27Kimberly Prillhart has been selected as the new director of the Resource Management Agency. The appointment was made by County Executive Officer Mike Powers following a search which included strong internal and external candidates. Prillhart replaces Chris Stephens who retired in January after 13 years as the agency’s director.
Prillhart started with the County in 1998 and for the past 10 years has served as the County’s Planning Director. As Planning Director, she managed a staff of 41 and a $6.1 million budget.
“Kim has consistently demonstrated leadership and expertise in navigating with her team through the many complex issues she has handled as Planning Director,” said Powers. “Kim has a track record of working well with, and listening to, stakeholders with diverse perspectives in order to identify the right balance in arriving at land use decisions that support the Board of Supervisors’ vision for land use in our beautiful County. This approach to leadership will serve her well in broadening her role to overseeing the critical areas of the Resource Management Agency including Environmental Health, Weights and Measures, Code Compliance and Building and Safety.”
In her new role, Prillhart will oversee planning, building and environmental health; and direct the enforcement of laws and ordinances regulating land use, zoning, weights, measures and environmental protection.
“I am excited to continue to move the agency forward as we update our General Plan and look to the future of Ventura County,” said Prillhart.
Prillhart began her career with the County as an intern and was then hired to work on the Surface Mining and Reclamation Act program, overseeing 27 mines. She rapidly advanced through five planning positions prior to be named as Planning Director. She has served as president of the California Counties Planning Directors Association and on the board of the California American Planning Association, and she is a 20-year member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Prillhart, 56, has a degree in Environmental Studies from the University of California at Santa Barbara. She is a resident of Ventura and will start her new position at a salary of $202,419.
