Sheriff Bill Brown has selected Robert Gonzalez as a new chief administrative officer (CAO) to fill a long-time vacancy as the head of support services. This will be the first time a chief’s position will be held by a civilian at the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office.
The CAO position is an executive leadership position responsible for oversight of the Support Services Branch, which includes the Financial Service and Operations Support divisions.
Gonzalez, who starts his new job Sept. 6, was hired by the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office in September 2019 as the first non-sworn human resources manager. Before that, he worked in consulting, served as interim director of public safety at Mt. San Antonio Community College, and was the chief of police for the Santa Paula Police Department.
Gonzalez has also served on the Santa Paula Elementary School District Board of Trustees, Santa Paula Union High School District Board of Trustees, Ventura County Community College Board of Trustees, and Santa Paula City Council.
“Bob has an extraordinary background, is cheerful and energetic, and brings a wealth of executive leadership experience and knowledge to this new position,” said Sheriff Brown. “He has served us exceptionally well as our first sheriff’s human resources manager, and I have no doubt that he will continue to excel in his new position as our first-ever civilian chief administrative officer.”