Napa County, CA – The Napa County Board of Supervisors announced the appointment of Ryan J. Alsop as the county's new County Executive Officer (CEO). With a career spanning both public service and private sector leadership, Alsop brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of driving positive change and delivering exceptional services to the community. Alsop, age 52, will start his new post effective August 7, pending final approval of his employment contract, which will be considered at the June 13 Board of Supervisors meeting.
Alsop's impressive career in local government includes 20 years of administrative experience with the County of Los Angeles and the City of Long Beach, and most recently as the chief administrative officer for Kern County, one of California's largest county governments. Alsop also worked as 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 and served as director of external affairs in the office of then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
At Kern County, Alsop oversaw critical areas such as countywide budget and finance, human resources, economic and workforce development, information technology and general services, showcasing his strong strategic abilities and commitment to effective governance. During his tenure, he successfully navigated a fiscal emergency and effectively addressed severe general and fire fund structural deficits. He led significant reform in employee compensation practices across multiple bargaining units and played a pivotal role in the development and construction of the county's first 150- bed low-barrier navigation center as part of a comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness.
Furthermore, Alsop's leadership extended to regional initiatives, including the renegotiation and implementation of county fire service contracts to ensure efficient emergency response capabilities. He also helped lead a regional rebranding effort and the establishment of a public-private collaborative focused on driving economic diversification, growth, inclusion and prosperity.
Belia Ramos, chair of the Board of Supervisors, expressed her confidence in Alsop's ability to lead Napa County to new heights. She stated, "Ryan's track record of transformative leadership, fiscal acumen, and his commitment to delivering high-quality services align perfectly with our vision for Napa County. We are thrilled to have him join our team and believe he will play a crucial role in shaping a prosperous future for our community. “Alsop shared his excitement about assuming this important role, saying, "I am honored and privileged to join the exceptional team at Napa County as the county executive officer. I firmly believe in the power of local government to make a meaningful difference in people's lives, and I am committed to building confidence, trust and a culture of excellence. Together, we will work towards advancing our community, driving progress, and achieving outstanding results for the residents of Napa County."
Alsop, a native of Bakersfield, California, holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Bakersfield. He also earned a Master of Public Policy from the American University School of Public Affairs in Washington, DC.
An active participant in various community organizations, Alsop currently serves as the treasurer for the California State Association of Counties (CSAC) Finance Corporation and on the Board of Governors of Kern Medical. Additionally, he acts as the treasurer of the Bakersfield Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative and serves on the leadership council of the B3K Prosperity Initiative.
Alsop will be relocating to Napa County with his wife and son, the youngest of his four children.
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