On December 6, Kern County Supervisors announced the appointment of Ryan Alsop, a Kern County native with extensive administrative experience in Los Angeles County, as County Administrative Officer.
Alsop will assume his new post in January 2017, when Kern's current CAO, John Nilon, retires.
“From a very strong field of candidates, Ryan Alsop's ability to mobilize people and public resources effectively in many different roles stood out,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Mick Gleason said. “His fresh perspective and leadership will help Kern County government to thrive amid changes and challenges.”
Alsop has 15 years of administrative experience with the County of Los Angeles and the City of Long Beach. He has served as Assistant Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles County since 2009. Before that, Alsop was Director of Government & Public Affairs for the City of Long Beach water agency, during which he took a leave of absence to serve as Director of External Affairs for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Alsop was also a private government relations consultant in Washington, D.C. after serving on the staffs of Rep. Stephen Horn and State Senator Ken Maddy, and he held government and public affairs positions at the Greater Bakersfield and Long Beach Chambers of Commerce.
Alsop earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, Bakersfield, and a Master's degree in Public Policy from the American University in Washington, D.C. Alsop and his wife have three children.
