Wade Horton has been appointed assistant county executive officer, County Executive Officer Mona Miyasato has announced.

Horton’s duties, which he begins May 15, will include overseeing departments that provide key community services, and leading priority initiatives requiring interdepartmental collaboration.

This is a restructured role in the County Executive Office that will guide and provide strategic direction to major departments providing municipal services, such as Planning and Development; Community Services; Public Works; General Services; and Agricultural Commissioner/Weights & Measures.

Horton has been the county administrative officer for San Luis Obispo County since 2017. Before that he was San Luis Obispo’s County’s Public Works director. Prior to his public service career, he worked in the private sector as an engineer with several of those years spent in Santa Barbara County.

As San Luis Obispo County’s administrative officer, Horton led a 3,000-member team across 22 departments; was responsible for budget development; and served as the Emergency Services director.

Horton also collaborated with Santa Barbara County on numerous Central Coast regional issues, including COVID-19 response, and economic development.

“I am thrilled to be adding Mr. Horton to my executive team,” Miyasato said. “He is a proven leader, collaborator and community builder, with a heart and passion for public service.

“He has the depth of experience, skill and courage we need to improve and transform county government in a post-pandemic world,” she said. “He will continue the important work directed by the Board of Supervisors and already in progress by our departments.

“During the pandemic and even prior to that, I saw first-hand Mr. Horton’s leadership, proactive approach and focus on results. His experience in addressing homelessness, emergency response and resiliency, regional housing efforts and close collaboration with cities will all be an asset to our county,” Miyasato said.

“Having previously worked in the Santa Barbara County private sector, I am both humbled and honored for the opportunity to join CEO Miyasato’s team,” Horton said. “The county of Santa Barbara is an exemplary organization and I’m excited to get to work serving this community.”

Horton, who was selected after a nationwide search, will assume duties currently performed by Jeff Frapwell, assistant county executive officer. Frapwell will transition to part-time this summer and focus on key projects.

Horton is a registered civil engineer with a bachelor of science in environmental engineering from Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo.