BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Tuesday, the Kern County Supervisors appointed Public Health Director John Nilon as County Administrative Officer.

Nilon will assume his new post on June 29.

Nilon has 24 years of County administrative experience and has headed three County departments.

Before he was appointed as Director of Public Health in December 2007, Nilon served as Director of Child Support Services starting in 2003 and as Executive Director of Employers’ Training Resource from 1998 to 2003.

From 1992 to 1998, Nilon was Assistant Director of Human Services. He held several positions in the County Administrative Office from 1985 to 1992.

Nilon has led County efforts to combat West Nile Virus and H1N1 Flu, and he helped to implement Healthy Families, a State and federally funded low-cost health care program for children.

Child support collections increased 37 percent under Nilon’s directorship, and County workforce training programs received national recognition when Nilon headed Employers’ Training Resource.

“Throughout his career, John Nilon has shown that he can manage, innovate, and improve services,” Chairman Jon McQuiston said in announcing Nilon’s appointment. “As we navigate the challenges ahead, Mr. Nilon’s leadership will be a valuable asset to the County.”

Nilon earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from California State University, Bakersfield, whose School of Business and Public Administration named him its Outstanding Alumni of 1990.

Nilon’s community involvement earned the Man of the Year Award from the Volunteer Association of Kern County in 1989, and he received a Regional Merit Award for Distinguished Leadership in Public Service from the Kern Council of Governments in 2002.

A 32-year resident of Kern County, Nilon is married with three children.

From The Kern County Adminstrative Office