Napa County Names Next CEO

The Napa County Board of Supervisors is expected to ink a contract Tuesday with Ryan J. Alsop to serve as County Executive Officer. August 7 would be Alsop’s first day on the job.

Alsop currently serves as Chief Administrative Officer in Kern County. His experience in local government spans decades, with prior stints in Los Angeles County and the City of Long Beach. He has also worked for a number of lawmakers, including Rep. Stephen Horn and State Senator Ken Maddy, as well as former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“At Kern County, Alsop oversaw critical areas such as countywide budget and finance, human resources, economic and workforce development, information technology and general services, showcasing his strong strategic abilities and commitment to effective governance,” according to a Napa County press release. “During his tenure, he successfully navigated a fiscal emergency and effectively addressed severe general and fire fund structural deficits. He led significant reform in employee compensation practices across multiple bargaining units and played a pivotal role in the development and construction of the county's first 150-bed low-barrier navigation center as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness.

“Furthermore, Alsop's leadership extended to regional initiatives, including the renegotiation and implementation of county fire service contracts to ensure efficient emergency response capabilities. He also helped lead a regional rebranding effort and the establishment of a public-private collaborative focused on driving economic diversification, growth, inclusion and prosperity.”

Alsop earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Bakersfield and a Master of Public Policy from the American University School of Public Affairs in Washington, DC. He serves as treasurer of the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Finance Corporation and the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative. He also serves on the Board of Governors of Kern Medical and the leadership council of the B3K Prosperity Initiative.

Alsop issued the following statement about his impending move:

My decision to leave Kern County was a tough one.  Not only am I leaving family, friends and a community I care deeply about, but also a job that has been incredibly rewarding, working for and with people that I love and respect, and whom I’m going to miss tremendously.  

I’m very proud of the work our County staff, and our Board of Supervisors, has accomplished during my time here, and even with the significant challenges that lay ahead, the prospect for success and greatness is real, and undoubtedly the shared vision of this County’s leadership and each and every one its employees.   

My family and I are excited about the new adventure we’re embarking on, and I’m very much looking forward to joining the team in Napa, and playing a part in continuing to move their county forward.  That said, a piece of my heart will remain here in this community, and with the family and friends my wife and I are leaving.

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