County Supervisors Choose Mona Miyasato as Next Santa Barbara CEO
Miyasato Currently Chief Assistant County Administrator for Marin County
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors has selected Mona Miyasato — currently the the chief assistant county administrator for Marin County — as Santa Barbara’s next CEO, the supervisors announced Friday after informing county staff. Miyasato will replace current CEO Chandra Wallar when her contract expires at the end of this month. Miyasato’s selection has to be approved in open session at Tuesday’s board meeting.
In her position for Marin County, Miyasato was in charge of leading the county’s administrative services departments, its public information program, and its implementation of policy initiatives. Before heading to Marin County, Miyasato worked for approximately 10 years for the City of Santa Monica, where she worked her way up to deputy city manager. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.
“I am honored to be selected,” Miyasato said in a statement. “Santa Barbara is a world-class county, with engaged residents, dedicated employees and a Board that has made tough choices over the last several years to better position the organization toward a stable and thriving future. I look forward to furthering the Board’s vision through collaboration with the organization’s leadership, employees and community members.”
The board’s chair, 1st District Supervisor Salud Carbajal, also made a statement on Miyasato’s selection: “Our Board is pleased with the considerable experience and qualifications that Mona brings to our County. We believe that her commitment to customer service and making government work efficiently and effectively for all County residents will further enhance our community. Our Board welcomes Mona and looks forward to her joining our County organization.”
If Miyasato is approved on Tuesday, her tenure will begin on December 9. Wallar’s term ends at the end of October, after which an interim CEO will serve until Miyasato starts. The interim will be announced after Miyasato’s contract is approved.
