a broad base of experience and knowledge of San Luis Obispo County which will provide a strong foundation for effectively serving in the County Administrative Officer role.
As County Administrative Officer, Horton will oversee an annual budget of $590 million and staff of 2,800 that provides a wide range of services to the San Luis Obispo County community, including public safety and emergency preparation, road maintenance, environmental protection, health and human services, and more.
“Wade is the clear choice to lead us into the future,” said John Peschong, Chairman of the County Board of Supervisors. “Even with our Board’s diversity, Mr. Horton’s ability to obtain a 5-0 vote clearly demonstrates the confidence the Board has in his leadership.”
Horton brings 19 years of combined public and private sector experience to his new role and will begin his position as the County’s Administrative Officer on November 15, 2017.
“I’m looking forward to serving with an exceptional leadership team focused on service and improving quality of life for our fellow County residents,” Horton said.
Under his leadership in the County Public Works Department, the Department successfully collaborated with partner agencies and stakeholders to advance sustainable management of the County’s groundwater basins, integrated 80 new team members and associated responsibilities following dissolution of the General Services Department, and completed the Los Osos Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Before he began his career in local government, Horton was a project manager for Penfield & Smith, a construction field engineer for Modern Continental, and an associate engineer for URS Corp. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, and is a registered Civil Engineer in the State of California. He is a veteran and has served as a United States Navy Civil Engineering Corps reserve officer for 13 years.
